The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-12
PART uI.


Mr.. Crockett was awakened early in
the morning by rasping Of ropes and
jangling of bells. He thought at first
il was a fire. and leaped from the bed
in alarm. striking his head againstapro-
iecting corner of the wall. But he soon
decided that il was no fire. He could
hear voices as if some one were shout
ing up long chimney. The voices were
distinct enough for him to understand
many of the words that were said. There
was a threat about never sending up
any more meat unless the last months
bill was settled. and then n different
voice was heard in expostulation and
entrcaty. Mr.. Crockett did not catch
the end OF the discussion
Mr.. Crockett did not sleep any more,
and was called to breakfast an hour
later. The boys were there. small and
sharp-faced like their parents. Mr..
Crockett greeted them with affection,
for he Yas warm-hearted man. but
he could not say that he took to them
very much. They seemed too old for
their years. Jim ought to have Let them
stay at school longer. There was such
q thing as croyvIling boy too much.
The breakfast consisted of coffee.
bread and butter. ,and some thin slices
of bacon. l~~@
"Ve've grown ut OF that old Ken
tnclxy way of eysiatS'n big meal at
breakfast" said cSusin Jim. Its a
very bad habit. Awinl on the digestion.
The Europeans. who know much more
about the art of eating thnn we do,
have only bread and butter and coffee
or tea at breakfast. You country peo-
pie suffer terribly from dyspepsia, and
it's oil caused by treating"
Mr.. Crockett admitted that Cousin
Jim might be right. Nevertheless, he
was very hungry when the breakfast
was over. The boys slid away so quiet
ly that he did not notice their absence
until they had been gone several min
utcs.
81 s'pose you have 'em in the busi-
ness with you. so they can take charge
Of it when you feel Like retirin'," haz-
prded Mr.. Crockett.
Cousin Jim did not deny the correct
ness Of his supposition. The breakfast
Mr.. Crockett go down TO Central park
and spend the morning there. His host
/. and hostess were sorry they could not
go with him. but one was compelled to
look after his business, and the latter.
owing to the temporary lack of serv-
ants, could not neglect her household
duties. But Mr.. Crockett demurred.
Central park could wait. He believed
he would go down with Cousin Jim and
see how big dry goods store was run.
Cousin jim, with rather more vigor
than ne had shown at any time be-
fore, sought to get this notion out OF Mr..
Crockctt's head. Business was such a
commonplace thing. he said, that
mere Iooker-on was bound to be bored.
But Mr.. Crockett did not think so. He
could see grass and trees every day in
Kentucky as good as any they had in
Central park. and the dry goods store
would interest him much more. He
was not to be dissuaded.
They went down together ON the ele-
waited road and entered the big dry
goods store IN the heart of the shopping
district, just as the clerks were gather
ing for their work. Back in the rear Of
the great room Mr.. Crockett could see
the high brass railing that surround
cd the Offices. BUT Cousin Jim did not
60 back there. He hung his hat in a
niche and stationed himself like a SOL
der beside a table that stood in front
of shelves loaded with rolls of cloth.
"Don't you go back every mornin' to
zee the ether partners?" asked Mr..
Crockett,
"No." sold Cousin Jim, q flush coming
into his sallow checks. 'We've had
some trouble with ealesmen at this
counter and I'm looking after Il myself
to-day. think you had better walk
around the store and see the things"
Mr. Crockett took his advice and
strolled up and down the aisles, Won
dering IL New York had enough people
10 buy all the goods in that big build
ing. There were many girls behind the
counters, and Mr.. Crockett spoke pal
lan.Iy " one Of taem, saying that hs