Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-11-07

hung On q long rack, and small farming
implements. At the end nearest the
door were rakes, scythes and shovels Of
various kinds for various uses There
were shoeboxes, perhaps half filled
with rough boots. And in the middle Of
the floor, which was not too clean in
spite of the center being freshly swept.
were barrels of crackers, sugar, salt,
hour and meal. And then behind him
were shelves piled high with calicoes.
thread. jeans. jackets and overalls.
brightly colored suspenders, handler
chiefs, and q variety of small articles
for ladies' use. In the rear of the room
were barrels of molasses. vinegar. kero
sene and linseed Gil, all lying ON their
sides in rests black with filth and smoke
There were also barrels upright in
which might be oats. corn and cotton.
seed meal; perhaps also barrels Of salt
pork and corned beef. and small barrels
for fish and a can of oysters.
A sudden hopeful thought came to
Alec as he looked from one to another Of
these articles. Mr.. Higgins was alone.
| with only 'Lisbeth to help him. He was
stiff and rheumatic, and 'Lisbsfh evil
IDENTIFY had more than she could do in
caring for the tavern and in housekeep-
ing. Why should not Alec become o
clerk in the store: He would offer him.
| self, proposing to work for board and
lodging until Mr.. Higgins thought him
| worth more.
Hardly had he decided 20 90 this,
| nth sort oi rush Of hope and expect
.ncy, when Er. Higgins numbered in,
,ut as soon as he saw Alec Ee stopped
short. and Alec quickly rose and turned
to face him.
| well, sonny, VI hat can do for you?"
asked the old fellow in rather q moro
kindly tone than no had spoken in The
day before.
Il wanted to SEQ il you would let nc
help you in the store hero for my beard.
You seem to need somebody. and could
make myself useful. l haven't any
money, and l am unable to &c. farr,
work. and 1 would do anything to earn
my living until l could have chance
TO look round triie. You seer 20 have
nobody here but your daughter. and you
have more than yen can do yourself.
am young and spry. and could learn
quickly, if you would let me. am sure.
If yen would jus, give me trial for a
few days. you could tell by that time
what l am able to do. -
| Alec spoke earnestly and eagerly as he
went on and advanced nearer and necgez
the counter, till he fairly leaned over il,
and Mr.. Higgins shrank back against
the shelves with his hands IN his pock
cts, for n momen: taken abac1 by the
fierce onset.
But as soon Gs Alec paused he recov
cred himself. He looked at the boy
sharply for moment and seemed salts
fed.
You amt no city chap up here for
lark. be you?" he asked suddenly.
NO." replied Alec simply. but in !
way that apparently satisfied Mr.. Hig
gins.
Then the man looked slowly abou
the store, and at last remarked, as If u
were the conclusion of his thought:
| ''Mebbe ! do need somebody to hel,
me. I'm getting sort of old ard rheu
matte. ] amt as spry as / once was
And your victuals wouldn't put me or
| . SO d-SttlHs we VI
got to cook anyway and ] get things a
l wholesale.
Then with merry twinkle he looked
at Alec sharply and said:
"Ef you're going to work for you
board, s'rose you want to begin will
breakfast. Well, eff you step insid,
there, cal'clate 'Lisbeth will sort O. Fl,
you up"
Then he numbered off toward tn,
postofiice department. which was at tn,
end of the counter nearest the door
Alec watched him a moment. and the,
timidly made his way into the dininl
room.
'Lisbeth was sitting alone at the enc
Of the table finishing her breakfast. TO
she had been waiting on the others.
GOOD morning." said Alec tenta
lively.
She nodded a welcome. with smile
I'm going to work for your fathe
for my board, and he said you woul'
give me some breakfast" he went o,
after q moments pause for her to speai;
of which she did not take advantage.
'Lisbeth Immediately rose from he
place, and motioning him to anothe
said:
, IF you'l sit down, I'll get you som
breakfast right off. =" With which sh
: hurried into the kitchen.