The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-17

Copyright, 1890, by the Batchellcr Syndicate.

Cousin jim" she asked in surprise.
who is that2"
Why Mr.. Pearson; don't you see
him over there?"
ooh, yes, he treats me all right"
said the girl dryly. I'VE clerks don't
complain of him."
BY and by a large man, almost as
large as Mr.. Crockett, but much more
pompous, approached him. He dis
played so much expanse Of shirt bos-
ON, and carried himself with so much
haughtiness, that Mr.. Crockett con-
cluded this must be the senior part
ner at least.
The large man tapped him on the
shoulder and asked him If he wanted
to buy anything. Mr.. Crockett ex-
planned that he was a relative of Mr..
Pearson, and had come TO see how he
managed the establishment. "Oh!"
said the man, giving a rising infection
to the word. But he walked on, and
presently when he passed Cousin Jim
he said something to him that made his
face flush again.
The store soon filed with customers,
and there was such a great hurly burly
that it made Mr.. Crockett's head swim
He became tangled up two or three
times in crowds of customers and
clerks, and it seemed to him that he
got in the way of everybody. He
wanted air. but he would not leave the
store, for the sight was interesting TO
him. Shrill voiced little boys and girls
shrieked Cash! CASH." until his ears
rang, and as one of the boys dashed
past him he caught q glimpse of tn
face of Cousin Jim's eldest son.
After a while he wandered back to-
wards the counter at which he had left
Cousin Jim and found him still there
But Cousin Jim was so busy that Mi
Crockett would not disturb him jus
then. A woman was sitting on Il,
stool in front of the counter anC
Cousin Jim was showing her the roll.
of cloth. He had almost covered the
counter with them but she insisted or
seeing more. He dragged them down
from the shelves for her until the heap
rose so high that only his head showed
behind it. But still she was not salts
fled, and she spoke very sharply to
Cousin Jim decryinG the quality of his
goods and asking him why he showed
her such stuff. Mr.. Crockett wondered
how Cousin Jim stood it so patiently,
and was rather proud of his forbear-
ance.
The woman looked at the goods some
time longer, but she took nothing, and.
Expressing her dissatisfaction in blunt
terms, rose up and left. Mr.. Crockett
was about to ask Cousin Jim If all the
women in New York were like that, but
he saw the large man with expansive
shirt bosom approaching and he held
back.
why did you not sell her some
goods?" asked the large man, angrily.
of Cousin Jim. you should never let
anyone who comes to your counter so
away without making a purchase"
But we did not have anything that
she wanted" said Cousin Jim, depre-
catngly.
"Then you should have sold her
something that she didn't want" said
the man, with increasing temper.
He said other things in a lower tone
| that Mr.. Crockett didn't catch, and
I when he turned away Cousin Jim's
| countenance was very downcast. Mr..
Crockett watched him for a moment
| or two and then drew near.
II heard what that man said to you"
he said. Down in my part of Ken
| lucky If man talked to me that way
Ia draw a gun on him."
And Mr.. Crockett's hand fell signifi-
| cantly on his hip pocket.
Put this is New York" said Cousin
Jim, sadly 'ard you can't shoot every
BODY who treats you badly"
Mr.. Crockett made no further re-
! mark. He left the store presently and
spent the remainder of the day stroll
| ing along Broadway He had intended
| to make weeks visit, but he stayed
| only two days. Cousin Jim feebly
asked him to remain longer with him,
| but he wouldn't be persuaded.
When his train was well beyond the
| limits of Jersey City Mr.. Crockett
| raised the car window and took a
long, deep breath of the crisp, fresh
air.
The End.