The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-12-29

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spoke sha.r ly.
The thin, wizened little face across the
counter took on an anxious look.
Mother, she couldn't send the
money. She says if you'll please to
CHARGE
"Charge!-charge! I'm sick o. that
tune, you can tell your ma. You can
skipper right home and tell her now
When she wants lemons calc'late she's
got to pay for 'em same as other folks
does"
Little Jot McKie's clumsy shoes
shufhed half way to the door, then
shuff1ed resolutely back to the counter
again.
"They're for Love, you know" he
said, courageously. "An' Loves sick.
She's hurt in her back, an she says the
water don't taste good. She's set on
having some lemonade. AM mother
says if you'll trust her, Mister Tap
pan"
"Ain't trusted her since way back
most to flood time, I'd like to know?
Amt her page in my ledger chock full
C. trustings this minute? When she's
settled that page up, mebbe I'll begin
ever again trusting her-mebbe 50.
But not till; so you needn't stand there
waiting for lemons. Nights well go
right along home, sonny
But Loves pinched, white little face
pleaded with Jot, and Loves restless
little fingers tugged at his heart
strings. Poor Love! and the water
didn't taste good. If there was Just a
squeeze of lemon juice in it! Pluck up
courage, Jot-one more trial! For
Love, you know-for Love!
iii do chores to pay for 'em, an
you needn't only let me have one, Mis-
ter Tappan. The water tastes bad. an
Loves set on having squeeze of lemon.
I'll carry it right home an hurry back
an do chores. I'll come quick as-as-"
LAS your ma pays her bills-jist about
es quick as that" laughed Abel Tappan,
roughly. II don't knows I'm suffering
tor chores this time O. night. guess
Dove, or Love. or whatever her name
IS, III have to drink water spell longer.
Your ma can put some vinegar in to
Even it up, with sprinkling O. sugar.
useter drink that with relish whenI
was little shaver. You've got to paw
for lemons if you want 'em out O. this
store. I've trusted you and trusted you
till I'm sick of it,
Little Jot drew up his stunted figure
in injured dignity. The very freckles
on his face radiated scorn.
keep your old lemons!" he cried, his
voice quavering unsteadily. 1--WE don't
want EN-! 20, poor little thirsty Lovely
guess we amt beggars! I guess we
mean to pay our bills! Mother'd got
the money most all saved up, but Love
got worse an she had to have the doc
tor an lots of medicines"
He took long, manly strides toward
the door, his indignant voice trailing
after him. Mrs. Drusilla Wyncoop, just
entering, ran into him, and her ample
figure and the Tapping folds of her
shawl quite engulfed the little scurry-
ing shape.
Land of iberty!" she cried, cheer
lily, who's this running over me just's
if didn't amount to anything! O,you
lothian? Well. I guess III have to get
my life insured! Good evening. Abel.
I thought maybe you wouldn't mind if
I dropped in to settle up my account.
To-morrow's New Year, and couldn't
sleep wink tonight, up to my ears in
debt"
Abel Tappan beamed at her over the
counter. He hunted up chair for her
and put i, near the stove.
II guess 'twouldn't be more than up
to your elbows, Mis- Wyncoop," he
laughed, jovially. "Not deep enough
to keep you awake. But knew you'd
be in tonight, just as wells knew
should eat my supper. l told Becky.
I says: Mis- Wyncoop'll be in to pay
her bill tonight, you see if she amt,
Becky says I-set down here by the
fire, do-and here you are! Well. all
is, wish there were more like you in
the world! Those shiftless McKies,
now-that little scamp of Jot's been
In trying to get trusted again, but I've
struck! guess it's about time, too"
He got down his big book from the
high corner desk and spread it open ON
the counter, turning the pages labori-
ously. Abel Tappan was his own book
keeper and had his own peculiar fash
ion Of keeping" the great, leather
covered book-a fashion that would
have first puzzled. then foored the dap.
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