Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-21
AUGUSTA STORIES.
A Resume Of the Weeks Story
Swapping Crop.
The Small eoys Strategy The Boy Col
lector- Three Other Yarns.


He will run mile with his youthful GRO
MES, but he hates with mortal hatred the
task Of walking a few yards to the store
for yeast cake. And he was. this sum-
mer, still more bitter against the opera
ton of moving the grass In the from.
lawn. 1t had to be done, however, de-
spite his vigorous kicking.
Moving time was due at one time this
summer and his mother tried to get him
at work. Now. Buster" (his pet name)
the grass needs cutting. and you must
do u this afternoon.
or course, Buster began the usual howl
about having M time to play like the
other boys. and 'of life being. in sub
stance, a dern'd: ahorrid grind. when his
mother stopped him short
There, she said, that will do When
s2aA FATHER comes home tonight he ex-
poets TO see the grass all nicely cut
You know you promised you'd do every
thing you were told to do II he would
take you on the excursion
1T wasn't much OF an excursi ,n," said
Buster.
But his mother didn't heed the Interrupt
ton.
Now. I'll tell you what to do Get out
the lawn mower and go at the grass just
as II 1t were the Spanish army and you
were moving It down. 1t will be lots OF
fun. That's good boy
So In the afternoon Buster. with n
somewhat sarcastic smile on his face.
was persuaded to fetch the lawn mower
out OF the cellar and get to work.
That's right, dear said his mother,
go and whip the Spaniards.'
Buster grinned and passed on
For while his mother heard the rat
tie of the mower. Then 1t ceased for a
minute. and she heard Buster giving a
peculiar catcail 1t was answered pres
emily, and in a little while the mower
rattle began again.
Pretty soon Busters mother though,
she would go to the front door and see
how the job was coming on. What was
her surprise TO discover Master Buster
lolling on the steps while two smaller
boys tugged and sweated over the lawn
mower.
Dear me. Buster, cried his mother
what does this mean?'
Buster looked up with a merry twinkle
In his eye.
Why. you see, mamma he drawled,
licking the Spaniards was a bigger lob
than l expected, an so 1 called out more
troops"
And his mother went in and shut the
door.
Water street merchant was talking
OF bill collecting and of the different
methods employed. He said he had read
a few ways that had been told of in the
Journal recently, but he knew Of a case
that was equal to all. The collector in
this case, youth who had strong voice
and plenty of nerve. He would go to a
place and the following would he a sam
pie of the conversation that would en-
sue:
rs there where the McGinnisses lives?"
asked the boy with the stentorian voice.
Yes" replied Mrs. McGinnis.
Myers a statement" yelled the youth.
"A what?'
a statement. What We owe
We don't owe anybody said Mrs.
McGinnis, taking the bill and looking
sharply at the boy.
Il guess We do,,'
WHO sends this bill?''
"Mugglns & Shawcross.''
Whats it for?"
Groceries,
The far-resounding yell of the youthful
collector had attracted the attention of
all the neighbors by this time. and Mrs.
McGinns was both indignant and ernbar-
Il tell you, boy" she said. I'VE don't
run any bills. We have no account at
Muggins & Shawcross' or any other GRO
Gerry store. There is some mistake about
this"
Nome! They haint no mistake, Mr..
McGinnis he bought some stuff at the
store three. weeks ago, an he hadn't
enough money with him to pay fur it all.
an he said he'd fix it up next time ne
was in. He hain't fixed it up VIII
How much is it?''
Ten cents!" responded the bow. in a
voice that could have been heard half a
mile away.
Mrs. McGinnis then looked at the bill.
1t agreed with the verbal statement of
the youthful collector.
From the noise you were making T
thought 1t must have been at least s10''
She said handing him a dime at once
lhank ye ma'am!" roared the boy
1900 ~-N'' -AASHAhilis, she fetrc1ted In
side and closed the door, had the salts
faction of knowing that everybody in the
neighborhood could testify she had set
tied the account
Don't you think, Minerva said NJ.
Backenstots, the Stapleton man. anxious
~, as he tied the strings of the kitchen
apron ilrmly around his waist and tucked
ms whiskers carefully behind the bib to
Keep them out of the dishwater. don't
you think we are carrying this idea of
cooperation in domestic matters To the
extremes? / have been washing dishes
Tor week now, and between times I
nave been doing a little Scriptural read |
ing, and | can't find in the Bible any
authority for men doing kitchen work. |
On the other hand women are frequently |
spoken OF in this connection. She look
eth well to the ways of her household
she worketh willingly with her hands, |
she riseth while it is yet night and Civ |
eth meat to her Observation-Disclosures Quota |
tons, Minerva, would seem to warrant |
the conclusion that household duties !
should properly be assigned to the wom- |
an"
My dear" replied his wife, like the
'est OF your sex, you are not adapted to !