Iron County register., 1898-12-29


sAlter 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
shuffied half way to the door, then
shuffied resolutely back to the counter
again.
They're for Love, you know" he
said, courageously. San Loves sick.
She's hurt in her back, an she says the
water don't taste good. She's set on
having some lemonade. An 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
g trustings this minute? When she's
settled that page up. mebbe I'll begin
ever again a trusting her-mebbe so.
But not till; so you needn't stand there
3
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
squeeze of lemon juice in it! Pluck up
courage, Jot-one more trial! For
Love, you know-for Lovei
I'll 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 90 chores. I'll come quick as-as-"
"As your ma pays her bills-jist about
as quick as that" laughed Abel Tappan,
roughly. "I don't knows I'm suffering
for chores this time O. night. ! guess
Dove. or Love. or whatever her name
is, II have to drink water a spell longer.
Your ma can put some vinegar in to
Even il up. with sprinkling O sugar.
useter drink that with relish when 1
was n little shaver. You've got to pay
for lemons if you want 'em cut O. this
store. I've trusted you and trusted you
Jill 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 'em. 20, poor little thirsty LoveD
] guess we ain't beggars! l guess we
mean to pay our billsi 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
..sfter him. Mrs. Drusilla Wyncoop, just
entering. ran into him, and her ample
figure and the tapping folds of her
shawl quite eugulfed the little scurry-
ing shape.
Land of liberty!" she cried, cheer
i.y, who's this running over me just's
if / didn't amount to anything! o. you
lothian? Well. guess I'll have to get
my life insuredl Good evening. Abel.
/ thought maybe you wouldn't mind if
Ir>d=opsed in to settle up my account.
To-morf6@'s New Year. and couldn't
sleep a winkNto-night. up 10 my ears in
debt"
Abel Tappan beamed at her over the
counter. he Uu0leO up u cudih iOA nSA 1
and put il near the stove.
~ guess 'twouldn't be more than up |
70 your elbows. Mis- Wyncoop," he |
laughed. jovfally. Not deep enough |
TO keep you awake. But knew you'd |
he in tonight. just as wells 1 knew
should eat my supper. l told Becky. |
I saws: Mis- wyneoop1l be in to pay |
her bill tonight. you see If she aia't. /
J:eeky.' SAYS I-set down here by The |
IRE. do-and here you arei Well. all
ss.I wish there were more like you in |
Ebe vo-Idl Those shiftless McKies,
z<~that little scamp of Jot's been
tsying to get trusted again. but I've
kkfrneki guess IT'S about time, too"
ze got down his big book from the
lhfeh corner desk and spread it open on
tlsf eounter, turning the pages labori-
e<slx. Abel Tappan was his own book
<<<ptr and had his own peculiar fash
<cn Of .skeeping- the great, leather
E4orsref book--a fashion that would
IESS fsrsf puzzled. then foored the dap
Hr precise graduate Of . commercial L