The Republican journal., 1899-04-20
"1Is' JINklNS' BUTTER"

the country where Mrs. Samantha Jenkins
lived hers was generally conceded to be
the best. 1t was just exactly right in
every particular, SO sweet, so firm and
of perfect color. Other butter might
be very good; hers was simply perfection.
Even the other farmers wives as rule,
could hear its praises sounded with
equanimity. Indeed, it VAS considered
by most OF them an excellent compliment
to have ''him' say, as he took liberal
supply OF the last chnrning upon his
plate, 'Well, you had good luck with
your butter this time. It's just about as
near right as Mis- Jinkins' for all see.'
Mrs. jenkins, moreover, was well aware
of her buffers reputation, and always
asked higher price for it than was paid
for any other, having no difficulty in dis
posing of all she could make at her add
vanced rates.
But there was at least one dissenting
voice regarding the superiority of the pro-
duct of Mrs. Jenkins churn.
The idee. Mrs Betsy Tompkins ex-
claimed to herself frequently and emphat-
ically. There amt no sense IN it, not
mite. Mis- Jinkins' butter amt a grain
better II mine. They couldn't be told
apart if body didn't know which was
which. Folks have got it into their heads
that hers is nicer anybody else can
make, aud they think it $ got to be; that's
all there is about it. Td like a chance
once to prove they re mistaken"
Nj. Tompkins, however, refused TO
share her views on the subject.
''Sho now, Betsy" he would say with
good na,ural laugh. There no use
tallyIv4' Nv al.
here M Ike butter quite equal to Mis-
Jinkins. Your'n is plenty good enough
for me, Tut her is good enough for the
president OF Queen Victoria either and
he would give a little chuckle as he help
ed himself freely to the article in question.
FoI Il number Of years MI. Pease, the
prime pal merchant in the small town
where Mrs. Jenkins and Mrs. Tompkins
did tleIr trading, had contracted for al.
tie 6i tier that these two could spare
aside s1om that which they themselves
supplied to regular customers. Mr. Pease
furnished each with two gallon jars which
they filled and brought to the store as
convenient.
One day late III the fall Fir. Jenkins
came into the store.
Got two Jars of butter out here, Mr..
fease.'' he said adding facetously, ''it
you think you can sell it I'll bring it
in
"All right, Nj. Jenkins" replied the
mere hant laughing, Guess III take it
and see what luck have getting rid of it.
Want to do any trading?"
es, bimeby. Got TO go TO the black
smiths first. SO, as several customers
came in Just then Mr.. Pease paid no fur
Their attention to MIR jenkins or his but
ter.
Shortly afterNard Mr.. Tompkins ar
rived. Got IT, more jars of butter for
you, Nj. Pease. - he announced
''lrlad 0f it, said Nh. Pease. just
about out of MIS-. G0mpkins' butter. Set
it down somewhere and ! Il take care
OF il is soon as l can Busy day, you
see
80 It's. So It's. Good thing. Like
10 set tolks have plenty to dc; keeps EN-
ca o' mischief, Mr. Tompkns returned
With iha cheerful chuckle that invariably
accom- panied bis mild jokes Just put
ue ~ pound q tea-you know the kind
--aNo a dollar worth O sugar, and, his
order being filed, lie departed
\ few minutes la,er Nh. Jenkins came
bach, did bs trading and left for home
Az spou as possible MI Pease pro-
ceeded attend TO the butter which his
NC gus Htnefs had Drought, but as he did
SO puzzled look came INTO his face. He
had pald ~ attention to the disposition
II eithel ioJ, and there if was, two jars in
one place and two il another-alI alike
and oL the same size.
''We. said MI. Pease to himself, 81
guess / San tell Mrs, Jenkins butter.
ought to be able to when pay her three
cents none pound for it," So he look
ed and smelled and tasted; but, strange to
say, eacl lot appeared 10 be fully equally
10 1he other.
FINALLY however he succeeded in per
sualing himself that he could detect
slight Offence in favor Of TWO OF the jars
ard felt much relieved, though the Incl
dent did give rise TO questioning in his
mind.
Dpe jar ot the butter which Mr.. Pease
LAD settled upon as Of Mrs. Jenkins
make was sold at once to Lawyer Brown.
Neo observed When be next visited The
stole Nellr Mrs. jenkins knows how to
MAKE butter tor tact. She seems to
improve II sucu d thing is possible " This
remark served to dispel the last lingering
leal u a mistake from the mind Of THE
merchant, Dut lt dld not quite rid him Of
ihe doubtful feeling his dilemma had
aroused.