Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-05

Lets get chewin' gum" came in
burst of inspiration from Loretta Jen-
kins. No sooner said than done. In less
than five minutes a collection was taken
up, Loretta had bought the gum, and had
given a couple of pieces to each. 'Chew
on one. and offer the other piece to some
of EN-" she said. biting vindictively on
A little way outside the Hardware
Mrs. Cooper halted her forces and gave
the final instructions. We'll not all go
in at once" she said. We'll Just sip i IN;
the gum. The rest en- watch from the
outside. sos to know when to come.
"Who-who's goin' in hrst? asked
one.
"I'H go" said Mrs. Hignutt, the light
Of determination in her eve.
So it was she who came in, and. spying
vacant box between two of the men,
started toward it. Lapham. thinking her
customer intercepted her. What can
show you this evening. ma'am7" he ill.,
qured. 49,
she replied with a gracious smile. As She
sat down on a box. the men around the
stove stopped talking There was an
tlemen?" she inquired blandly. You was
talkin fast enough when | come in. Don't
let me disturb you" Then before their
astonished eyes she pulled out a piece OF
gum and began to chew contentedly.
"When you get through with your tobac-
CO maybe you'll try piece of my chew
IN StuII, she S3lu 10 npT Itit-nanu
neighbor, offering a piece of gum. gen
Jenkins-gasped out IN = no. NJ thank
you" and the rest of them stared at her
husband leaned over and gave her a
meaning look. Here's your paper" he
said;
disregarding. the look; before she could
say more. Mrs. Bascoms voice broke in
Good evening all! You do look real
Cooper. I'll sit-on this keE." She glanced
around at them pleasantly. Sorry
can't keep You gentlemen company with
tobacco. but | never learnt to chew
can get away with gum, though"
Yes, they saw she could. But Mrs
Cooper was rolling in. She sat down on
box. but 1t cracked ominousy. and
she, too, tried keg. The perplexed Lap
il and offered him-some gum,
The fun went on. When Loretta came
in Dave Jenkins tried to hide behind the
stove. but she took no notice of his pres
ence The women talked of this and that
with cheerful if homely. repartee. ana
ehdeavored to draw their husbands into
been suddenly stricken mute they would
nave talked quite as much.
1t was Dave Jenkins who succumhed
ctse of pecket-knives, he approached the
I"or. and then quickly slipped outside.
Spon old Mr. Walton rccollccted a press
ing errand elsewhere. John TredwclI had
a letter to maitland it was importau;
that 1t should be mailed at once. though
70 mail would go out until eleven next
morning. One by one they Slipped away.
vigorously beaten on their own ground.
The astounded Lapham was left alone
with ten of the most respected matrOns
~ the town, and listened bcwilderedly to
Mrs. tooper's description of the wedding
presents of her niece in Colorado. lie re
treated behind his desk and awaited de-
velopmcEts. For one whole hour they
kept him there. Then they rose to 60.
They went out. still talking animatedly
on the probabilities of a match between
the Wilder Dean ana old man Sackctt,
but outside the voices fell into silence.
Mrs. Cooper was the first to take up the
paen of victory.
''Sakes o mercy. when | saw Mist
Cooper's face | thought I'd die, If he
wasn't just completely dumfooZled-' At
her reminiscent chuckle the others joined
the strain.
Gradually their voices died away in the.
distance. The light behind the big sign
went out with an angry flicker.
The reign of the Hardwara was at an
end.-The Country Gentleman.