The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1903-06-13

we want you to come along with us,
I've got something to propose.
You'll take it all right, won't you""
perhaps ! know what it is" an
swered Rossiter, for several times
he had seen Becraft furtively regard
ing his hair and beard.
DO your"
81 can guess"
"WeIl, if that's the case, you amt
a-goin' to mind, are you? You can
pay me back, you know"
you'll trust me to pay you back,
then?"
Trust you to? Why, of course l
will. You'll pay me if you've got
anythin' to pay with, an you'll have
it all right after little"
81 don't believe there are many who
would take your view of it,"
"P'raps not, for, to tell the truth,
you amt what the boys would call
a SWELL But shave an hair cutll
make sight of difference. | know
of a place close by where well go.
A chap from our town keeps it,"
As they turned from the main
thoroughfare, which was called Ken
eseo street, puff of warm wind blew
a cloud of dust in their faces.
"Thunder!" calculated Joe Be
craft, "I've swallowed enough nasty
stuff for one day. Do you know" he
added, "for a decent city, this town
is one of the dirtiest goin'! "Taint
as bad as it used to be, but it's plenty
bad enough"
Rossiter was not posted in the mat
ter of municipal STRENGTHENING, so
he did not reply to these observa-
tions. They had not walked more
than a block when they saw bar
ber's striped pole, and entered a little
shop where a dapper young man,
with elaborately brushed hair and a
not over-clean white duck jacket,
was making change for customer
whom he had been shaving.
"Hullo, joel" said this individual
"what are you up to?"
ooh, the mills shut down for q
few weeks, an I'm off hop-pickin
with the family" answered Becraft
Friend of mine, here" he continued
indicating Rossiter, wants you ia
Ak him up"
The BARRIERS attention was for the
first time directed to the companion
| of the Becraft brothers.
"Say-" he began.
mo Jollyin', now" interrupted Joe
"He took an oath while ago that he
wouldn't get shave or hair cut til
you cleaned your streets properly
but he's backed out"
The barber exploded in guffaw.
Lucky for him he has," he an
swered, 'unless he means to hire out
to Forepaugh or Buffalo Bill as the
| wild man of Borneo."
While Rossiter's locks were being
| trimmed and his beard removed, Joe
| Becraft and his tonsorial friend KEPT
their tongues continually wagging
Their conversation had chiefly to dc
with the town of their nativity ant
certain portion of its inhabitants
and Rossiter listened with not LITTLE
inward amusement, for each young
man had, in his way, sense of broad
humor that flashed out in their com
ments upon people. Finally the bar
bers task was accomplished, and h
removed the soiled apron from Ros
| siter's neck with flourish and a.
"There you are, sir!"
GOSH" Joe Becraft exclaimed, :"
wouldn't believe you were the sam'
| fellow"
The change in the vagabond's ap
pearance was indeed great. Hi
rather large, clear-cut features
showed to an advantage withou
beard or mustache. and though tn
lines of his chin indicated lack o
decision, one studying his face TO
| the first time would have said tina
its possessor was endowed with
strong individuality. His deep brow
eyes were laughing and grave b.
turns. The discomfort and bitterness
which showed in the expression o
his mouth were not to be seen habit
ually. Dissipation had left no mari
! upon his countenance, for although
at times Rossiter had imbibed freely
he was very far from being a drunk
ard; indeed, he had no special tast
for liquer, and had frequently re
sorted 20 II not 80 much because b.
eravtd II as because IL took him on
Of himself.
Beeraft produced some silver ar'
paid his toWnafellow.
ats my treat today be 81
planned.
They now rstrssSd tAsir sseps Z