The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-11-15

Il nave lost money on that child!
Thereafter they exchange each morning
an obsequiously bowed, Peace by to thee
neighbour or. May thine years be full!
Customers were beamingly encouraged e
choose between them, and the old womer
spent many n leisure afternoon over g
greasy pack Of cards, each generously
careless in play, each saving the Other
with my dear Original" while each
studied her hand with a peculiarly slow
felicitous smile.
Meanwhile. the sons were also playing q
game, in which the Bear could not guess
his opponents hand At all. The partner
was a mercurial compound. lazy, alert,
dreamy. defiant, submissive. repentant,
tantalixing, by turns of ex~asperating "a
pidity. He wearied Of routine, preferrtns
opy and chat about nothing. When the
Bear ignored him he would ding out q
haunting remark. Then the Bear would
scowl and threaten withdrawal, according
to their contract, whereat he would turn
p~enitent and work furiously for ten min
utes. A thousand times the Bear cursed
himself for entering this i,l-assorted part
nership, and the other. despite his indif-
ference, obstinately refused to sell out.
liable; he could sppraise jewelry to a
grain and was an authority on dresses.
Once only he proved f61lible-n the buy
ing Of a trunk Of theatrical costumes.
"Too much" frowned the Bear. shaking
his head
But" the youth returned conclusively.
"the woman wouldn't sell for less"
Are we in business for her benefitS'
| demanded the Bear. But the other Wis
| absorbed in a Spanish dancing skirt, the
waistband of which laid across one hip,
and looked down over his shoulder. Tho
Bear gritted his teeth and stalked forth.
Returning an hour later he found the
shop empty, but far in the rear, before a
pier glass. stood the partner, tricked forth
In the yellow and black skirt, a mantilla
and a Mexican sombrero, gazing compla-
Gently over a shoulder at his reflection.
As the Bear strobe nightly forward he
wheeled with a cry and flashed scarlet.
The Bear clinched and shook him heartily.
roaring. You woman!' But lust then
the sombrero fell. a shower Of black hair
descended, and the partner, sinking face
In hand. wept..
A week later the Mother Bear. ali smiles.
appeared on the rival doorstep, purring.
May 1 come in?'
Never more welcome" ifawned Mother
Baxter. all smiles, n she ceased rubbing
her hands long enough to wheel forward
the most comfortable chair.
Mother Hester wished to make q friend
ly suggestion Mother Baxter was de-
lighted. Mother Hester had sometimes
thought that the street held hardly enough
trade for two. So had Mother Baxter.
Then how wise It would be, insinuated
Mother Hester-for one OF them to move
away. beamed Mother Baxter. Perhaps
the other might pay the moving expenses,
suggested Mother Hester. And q remark
abba price for good will. chimed Mother
Baxter. And they writhed with the JOY
Of mutual understanding.
Next week would suit me-" purred tho
Mother Bear.
"And me-" smirked Mother Baxter.
Then" 'leered Mother Hester. what
price will you
"Taker' anticipated Mother Baxter.
PAY" gently insisted Mother Hester.
PAY? But I'm too
"Stay." soothed Mother Hester.
Cor cried Mother Baxter.
Thou art meshuggah mad)r' screamed
the Mother Bear. "Dost think I'd buy
thy miserable denr'
More likely" snarled Mother Baxter.
than that / would buy thine and thy
cubs wretched kennel"
"Ha!' sneered the one. yet my cub had
the wit to get old Cohens place under
the very nose of thy skinny goat"
''Fool!' cackled thke other, I'VE bought
it three weeks past"
Liar! 1t was then that my son bought
it,