Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-07-19


Lib. You know my daddy sold little
farm O. his when was twenty-one an
set me up IN the retail grocery busi-
ness. He talked to me 80 much about
the deadbeats lynn in wait fer suckers
that l suspicioned even the preacher
whar l attended meetin'. lie got be-
hind In his account once, an hauled
I'm up an told I'm the reason wasn't
attendin' church more regular was be-
case he wasn't totin' fair. an that
couldn't"-Kenner laughed impulsive-
ly-"gtt any SPIRITUAL good nstenin' to
a man an wonderin' eff I'd ever git my
money. he paid up an quit me; but
didn't care; my religion improved, an
when his term was out he went of
OWN brother Lampkin seventy-two
dollars an odd cents. Lampkin re-
fused to hep the heathens fer four
year afterwards"
Hillyer turned round in his chair and
smiled. His face had healthier glow
and his eye deeper twinkle than
usual. To look at him one would not
have suspected that he had passed
through a storm the night before that
had almost shaken his soul out Of his
body.
"I've always thought you'd insist on
your rights he said to Kenner. can
the truth is It's the only way to get
on in business"
"Well," answered the cotton buyer,
81 had to hold folks down. Mr.. Hill
yer I was green hand. but reckon
/ ripened purity quick. Thar was
young storekeeper next door to me.
Joe Gibbs, as sharp as a br1er. He
could multiply four figures by four
figures In his head an give you the
answer in a minute. He used to tell
me who would do to credit an who
wouldn't, an always relied on his
Judgment.
"But, Lord. cayn't set here tellin'
yarns all day. I'm goin' to handle
sight O. cotton fore shutdown; it's roll
In in like circus parade"
The days business had really begun.
Mountain men came in with samples
of their cotton or grain. Bascom
Tru!tt had an armful OF the snowy
staple "Thar's whole gang O. ten
wagons from beyant the Tennessee
line he said to Kenner. "They want
to know what's yore best figure"
Kenner pulled the wads apart at the
window and answered:
"Seyen-eighths is the best I kin do.
Ras. II they take my offer git 'em
to drive it up to the side door. I've
rented space fer 500 bales here.
l hope they amt water packed or got
any dead niggers slowed away in 'em.
Slavery's over an we never did buy
'em by the pound nohow."
Truitt smiled.
They'll let you have It," he said.
"They want to tank up an go back
home"
He was turning away when Hanks
detained him. "Thar's several in that
gang that owe me fer supplies he
said, pulling out his bunch Of notes.
'Bas, tell 'em I'm prepared to cash
Their checks
"All right, Mr.. Hanks said the long
IL tell ell.
Kenner went out to receive the cot
ton, and Hillyer followed to indicate
the SPACE Kenner was to use. This
left George Buckley and the note shay
err alone together. George was writing
when Hanks stood up and leaned on
the desk near 10 him. He cleared his
throat and chewed hts cigar for mo-
ment then he said awkwardly:
II hain't much OF a hand to talk. but
I've been wantin' to say some'n' to you
ever since yore pa got in his trouble,
but somehow couldn't git to it. jest
feel like tellin' you that I'm yore friend,
an eff it had been in my power I'd "a
helped you out O. all that mess"
II thank you, Mr.. Hanks" George
returned. with flush of gratitude
I'm glad to know you felt that way
The old man coughed and stroked his
beard with his scrawny hand. I've
been watchin' yore progress. George.
ever since Hillyer tuck you up.
reckon I was more interested In 1t on
account O. my bad luck with my own
boy. George, Bob hain't with Ills room
IN hell, nue never will be"
George avoided the eye bearing down
on him when he answered:
"Of course l can't dictate to you. MT.
Hanks" he said cautiously, but l
think you are wrong about Bob.
think he will turn out all right when
he's little older. He's in with the So
ctety set here and half OF them have
well to do parents, and the truth Is he
doesn't know how to begin. think he
wants to, but
Hes always after me to put up the
money fer Inn to do business on.
sneered Hanks. NOW, wouldn't be
a daddratted idiot to put money In his
hands when he hain't got enough
energy to keep wood cut to run our
fires at homo? He's got to fust show
that he's got business capacity fore III !
resk i'm. He's the biggest trouble
ever had. George, an when ! see what
man you've made o. yorese'f on yore
chances 1t makes me mad enough TO
kick i'm. Oh, he's Jest rotten! haint
got no money fer i'm to dabble with,
but I'm here to tell you eff You need
stake at any time all you got to do Is to
call on me. AS I say, I've watched
YOU"
George flushed as he thanked the old
man again and assured him he was