The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-11-16

Hanks store
George agreed, and they started out
together. THAT boys big puzzle to
me-" Kenner continued thoushtfully.
Sometimes I think Hillyer did right
in backin' i'm in his business, an then
ag'in think maybe his own daddy
knows i'm better'n anybody else"
"Why, thought Bob was simply do
ing wonderfully we'll" said George in
surprise.
EFF he'd jest let his old habits go
he'd be all right" replied kenner, "but
the boys say he's as bad about firtn'
with the gals as be ever was. You
know thar's a little orphan in Mrs.
Styles boardin' school on the hill. The
| gals from Louisville, Ky; she hain't
more'n sixteen eff she's that, an she's
purity, daredevil little trick. Well,
you know the old lady's powerful par
ticular about the gals under her
charge, especially the boardin' pupils,
but Bob manages to meet that gal two
or three times a week unbeknownst to
Mrs. Styles, an they take walks an
buggy rides together. She's bright
little thing, an the boys say she's sim
ply crazy about Bob an everything be
does. He's jest havin' his fun; but,
George, you know that's unbecomin'
in a feller that's maxim the start Bob
is. Why, we elected i'm on the board
O trade t'other night"
81 should think it was unbecoming
Of him." said George emphatcally
"the boy ought to be talked to-
"I generally do my lecturin' to the
young gang in roundabout way" re-
piled Kenner. II always tell 'em the
devilment I used to do an make 'em
feel like I'm one Of 'em, an then end
up by shown 'em whar I was wrong.
I'm goin' to try to talk Bob out o this
prank O his.''
They found the young grocer in the
rear Of his store, with his coat of, dl-
recting a negro porter who was stack
ing car load of -four in bags against
the wall.
"He!lor' said Kenner. CLOVIS busi.
ness today:"
Little off, replied Bob, "but a fair
average; we are goin' to have a rush
tomorrow. Did you see all them paper
sacks full O coffee and sugar on the
counter as you come in? That's to
save the boys time in weighing up.
Look out thereto the porter-"didn't
I tell you to stack 'em straight?"
Kenner and George sat down at the
stove and Bob drew up an empty can
die box and sat on it. The negro fin
tshed his work and went to the front.
"Looky' here, Bob," said Kenner, with
a seductive smile, "I've been bankin'
on you, my boy, an scotchin' fer you,
but you are yittin' old enough to sorter
Quit yore devilment. I've been hearln'
about the way you are a-carryin on
with that little Louisville gal, an hat
ed it."
"Oh, never mind that, Mr. Kenner.' y
Bob put his broad, red hand over his
mouth and laughed. "I know what I'm
about. Don't you bother about me"
'That never will do, Bob-mind what
I say" replied the cotton buyer
you've started out beautifully. you
are the wonder an, may say, the
pride Of the town, but if the like o
that gets out yore ratin' will drop like
the deuce"
'I tell you I know what I'm about,
said Bob, "an' I don't want no med
dim" He was quite serious and his
face had clouded over. Fearing:he had
been too hasty, Kenner took a ne"
tack.
IT was powerful devil when I was
q young chap" he said to George more
than to the man at whom he was
speaking. In I!y day an time thai
was actually the wust set o young
men in this town that ever lived.
wasn't much inclined to 90 into mis-
chief, but them boys jest made me
It's plumb foolishness to try to lay
| down rules fer other folks to live by
I Parnt how silly all that was though
Bob, an like to try to influence young
fellows to steer clear O. the holes fell
in"
s'That's the way with all O. you. dern,
ed old codgers," Bob said, now in
thoroughly good humor. "You have
ali the fun, an when IT'S over you
amuse yourselves by trying to keeE
the younger generation from doing the
same thing
"But it must be in moderation, my
boy" said Kenner seriously, "andStha1
little boardin' school gal is still in shor'
dresses. You've got future before
you, Bob, and are making a bully
start. Don't do anything to give the
old man a chance to throw it up to us
that we was wrong in standin' up fel
you"
Bob avoided Kenner's serious stare
"I've got up a new scheme" !" he went
on evasively. I'm going to fill up 9
| big wagon full Of groceries and 90
away up in the mountains with a; lo'
Of catchy handbills. I intend to take
along some Of the goods to show that
they are the right sort, and I'll set
ground and eat with the people and
crack jokes and make friends like q
candidate for Office. I'll bet you I
make it pay. I'm going to start some
of 'em this way that are now buying
on the other side Of the mountains"
"a bang-up idea." said Kenner ad-
miringly. I've been up thar a good
deal myself, an better folks never