Mower County transcript., 1904-10-12
in a Teller that's ~: M

o. trade t'other night"
II should think it, was unbecoming
Of him." said George emphatically;
''the boy ought to be: talked to-" !
II generally do my lecturin' to the
young gang In a, 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 showin' 'em whar 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 off, d.
recting a negro porter who was stack
ING a car load Of -four in bags against
the wall.
"Hellor' said Kenner. 'How's busi-
ness today"
little off," replied Bob, "'but 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 It
tell you to stack 'em stratght?'
Kenner and George sat down at the
stove and Bob drew up an empty can
die box and sat on it. The negro I'm
ished his work and went to the front.
"Looky' here, Bob" said KenneT, with
seductive smile, owe been bankin'
on you, my boy, an scotchin' fer you,
, but you are gitdn' old enough to sorter
quit yore devilment. I've been hearin'
about the way you are a-carryln' on
with that little Louisville gal, an I hat
ed it,
"Oh. never mind that, Mr.. Kenner."
Bob put his broad, red hand over his
mouth and laughed. II 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"
II tell you know what I'm about, y
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 new
tack.
~ was powerful devil when was
young chap" he said to George more
than to the man at whom he was
speaking. I'm my day an time thar
was actually, the wust set O. young
men in this town that ever lived.
wasn't much inclined to go 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.
1 rarnt how silly all that was though,
Bob, an like to try to influence young
fellows to steer clear O. the holes fell
in."
THAT'S the way with all O yos1dern-
ed old codgers," Bob said, now: In a
thoroughly good humor. "You have
all the fun, an when it's over you
amuse yourselves by trying to keep
the younger generation from doing the
same thing"
"But it must be in moderation, my
boy" said Kenner seriously, ''and that
little boardin' school gal is still In short
dresses. You've got a future before
you, Bob, and are making 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 fer
you"
Bob avoided Kenner's serious stare
1--WE got up new scheme" he went
on evasively. '1'm going to fill up 8
big wagon full of groceries and &C
away up in the mountains with lo1
of catchy handbills. I intend to taxi
along some Of the goods to show thai
they are the right sort, and I'll set
around and eat with the people and
crack jokes and make friends like q
candidate for Office. I'll bet you
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
lived"