The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-08-19

to some things. Now, jest to show
you that Bob's got brains. an got 'em
from his mamniy's side O. the house
I'll tell you this: Six wagons O. prod
uce an cotton come here last Sat'day
from beyond the Tennessee line. got
the cotton, an Bob got the produce an
loaded the wagons with groceries fer
enough profit to pay fer his advertisin'
ter year, reckon, I'm always anx-
fous to learn, ef do live in the back
woods, an axed the head man O. the
gang how In the thunder he happened
to come so fer, an he told ME, he did,
that some old woman up thar tuck the
Reporter an wns always a-talkin
about Hanks cheap prices-nine pounds
o green coffee fer a dollar an the like
AN that they all got headed this way
on that account. Now, I'm goin' to
let out some'n' that you may not want
to hear, but maybe 1t will soak through
yore hide an do you some good. The
feller said wharever he'd meet any
body on the road an mention the
Hanks store they I'D hold up Their
hands In holy horror an say: Hanks,
the man that sells meat at 20 cents q
pound on credit an drives pore folks
out o house an home to git It? No,
stree, excuse me, pleasev The feller
said he'd always tell 'em 1t wasn't that
Hanks, but another one that had a
conscience an believed in future tor
ment La, me- the feller said, 'yore
town will have to spend lot fer print
ers' ink fore it gifts over the black eve
that fust Hanks give it,"
dry goods" Hanks went on to George
In his even tone, without the slightest
change Of face. 'I reckon it won't be
bad idea. He misses a lots O. trade
by not bein' able to fit folks up all
) round. But he's got to 60 slow; he's
too headstrong. He don't know it oil
yit by a jugful."
He ort to set around here an hear
you talk, Lib" Kenner laughed. .I'ye
rarnt q sight by listenin to yore
harangues. But you cayn't rarn that
boy thing about maxim money an
turnin' 1t quick. He could give you
pointers In his sleep. Tricky? Geewhili-
kins! lowed I was some pumpkins
In that line when started out, but Bob
beats the Jews. Talkin' about Jews,
the boys uptown say n feller looked in
at Bob's shebang t'other day an start.
ed out. Thought this was the Jew
store he said. 4 promised my old
woman to go thar the next time come
in town Oats vat 1t is, mein frientv
said Bob as quick as a flash. Mr..
Eppstein has jhust gondt oudt. Vat
can do for your An he whirled In an
sold the feller big bill, jabberin' all
no
Then Kenner walked out to the COM
press and Hillyer went uptown to mail
some letters. Hanks took brown
paper parcel from his desk and opened
II. 1t was five or six hard tack crack.
ers and some slices Of cheese; he was
always eating such things between
- meals.
''I see the governors In town." he re-
marked, little puffs Of powdered crack
er Issuing from his lips and falling like
fakes Of snow on his beard.
George started; an unpleasant thrill
passed over him and his heart sank 81
didn't know it." he said, giving Hanks
) a steady stare.
{ "Yes, was at the train when the
) Cranstons driv up to take i'm home
sense. reckon fully hundred was
crowdin' around tryin' to git look at
I'm. An as the carriage driv along the
street whole passle o. loafers run aft
er 1t, maxim big to-do. They'd "a had
the brass band out, they say, eff the
: majors gal hadn't put 'er foot down
on It. Mrs. Dugan come over an told
us he was expected-she struck us
while we was at the breakfast table.
She never had no use fer me-says
don't talk enough to suit 'er. She new
er would "a let US In on the racket this
mornin', but she come through our
yard to make short cut through q
hole In the fence to Alexander's. She
said Mrs. Cranston was in fer givin'
the governor big blowout an in
vftin' all the upper ten, but her daugh-
ter set on TINT too. Mrs. Dugan lowed
1t was beca'se Lydia was afeared ef he
ketched sight o. some o. the other gals
In the town he might transfer his at
tentons. I dumno-Tm Jest teIlin' you
what that Did hag said"
Buckley did not encourage the old
man 10 continue talking. He dipped
his pen In the ink as if to resume
work, and Hanks sauntered away.
The ink dried on the pen In George
Buckley's tense fingers. Finding him
self alone, he turned around and for
several minutes sat staring vacantly in
front OF him. His face was pale, his
brows drawn together.
"Oh, my God. how am I going to
face this p he said suddenIy. II have
been a-blInd. stupid idiot. She has sim
ply been treating me as she has out Of
pity. She'll marry that man: she'll