The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-02-03

OOuuCAlnico 1ultlh A4AA4g CT Olu IASia
in backiR i'm in his business, an then
ag'in l 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 1irtin'
with the gals as he 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
a purity, daredevil little trick We'll.
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 Il bright
little thing, an the boys say she's sim
ply crazy about Bob an everything he
does. He's jest havin' his fun; but.
George, you know that's unbecomin'
in Teller 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 emphatically;
''the boy ought to be talked to-
81 generally do my leeturin' to the
young gang in a roundabout way" re-
piled Kenner. Il always tell 'em the
devilment | used to do an make 'em
feel like I'm one of 'em, an then end
up by shown '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, di-
recting a negro porter who was stack
ing car load of -four in bags against
the wall.
"Hellow said Kenner Flows bust
ness todayY
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
l tell you to stack 'em straightT'
Kenner and George sat down at the
stove and Bob drew up an empty cah-s
die box and sat on it. The negro fin
ished 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 gittin' old enough to sorter
quit yore devilment. I've been hearin'
about the way you are a-carryin' on
with that little Louisville gal, an l hat
ed it,"
ooh, never mind that, Mr.. Kenner."
Bob put his broad, red hand over his
mouth and laughed. Il know what I'm
about. Don't you bother about me-"
THAT never will do. Bob-mind what
say" replied the cotton buyer.
you've started out beautifully; you
are the wonder an, l 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
said Bob, IAN l don't want no me-
dim" He was quite serious and his
face had clouded over. Fearing he had
been too hasty, Kenner took new
tack.
81 was a powerful devil when l was
young chap" he said to George more
than to tie man at whom he was
speaking. "In 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.
l larnt 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. you dern
ed old dodgers" Bob said, now in
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, land that
little DoardIn' scnooI 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 chance to throw it up to rs
that we was wrong in standin' up fer
you"
Bob avoided Kenner's serious stare.
1--WE got up Il new scheme" he went
OH evasively. I'm going to fill up q
big wagon full of groceries and go
away mp in the mountains with a lot
of catchy handbills intend to tax;
along some of the goods to show that
they are the right sort, and I'll set
around and eat with the people and
crack jokes and make friends like a
candidate for Office. I'll bet you l
make it pay. Pm going to start some
Of 'em this way that are now buying
Dn the other side of the mountains"
"A bang-up idea," said Kenner ad-
miringly. i've been up thar a good
1aal r,,.coIf an, hottor foll-o nayar |