New-York tribune., 1906-04-01

NEW ENGLAND has the reputation of pro-
~ ducing the closest traders, said my drum
mer friend Sam Ashley; but over in my
territory, East Tennessee, you'll find some
who can go the Yankee one better.
Last spring was at Jim Bostwick's, trying
to sell him a bill of shoes. i'm keeps a noun
tain store, sells everything, and generally
takes pay in barter-eggs, feathers, beeswaX,
ginseng, coon-skins, and what-not
"A sharp-featured woman Of fifty entered
and greeted the proprietor. Howdy. Jeems;
have leetle tradin' to do this mornin', and
lowed Id drap in and see what you un's
was a-payin' for aigs.'
"'Wali, Aunt Sally drawled Jim, without
leaving his seat, ives alowin' ten cents in
trade. You see, aigs is a leetle off down in
Chattanooga
"''Pcars like that's mighty leetle. Teems
but let's see your knittin' needles, and what's
they WORTH
Jim rose slowly, and after a leisurely
search produced the little box of Knitting
needles. They's four for five cents, Aunt
Sally
~ need two the size of this here one and
she produced a needle from the folds of her
dress and proceeded to select two others
Then she united the corner of a red bandana
handkerchief, took out rather large egg
and laid 1t on the counter. reckon that 5
about right, Jeems.'
" Jim searched out the greasy stub Of a lead
pencil, and began his calculations on the side
Il . - Il
head for fggers in this here business he con-
ided to me He erased his figures several
times; but finally announced: As near as
kin fgger it, why, it's about one knittin'-
needle for one aig, Aunt Sally
"'l never was no great hand for these here
fractions, noway,' in an aside to me.
Now, you jest look at the size of that air
aig, Jeems Bostwicki 1t sholy is big as two
o them there little banty aigs"
"'Oh, 90 long, Aunt Sallvi YOU knows aips
i,trr 1aaf1 1a- bot 7
do 1t, bein as it's YOU
Aunt Sally slowed the needles safely
away but the bargain not vet closed
See here, Jeems, it 5 the rule with You un's
when you are tradin' with the men folks, to
give drink with each trade
We'll! and if You un's amt a easel he
protested; but | winked at him, and from
beneath the counter he drew out a Jug and
proceeded to pour a liberal amount of noun
tain-dew into tumbler, evidently there for
the purpose.
Aunt Sally took up the tumbler and re-
gardcd the contents critically. Jeems,' she
said reproachfully up at our house, we un'
alters takes sweetenin' in our ticker
Jim started another protest; but | caught
his eye, and the sugar added.
Still Aunt Sally heSitated. a drink of
hcker needs arg, Jeems she said thought
fully; it's plum pity to spile good Ticker
this way
''I declare, Aunt Sally, but if YOU don't
Jim didn't finish his protest. | was backing
lunt Sally, and was going to see her through
If 1t cost a weeks pay.
From the counter Jim picked up the very
egg Aunt Sally had bartered away and broke
1t over the glass Now, 1t was large egg. as
Aunt Sally had claimed, one of those contain
ing two yolks. Aunt Saly's quick eve detected
the fact, and bless me If she didn't claim an
other needle on the extra yolk, and collected
it, tool
Well good-by Jeems, and take keer of
yourself! I'll come over a critter-back some
other day and trade with YOU un's ag'inn
Jim cut off a fresh bit Of tobacco. and
chewed rehectjvely and in silence for some
minutes; then he turned his solemn ewes on
me. Well I'll be durned!' he remarked