Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 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. Jim keeps 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 I'd drap in and see what you un's
was a-payin' for aigs.'
wall, Aunt Sally, drawled Jim, without
leaving his seat, Yves allowin' ten cents in
trade. You see, aigs is a leetle off down in
Chattanooga
Pears like that's mighty leetle, Teems
but let's see your knittin needles, and what's
they WORTH
Jim rose slowly, and after a leisurelv
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 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 a rather large egg
and laid it on the counter. | reckon that s
about right, Jeems.'
g Jim searched out the greasy stub of a lead
pencil and began his calculations on the side
Oh Il DON y iGlleI got 10 nave q mighty gOOO
head for fggers in this here business, he con-
fided 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
never was no great hand for these here
fractions, noway, in an aside to me.
80 Now, you jest look at the size of that air
aig, Jeems Bostwick 1t sholy is big as two
O them there little banty aigs."
''Oh, go long, Aunt Sally you knows aigs
IS aigs, big or leetle; but | reckon I'll halter
do it, bein' as it's you.
Aunt Sally slowed the needles safely
away; but the bargain was not yet closed.
See here, Jeems, it's the rule with YOU un S
when you are tradin' with the men folks, to
give drink with each trade
ga Well! and if you un's amt a easel he
protested; but | winked at him, and from
| beneath the counter he drew out Jug and
proceeded to pour liberal amount of noun
taiu-dew into tumbler, evidently there for
| the purpose.
garded the contents critically. 'Jeems, she
said reproachfully up at our house, we TN s
alters takes sweetenin' in our Kicker
9 Jim started another protest; but l caught
his eye, and the sugar was added.
Still Aunt Sally hestated. A drink of
ticker needs a aig, Jeems, she said thought
fully; it's plum pity to Spite good ticker
this way
''I declare, Aunt Sally, but if you don't
Jim didn't finish his protest. | was backing
Aunt Sally, and was going to see her through
if it cost weeks pay.
" From the counter Jim picked UP the very
egg Aunt Sally had bartered away, and broke
it over the glass. Now, it was large egg, as
Aunt Sally had claimed one of those contain
ing two yolks. Aunt Sally's quick eye detected
the fact, and bless me if she didn't claim an
other needle on the extra yolk and collected
it, tool
So Well good-by, Jeerns, and take keer of
yourself! III come over critter-back some
other day and trade with you uns ag'ini'
" Jim cut off a fresh bit of tobacco, and
chewed refiectively and in silence for some
minutes; then he turned his solemn eyes on
me. Well, I'll be burned i he remarked