The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-01-03


ut first an keep count. but | got off the
I track. Mebbe Il thousand. two thou
sand, three thousand, though faint
! likely SO much as the last. We've new
er bought more'n $50 or $50 worth 1T
4 time before. an it's hard 10 guess.
( But $1,000 or $1,000 is good for a
mighty big pile o stuff
The second day the goods came down
in boxes and barrels and kegs and bun
dies and In great square cases that re
quired two men 10 roll from the freight
| platform into the wagon. Lish hired a
team and n man to help and did all the
hauling himself. The next morning the
bill came.
Lish opened and looked at it eagerly.
| then drew long breath and rubbed
his eyes and looked at it again.
He seized his cap and jammed it vi
ciously upon his head and left the
store. The village bank was upon the
principal street, and the cashier was
IAN old friend. 1t was upon this bank
that Squire Brown had given him a
check for $500. The cashier happened
| TO be alone.
| By this time Lish had regained con
troll of himself. Slipping the invoice
into his pocket, he drew out the check
and placed it in the cashiers window
I'D like that cashed, Mr.. White" he
said, AN l want to borry 5000 more.
Ye know I'm good for IT. an anyhow
there's stock enough in the store"
"Oh. that's all right. Mr.. Hopkins, -
| laughed the cashier. Il never knew
the time when your word wasn't good
for $500. But how happens it you need
more just now: You We're telling me
the other day that you only intended
TO put half the money into goods now
and hold the rest as reserve"
Lsh grinned ruefully.
Il guess | want much used to buy
in lie confessed. Look here
lie produced the invoice and spread
it out i'll the window. The cashier look.
cd it over curiously.
Il don't know much about this line
of goods, Mr. Hopkins" he said a!
| length, but it seems to me there's q
good many things here that won't find
much sale. Now, this six dozen door.
bells, for instance
The drummer said they We're good
sellers, ventured Lish.
| well. perhaps they are" acquiesced
the cashier "Of course | don't know
But about the 5000 If l were you
wouldn't hire the money just vet
Drummers have prices that are sup
posed TO cover generous system
Didn't your man say anything about
it?"
He said | could have thirty or sixty
days time jest as wells not, bat | TOLD
him I'd ruther pay cash
Very good. provided you have the
money to pay and also provided he al
lows you a fair discount for paying j;
You'd better wait and find that out. Sent
the firm what money you have and lo
the six hundred go until the drumme
comes round again. You may take j,
| enough by that time TO pay him. At an,
rate. find out his discount for cash and
| If it's more than Our interest. come TO m'
| and l viii let you have the money. OnL
don't hire unless you're obliged to
One morning a few weeks later Nathan
| Taylor entered the store. Lish was look
ing over his account book, kept with
lead pencil in much the same manner "a
he had jotted down items while on thu
| farm Sairy was at another counter en-
gagged in rubbing her hand back and fortl
across a new piece OF velveteen which Ia,
! Just been taken from the, case. Nathan
| said, Good morning" and then pause,
and glanced critically about the store
with evident disapproval In his eyes.
you've done just what was afraid o.
| Lish,' he said. at length. "A third OF tn
| goods won't sell in all the world. Tha
fellow was too slippery and has loadet
you with lot of unsal liable stun.
Several times during the spring an,
| summer Lish was sorely pressed 70
| money, and more than once he starte,
| to the bank, but each time he turne,
back before reaching there.
But the end did not come until anothe
winter, Just one year from the time h
had left the farm. Then one daV a tail
strongly built man In heavy coat strod
| into the room.
Elisha Hopkins, ! SUPPOSE" he inter
rogated.
Yes. What can do for ye?'
The man did not answer. Taking a pa
| per from his pocket. he unfolded IL delib
! erateiy and read In slow, ponderou
at the startled figure behind the counter.
Going to pay III" he asked
| Cant jest now" Lish answered weak
| ly.
Il suppose so" He walked to the coun
ter and held out his hand. II may as wei
| take the key" he said.
Lish nodded toward the door from tn
| lock OF which the key had not been re
moved. The sheriff went and took It on
and then held the door open significantly
Lish realized that it was for him to z,
| out.
How lie stumbled across the room an,
out into the snow and across the var,
to his own house he scarcely knew. onl,
| that it was a feeling OF thankfulnes
that Sairy had not happened 10 be in III
| store.
She was bending over the stove when h
entered and sank heavily into a chair.
Goodness land!' she exclaimed. sud
| denly Strengthening up. What is tn
matter, Lish?"
| "Nothin' "-drearily-"only the sheriff
took the store an shet me on the out
| side!'
"What?" She came quickly to his sid
and placed hand upon his shoulder
For money!"
YES: twelve hundred"
| "An' can't We pay?'
| "No. An il | could there's most an
other twelve hundred thatii be asked fol
| soon S this IS known. Mebbe / couI,
raise it al TO the bank slowly-'b,t
dunno g ! want to. I'm rettln' tired o
the whole thing"
| But the goods ~ n .t'i '.o..'r "a az
! s,f,, .