Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-22

quarters of mile, it was learned that he
only wanted to buy ten cents worth OF to-
bacco.
True and Bent were so angry at the man
for obliging them to work SO hard for such a
small sum of money, that, if they had been
in charge of the boat, they would have re-
fused to supply his very moderate wants;
but Jim waited the customer politely,
showing him everything, and in the end made
cash sale amounting to two dollars.
The man was so pleased with the attention
shown him that he made Jim promise to tie
up" in front of his house if the boat ever
came that way again. and agreed to buy
good supply.
That's what I'm working for this trip"
said Jimmie, as the River Queen was forced
out into the current again. "You see, if |
can make friends with all these people, |
shall sell big lot of goods the next time
come"
The second man that hailed the trader was
one who purchased quite large assortment
OF goods, paying for them in corn rags and
old iron.
The buying and selling occupied so much
time that the boat was moored for the night
after run of only sixteen miles; but the
young trader was quite content to creep
along slowly, providing he could continue to
make such good bargains.
Already was the hold of the River Queen
beginning to look as the hold of a trading
boat should look, while, as True said, you
would hardly notice that any of the stock
Jimmie was in the highest state of delight
dc had sold his wares at large profit, while
he believed he should get correspondence
good returns for those he had taken in ex-
change.
On this night they had more company; but
they heard nothing of the three men who
had attempted to rob them although they
made particular inquiry.
Nevertheless, they did not relax their vigi-
lance, but stood watch and watch all night
without, however, having heard or seen any
thing to cause them to believe that the men
were anywhere in the vicinity. The follow
ing day was Sunday and they remained at
their moorings.
down the river at as early an hour as before,
stopping to sell a few articles to one man.
who paid for them with eggs, an article OF
barter which Jimmie was not very eager to
take, as he feared they would spoil before he
could get them to a market.
Because of having these perishable goods
on hand, Jim stopped the boat at the town Of
Madison Indiana, where he went on shore to
bargain for the sale of his eggs.
True and Bent not caring to accompany
the young trader while he was engaged in
business that would prevent him from going
about the town very much, started out by
themselves. leaving Jethro in charge of the
boat
After V1SlDlng numDer OF stores and hag
Cling over the price, Jim succeeded in max
ing what he considered very good trade
receiving in cash two cents and a half per
dozen more than he had allowed the farmer
for them
It was quite novelty to see so young a
trader as the one in charge of the River
Queen, and, as soon as Jim had finished his
business and returned to the boat, a crowd
of people came on board of her, completely
filling up the little store-room.
Some of the visitors made triHing pur-
chases, to encourage the boy, as they said,
while others showed such curiosity regard
ing the dwelling portion of the boat, that
had True and Bent not returned and aided
Jethro in looking after their property, Jim
would have been seriously alarmed lest some
Of their good-natured visitors might have
carried away more than they paid for
As it was, the crowd was so great that even
though jim had sold three dollars worth of
goods, he resolved to get away as quickly as
possible.
He cleared the boat of visitors as soon as
he could, being obliged even to call some up
from the hold, their curiosity having led them
in every direction, and when the River
Queen drifted away from the bank, he felt he
had done wisely. for his craft was too small
to accommodate sight-seers, and customers
at the same time.
During the remainder of the day they saw