Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1909-01-21

When she purchased, she purchased
by the quarter. by the half. and some
times by the dollar, ach. and no hum
bug,
Click He wasn't to be kept wait
ing long.
Morning. Mrs. Marthy, morning,
And Joey, Joey, I'm so glad to see
you. I"
"Ah, howdy. howdy. Mrs Bonner.
ma'am; It's Joey as is glad t see you.
ma'am; right glad" And. now. there
were hearty handshakes, happy smiles
rand gestures and peals of genuine
laughter that dOvetailed with the
morning. Rattle. rattle, rattlel In a
I trice the old peddler was down to
business again. and into Mrs. Bon.
ner's bucket rained the pick Of a. o
! rosy checked apples. Then. up in fro1
there were vegetables to be select.
fresh ranch eggs to be carefully his.
died and change to be given.
Up in front. Yes, that was Mr.
Marthy's chance. the chance she ?
been waiting for. So, with one shal.
eye on the deacon, who had turned
his back and was strolling leisurely
ip the lawn. and the other full-cock
IN the bobbing heads of the bargain
ers on the Row-side of the wagon.
she took full advantage. What she
wanted to-day. was not worth paving
or and apples were so cheap. Poof.
II wouldn't make any difference TO
Joey Joey was generous; he would
nave given them to her IL she had
asked. But her rival was there and.
OF course, she couldn't ask. Yes. yes.
II would be all right; it was 4 trivial
lttle thing, and some day she wolld
make 1t up to Joey. Quick. quick.
now. If you want them" urged the
tempter, for the deacon had almost
reached the end of the path, and
clink, clink, clinkety clink! Joey was
already counting out Mrs. Bonner's
change
Not once, therefore, but half doz-
en- times by sleight of hand did Mrs.
Marthy raid the pyramids of rosy
checked apples, and when each illicit
transfer had been safely made. her
blue striped apron as quickly con-
cealed the evidence of her sin. Tight.
er and tighter she curled it to her
waist. All, but just one more. lust
one. Phew! The deacon was swing
ing round again, and Joey with his
foot on the mud-spattered axle was
preparing to mount to his seat. 1t
was now or neverl Out went the wild
ow's nimble digits. Whoop-lah! I'D
came Joey sweeping the rear end of
the wagon. And as he turned to
gather the reins from the dashboard
his damaged right eye swooped down
upon the corner of his mouth. which
literally flew into the middle of his
thin bronzed cheek, giving him an ex-
preston of mingled anger and disgust.
Anything for you, today, Mis- Mar
thy, ma'am?" he asked sharply; and
the deacon, who was now within ear
shot and still rapidly approaching,
wondered at the old mans tones.
No, nuthin'. to-day. Joey, nuthin'
at all. But. mebbe, tomorrow. You
hain't got any honey, sect" replied
the widow, turning her back on the
wagon.
"Hon-ney, hon-ney." muttered Joey.
just loud enough to be heard; NO,
l haint got any hon-ney, ma'am. But
I got apples, cookin' applesi" And
quick as a flash he bent over the wob-
bly, old seat.
Mrs. Bonner and the deacon God
watching him intently; something in
the old peddler's face seemed to mir
ror the very depth OF his intention
Suddenly, swift and straight as an
arrow whizzed the hardest little cook
er Joey's practiced eye could select
Thudl
Above his head Josiah Carberrys
hands went up in holy horror and
down the avenue a fearful shrek re-
sounded. Impeded by the soft
breadth of the widow Marthy's back,
the apples fight was short, ana, tap.
tap, Happily tap! simultaneously with
six other polished beauties, 1t d. pped
and rolled on the hard, baked ground.
For Mrs. Marthy's apron was down
at the hem of her skirts again; and
the deacon's quandary was at an end.