Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1910-01-14

little man, "but | don't want any
fuss"
The big man srortcd.
do you mean to say I'm liar?'
he demanded.
That's what you are" came a
voice from the rear of the crowd.
The big man whirlcd around.
"Who said that he roared.
~ did" the voice replied.
The big man Strengthened up on tip
toe
Where are YOU" he cried
Here" replied the voice 1t
sounded fruEi the left OF the crowd,
which had now grown to considerable
proportions.
"lemme git at him!" roared the big
man
and he pushed into the group,
Look out where you're going"
cautioned stout man as he thrust
an elbow into the fellows side.
Easy there" snapped a little man.
You're on my feet And he kicked
the bis fellow yiCiously.
In an instant the sentiment of the
group changed The lonngers had en-
joyed seeing tie little proprietor
baited By the red faced man. Now 1t
turned against the bully 1t pushed
ana bUffetcd him and when he was
clear Of it he had lost all desire to
find the man who had impeached his
yeracity. As for the latter, he seemed
to have melted int the air
The crowd broke up with the de
parture of the bully and in a no
ment or two the-e was no one left in
front of the booth save boy.
lie was boy perhaps nineteen. a
clear eyed lad with a sunburnt skin
and dark curly hair. He was neatly
dressed, but his clothes were old fash
ioned in cut, and he wore a broad
briumed straw hat that had seen
other summers.
The boy looked up at the little pro
prietor.
Bad man" he said,
The proprietor nodded.
Yep He was out for trouble all
right That was big bluff, of course,
but what could I do? ! couldn't af.
fora to have any trouble with him.
Business is bad enough as it Is"
lie sighed as he spoke.
The boy looked at him curiously.
Dad season, eh?''
Worst ever knew. An I've had
some pretty tough ones" His eye
wandered over the gr0ands. There's
that loafer, now. Hes having a fuss
over there Mt the chutes. He'd het-
ter not fool with those fellows. They'll
drop him in the pond." lie sc'tly
chuckled. IL wonder who twas called
him liar?"
Il did" said the boy.
You! Why, you wasn't even look.
in at him
The boy laughed
Guess hadn't the courage to look
at him when I said it."
But the voice came from over
there" persisted the proprietor.
1T was my voice" The boy sud
denly stopped as if to pick something
from the ground As he did so dog
snarled and harked at the proprietor's
heels.
Get OUT" the little man shouted
as he quickly looked around-and 10.
there was no dog there. He turned
to the boy Did you do that"
Yes"
The little proprietor pushed the
balls toward him.
AS many shots as you like" he
said.
Thank you, said the boy. Not
now. Business is bad. eh? Want
partner?"
There amt liyin' in it for one,
let alone two"
But suppose a partner could build
it up and put it on a paying basis"
That's the kind O. partner want"
The boy nodded.
I'm looking round" he said.
you've noticed I'm from the country
! had a chance to so on a farm after
| finished school, but | thought I'd
rather go up to the city and see if
couldn't find some sort of opening
don't want anything permanent just
yet-Tve got too much to learn. At
the same time I've got to get a living.
Maybe you'd better take me on sal,
ary for spell. don't want 10 tie up
for long. Wait. You needn't give me
cent if | don't put your business
here on a fair paying basis. When
do | want a reasonable share of the
profits. What do you say?"
The little man stared at him.
You beat anything | ever saw" he
said where did you learn that sen
triloquia business?''
The boy laughed.
"Out in the woods" he answered.
Il was cutting wood last fall, and,
being alone, fell to crying tricks with