The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-04
SELLING HIMSELF

From his office window DR.. Lep-
ley noticed the boy drive his wagon
load of corn upon the oid-fashtoned
weigh SCALES directly opposite. He
watched him idly as ne stepped down
upon tho platform. II then. White
the near-sighted weighnaaster was
adjusting the scales, the boy put n
foot back upon the hub Of the wheel.
and, setting the. back Of the seat,
swung himself free of the platform,
thus adding his fun weight to tina Of
the corn.
''Ho. ho. selling himself. CHI" cx-
claimed the doctor, adjusting his far
sighted glasses to be sure shat his
near-sighted glasses were not decctv-
ing him.
Bless my heart, If II Isn't Squire
Giles son jack he exclaimed in as
constituent. The young rogue, 10
disgrace his good, honest Old FATHER
By such Juggling! But hen square
the deal with me, or III know why"
he chucklcd. as he hurried across
the back lot to he corn crib, where
Jack was already shoveling the big
yellow ears into the huge, old-fash-
Toned bin.
Hello, chappie." he called cut IN
his Jolly fashion. Want me to give
you a lift -"
NO. thank you." replied Jack, POI
litely.
Hes a willing little fellow at any
rate" ~soliloquized the doctor. watch
ing the boys efforts at dispostng of
his heavy load.
It's a fine lot of corn, certainly"
he added. g0od-naturedly, adjusting
his far-sighted ppectacies SO as 10
have better view Of the heap OF golden
ears, piling up III the big granary.
With the last shovel of corn, Jack
sprang down init tha~crib- TO gather
up the "nuhbins' scattered on the
floor. and. while he was at work. the
doctor stepped forward. and, closing
the door with "a thud. locked it ana
put the key In his pocket.
Doctor! Doctor Lepley!" called
Jack. thinking the absent-minded man
had shut him in by mistake. Please.
sir, you have locked me in the crib"
he exclaimed. when the doctor turn
ed in his tracks and faced him.
Yes. l know, vas the reply. Isn't
that right2 / bought you. you know"
Bought me-" cried Jack, not GER
tain whether the grave nan peering
In through this bars were Joking or
crazy.
Yes, to be sure!" returned the doc
tor. ri bought YOU. and shall settle
with your father in accordance with
your weight. How much do you
weight"
"Ninety-two pounds" answered
Jack. sheepishiy. beginning to see
through the Doctors queer actions.
"Ninety-two pounds--a little more
than a bushel and a half OF corn. At
eighty cents a bushel you are worth
about one dollar and twenty-five
cents" unused the doctor. "A cheap
boy, certainly. You have not put a
high price ON yourself. Jack"
II didn't-mean to sell myself" in
sisted Jack.
you didn't" exclaimed the doc
tor. Then why were YOU SO care
full to have yourself weighed with the
Germ? j thought at the time you
were discounting yourself; but a boy
who will stoop To such low trickery
Ia not worth much at best"
didn't thtnk=pf itetn that light"
pleaded Jack, ready to cry. Its the
first time I ever did such a thing.
and I am sorry that 1 acted SO mean
ly."
sorry for the wrong-doing. Jack.
or sorry hat you've been found out?
Which is 1t, my boy?" urged the doc
tor.
Both" answered Jack, quietly. Il
an. sorry i was so mean to try to
cheat you. and sorry that you know
of my meanness."
Then IL ] let you 80 back on your