Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-01-19

walked along together. He was anxious
to know how I'd prospered since he left
Pooduck, and all about the folks that he
used TO know"
81 suppose you told him all about SELL
ing your apples ?" said Abner, looking
round to see if his shrewdnesS was duly
appreciated by the others.
"Why. yes" said Uncle 'Biiah, "Iguess
perhaps that did come out in the course
of the conversation; but mostly our talk
was about Pooduck. And you'd better
believe | enjoyed it. I'd been feeling like
a stranger in strange land. Boston is a
nice city, with lots going on, and plenty
to see. But tell you, none of the sights
that ever witnessed there was half so
interesting to me as those old Pooduck
scenes that kept rising up in my mind
while was talking with that young man.
"Mind you, we weren't on the street
all this time. Young Brown said he was
just on his way to lunch, and nothing to
do but must 60 with him. So he took
me through some OF those blind side
streets till we come to a sort OF cellar, that
he said was the best place OF its kind that
he knew.
"Well, they did set good table, and
no mistake. Young Brown kept urging
me and asking me if | wouldn't have this
and that, and don't know when I've
made out such meal. 1t did almost
scare me, though, when the waiter
brought along the check and saw it came
TO dollar and a half knew the young
chap intended TO stand the expense, but
of course it was no more than polite for
me to offer; so | pulled out my pocket
book as if expected to pay. But he laid
his hand on my arm, and says he, Put
that right back, Mr. Neal. You're my
company to-day SO said no more.
"But what was coming at, that was
the last time remember seeing my pock-
etbook. certainly thought put it back
into my pantaloonS pocket.
''But after I'D got back on to Washing
ton Street. and young Brown had left me,
! stepped into store to see if could get
me piece OF Spruce-gum and when !
felt for my poCketbook, 10 and behold, it
was gone How came TO lose it don't
| know"
"Well, knowing Boston as do" said
Abner, 81 think ! could guess. Just let
me give you bit of advice, Uncle B jah.
The next time you are in Boston and
slick-looking stranger calls you b, name,
and offers to shake hands, and claims to
be an old friend, and all that, instead Of
cumming right in with him, you just sing
out, 'Polcep and see how quick he'll
dodge out of sight. If you had done this
time reckon you'd have brought home
more money with you"
The old gentleman was silent for a mo-
ment, apparently weighing the words OF
wisdom that he had heard.
"Well, mebbe that's good advice" he
said, finally, "out believe should prize
it more coming from somebody that had
brought more money home from Boston
himself"
"Well, what did you do next, Uncle |
'Bijah ?" demanded Hiram Mann, I'M
patiently.
But here old Mr.. Lamb interposed with |
a more vital question "About how much |
money was it that you lost, Neal ?"
81 don't know IS can give the exact
amount" replied Uncle 'Bijah, "but ii |
must have been somewheres in the neigh |
borhood Of fory-seven cents"
"Why. didn't you lose your apple |
money and all ?" cried Abner Harmon,
with something like disappointment in
his tone,
"Oh, no, 'Said the old man, beamingly,
81 didn't lose any bills. What bills !
have about me when I'm off on jaunt
are generally slowed away where
shouldn't be likely TO lose them. But
like to have little change where can
get at il handy. No, it wasn't the value
of what lost that minded - as for that
pocketbook, it was worn out anyway
but it was the idea OF losing it. hated
to think | could be so careless"
"Just step this way minute, will you,
please, Mr.. Neal ?" called out Mr.. Lufkin,
from the enclosed space at the farther
end OF the store, where he had been at
tending to his official duties.
"Well, that's another case where 'Biiah
Neal didn't get so much the worst OF a
transaction" commented John Burton.
Gwen ifthat CHAP did get away with forty
odd cents, it seems that Bijah got away
with a Seventy-five-cent dinner"
"Just sign right there, Mr.. Neal" said
the postmaster, indicating with crooked
iorefinger line in the big book that he
had laid upon the counter.
"Why, declare, if Uncle 'Biiah hasn't
got a registered letter, or parcelW ex-
claimed Hiram Mann, and the company
was at once awake to the presence OF a
new interest.
Curiosity was gratified in due time, al
ter Mr.. Neal had with some difficulty
opened his package. and deliberately in
spected IFS contents.
"Well, didn't get that young fellows
name right, after all" was his first an
nouncement. at was Moses Rounds
Josh Rounds's oldest boy. I'm little
hard OF hearing in one ear, and there was
more or less racket on the street, but
certainly thought he SAID Joseph Brown.
was sure that If was somebody that
ought to know. | did help Josh out
little when his family all had the scarlet