The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-01-05
The Euening Story
The Higher Basis.
(By Hope Ainslie.)

ORnlZeQ n.
fortunate so far in his earthly pilgrim
age. Even if Fate had not handed
him its spoiis on golden plate it had
been a first-rate imitation. Earl had
always objected to the grocery store
the same as his mother before him.
You don't need to run it, Pop" he
said, the week after he had arrived
from Dartmouth. Its just a habit"
Like enough it is, Earl, but 1 sorter
like it," old Finley answered pleas
antly, fitting back in his favorite arm
chair on the little porch in front of the
store. IF 1 shet down where in town
would the boys play checkers % i
They all came to play checkers there
and had for years. If the old man
happened to be absorbed in a game
and a customer came into the store,
he'd finish his game first. Long ago
the Finleys had lived in the rooms be-
hind the store, but as prosperity
dawned they had bought a house upon
the hill, and Mrs. Finley and Earl had
done the honors of the family while
Pop played checkers.
But that summer East Grosscup had
sent its favorite citizen as a delegate
to a state convention down to Boston.
and Earl gave up his camping plans
to take hold in the store.
You know, 1 wish 1 had authority
to change things around a little. he
said that night at dinner. Even
country town grocery can be run on
Il wouldn't go to interfering none,
If I was you, Earl. Your father
fearful set in his ways
But, Marine. there isn't the least
system in the place. I don't see how
he ever finds anything"
He can lay his hand on anything
in the dark down there from sugar to
tacks. I'd let it alone, Earl"
That's all right, but II like to help
him out 1 just took look at one of
hi hi of
nearly everybody in town runs an
account with + m and there's bills
back for three years and more. Doesn't
he ever collect?"
81 don't know. 1 always let your
father run his own affairs and 1 run
mine. He doesn't interfere in the
house and 1 don't interfere in the
store. He seems to get along all
right. Somebody must pay"
"Oh, 1 suppose they all pay in time.
But a store like that should be run on
a strictly cash basis. 1 think I'll speak
about it to some of the worst cases."
The next day Judge Everitt came in
to the store The judge was priv
ileged character all around East
Grosscup. He was about 10, with
mop of curly white hair and twinkly
blue eyes. He lived alone in the old
Everitt homestead, with about six
cats for company and all kinds of old
clocks
Keep me from getting lonesome"
he used to say, leaning over against
the cracker barrel and reaching for
some dried apricots from a handy
box
''How's things? When do you expect
your pop back?'
Next week, sir" Earl gathered up
his courage. DO you think, judge,
you could let us have a little cash on
that old account"
<.f 10 -
the quiet street and the drug store OPP
posite. where a big Maltese cat dosed
among the patent medicine bottles in
the window
Like enough" he said. "I'll talk it
over with your father, though, 1 guess,
son."
Earl watched him saunter out with
mingled sentiments. He felt that he
had shattered traditions somehow.
That night at a church supper he met
Dorothy Winthrop, the judges niece.
He had always known Dorothy, it
seemed to him, but since his last year
at college she had grown into a wo-
man, and he heard she was to teach
school up at the central division after
Christmas
I'm glad can do it, she told him,
as they sat together eating pink ice
cream and chocolate cake. We're 60
ing to take Uncle Walter home with
us the rest of the winter. He hasn't
been a bit well since ne lost so much
in the street-rail- way-bond deal"
Father was one of the hackers of
that. He believed in it,
Il guess he must Of laughed Dor
othy, for he made everybody else be-
lieve in it, too, and it just slumped.
They say DR.. Purdy lost lot and so
did the Jenningses.'
Earl gave the books a second going
over the next day. The Purdy and
Jennings families both were heavy
customers on the side. He said no
more about the old bills, but called on
the judge and asked his advice about
the sick mare, Brown Bess. which
delighted the man and diverted his
mind Immediately. And Earl found
his way, after store closed up winding
Poplar street to Dorothy's home. After
seven on pleasant evenings he was
sure to find her in, and he had ever
so many things to ask her advice
about also-especially the street rail-
way deal. He had known his father
was one of a few business men there
who were trying to put through better
service for East Grosscup. He knew,
too, that the old line was controlled
by Senator Lathrop and that Lathrop's
son Eldridge was his best chum at col
lege. He was in his fathers law Of
flee now. Somehow, after long talks
with Dorothy, Earl started writing
be a good reason why the grocery
store should not press any of the old
debts against old man Ffnley's town
folks.
Fathers coming back today" Mrs.
Finley said happily, a week two
later, stopping in at the store. Earl
was busy shifting some soap powder
stock from the currant and raisin
shelf. He stopped whistling and
smiled down at her. This seemed too
far away, and he jumped off the lat
ter and over the counter beside her
Land. Earl. how rough you are
she laughed, as she srnoothed her hair
from his quick hugging. What ails
YOU, child?''
Want to know, Mumsie % he
slipped back to the childhood name
for her. Dorothy promised she'd
marry me last night You were
asleep when I got in so I didn't want