The log cabin Democrat., 1916-02-16
THE HIGHER BASIS
By HOPE AINSLiE.
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 when Earl Finley went into his fathers grocery store Even East Grosscup recognized this much. Earl had been 1 fortunate so far in his earthly pilgrim age Even if Fate had not handed l him it's spells on a sodon plate it had been a frst-rate imitation. Earl had i always objected to the grocery store l 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 l sorter like it" old Finley answered pleasant 1 ly, tilting back in his favorite arm chair on the little porch in front of the store. If l shet down where in town would the boys play checkers"
 They all came to play checkers there and had for years. If the old man happened to be absorbed in game and a customer came into the store, he'd finish his game first. Long ago the Ffnleys had lived in the rooms be- hind the store, but as prosperity dawned they had bought 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 it's favorite citizen as delegate to state convention down to Boston, and Earl gave up his camping plans to take hold in the store.
 You know, l wish had authority to change things little," he said that night at dinner Even country town grocery can be run on-well, a high CT basis than pop realizes. just took a look at one of his books this after noon. Why, marmie, nearly everybody in town runs an account with him and there's bills back for three years and more. Doesn't he ever collect?"
 'I don't know. l always let your father run his own affairs and I run mine. He seems to get along all right. Somebody must pay
 "Oh, l suppose they all pay in time But store like tlat should be run on strictly cash basis. I think I'll speak about it to some of the worst cases"
 The next day Judge Everitt came into the store. The judge was privi ledged character all around East Cross cup. He was about seventy-three, with mop of curly white hair and twinkly blue eyes. He lived alone in the old Eyeritt homestead, with about six cats for company and all kinds of old clocks
 Hello. there, boy" he said genially. Flows things? When do you expect your pop back?'
 Next week, sir" Earl gathered up his courage. Do you think, judge, that old account?"
 Like enough" said the judge. "Ill talk it over with your fataer, though, 1 guess, son.
 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 woman, and he heard she was to teach school up at the central division after Christmas.
 I'm glad I can do it" she told him, as they sat together eating pink ice cream and chocolate cake. Were go- ing to take Uncle Walter home with us the rest of the winter. He hasn't been a bit well since he lost so much in the street-railway-bond deal"
 Father was one of the packers of that. He believed in it.
 T guess he must of," laughed Dor othy, for he made everybody else be, lieve in it, too, and it just slumped. They say Doctor 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.
 There seemed to be a good reason why the grocery store should not press any of the old debts against old man Finley's town folks.
 Fathers coming back today" Mrs. Finley said happily, week or 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 ladder and over the counter beside her.
 Land, Earl, how rough you are, she laughed, as she smoothed 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 got in so 1 didn't want to call you
 Her eyes shone with love for him and pride, too.
 "Oh Earl, I cant believe it! Why you're just two children"
 No, we're not. We're grown up,' he squeezed her again joyously. And