Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-05-05

uttie SHOP.
I Andrew Pike, the shoemaker, was
not curious enough to look up from
his work but he did stare in astonlsh-
ment when old Moses Rice. Whose
meekness was proverbial, rebuked the
speaker.
"Glles.". the old gentleman began. 81
don't suppose you've got a thing
against Deacon Tarbox. It's just your
way of flinging out about folks. no
matter who they be.
"You are getting to be regular
backbiter, Giles" Uncles Moses went
on, In a voice tremulous with earnest
ness. "If you must talk about folks.
why can't you think of something to
say In their favor7 It would be Just
as\ easy. and 1t would leave better
taste 10 your mouth"
Giles Bigelow had been so complete
ly taken by surprise that he was not
ready with his defense until after the
door had closed behind Uncle Moses.
Giles took his departure, much Of
Tended, and Webster Haines was left
as the only remaining visitor at the
shop. 1
WELL" said Webster, as he slid into
still easier position In his chair,
"Uncle Moses spoke quite a piece, for
him. But it didn't make a particle of
impression. I'd like to see someone
give Giles lesson that he would re-
member. Look here, Andrew, you
heard Giles say that he never says
anything about man that he wouldn't
be willing to have him hear. Now
Josh Flood and George Glover and
Sam Novel; and are coming here to-
night to play checkers.
I'll get them to come early, and
We'll crowd into this little cubbyhole
that you've got curtained off here, and
be there when Giles comes for his !
boots. You give him a chance to dir |
his honest opinion Of US four. Just |
mention our names, incidentally, and
he'll do the rest. Then when he has
finished Wen step forth and have our
innings"
Webster Haines had no difficulty in
interesting his friends, and the four
were hidden behind the dingy curtain
in the shop when Giles Bigelow came
in that evening.
almost finished, Giles" said the
shoemaker briskly. "Sit down q min |
ute. Plenty of room toni ght, for a
wonder. Josh Flood was here few
minutes ago, though" he added casu.
ally.
"Josh Flood" said Giles, as he sank
into chair, sis a clever, well-meaning
chap. when all Is said and done. He
wouldn't harm a mosquiter."
Andrew waited for further com.
ment; none being Forthcoming. he said,
George Glover Is generally round
where Josh Is" J
George Glover is about as strong
a man In his arms as I know Of" said |
Giles. 81 don't see why he couldn't
do considerable of days work if he
should take notion to-"
Again Andrew waited. 81 was sort |
of expecting Sam NOVEL; In tonight"
he said at length.
"Sam NOVEL; is as good a judge Of
a boss as there is In town. according
to my way of thinking" remarked
Giles, and with that he stopped.
By this time the shoemaker was hav.l
ing some difficulty In controlling his
countenance, but he persevered. "Seen
anything of Web Haines since he was
in here this afteroon?" he asked.
mo, l haven't" answered Giles.
There was an apprecfable pause before
he cleared his throat and continued,
"Web Haines' wife is as smart as they
make 'em. How he ever brought 1t
about, I don't know, but it speaks well
for Web that he had gimp enough to
get her to have him." ~
There, your boots are done, Giles"
said Andrew. "It will be a dollar. /
must get TO work on Uncle Moses job"
Giles face frightened. snow, there's
a man for ye-Moses Rice Goes right
along, miading hts own business, and
scarce ever says>a word, but when he
does speak he's worth listening to.
You heard what he said to me this
afternoon. Well, I've been chewing
Il over and I've come to the conclusion
that he was right. I'm going to try to
say a good word for every namable
person that is mentioned in my pres
ence, but / must say that don't see
how | could have had much harder
test than those names that you hap
pened to mention just now. Except,