The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-06-14
The Cure

walked" remarked Giles Bigelow, as
he glanced out of the window of the
little shop.
Andrew Pike, the shoemaker, was
not curious enough to look up from
his work but he did stare in astonish-
ment when old Moses Rice, whose
meekness was proverbial, rebuked the
speaker.
"Giles," the old gentleman began, 81
don't suppose you've got thing
against Deacon Tarbox. It's just youl
way of tlinging out about folks, no
matter who they be.
Sou are getting to be regular
uackbitcr, Giles" Uncles Moses went
an in Il voice trelnulous with earnest
ness. IF you must talk about folks,
why can't you think of something to
say in their favor? 1t would be just
as easy, and it would leave better
taste in your mouth"
Giles Bigelow had been so complete
" 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.
as the only remaining visitor ut the
shop.
"Well," said Webster, as he slid into
still easier position in his chair.
"Uncle Moses spoke quite piece, for
him. But it didn't make particle of
impression. I'd like to see someone
give Giles a 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 LAY 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 chance to air
his honest opinion of us four. Just
mention our names, incidentally, and
he'll do the rest. Then when he has
finished We'll step forth and have ou1
innings"
Webster Haines had no difficulty ir
interesting his friends, and the -four
were hidden behind the dingy curtain
in the shop when Giles Bigclow came
in that evening.
"Almost finished, Giles" said the
shoemaker brisLly. "Sit down Il min.
ute. Plenty Of room tonight, for o
wonder. Josh Flood was here few
minutes ago, though" he added casu.
ally.
"Josh Flood" said Giles, as he sanb
into chair, 'is clever, well-meanine
chap, when all is said and done. lie
wouldn't harm mosquiter."
Andrew waited for further com
ment; none being Forthcoming, he said
George Glover is generally round
where Josh is"
"George Glover is about as strong
a man in his arms as know Of" sait
Giles. II don't see why he couldn't
do considerable of a days work if hi
should take a notion to-"
Again Andrew waited. II was sorl
of expecting Sam NOVEL; in tonight
he said at length.
"Sam Novel; is as good a Judge Of
| To-.
to my way of thinking remarked
Giles, and with that he stopped.
BY this time the shoemaker was hav.
ing some difficulty in controlling his
countenance, but he persevered. "See1
anything Of Web Haines since he wa.
in here this afteroon?" he asked.
mo, 7 haven't" answered Giles
There was an appreciable pause bcforl
he cleared his throat and continued
"Web Haines' wife is as smart as they
make 'em. How he ever brought /,
about, I don't know, but it speaks wei
for Web that he had gimp enough t.
get her to have him."
'There, your boots are done. Giles
said Andrew. 1T will be q dollar.
must get to work on Uncle Noses job
Giles face frightened. "Now, there's
a man for ye-Moses Rice! Goes right
along, m!nGing his own business, and
scarce ever says 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
it over and I've come to the conclusion
that he was right. I'm going to try to
say good word for every namable
person that is mentioned in my pres
ence. but must say that I don't see
how I could have had much harder
test than those names that you hap
pened to mention just now. Except
Of course. Moses Rice; he's the sal,
of the earth. snum, when you spoke