The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1921-09-30
A Crusty Old
Bachelor
By HAROL SINCLAIRE
9. 1921, Western Newspaper Union.)

Business Is bad, very bad" said
John Moore to a passing townsman,
and struck a still more detected atti-
tude in the doorway Of his little store.
He posed there, staring gloomily out
into the fast darkening street. think
ing how very bad was business, in
deed, and wondering why he had ever
brought his little stock of dry goods,
clothing, boots and shoes and notions
to RivertOn. Guess I'll close up.
Hello!"
Starting to pull up the awning, the
s~torekeeper's foot touched a moving
human object crouched back in the
hallway side entrance to the build
ing.
Here, wake up !" called out John,
with a frown.
The man got to his feet with a
painful effort. AS he came more fully
into view John regarded him closely.
"Oh, l see." he said, rather distaste-
fully "yOu are the man who was here
a month ago, and got in trouble with
q riOtOus crowd down at the tavern"
"That was me-" assented the tramp,
for such he seemed.
"What do you want?" inquired John,
a trifle harshly money, / suppose, to
buy liquor"
The tramp reached into his pocket,
drew out a folded paper and opened
1t so that his challenger could see
what it was.
"A temperance pledge, ehY' re-
marked John, almost contemptuously.
"And your name is Lemuel Price?"
"Yes, sir. I'm through with all that.
I've been through with it for over a
week. I've done it because I'd got low
enough to beg hard earned wages
from my motherless daughter.
IF stopping short is going to kill
me, all right-at least I'll die sober"
John Moore believed his story.
"See here" he said; "if it's a bed
and something to eat, come with me-"
1t was as a new mar that the latter
entered on the next day. John had
fed him m nutritious soup and gruels,
he had given him a comfortable bed.
Out Of his stock he selected a neat,
unstable suit of clothes, and the ex-
tramp went out On the street, clean
shaver and encouraged, to again look
for work.
Price reported that afternoon. He
had found a chance to work as a
teamster, he said, but, he added, he
had decided first to submit a propo-
sition to the storekeeper.
"All right, what is it?' asked John
in his usual crisp, businesslike way.
"Other stores are just rushing said
Price. Saturdays, especially, the trade
is big. You haven't got your share"
II have realized that for some time"
said John, bitterly.
"Now, I've been thinking up mat
tiers for your good, because you have
been so kind to me-" continued Price,
humbly but sincerely. If you will let
me do a little advertising for you, I'll
guarantee results"
Early Friday morning a sign ap-
peared above a bell reading: Every
twentieth purchase free-announced
by this bell"
Curious people came. in, making only
small purchases. The news got around
town. The crowd kept up till mid
night. Tired out, but elated, John
reckOned up the gains of the day.
Counting in the presents given, he was
over fifty dollars to the good.
"Mr. Moore" said Price one eve
ming, 1.-THE night business is better
than the day. That is because you
don't get the trade of the ladies. Let
me send for my daughter Martha. We
"a use the two empty rooms upstairs,
and you needn't pay either of us a
cent of salary unless we earn it."
SO this came about. The result was
magical. Martha Price, bright, mod
est, obliging, brought in the female
customers In groups.
John Moore did some deep thinking
the rest of that day. In the early eve
ming, when Price was eating his sup
per, he went owe to the counter
where his daughter stood.
Martha" he said, "I'm going to tell
you something that l never told any
other woman. Having had no expert
.ence, | must be rather plain and
blunt"
"Yes?" murmured Martha. Her
color heightened.
II love you, and l want you to be
my wife. OF course, a crusty old
bachelor"
Don't call my fathers best friend
hard Names" interrupted Martha
sweetly. 81 am only a poor girl, but
if true love and devotion will satisfy
you"
Then. it was his turn to interrupt
with a kiss.