The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1921-08-11


nayors. chiefly those OF ten, coffee
tobacco, muscovado sugar and hivlns-
ses. There was a counter on each,
side. Bolts OF cloth. mostly calico.
were piled ON the far end OF the right
counter as one entered and ~she near
end held showcase Confirming q
display OF cutlery pewter spoons,
jewelry and fishing tackle. There
were double windows on either side
OF the rough board door with Its wood
en- latch The left counter held
case filled With threads, buttons,
combs, coiored ribbons, and belts nnd
jew's-harps. A balance stood In the
middle Of this counter. A chest Of
tea. big brown jug, box OF can.
dies, a keg and large wooden pail
occupied its farther end. The shelvs
ing on its side walls was filled by
straw hats, plug tobacco. bolts OF
cloth, pills and patent medicines and
paste-board boxes containing shirta
hnndkerchiefs and underwear. At the
rear end of the store was large fire
place. There were two chairs near
the fireplace, both Of which were Oc-
cupied by nan who sat in one
while his feet lay on the other. He
wore calico shirt with a fanciful
design Of mornIng-g glorles on It print.
ed In appropriate colors. collar OF
the same material and red necktie.
Abe laid aside his book and rose
to sitting posture.
Pardon me-you see the firm Is
busy" said Abe. "You know Eb Zane
used to say that he was never 50
busy In his life as when he lay on his
back with a broken leg. He said he
had to work twenty-four hours day
doin' nothin' an could never git an
hour off. But broken leg Is not
so bad as a lame intellect. That lays
you out with the fever an agne Of
ignorance. Jack Kelso recommended
Klrkham's pills and poultices OF po-
etry. I'm trying both and slowly get
ting the better of II. I've learned
three conJugations, between customers,
this afternoon"
The sleeper, whose namc was viii
liam Berry, rose and stretched him
self and was introduced to the new
comer. He was short, genial man,
of some thirty years, with blonde.
curly hair and mustache. His fat
cheeks had. col T as definite as that
Of the blossoms on his shirt, now
rather soiled. His prominent nose
shared their glow Of ruddy opuience.
His gray eyes wore a look OF apology.
"Mr. TraylOr. this is Mr.. William
Berry" said DR.. Allen. ''Mr. Traylor
has just acquired an Interest In all our
Institutions. He has bought the Coll
aher tract and is going TO build
house and some fences. Abe, couldn't
you help get the timber out lin a
hurry so we can have u raising within
weeki You know the arts Of the
ak better than any Of u.s."
Abe looked ut Samson.
II reckon he and l would make
good team with the AK" he said. "He
looks as IL he could push house
down with one hand and build 1t up
with the other. You can bet III be
glad to help In any way can"
"We'll all turn In and nelp. should
think Bill or Jack Kelso could look
after the store for a few dass." said
the Doctor. ~ promised to take Mr..
Traylor over to Jack Kelso's tonight.
Couldn't you come alongr
"Goodl Wen have a story-tellln,
and get Jack to unllmber his guns"
said Abe.
Jack Kelso's cabin, one Of two which
stood close together at tho western
end of the village. was lighted by the
CHEEKY blaze Of dry logs In Its fire
place. There were guns Gn q rack
over the fireplace under a bucks head,
powder horn hanging near them on
its string looped over a nail. There
were wolf and deer and bear pelts on
the floor. The skins of fox 8, rae
coons and Wildcats adorned the log
walls. Jack Kelso was blond.
smooth-faced, good-looking. merry
hearted Scot. about forty years old.
OF a rather slight build, some five
feet, eight inches tall. That is ali
that any one knew OF him save that
he spent most of his time hunting
and fishing and seemed to have all
the best things. which great men had
said or written, on the tip OF his
tongue.