Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-19


of about 10. He was in front Of
---'s hardware store win
dow. At times he would stand back
and gaze intently at something on
show. in the window. Again, ne
would fiatten his nose against the
plate glass, the better to get a close
up of a particular pair of skates.
There came a moment when his
lips frightened, look of determine
ton spread over his bright face and
he entered the store. A somewhat
tired looking, but still affable clerk
approached and with a quick ap-
praisal of the tiny customer said:
"Well, sir, what can / do for your"
A momentary hesitation, then
Il think it's going to snow. don't
your"
The youngsters unlocked for re-
mark had the clerk suffering for a
moment, but after agreeing that
such an occurrence was due any day,
he renewed the offer of his services.
1t was up to Blue Eyes again.
Say, I've got 80 cents saved up
(pointing to the window those
skates. Can I have 'em If give you
what I've got an JUS as soon as it
SHOWS, I will earn the rest in a fifty
by shoveling paths?"
The proposition had the clerk non.
plussed again. A refusal was on his
lips when the longing in the boys
eyes halted 1t and telling the lad to
wait minute he hurried to the back
of the store and earnestly consulted
with the proprietor. Presently both
came forward smiling.
You win, my boy. Just remem-
Der us when it SHOWS"
You betcher, 1 will" he earnest
ly promised and with shining eyes
watched the clerk wrap UP the
priced skates.
1t was in ..........'s dry goods
store. Customers were milling up
and down the aisles. Some looked
tired. some plainly bored, some des-
perate, while few had the appear
ance of hunted creatures. There
was plenty of evidence of NERVES"
Into this near-chaotic state of af-
fairs a new element was injected. A
woman shopper, plainly over-excited
was bewailing the loss of some
thing.
why. had it a moment ago. It
must be right here somewheres. /
don't know what I'll do If I can't
find it. Won't you please help me
1t must be on the floor somewhere.
What's that over near that lady.
Oh dear, isn't that just my luck.
I'm sure I'll miss someone If I don't
find it,
Three clerks and a floor walker
had hearkened to her pleadings and
were scurrying about the aisles
| Then "Oh here 1t is, II was rolled
up inside these bills" There was q
cessation of efforts followed by tit
| tiers grinS and smokers and in some
instances plain snorts INDUCED in by
onlookers. She had lost and re.
! covered her list of presents.
| They drove up in a new shining
beach wagon, the back of which was
! loaded with produce. One could
! glimpse yellow squash, carrots and
onions under the horse blanket
There was also "a stable butter box
Isaiah boosted the latter to his
! shoulder and entered--
! grocery. Emma followed.
How much butter do yer want
today" querried ISAIAH in a clipper
tone.
How much you got?" countered
| the smiling grocer.
"About 60 pounds docking in
! quiringly at Emma, who nodded) oil
as nice er lot as yer ever put knife
into"
| We'll. don't believe can handle
more than 20 pounds today" sait
the grocer. Ems face fell bit.
Isaiah threw back his shoulders
"Looka here Mr.. EN- and
have been all over town, we've
/ been late getting in and some one
has got ahead of us. Moneys kinda
! tight just now and we sort of banked
/ on turning this butter into cash sos
we could buy some presents. I dom,
say as how / know your bushes.
better'n you do. but can't you see
your way to taking the hull lot"
| A glance at Ems face decided the
/, grocer. well. that puts it in a diff
| ferent light, Isaiah. Sure, I'll take
the whole lot. it'll keep" They
went out. On the street STANDING
beside the beach wagon, Isaiah said
well, EN-, that means your new
dress"
En- nodded in a pleased way and
You're gonna have a pair of pants,
too, Mr.. Fixit."