Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1928-06-14

self or to any one else.
Selwood, listening to Big Haynes
laundering praises Of his wares and
complaints of the astonishing cold
ness of his buyers, used his eyes
about him. He saw that the stock
was Of a sort not infrequently shipped
to the frontier because out-of-date
elsewhere. It was desperately ill-as-
sorted for the needs Of western men.
though It might have suited western
women. had there been any number
in Sleepy Cat to suit. SelwOod edged
gradually over to where Fyler was
at work wrapping goods near the
money till. He remembered then that
he had some business with Fyler.
"You seem to have the best part
Of the job" he said presently, and
solely because he wished to talk to
him.
Fyler looked up without recogniz-
ing his benefactor Of Crawling Stone
wash.
"How's that?"
"Next the money drawer"
Fyler laughed. mighty little in
itw
my names Selwood." said the gam
bier, without raising his voice. 81
look after the Russell and Wentworth
freight here. My wagon boss tells me
we're short some goods for you in
the last shipment"
The trader looked at him with
new interest. "You were; twelve cases
of boots-all I had coming; just about
put me out of business. Where were
they lost?"
"They weren't lost. They were
stolen. I came in to get a descrip-
tion-when you're through with the
sale"
As he spoke, a man that would in
vite attention entered the front door.
He was short, almost squat in stature.
and square-built-practically every
thing about the man could have been
measured by a right angle. He was
smoOth-faced, his head was square.
his forehead square, his shoulders
square, his feet broad and square,
and his jaw was square. He walked
slowly and planted his hOb-nailed
boots squarely before him. His legs
were short, his arms long, and he
would have disputed build with 60
rilla and strength with grisly. This
was Abe Cole, the Sleepy Cat black
smith. Other blacksmiths there were
In Sleepy Cat; but Cole was known
as and designated as the Sleepy Cat
blacksmith.
Fortunately he was as peaceable as
powerful when not aroused, but his
disposition was naturally positive, and
he was known as a fighter.
Abe shouldered himself through the
crowd without hesitation or difficulty
whenever his shoulders encountered
an obstacle, the obstacle gave way.
He walked straight to Fyler, holding
out handful of soggy scraps of black
felt. A bedraggled hatband hung
from his waist look here, Haynes !"
he Numbered. The auction stopped.
Here's the hat you sold me yester-
day!" Cole added, in no uncertain
tones. Haynes gave him prompt at
tention. That's what the rain did
to itw beloved Abe.
Haynes, leaning down, picked up
the shoddy wreck, the hatband last
and very carefully, for fear 1t should
fall to pieces, and examined the re-
mains with solicitude.
Abe Cole started in again to say a
hard thing, but Haynes put up his
hand as a doctor might in the pres
ence of approaching death demand
restraint from very angry man.
"Gentlemen," he said, speaking as
troubled man might speak on
painful occasion, you can see here,
all of you, what difficulty an honest
purveyor Of merchandise has in Sc
Letting his goods for new country.
This hat, gentlemen-hold on, Abel"
he interjected in stentorian tones, for
Coles safety-valve Of anger gave
strong indications of popping, "hold
on till you hear me; sold you this
hat, didn't I? didl Very well. I
want to say to you. gentlemen, one
and all, that when a mistake like this
happens, we make it good This hat"
he exclaimed, holding the offender out
for personal reproach, never should
have been sold in the mountains; it's
a desert hat, made light and porous
for dry country. The Indians along
the famous Spanish sinks buy these
hats freely for their squaws; they're
porous, gentlemen-but they won't
stand rain"
Porous monkey" suffered Cole.
They're rotten"
Haynes courteously protested. 81
wouldn't had it happen, Abe, for one
hundred dollars. I replace it cheer
fully. Mr.. Fyler," he shouted, point
ing commanding finger, ''be kind
enough to hand me that box Of hats"
From the box passed up Haynes,
carefully picking over several hats.
selected a brown one-never for a
moment losing the thread of his easy
and plausible flow Of words. Abe Cole
continued to growl, but he was In eff
feet silenced, and stood under his
new hat, sturdy onlooker, while Big
Haynes pulled out his watch. Gentle