Part 28 (1/2)
Hiram knew that his partner was anxious to get him out of the Fernborough store, and so he filed his objections at once.
”Oh,” said Strout, ”of course I didn't have no sech idee as askin' you to go, even if you did know who was the best man for the job. The snail thinks he's travelled a long ways when he goes a foot, an' some men are jus' like him.”
Hiram ignored the personal application.
”Well, bein's you didn't want me to go, I s'pose you've somebody in mind. Suit yourself, as us'al.”
”Well, I've thought it all over, an' I think Billy Ricker's our man.
He'll be over from Montrose to-morrow an' I'll talk it over with him.
We've got that Montrose trade so solid he can be spared from there now.
Guess there ain't any trade tonight or Bob would have called us in afore this.”
”Ef we sold cord wood we might be doin' somethin',” and, laughing in his old way at his own joke, Hiram started to follow his partner into the store.
”Say, Hiram,” called out Strout in a loud voice, ”bring in them two chairs--everything's occupied out here 'cept the counter.”
As the proprietors took their seats, the store door was opened again, this time admitting Mr. Abner Stiles. His teeth were chattering, and he stamped his feet upon the floor, and beat his hands against his shoulders in old-fas.h.i.+oned country style.
”Moses Williams!” he cried. ”I kinder think the North Pole must have slid down an' come to stop in this 'ere town. I say, Strout, if that organ of yourn was pumped to-night you'd have to play 'From Greenland's Icy Mountains,' or some sech tune.”
”Where have you been?” asked Mr. Strout.
”Hain't been nowhere. Jes' came from the Pettingill house. Young Master Sawyer wants some brown sugar to make some candy. Give me five pounds.”
”So it's Master Sawyer, is it?” said Strout as he weighed the saccharine substance. ”I thought it was Mister before a man was a Master.”
”I ain't a talkin' about men--he's only a boy, and a mighty smart boy too.”
”I'm tired hearing about him,” said Strout. ”Can't you give us something new?”
”Yes, I kin,” said Abner. ”Boys, I've got something funny to tell you. I went to Cottonton this afternoon and I'd jest got back when they sent me for the sugar.”
”What ye doin' over there?” asked Benoni.
Abner scratched his head then winked at Benoni.
”I went to buy somethin' for an individual who shall be nameless out of respect--”
”Go on with your story,” shouted Strout. ”You'd better hurry home with that sugar or the 'Master' may make it hot for you.”
This remark caused a laugh at Abner's expense.
”Jes' go ahead, Abner,” said Benoni, ”we're all a-waitin'.”
”Well, I met a feller on the train and he buzzed me all the way here.
He wanted to know where I lived, an' when I told him I lived in Fernborough, that used to be a part of Eastborough, he jest piled me full of questions. I told him all I knew--”
”An' added a little something” broke in Strout.