Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Spackles's faded overalls and ragged hat on the Penny premises, and watched the old gentleman in animated conversation with Grandmother Penny, who seemed to be perter and brighter and handsomer than she had ever seemed before. On one such day Scattergood crossed the street and entered the gate. "Howdy, folks?" he said. "Wonder if I kin speak with Mr. Spackles without interferin'?"
"Fine-lookin' old lady," said Scattergood. Mr. Spackles regarded Grandmother Penny and nodded with the air of a connoisseur. "Dum'd if she hain't." He lifted his hat and yelled across the road: "Mornin', Ellen." "Mornin', James," replied Grandmother Penny, and bobbed her head. "Won't you folks stop and set? Sun's a-comin' down powerful hot." "Don't mind if we do," said Scattergood.
"Certain you kin," said Grandmother Penny, cordially. "Got a important bankin' matter over to the county seat, Mr. Spackles, and I was wonderin' if I could figger on your help?" "To be sure you kin, Scattergood. To be sure." "Got to have a brainy man over there day after to-morrer. B'jing! that's circus day, too. Didn't think of that till this minnit.
Spackles, with the air of a youth of twenty, "and Ellen up and allowed she'd have me. But I guess 'twon't never come off now. Seems like I'll never be content ag'in, and Ellen's that downcast I shouldn't be a mite s'prised if she jest give up and passed away." "Difficulty's money, hain't it? Largely financial, eh?" "Ya-as." "Folks has got rich before. Maybe somethin' like that'll happen to you."
Spackles," said Scattergood, "is if you calc'late a man that's got to be past sixty and a woman that's got to be past sixty has got any business hitchin' up and marryin' each other." "Um!... Depends. I'd say it depends. If the feller was perserved like I be, and the woman was his equal in mind and body, I'd say they was no reason ag'in' it 'ceptin' it might be money."
"Got anybody in mind, Bob? Thinkin' of anybody specific for the place?" Bob shook his head. "Um!... Nahum Pound's daughter's boardin' with Grandma Penny, that's now Mis' Spackles. All-fired perty girl, Bob. Don't call to mind no pertier. Sairy's her name.... G'-by, Bob. G'-by." He walked to the door, but paused. "About that six dollars, Bob I was figgerin' on payin' that out of my own pocket."
Spackles got wind of the opportunity and told it to Grandmother Penny. She took charge of affairs, compelled her fiance to go with her to the bank, where they withdrew their savings, and then sought for Mr. Baxter, who, in return for a bulk sum of some five hundred dollars, sold them enough stock in the mine to paper the parlor.
"Mr. Spackles," said Scattergood, "I come down here to find out could I ask you some advice. You bein' experienced like you be, it 'peared to me like you was the one man that could help me out." "Um!..." grunted Mr. Spackles, his old blue eyes widening with the distinction of the moment.
Scattergood knew better than to interrupt the game, so he stood by until, by a breath-taking triple jump, Old Man Bogle sent his antagonist down to defeat. Then, and only then, did Scattergood speak to the old gentleman who had been the spectator. "Morning Mr. Spackles," he said. "Mornin', Scattergood. See that last jump of Bogle's? I swanny if 'twan't about as clever a move as I see this year."
Wonder if you'd drive my boss and buggy over and fix up a deal with the president of the bank?" "Glad to 'bleege," said the flattered Mr. Spackles. "Circus day," Scattergood repeated. "Been to a circus lately, Mis' Penny?" "Hain't seen one for years." "No?... Mr. Spackles, what be you thinkin' of? To be sure. Why, you kin bundle Mis' Penny into the buggy and take her along with you!
Word Of The Day