Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 108, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1911 — ANXIETY WAS FOR THE KEG [ARTICLE]

ANXIETY WAS FOR THE KEG

Overcharge a Small Matter, but Customer Did Hate to See Good Material Hurt. Every nail-keg In the store bad Its occupant, the checker-board was working overtime, and mittens and mufflers were stuffed in bulgy pockets, as their owners drew closer round the big, rusty stove. The door opened noisily, letting in a blast of the storm raging outside, and in its wake followed Rufe Blevins, a giant wood-chopper, whose good nature and ready wit made him a welcome addition to the store circle. The loafers moved a little closer together to make room for Rufe on a soap-box, but he marched past the friendly circle, plumped an empty molasses-keg down on the counter, and drew a stained bill from his pocket, which he held out to the proprietor of the store.' An expectant grin went round the circle, for Storekeeper Jones had the reputation of never wronging himself by overweighing or undercharging. The merchant adjusted his glasses and looked expectantly from the bill to the wood-chopper. “Notice you charged me for five gallons o’ molasses last time I had this four-gallon keg filled,” drawled Rufe. "I don’t mind payin’ for the extra gallon, Mr. Jones, but I do kinder hate to have a good keg strained to pieces.” —-Youth’s Companion. *