Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 115, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 June 1917 — The Cure [ARTICLE]

The Cure

“There goes as mean a man as ever walked,” remarked Giles Bigelow, as he glanced out of the window of the little shop. Andfrew Pike, the shoemaker, was not curious enough to look up from his work; but he did stare in astonishment when old. Moses Rice, whose meekness was proverbial, rebuked the speaker. “Giles,” the old gentleman began, "I don’t suppose you’ve got a thing against Deacon Tarbox. It’s just your way of dinglng out about folks, no matter who they be. “You are getting to be a regular backbiter, Giles,” Uncles Moses went on, in a voice tremulous with earnestness. “If you must talk about folks, why can’t you think of something to say in their favor? It would be just as easy, and it would leave a better taste in your mouth.” Giles Bigelow had been so completely taken by surprise that he was not ready with his defense until after the closed behind Uncle Moses. Giles took his departure, much offended, and Webster Haines was left as the only remaining visitor at the shop. "Well,” said Webster, as he slid into a still easier position in his chair, “Uncle Moses spoke quite a piece, for him. But it didn’t make a particle of impression. Td like to See someogjß giveGllesalesson that hie would remember. Look here, Andrew, you heard Giles say that he never says anything about a man that he wouldn’t be willing to have him hear. Now Josh Flood and George Glover and Sam Nowell and I are coming night to play checkers. ’Til get them to come early, and we’ll crowd into this little cubbyhole that you’ve got curtained off here, and be there when Giles comes for his boots. You give him a chance to air his honest opinion of us four. Just mention our names, Incidentally, and he’ll do the rest Then when he has finished we’ll step forth and have our innlnga.” Webster Haines had no difficulty in interesting his friends, and the four were hidden behind the dingy curtain In the shop when Giles Bigelow came in that evening. "Almost finished, Giles,” said the shoemaker briskly. “Sit down a minute. Plenty of room tonight, for a wonder. Josh Flood was here a few minutes ago, though,” he added casually. "Josh Flood,” said Giles, as he sank into a chair, “is a clever, well-meaning chap, when all is said and done. He wouldn’t harm a mosquiter.” Andrew, waited for further comment; none being, forthcoming, he said, “George Glover Is generally round where Josh is.” “George Glover is about as strong a man in his arms as I know of,” said Giles. “I don’t see why he couldn’t do considerable of a day’s work if he should take a notion to.” Again Andrew waited. “I was sori of expecting Sam Nowell in tonight,” he said at length. “Sam Nowell is as good a judge ol a hoss as there is in town, according to my way of thinking,” remarked Giles, and with that he stopped. By this time the shoemaker was having some difficulty in controlling his countenance, but he persevered. “Seen anything of Web Haines since he wai In* here this afteroon?” he asked. "No, I haven’t,” answered Giles. There was an appreciable pause before he cleared his throat and continued, "Web Haines’ wife is as smart as they make ’em. How he ever brought it about, I don’t know, but it speaks well for Web that he had gimp enough to get her to have him.” “There, your boots are done, Giles," said Andrew. “It will be a dollar. 1 must get to work on Uncle Moses’ job." Giles* face brightened. “Now, there’s a man for ye—Moses Rice! Goes right along, minding his own business, and scarce ever says a word, but when he does speak he’s worth listening to. You heard what he said to me this afternoon. Well, I’ve been chewing it over and I’ve come to the conclusion that he was right. I’m going to try to say a good word for every na in able person that is mentioned In my presence, but I must say that I don’t see how I could have had a much harder test than those names that you happened to mention just now. Except, of course, Moses Rice; he's the salt of the earth. I snum, when you spoke of Web Haines, I thought for a minute I was stumped I But I did lt\and it all goes to show what a man can ac* when he sets out A dollar, make it 90 cents.” When Giles had gone, the listeners emerged from their cramped quarters. “Giles didn’t need your treatment, after all,” said the shoemaker “Unde Moses did all that was neceesary.” “Well, I don’t know,” replied Webster Haines, with a wry smile. “It kinder, looked to me as if Giles wasn’t more than half cured.” —Youth’s Companion. _ \