People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1893 — CAUGHT BY A WORD. [ARTICLE]

CAUGHT BY A WORD.

The New Grocer JBeaten In an Ax handle Deal. Among the worthies that loafed about an Indiana town, says the Waverly Magazine, was one Jim Jones. He was one of those whittling geniuses who can make anything, from a top to a log cabin, out of a chunk of wood. His credit and reputation were not over good, but the new grocery man had not learned thei» So when Jim sidled into the new ctr>re with a bundle of smooth-looking air-handles the proprietor was not long in closing a deal with him and settling in hard cash. Shortly afterward an old Hoosier dropped in to purchase a handle. “Them be nice-looking goods. What might the price be?” “Those are extra fine hickory,” said the young grocer. “We shall have to charge fifty cents apiece." “Let me see one.” The farmer burst Into a loud “hawhaw!” as he balanced the stick upon his little finger and went out to tell how green the new grocer was. Next day in the presence of a large crowd of corner loafers the groceryman tackled Jim Jones. “Sir, you are a liar and a robber!” “So?” said Jim. “Yes, sir. You sold me these bas»wood handles by fraud!” “Wall, I guess not. I told you the truth sure,” said Jim, coolly. “You lie! You said they were knot hickory!” retorted the overheated groceryman. “Eggsackly,” drawled Jim. “I said they was not hickory—no more are they.” Amid the haw-haws of the crowd the young grocer was forced to pass around the cider and swallow his loss and chagrin in the same gulp.