Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1901 — Square Men. [ARTICLE]

Square Men.

In the mountains of Berks county, Pennsylvania, where Dutch shrewdness matches Dutch thrift, the proprietor of a hotel was bargaining for a supply of chickens. "Now, look here, Fred,” said the hotel man familiarly to the farmer, “don’t you feed them chickens before you bring ’em here, and don’t ydu let ’em get wet.” “All right, Charlie,” said the farmer, “but I don’t want to see ’em go hungry." “That’s all right, Fred, but I ain’t a-payln’ twelve cents a pound for corn, and I ain’t a-buyin’ water same rate.” “All right, Charlie, and I’ll bring my scales along.” “No need of that, Fred; I’ve got good scales here.” They parted, and I asked the hotel man just what he meant. “Oh, Fred’s all right,” he said. “He’s one of the squarest men alive; but all the same I ain’t a-paying live weight for chickens stuffed full of wet coru with wet feathers. But don’t misunderstand me. Fred’s a square man." I walked down to Fred’s farm. He was jolly and smiling. “Charlie’s a fine fellow.” he said, “one of the squarest men In the county—but I’m going to take them scales, all the same.”— Youth’s Companion.