Of course Mrs. —— took them, went home in great glee, and told her better half she'd never trust him to go shopping for her again—for they always cheated him. When the husband came to scrutinize his wife's bargain, lo! he detected the self-same gaiters—merely with a different quality of lacings in them! He, like a philosopher, grinned and said nothing. That illustrates one phase in the character of some people who "go it blind" on "bargains" and now, for the pith of our story—the way some folks have of going round "Robin Hood's barn" to come at a thing.
The other day we stopped into a friend's store to see how he was getting along, and presently in came a rural-district-looking customer.
"How'd do?" says he, to the storekeeper, who was busy, keeping the stove warm.
"Pretty well; how is it with you?"
"Well, so, so; how's all the folks?"
"Middling—middling, sir. How's all your folks?"
"Tolerable—yes, tolerable," says the rural gent. "How's trade?" he ventured to inquire.
"Dull, ray-ther dull," responded the storekeeper. "Come take a seat by the stove, Mr. Smallpotatoes."
"Thank you, I guess not," says the ruralite. "Your folks are all stirring, eh?" he added.
"Yes, stirring around a little, sir. How's your mother got?" the storekeeper inquired, for it appeared he knew the man.