Prev | Current Page 128 | Next

Cooper, James A.

"Cap'n Abe, Storekeeper"

Next breath the cat had a chunk out o' his calf and if I hadn't
been there with a gun he'd pretty near have eat the feller!"
The personal touch always entered into Cap'n Amazon's stories. He had
always been on me spot when the thing in point happened--and usually he
was the heroic and central figure. No foolish modesty stayed his
tongue when it came to recounting adventures.
He had all his wits, as well as all his wit, about him, had Cap'n
Amazon. This was shown by an occurrence that very Saturday afternoon.
Milt Baker, like the other neighbors, was becoming familiar, if not
friendly, with the substitute storekeeper and, leaning on the showcase.
Milt said:
"Leave me have a piece of Brown Mule, Cap'n Am'zon. I'm all out o'
chewin'. Put it on the book and Mandy'll pay for it."
"Avast there!" Cap'n Amazon returned. "Seems to me I got something in
the bill o' ladin' 'bout that," and he drew forth the long memorandum
Cap'n Abe had made to guide his substitute's treatment of certain
customers. "No," the substitute storekeeper said, shaking his head
negatively.


Pages:
116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140