uying something they
absolutely had no need of."

Arthur and Mr. Bradley would sometimes stand almost convulsed with
silent laughter, listening to the dialogue between Checkers and some
country customer.

He was quick at reading character, and his intuitions were remarkably
keen. He was able, therefore, to ingratiate himself with nearly every
class of purchaser, by starting a genial conversation upon the topic he
deemed most fit, letting it take its course through all the vagaries of
a country mind, until at last it veered around to the subject of a
possible purchase. Then, in the most disinterested way, and as though
rather sorry to end the talk, he would go behind the counter and
pleasantly show forth a number of things that had n't been asked for,
as though it was only as a special favor that he had gone to the
trouble of getting the articles down. Such consideration, backed by a
judicious talk, seldom failed of the most substantial results; and
Checkers' fame soon went abroad as "a nice, young feller and a smart
'un, too."

It was during his first few days at the store that he acquired the
soubriquet of "Checkers." It was a piece of rude, bucolic wit, but the
name stuck to him, as such names will, and followed him through his
many vicissitudes.

Time was at a discount in Clarksville, Everyone had time to spend, but
few had money for such a purpose. And generally at the Kendall store,
some six or eight of the local talent might be found lounging
comfortably in the chairs outside, chaffing one another, chewing
tobacco, and waiting for something new to turn up.

This was particularly the case on Saturdays, when the farmers came to
town with their apples, vegetables and eggs for barter, made their
necessary purchases, and consumed the balance of the day in standing
around, talking crops and politics.

Although there were no saloons in the place, the greater part of the
assemblage always delayed their shopping until the last possible
moment, which naturally made a considerable rush at the various stores
as evening approached.

It was Checkers' first Saturday there, and while endeavoring to be as
helpful as possible, he was nevertheless rather awkward, as a result of
his unaccustomedness.

This did not fail to be observed by the natives, to whom he was an
object of much curiosity, and to whom his presence among the Kendalls
was a matter of wide and varied conjecture. The younger element
especially showed