an undisguised interest in all that he did,
whispering and laughing among themselves in a way which, to Checkers,
was most exasperating.

There is something about a city-bred youth--his manner, his clothes,
his well-groomed look, his unconscious air of superiority--which is
antagonistic to country prejudice. Such prejudice is not hard to
remove, and generally disappears upon short acquaintance. But the
initiation is very trying, and Checkers felt the ordeal keenly.

"Say, Arthur," he said, as Kendall passed, "if some of those guys do
n't chase themselves, and quit whisperin' around, and givin' me the
rah-rah, there 's going to be a fight or a foot race, and your Uncle
Dudley won't be in front."

"Why, they're all right," said Arthur, soothingly. "They're interested
in you, because you 're a stranger. But they do n't mean the slightest
harm. You know 'a cat may look at a king.'"

"Yes, I know 'a cat may look at a king,' but she 'd better not see any
flies on the king, if she wants to keep her health and strength," and
Checkers continued arranging a show-case.

In order to save his clothes while working, Checkers had brought to the
store an old suit of a loud, checked pattern, and peculiar cut, which,
nevertheless, was very becoming.

Towards evening the crowd began to increase, and Mr. Bradley, Arthur,
two assistants and Checkers were all as busy as it was possible to be.
Those who were being waited on took none the less time in making their
purchases, because there were others awaiting their turn. As a
consequence, there was chafing and grumbling among the procrastinators,
who were now in a hurry.

Uncle Jerry Halter, from the back woods--a character; shrewd, crabbed
and as close as the next minute--was foremost among these, and at last
he discovered our friend, Mr. Campbell, checked suit and all, returning
from having washed his hands, after a not very successful attempt at
filling a large brown jug with molasses.

The old man crowded through to the counter, leaning over it
expectantly, but Checkers passed him by unheeded, making his way toward
a pretty girl.

"Hey there!" exclaimed Uncle Jerry indignantly--his voice was loud and
very nasal. "Hey! 'Checkers,' or whatever your name is--I'm in a
hurry, and I want to go."

Instantly there was a general laugh, and Checkers stopped and turned
around.

"Well, go if you want to--you're not tied down," he retorted, and the
laugh was on Uncle Jerry.

T