A Good Story

I was sitting ou a keg of nails in a West Virginia moüntain store watching a native dickeriug with the inerchant over a trade of a basket of eggs for a calicó dress. After some time a bargain was closed, the native walked out with the dress in a buudle under his arm and I followed him. "It isn 't any business of mine," I said, "but I was watching that trade and was surprised to see you let the eggs go for the dress. " "What f er?" he asked in astonishraent, as he mounted his horse. "How mauy eggs did you have?" "Basketful." "How many dozen?" "Dunno; can't connt. " "That's where you miss the advantages of education. With knowledge you might have got two dresses for those eggs. " "But I didn't want two dresses, mister," he argued. "Perhaps not, but that was no reason why you should have paid two prices for one. The merchant got the advantage of you because of his education. He knew what he was about. " He looked at me for a minute, as if he feit real sorry for me. Then ho grinned and pulled his horse over close to me. "I reckon," he half whispered, casting furtivo glances toward the store, "his eddioation ain't so much more'n mine ez you think it is. Hedon't know how many uv them aigs is spiled, an I do." And he rode away bef ore I conld argüe further.