Mr. Minser owned the only general store in town. He was friends with many of the farm estates from whom he bought wheat, corn, chicken, and beef. They would often come to give him deals and do business with him. The only people who purchased from his store were the estate's servants, except for Mr. D, the man who sold him the beef and chicken. Mr. D had 15 children, one of whom was 18 and accompanied his father almost everywhere. There was only one large wheat estate nearby, as well as other large estates in the area. Any other nearby estate was at least two hundred miles away.
On a busy day, four businessmen entered his shop. They were the men from whom he had borrowed a loan one year ago in order to purchase a much-needed supply of corn and wheat. However, he was still unable to pay back the loan.
"Look," said one of them, seeming half-asleep, "you need to pay your loan."
Suddenly, there was a shout as someone tried to enter the shop, but the crowd of chatting people inside the doorway prevented them.
It happened to be his sister with her four little kids with their pocket money who liked to buy candy. His sister simply grabbed an apron, smiled, and said, "Busy day, huh?" before going into the back of the store.
"I want four candies," said the youngest, coming up to the counter and putting down his money.
"Ok, just wait one minute," he replied.
Just then, Mr. D entered with his two oldest sons. "I have got a parasol for you, plus I need my rifle back. I asked you to fix and clean it the other day," he said. "Oh, and I got this list. I don't really know what's on it, save ginger. My wife wrote them down. She ain't feeling good these days. It's ingredients to make some sort of tea, I heard." He then frowned.
"I'll get it for you," Minser said. "Exactly when was she supposed to have the baby?"
In a week, Mr. D replied.
Ok, I'll get your riffle for you.
I want my candy now! Said the his nephew
Anne, could you give your son the candies he wants and let him keep his money?
All right she said as she came out of the back room
Anne handed the four candies to her son and let him keep his money. The little boy happily thanked his mother and started eating his candy. Meanwhile, Mr. Minser went to the back room to retrieve Mr. D's rifle and look for the ingredients for the tea. He quickly found the rifle and made sure it was in good condition before returning to the front of the store.
"I found your rifle, Mr. D," Mr. Minser said as he handed it over. "It's all cleaned and fixed up."
Mr, d put the Rifle over his knee and made it snap open in a half but still connected, one who did not use a rifle like that would have thought it broken.
Two of the business men started laughing.
Is it not good enough that you would have to break it in front of this shop keepers face? One of them asked.
Mister D smiled No it's fine he said as he piled some thing out of the Rifle then shut it again, I just don't need my children trying to fire these things.
It's not broken said mister d's oldest son. Don't you know anything about rifles.
A lot more then you do! One of them replied
No, no I.don't think so mister d's oldest son replied. All it seems you know about is stealing money from people.
The store keeper and Mister D laughed.
What..what do funny it's true? Asked mister d's oldest son
Nothing replied the store keeper.
Ok then said one of the men about the loan you owe us....
You have a loan mister minser? How much is it? Asked mister d
$300 the store keeper said as he put two lemons in a paper bag.
Oh well I was going to sell you $400 dollars worth of beef. Said mister d. What it you only pay me $100 for all $400 dollars worth of beef and is the other $300 to pay this !an off?
You mean you would be giving me $300 dollars worth of beef free. Asked the store keeper.
Yep, that I would.
The business men shuffled a bit embarrassed.
One of them spoke up, "Well, if Mr. D is willing to accept that arrangement, then I suppose we can agree to it. We just want our loan repaid, after all."
"That's very generous of you, Mr. D," Mr. Minser said gratefully. "I appreciate your help."
"No problem at all," Mr. D replied with a smile. "Consider it a favor for a friend."
With the deal settled, Mr. Minser and Mr. D continued their conversation, and the businessmen left the shop. The crowd of people inside the shop eventually dispersed, leaving Mr. Minser with his sister and her children.
"Thank you for your help, Anne," Mr. Minser said to his sister. "I don't know what I would do without you."
"You're welcome, Minser," Anne replied. "We're family, after all. We help each other out."
As they chatted, Mr. Minser remembered the ingredients for the tea that Mr. D's wife needed. He quickly grabbed them from the shelf and handed them to Mr. D.
"Here you go, Mr. D," he said. "I hope this helps with your wife's tea."
"Thank you, Minser," Mr. D said sincerely. "You're a good friend."
Mr. Minser smiled and nodded. "You're welcome, Mr. D. Take care of your family."
And so, the busy day at Mr. Minser's store eventually quieted down. Even with the challenges he faced, Mr. Minser was grateful for his friends and family who supported him. He knew that with their help, he would be able to overcome any difficulties that came his way.