“Would you like to buy some snacks?”
The little cowgirl seated below a colored hand scribed poster “Snacks” under a makeshift tent asked horseback riders going by.
While there were quite a few passing the young entrepreneur’s horseshow business venture, there was no business.
Now truth be-known it’d been four hours since the bowl of oatmeal breakfast at the ranch, so snacks sounded good.
Always short of cash and certain the cute retailer couldn’t take a credit card, there was an instant payment dilemma. Then it occurred that a $10 bill had been hidden behind the driver’s license in the billfold for such “emergencies.”
Instant smile came over the cowgirl’s face when she saw a potential customer headed her direction. “What do you have?” Grin broadened pointing to a scribbled list on an ice chest with the food and drink offerings
“You have corn dogs? Are they hot? How much?” With a nod, the waiter reached into another small insulated satchel: “Warm. A dollar,” she answered.
“Okay, let’s have one.” Pulling greenback out of the snap shirt pocket quickly had that girl’s brain calculating.
Opening a small red plastic money bag, she sorted out three one-dollar bills and started counting quarters. Obviously, ten dollars was bigger amount than she’d thought about making change for on purchases.
“Oh, three one-dollar bills change will be fine now. You just put the rest on a credit tab and it’ll be used within the next day.” A bit confused at first, the business girl nodded, looking for a paper and pencil: “What’s your name?” Cowboy responded: “Frank. Over in that red pickup.”
Cowgirl’s business remained slack such the next morning setting up she offered a special. “Free pop for all first place winners.”
Patronage was enhanced some as those accepting their soda often bought something to accompany the drink.
Credit of the old cowboy was used slowly. Another corn dog and two cans of pop reduced the amount, but still a small sum remained. “Okay, how about two packages of cheese chips, and you keep the extra as a tip?” That was just fine with her.
Children’s lemonade stands along the grocery route half century ago were always a stopping spot so seems times haven’t changed.
Reminded of Proverbs 1:3: “A learning experience for what’s right, just and fair.”
+++ALLELUIA+++
XV–32–8-8-2021