Short story about grocer, illiterate teamster, wood alcohol?

Cafe Society
1

This was in my 8th grade Literature textbook; it may be a William Saroyan story.

A meek frontier grocer is annoyed that the teamster who delivers his goods not only teases him, but also taps into any barrels of alcohol he’s delivering to drink along the way. Grocer then orders a barrel of wood alcohol, knowing the illiterate Swede won’t realize it’s poison.

Anyone recognize it?

2

Let’s move this to Cafe Society.

Colibri
General Questions Moderator

3

It does sound familiar. The story’s narrator was a man who had worked for the grocer as a boy. Also, I believe the grocer was Jewish and the teamster’s “teasing” often included anti-Semitic slurs.

4

Yes, absolutely remember the story.

No fucking clue who wrote it, though. Sorry.

5

Found it!

“Bargain,” by A.B. Guthrie.

6
7

It reminds me of Aesops fable about the donkey and the salt/sponges. Could that have been the inspiration?
(That fable was one of my unseen translations in my Latin exam. The other was about a haunted tree. 30 years later they are still seared in my head!)

8

PDF Link: http://www.mpsaz.org/taylor/staff/bjdavis/short-stories/files/a_bargain_a..b._guthrie_jr..pdf

9

Splendid work by the Dope! Thanks.

10

This is the second time lately (both times, I think, from the Dope) that I discovered an Aesop’s Fable I hadn’t read yet.