SAMUEL PRESSLEY WISEMAN'S  RACKET STORE
By Shirley Grammer

"A "Racket Store," better known as the "5 and 10 cent store" or "Dime Store," was a place where you found and bought most any little item for a nickel or a dime. Samuel Pressley Wiseman had such a store in downtown La Vernia on Chihuahua Street. It was called the S. P. Wiseman Racket Store. . . We always wondered how he made it up those rickety stairs."

". . .  It had two doors in the front and you had to catch the two handles and swing the doors open at the same time to enter. The store was dark and I assume he used a lantern or a coal oil lamp for light. Uncle Sammy always sat in a straight-back chair and was always friendly and courteous to his customers. He had select items such as pencils, crayons, Big Chief tablets, . . ."