In Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, T.J., R.W., and Melvin go to the mercantile to get the pearl-handled pistol. Although the mercantile is closed when they arrive, the Simms brothers decide to go in and get the pistol anyway. If Mr. Barnett sees them, they can simply say they needed the pistol right away but would pay for it on Monday.
Things do not go as planned. T.J. enters through a window. As he opens the door for the Simms brothers, T.J. notices they are wearing masks. This leads him to believe that the brothers are there for more than just the pistol. After getting the pistol, R.W. and Melvin attempt to break a lock on a cabinet to gain access to the cash box inside. R.W. hits the lock with an axe and the noise causes Mr. Barnett and his wife to investigate. They discover the boys in the store and after a brief scuffle, R.W. hits Mr. Barnett on the head. Mr. Barnett is only injured at the time but later dies as a result of his injury.
The Simms brothers, R.W. and Melvin, goad the characteristically foolish T.J. into breaking into Mr. Barnett's store—the Barnett Mercantile—to get the gun that he wants. If he's caught in the act he's to say that he was going to come back the next day and pay for the gun. T.J. sneaks into the store, with R.W. and Melvin, who are both wearing masks. Mr. Barnett is woken by the sound of the three intruders breaking in. He then goes downstairs to confront them. Melvin grabs the cashbox and soon Mr. Barnett gets into a struggle with him, trying desperately to get the cashbox back. As Melvin tries to break free, his brother R.W. hits Mr. Barnett over the head with the back of an ax. He falls to the floor, acting as if he's dead. He isn't—at least not yet—but later on succumbs to his injuries.
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