Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-01-31
CLERK vs.. MERCHANT.


dreamy face tho different objects In the
busy streets. IL was a luxuflouely fufn.
lshed room IN which aho sat, with H. bright
--saLA&k- ssiiasa plptures, rare vases, aud
erlmeon curtains o,orhuDg with lace; for
Judge Dunlap was the richest mnn in S--
as everybody knew. But ia all tho roou
Flora beautiful sparkling fIora- was
the choicest piece Of furniture ~ che
sat there eurled up by tho window, with
tho soft hair waving over shoulder and
meek the Tod lips pursed up, and tho great
thick lflnged gray eyes wandering idly
from The dusty street 10 tho neecy clouds
sailing eastward, Many glance of nd
mlruIlon was east toward tho open window
that framed Ia The fair little sunbeam, but
she seemed entirely unconscious of IL; till
all Of q sudden tho dreamy eyes stop their
wandering and rest upon something Just
across The street, with wonderfully in
tereeied look for young lady who has
been 30 oblivious OF oil earthly objects for
the last bali hour, Flora sees somebody,
aud somebody sees her at the same time
doubtless, Tor sire smiles aud bows, with
The bright color deepening In her checks
Aud then somebody runs lightly mp the
; marble steps, and before he has time TO
ring the bell, Flora opens the door with a
iiule gpy laugh and brings him into the
room she had just left, Let us look at
this somebody. lie Is, We should Judge
young man about twenty -onc. we'll.
though not richly dressed, dark hair,
slightly curling around the temples; bright
laughing, gray brown eyes; and as he
chats with Flora, his white, handsome
teeth gleam out meath the brown mus
tache.
"Now, Leon" began Flora. with the
most solemn face in the worId-and Leon
thought something terrible was coming
'Now, would like to know where YOU
have been for the last two weeks. You
have certainly not been here, snd ! want
you TO give an account of YOURSELF
"Wcll, Miss Flora, | will do so. From
seven o'clock in the morning till eight at
night l have been standiug behind the
counter in the store of Main & Co., and
between those hours l have been sleeping
the sleep Of the weary. You know l am
only clerk, and, therefore, have no will
unless it is Mr.. Mains will also. Bot
this afternoon insisted on holiday, and
he kindly granted it''
"But wouldn't be tied up in that way,
Leon; just tell him l want to see you
sometimes" and then she tumbled the
bright hair all over her face, trying to
hide her bushes. -
"Oh, you do,' laughed Leon Windsor,
catching her hand and drawing her toward
him. "But that won't do. Since he
found that l came during my leisure
hours, he has put double duty upon me,
and manages to keep me busy all the time.
Aud-excuse my impudence, Flora-but
does he not have business here himself?
He comes quite often, unless l am mista-
ken.'
ayes, he docs come often, the hateful,
old fat creature" pouted Flora, but L
guess be comes to see papa" with conf.
cal little smile. "Any way, always run
oft as soon as he comes, for | cant bear
the sight of his old red face.
Leon laughed and then said seriously:
"Well, Flora, don't like to tell tales;
but | heard Mr.. Main talking with his
partner Of the great prize he had in view;
OF its worth and beauty, and was led TO be-
lieve he had proposed and was accepted. ;"
"Ohl Leon, how could you think
would accept that old man as lover?
Why, he is forty years oldI'
lie laughed at her terrified expression;
then, he sat by her side on the sofa, and
taking both her hands in his, he talked
very earnestly for some time. The last
words he said as he arose to go, were: ~
shall call again to speak to your father,
Flora so, perhaps, you can guess what
his conversation had been about.
The next day, as Flora sat sewing 10
her little room, her father entered, looking
very grave and, taking seat opposite,
he began:
"Flora, I want you to lay aside your
work aud listen to me-"
So Flora, opening her eyes very wide
at his serious tone, suspended work, and
asked:
"Why, what is il, papa--auybody deadY
He seemed to think the latter question
superfuous, for he did not answer, but
proceeded to tell her that Mr.. Main had
honored her by proposal, and had au.
thorized him to inquire into the state OF
her mind. lie dwelt long on his great
and increasing wealth, and ended by ask
ing her when she would be ready for the
,oedding asking this with stern frown,
intended to be impressing.
Flora very eomposedly answered: "Nev-
erl" and went on with her sewing.
"But you will, chid-you shaW' cried
her father sternly. "Think of his wealth"
80 papa, you are rich enough for me,
and just think he is old enough to be my
gran 1faihefl l never shall marry an old
mani Why don't he propose to Aunt
Lois?" meaning a spinster sister Of her
father, that resided with them.
"Bceause he wants a young wife. Lois
is old and feeble"
"Well, he will have TO find one, then,
for aught see. shan't marry him erer.
50 hcrcr and Flora turned her back in
a determined manner.
"Well, madam, we II see," said her faith
or sternly. "In Que month from to-day
you will marry Mr.. Main. I shall have
your bridal trousseau commenced tomor-
row. This is tho 10Th of June. Rcmem-