Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-08-05

1
paused by the desk, raised pair of soft
blue eyes, shooting a swift, bewildering
glance in Smiths, that he felt to tho toes
of his boots.
Miss-NIiss''-h stammered.
"My name Is Georgiata," said the
young lady, smiling. "Some call me
George, for short"
"Wcll, Miss George-Georgiana, I'm
afraid that you will find your situation
rather unpleasant
"Not at all, sir. On the contrary, I
find it very pleasant aud comfortable"
"Ahem, but I fear that you will be
hardly equal to the discharge of its du-
ties"
"I hope not. If you will run your
eyes over the balance sheet, you will find
everything correct"
With desperate hope that there would
be something amiss, Smith did so, but was
disappointed.
81 hope you have no fault to find ?"
said the clerk, rather anxiously, on per-
ceiving that he hesitated.
| "You are woman"
Here, whether abashed by the sudden
display of dimples in the pink cheeks, that
grew Still more pink at his rather unneces-
sary assertion, Smith came to an abrupt
pause.
At this the smiling face settled into an
expression of demure gravity.
II must plead guilty to the charge of
being woman. But though it may be a
misfortune, it can scarcely be called a
fault at any rate, it is one for which I am
not answerable"
"You misunderstood me, mama. What
I meant to say was, that there are certain
duties connected with your Office, such as
opening the store, going to the post-ofice,
ETC., which you can not very we'll per.
FORM"
"I assure you, sir, that I shall like
nothing better than an occasional walk in
the open air. And as to opening the store,
and sweeping and dusting, I don't know
that it should be harder to perform that of.
ice for a store than for house."
81 claim no consideration for my SEX"
resumed the young lady, casting slightly
reproachful glance at the perplexed coun.
tcnance of her employer, but I ask in
common justice, if perform my duties
satisfactorily, that you will not discharge
me simply because I am q woman"
Muttering disclaimer of some kind, he
hardly knew what, Smith beat q sudden
retreat to his own room, assuming a bold
front as he met his partners inquiring
eye, but with an inward consciousness that
lie had been totally routed by the enemy.
"Goiug?" said jenkins, with provok.
ing non chalance.
"Well, no, not to-day. What the ID
are you grinuiug at?"
go, nothiug-nothing at all, responded
jenkins, throwing himself back in his
chair, and regarding iuteutly fly upon
the ceiling.
"What I was going to remark was" re-
sumed Smith with quite an unnecessary
assumption of dignity, that have con-
cluded to let the young lady remain until
l can find some situation for her more in
accordance with her SEX"
every kind and considerate in you,"
said jenkins, dryly, especially taking
into view that she does her work better
than any clerk we ever had, and for less
pay, too"
Smith was by no means the ogre be
seemed. Aside from his prejudice, he was
a sensible, kindhearted man. Georgiana
was not called upon to open the store or
run on errands, though she offered to do
both.
Curious to relate, as days and weeks
passed, Smiths repuguance to her pres.
ence not only vanished with them. but he
began to regard it with positive pleasure.
He used often to look through the glass
door, watching the graceful poise of the
head aud the motions of the deft little fin.
gers as they glided over the paper, until
at last curious fancies seemed to creep
through his brain, and he began to in.
dulge in glowing dreams of how wonder.
fully such little woman as that would
brighten up his lonely and cherries
home. .-.t ...t.
But he determined to proceed cautious.
ly. He had it. His housekeeper was
about to leave, he would offer Miss Gard.
ner the situation-and then!
Having formed this resolution, his next
step was to request the young lady's pres.
ence in his private Office, summons that
was promptly obeyed.
Miss Gardner, don't you think the stu
alton Of housekeeping in . quiet home,
like mine for instance, would be preferable
to your situation here ?"
Perhaps, in some respects it might"
said GeoIgiana, coloring at this abrupt in.
quiry, and the look that accompanied it.
Was the old gentleman about to make
an offer?
But his next word relieved her of this
apprehension.
"My housekeeper is soon to leave me,
and should be very glad to have you
supply her place..
Georgiaua's cheeks grew red, and her
mouth dimpled with smiles that she strove
vainly to suppress.
you are very kind, sir, but the fact is,
Mr.. jenkins has spoken to me first"