Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-05-31

not suited, all you've got to do is to tell
her co.
you hired her.
And for that very reason, | won't
discharge her without some good cause.
mo NATTER returned Smith, with an
mir of lofty indifference. | can discharge
her. think | am equal to that much. }
Jenkins, who had left the room, put
bis head back a moment later.
Bet you hundred dollars you don't
do it,
With this parting shot he disappeared.
Now, Smith had a nervous horror of
women, at bis partner well knew-espec-
tally Of young women-and never spoke
to one if he could help it.
Had it been man, he would know
what to say, and experience no difficulty
in saying it; but a woman was quite an-
other thing.
But bis partners last words had touch
ed his pride, and summoning al his res
olution, he opened the door and walked
out.
But his courage failed him as he ap-
preached the desk where she sat, and he
passed by, glancing sideways at the uu-
conscious occupant, who did not lift her
head at his approach.
After speaking to clerk at the furth
er end of the room, he walked slowly
back to where the young lady sat, aud
who, as he paused by the desk, raised a
pair of soft blue eyes, shooting swift,
bewildering glance in Smiths that he felt
to the toes of his boots.
Miss-Miss" he stammered.
my name is Georgians, said the lady,
smiling. 'Some call me George, for
short.
'Well, Miss George-Georgiana. | am
afraid that you will find your situation
rather unpleasant
Not at all, sir. On the contrary, |
find it very pleasant and comfortable
'Ahom! but l fear that you will be
hardly equal to the discharge of its du-
ties.
Il hope l shall. IF you will run your
eyes over the balance sheet, you will fiud
everything correct.
With desperate hope that there would
be something amiss, Smith did so, but was
disappointed.
Il hope you have no fault to fud 2
said the clerk, rather anxiously, on per,
ceiving that he hesitated.
You are q woman
Here, whether abashed by the sudden
display of dimples in the pink cheeks,
that grew still more pink at his rather un.
necessary assertion, Smith came to an alb
rupt pause.
AT this the smiling face settled into
an expression of demure gravity.
l must plead guilty to the charge of
being woman. Blu! though it may be
a misfortune it can scarceiv b ~-llal
fault, ct any rate, it is one for which am
not answerable!
You misunderstood me, ma'am.-
What | meant to say was, that there are
certain duties connected with your office,
such as opening the store, going to the
post office, etc, which you cannot very
we'll perform
Il assure you, sir, that | shall like
nothing better than an occasional walk in
the open air. And as to opening the
store, and sweeping and dustIng, ] don't
know why it should be harder to perform
that office for store than for house,
Il claim no consideration for my sex.
resumed the young lady, casting slight
ly reproachfu glance at the perplexed
countenance of her employer, but | ask
in common justice, if perform my du
ties satisfactorily, that you will not dis
charge me simply because | am wom-
am
Muttering disclaimer of some kind,
he hardly knew what, Smith beat sud-
den retreat 10 his own room, assuming 3
bold front as he met his partners inquir-
ing eye, but with an inward Consciousness
that he had been totally routed by the
enemy.
'Going?' said Jenkins, with provoking
nonchalance.
We'll, no, not to day. What the ID
are you grinning at!'
'Oh, nothing-nothing at ALL res
pended jenkins, throwing himself back
in his chair, and regarding intently fly
upon the ceiling.
what l 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
! can find soma situation for her more in
accordance with her SEX
Very kind aud considerste in you,'
said Jenkens, dryIy; 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 he
seemed. Aside from his prejudice, be
was sensible, kind-hearted man. Georg-
lana was not called upon to open the store
or run errands, though she offered TO do
both.
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