The Van Buren press., 1872-06-25
:" But she does suit--me, and il you
are not suited, ali YOU have got 10 do IS

CnarCo her without some Bood N"u@N'
No matter, returned Smith, with M
air Of indifference II can discharge
her thiuk am equal to that much -
jenkins, who had left the room, put
his head hack minute later:
Bet youa hundred dollars YOU don
do it. "
with this parting shot he disappeared.
Now Smith had nervous horror OF
women, as his partner well kne~-espec-
lilly young women-and never spoke 10
one if he could help it.
Had it been man he would have
known what to say, and experienced no
difficulty in saying it, but women was
quite another thing.
But his partner last words had touch
cd his pride, and summoning all his res,
olution he opened the door and walked
in
But his courage failed him as be came
opposite the desk where she sat, and he
passed by, glancing sideways at the un'
conscious occupant, who did not llit her
head as he approached,
After speaking to clerk at the fnr-
ther end Of the room, he walked slowly
back to where the young lady sat, and
who, as he paused by the desk, raised q
pail of soft blue eyes, shooting swift
bewidering glance in Smiths, that he
iclt to the toe Of his boot,
Miss-1Iiss he stammcrcd.
"My name is Georeiana, said the
Young lady, smiling "Some call mc
George for short
"Well, Miss Georgc-Georgiana, m
afraid that you will find your situation
rather unpleasant "
mot at all, sir On the contrary, !
find livery pleasant and comfortable y
"Ahem but fear you will hardly
be equal to the discharge of its duties. -
81 hope not Ifyou will run your eye
over the balance sheet you will find cv-
erything correct
With desperate hope that there would
be something amiss, Smith did 50, but
was disappointed
Il hope You have no fault to find
said the clerk, rather anxiously, on per
ceiying that he hesitated.
/ on are woman
Here, whether abashed by the sudden
display Of dimples in the pink cheeks,
that grew still more pink at his rather
unnecessary assertion, Smith came to an
abrupt pause.
At this the smiling face settled into an
expression Of demure gravity. ~
IL must plead guilty to the charge G.
being a woman. But though it may be
a misfortune, it can scarcely ho called n
fault; at any rate it is one for which !
am not answcrable
You misunderstood me, ma am What
! mean. 20 say was that there are certain
duties connected with your Office such as
opening the store going to the post. Of
flee, etc, which You cannot well per.
form -
" 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 busting, | don I
know why it should bc harder TO per-
form that Office for store than for n
house.
IL claim no consideration for my sex, "
resumed the young lady, casting n re
proachful glance at the perplexcd coun
lenance ufher employer "but | ask, in
common justice, if | perform my duties
satisfactorily, that you will not discharge
me Sippig because am a 'comon =
Muttering disclaimer Of some kind,
he hardly knew what Smith beat sud
den retreat to his own room, assuming n
bold front as he met his partners inqur.
ness that he had been totally routed by
the enemy.
Going y said Jenkins with nonchal
ancc most provoking
"WclI, no, iot to-day. What the
deuce are you grinning at p
"Oh, nothing-uothing at all, re-
spoudcd Jenkins, throwing himself back
in his chair and regarding intently a fly
upon the ceiling.
What was going to remark was, y
resumed Smith, with quite an unnecessa
ry assumption Of dignity, "that have
concluded to let the young lady remain
until can find some situation for her
more in accordance with her sex
Very kind and copsidcrate in you, W
said Jenkins. dryly. especially taking
into view that she does her work better
than any clerk we ever bad, and for less
pay, too.
Smith was by no means the ogre he
seemed. Aside from his prejudice he
was sensible, kind hearted man. Geor
gana was not called upon to open the
store or run errands, though she Offered
to do both Curious to relate, rs days
and weeks passed Smiths rcpugnancc to
her presence not only vanished with
them, but lac began to regard itwith pos.
Tive pleasure.
lie used to often look through tho
'ala,s door, watching the graceful poise
fthc head and the motion of the def
little fingers as they gldcd over the pa.
per until at last curious fancies seemed
10 creep through his brain, and he began
to indulge in glowing dreams of how
wonderfully such little woman as that
would brighten up his lonely and cheer
less home.
But he determined TO proceed cautious
". lie had it. His houSckcepcr was
about TO leave, he would offer Miss
Gardner the situaton--and then;
Having formed thlsrcsolution, his next
step was to request the young ladys
presence in his private Office, summons
that was promptly obeyod.
la ttV,l