The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-07-26

"Not at all, sir. On the contrary, |
find it very peasant and comfortable:
"Ahem but fear you will hardly
be equal TO the discharge of its duties. "
81 hope | will. If you will run your
eye over the balance sheet you will find
everything correct" :,
With desperate hope that there would
be something amiss, Smith did so, but
was disappointed. 49,.
~ hope YOU have no fault to find?''
said the clerk, rather anxiously, on per-
ceiving that he hesitated.
You are women
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.
g. must plead guilty to the charge of
being woman. But thodgh il may be
misfortune, it can scarcely be called a
fault al any rate, 1t Is one for which /
am not answerable."
You misunderstood me, maam.
What | meant 10 say was, that there are
certain duties connected with our office.
such as opening the store, going to the
postoffice, etc, which you cannot very
well perform"
81 assure you, sir, that | shall like
nothing better than an occasion al walk
in the open air. And as TO opening the
store, and sweeping and busting, don't
know why it should be harder to per-
form that office for a store than for a
house
- claim no consideration for my
sex" resumed the young lady, casting
a reproachiul glance at the perplexed
countenance of her employer, " but
ask, in common justice, if | perform
my duties satisfactorily, that you will
not discharge me simply because / am a
woman ~
Muttering disclaimer of some kind,
he hardly knew what, Smith beat q
sudden retreat to his own room, assum-
ing bold front as he met his partners
inquirng eye, but with an outward con-
sciousness that he had been totally
routed by the enemy.
"Goiug?" said Jenkins, with non
chalance most provoking.
"Well, no, not to-day. What the
ID are you grlnning at?'
"Oh, nothlng-nothing at all, re-
sponded Jenkins, throwing himself
back in his chair and regarding intently
fly upon the ceiling.
What | was going to remark, was, 2"
resumed Smith, with quite an unneces-
sary assumption of dignity, " that have
concluded 10 let the young lady remain
until | can find some situation for her
more in accordance with her sex"
"Nery 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 ne
seemed. Aside from his prejudice, he
was sensible, kind hearted man.
Georgiana was not called upon to open
store or run errands, though she offered
to do both. Curious to relate. as DAYS
and weeks passed, Smiths repugnance
10 her presence 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 and the motions of the
dett little fingers as they glded over
the paper, until at last curious fancies
seemed TO creep through his brain, and
he began TO indulge in glowing dreams
of how wonderful such a little woman
as that would brighten up his lonely
and cherries home.
But he determined to proceed eau.
tiously. He had it.. His housekeepeI
was about to leave he would offer Miss
Gardner the situation-and then a.?
Having formed this resolution, his
next step was TO request the young
lady's presence in his private office, q
summons that was promptly obeyed.
" Miss Gardner, don't you think the
situation as housekeeper in quiet
home, like mine for instance, would be
preferable 10 your situation here ?''
" Perhaps, in some respects it might,
said Georgiana, coloring at this abrupt
inquiry, and the look which accom-
panied it.
Was the old gentleman about to max,
her an offer?
But his next word relieved her of Thu
apprehension.
My housekeeper is soon to leave
me, and | should be very glad to hav,
you supply her place.
Georgiana's cheeks grew red, and he
mouth dimpled with the smiles that sh,
strove vainly to suppress.
You are very kind, sir, but the fac
is, Mr.. jenkins has spoken to me first.
Mr.. Jenkins ~
Yes, sir. He asked me to be hi
housekeeper, and | told him | would.
But, my child, Mr.. Jenkins is
young man-it would not be proper 70
you TO keep house for him. Now Will
me it is different"
And Georgiana inwardly agreed will
him. In fact, there was all the differ
ence in the world to her.
g But he asked nae to be his wife a
well as housekeeper."
"Oo-o.hr
Smiths first feeling was that of in
tense establishment, his next of quit
as strong chagrin. But it all ended ii
an emotion of thankfulness that he ha'
not committed himself
But his disappointment could no
have ranked very deeply, for he al