The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-08-03

able"
"You misunderstood me, ma'am. What !
meant TO 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"
II assure you, sir, that shall like nothing
better than al occasional walk in the open air.
And as to opening the store, and sweeping
and busting, don't know why it should be
harder to perform that office for store than
for house,
81 claim no consideration for my SEX" re-
sumed the young lady, casting reproachful
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 an Il co.
man,"
Mutterlng disclaimer of some kind, he
hardly knew what, Smith beat i hasty retreat
to his own room, assuming a bold front as he
met his partners inquiring eye, but with an
outward consciousness that he had Been totally
routed by the enemy.
'Going?" SAID jenkins. with noachalance
most provoking.
"Well, no, not to-day. What the ID are
you grinning at?"
"Oh, nothlng-nothing at ALL responded
Jenkins, throwing himself back in his chair
and regarding very intently fly upon the
ceiling.
"What was going to remark was," resum-
ed Smith, with quite an unnecessary assuEp-
ton of dignity, 'that have concluded to let
the young lady remain here until can find
some situation for her more in accordance with
her SEX"
"Very kind and conslderate 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 he seemed
Aside from his prejudice, he was u sensible,
kind-hearted man. Gesrgiana 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 rcpugnance to 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 deft little fingers as
they glided over the paper, until at last curl
Gus fancies seemed to creep through his brain,
and Lie began to indulge in glowing dreams of
how wonderful such little woman as that
would brighten up his lonely and cherries
home
But he determined to proceed cautiously.
He had it. His housekeeper was about to
leave he would offer Miss Gardner the stu.
ation-and then.
Having formed this resolution, his next step
was to request the young lady's presence in
his private office, a summons that was prompt
ly obeyed
Miss Gardner, don't you think the situation
as housekceper in quiet home, like mine for
instance, would be preferable to your situation
here!"
Perhaps. in some respect it might" said
Georgiana. coorlng at this abrupt inquiry, and
the look which accompanied it.
Was the old gentleman about to make her
an offer?
But his next words relieved her of this ap-
prehension.
"My housekeeper is soon to leave me, and |
should be very glad to have you supply her
place.
Georgian's checks grew red, and her mouth
dimpled with the smiles that she strove vainly
to suppress.
you are very kind, sir, but the fact is, Mr.
Jenkins has spoken to me first"
"Mr. jenkins! 2
Yes, sir. He asked ne to be his house
keepers, and told hun would
But, my child, Mr. jenkins is young
man it would not be proper tor you to keep
house for him. Now with me it is very diff
fcrent'
And Georgiana lnwardy agreed with him.
In fact, there was al the difference in the
world to her.
''But he asked me TO be his wife as well as
housckeeper.'
"O.O.O.hw
Smiths first feeling was that of intense aston.
lshment, his next OF quite as strong chagrin.
But it all ended in an emotion of thanktulness
that he had not committed himself.
But his disappointment could not have
ranked very deeply, for he attended the we'd
ding; viewing with smiling tranquility the
ceremony that transformed his new clerk into
the happy wife of his fortunate partner,
Jenkins.