The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1873-07-10

NOW Smltn lau nervous nOTTOT VI WO'
men, as his partner we'll especially
young womvn-and never spoke to QUE il
he could holpit
Had it been man be would have known
what to say and experienced no difficulty in
saying it bat a woman was quite another
thing. His partners last words had touch
cd bis pride, and summoning all his rCso'
luton he opened the door and walked iu,
His courage failed him, however, as he
came opposite the desk where she sat, and
he passed by, gancing sideways at the un-
conscious occupant, who did not life her
head as he approached, After speaking
to clerk at the further end Of the room
he walked slowly back to where the young
lady sat, aud who, as he passed by the
desk raised a pair Of soft blue eyes, shoot
ing a swift, bcwildcring glance at Smith
that he felt to the toe Of his boot
"NIiss-Miss" be stammered
"My name is Goorgiaua," said the
young lady, smiling. "SOmc call me
GeOrge,,for short"
"Well, Miss George -Goorgiana-Im
afraid that, you will find your situation
rather unpleasant"
"Not at all, sir, On the contrary, |
find it very pleasant and comfortable
"Aheml But | fear you will hardly,
be equal to the discharge Of its duties"
"Wby not? fyou will run your eye
over the balsuco.sbeot you will 6ud every
thing correct" "
With a desperate hope that there would
be something amiss Smith did so, but was
disappointed.
81 hope you have no fault to fnd?'
said the clerk, rather anxiously, on per.
coiviug that he hOsitated
"You are a woman"
Here, whether abashed by the sudden
display Of dimples in the pink checks,
that grew still more pink at his rather un-
necessary assertion, or not, Smith came to
an abrupt pause. AT this the smiling face
settled into an expression Of domurc gravi-
ty,
81 must plead guilty to the charge Of
being a woman. Bat, though it may be Q
misfortune, il can scarcely be called a fault,
At any rate, it is one for which | am not
ausweable."
"You understand 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 Postof,
fee, &C., which yQu cannot very well per.
form"
81 assure you, sir that shall like moth.
ing better than aud occasional walk in the
open air. And as to the opening of the
store, and sweeping and dssting, | don't
know why it should be harder to perform
that office for a store than for a house -
| claim no consideration for my sex" re-
oumed the young lady, casting reprOach-
full glance at the porplexed couutenauce Of
her employer, "but ask, in common JUS
tice, if l perform my duties satisfactorily,
that you will not discharge me simply be-
cause am woman"
Muttering disclaimer Of soRo kind
he hardly knew what-Smith beat sud-
den retreat to bis own room, assuming
a bold front as he met bis partners inquir.
ing eye, but with an outward conscious,
ness that he had been totally routed by the
enemy
"GOiug?" said Jenkins, with The most
provoking noncbaeOee.
"Well, no! not to-day. What The
deuce are you grinDing att"
"Oh! nothiug-nOthiug at ALL" re.
spondcd Jenkins" throwing himself back
in his chair and regarding intently fly
upon the ceiling.
What l was going to remark was," re-
sumod Smith, with quite an unnecessary
assumption Of dignity, chat I have con-
cIuded to let the young lady remain until
| can find some situation for her more 10
accordance with her sex"
Every kind aud considerate in you"
said jenkins, drylG especially taking in
to view that she does her work better than
any clerk we ever had, and for less pay,
too."
Smith Raa hv no means the ore be