The Placer herald., 1873-01-25

With desperate hope that there would
be something amiss, Smith did so, but was
disappointed.
q hope you have no fault to find" said
the clerk, rather anxiously, on perccivng
that he hestated
''l on are woman"
Here, whether abashed by sudden dis
play OF dimples on the pink cheeks, that
grew more pink at this rather unnecessary
assertion, Smith came to rather an abrupt
pause.
AT this the smiling face settled into an ex-
preston of demure gravity.
81 must plead guilty to the charge of be-
ing woman. But though it may be mis-
fortune, it can scarcely be called a fault; at
any rate, it is one for which am not an
swerable."
"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-otiice,
ETC., which you cannot very well perform.
81 assure you, sir, that like nothing bet
ter than an occasional walk in the open air
And AS TO opening the store, and sweeping
and busting, don't know why it should be
holutl W lildl ulllCc lOI stOlc tlluli
for house."
81 claim no consideration for my sex"
resumed the young lady, casting a reproach-
ful glance at the perplexed countenancc of
her employer, "but ask in common justice
that you will not discharge me simply be-
cause am woman"
Muttering disclaimer of some kind he
hardly knew what, Smith beat sudden re-
treat to his own room, assuming bold front
AS he met bis partners nqnlrlng eye, but
with an inward consciousness that he had
been completely routed by the enemy.
"G6ng p said jenkins, with nonchalence
most provoking
"Well, no, not to-day. What the deuce
IRE you grinning at p
ooh, nothing-nothing at all, =" responded
jenkins, throwing himself back in his chair,
and regarding inlently fly on the ceiling.
"What | was going to remark was" re-
sumed Smith, with quite an unnecessary as
sumption of dignity, THAT have concluded
to allow the la dy to remain until can
find some situation for her more in accord
ance with her sex
every kind and considerate of you" said
jenkins, dryly, "espccialy taking into con-
sideration that she does her work better
than any clerk we ever had, and less pay
too.
Smith was by no means the ogre he
seemed. Aside from bis prejud ces, he was
sensible, kind hearted man. Georgianna
was NOT called upon to open the store or run
errands, though she offered to do both. Gu
rious to relate, as days and weeks passed
Smiths repugnance to her presence not only
vanished with them, but he began to regard
it with positive pleasure.
He used to often look through the glass
door, watching the graceful poise of the head
and the motion of the deft little fingers as
they gded over the paper, unit at last curl
Gus fances seemed to creep into his brain,
and he began to indulge in glowing dreams of
how wonderfully such little woman as that
would brighten up his lonely and cheerless
| home.
But be determined to proceed cautiously.
He had it. His housekeeper was about to
leave; he would offer Miss Gardner the stu
alton then.
Having formed this resolution, his next
step was to iequest the young ldy's presence
| in his private Office summons that was
promptly obeyed.
"Miss Gardner, don't you think the siiua-
| ton as housekeeper in quiet home, Ike
mine, for instance, would be preferable to
your situation here %
"Perhaps, in some respects it might, said
Georgianna, coloring 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
apprehension.
"My housekeeper is about to leave me,
and ! should be glad to have you supply her
place.
Georgianna's face grew very red, and Der
moutA dimpIed 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 p
eyes, sir. lie asked ne to be his house,
keeper, and | said would"
But, my child Mr. jenkins is a young
man-it would not be proper for you to keep
house for hin. Now, with me it is diff
ferent"
And Georgianna inwardly agreed with
him. In fact, there was all the difference in
the world 10 her.
"But he asked me to be bis wife as well
as housekeeper."
500 o-hw
Smiths first feeling was that of intense as
tonishment, his next of quite as strong cha
grin. But it all ended in an emotion OF
Ihankfulness that he had not committed him
SELF
His disappointment, however, could moi
have ranked very deeply, for he attended
the wedding with smiling tranquility, the
ceremony that transformed his new clerk into
the happy wife of his fortunate partner,
Jenkins.
Hanna More said; 1.-The only remarkable
thinr which helonued 10 me as an anthoress