Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1873-04-10

!aIScu pair Oh sou blue eyes, shooting
bewildering glance in Smiths that he felt
the toe of his boot.
'Miss-Miss-"h he stammcred
my name is Georgiana,' said the youn
lady smling. ''Some call me George, fl
"Well, Miss George -Gorgiana, l am afrai
you will find ycur situation rather unplea4
ant"
''Not at all, sir. On the contrary, find
very pleasant and comfortable"
"Ahcm, but fear you will hardly be equs
to the discharge Of its duties"
81 hope not. If you will run your ey
over the balance-sheet, you will find every
thing correct"
With desperate hope that he would fin
something amiss, Smith did so, but WAS dir
81 hope you have 10 fault to fnd," said til
clerk, rather anxiously, on peceiving that b.
hesitated.
"You are a woman
Here, whether abashed by sudden displa,
| OF dimples on the pink cheeks, that grew
more pink at this rather unnecessary asser
ton, Smith came to 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 a woman. But though it may be a mis-
fortune. it can scarcely be called fault al
any rate, it is one for which am not an.
Swerable.'
"GOu misunderstood me. ma am What
l meant to say was, that there are certain
duties connected with your office, such as
opening the store, going to the post office,
etc, which you cannot very we'll perform. y
Il assure you, sir, that l like nothing
better than an occasional walk in the open
air. And as to opening the store, and sweep
ing and busting, don't know why it should
be harder to perform that office for store
than for a house. claim no consideration
for my sex, resumed the young lady casting
a reproachful glance at the perpexed coun-
tenance of her employer, but ask. in COM
mon justice, that you Will not discharge me
simply because 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 his partners inquiring eye, but
with an inward consciousness that he had
been completely routed by the enemy.
"Going? said Jenkins, with nonchalance
most provoking.
"Well, no, not to-day. What the deuce
arc You grinning at.
ooh, nothing nothing at all )" responded
Jenkins, throwing himself back in his chair,
and regarding intently fly on the ceiling.
"What l was going to remark was, re
sumed Smith, with quite an unnecessary as
of dignity, "that have concluded
to allow the young girl to remain until can
find some situation for her more in accord
ancc with her sex.
"Very kind and considerate of you. said
Jenkins dryly, respectfully 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 his prejudices he was Il
sensible, kind-hearted man. Georgiana was
not called upon to open the store or run er-
'ands, though she offered to do both. Gu
'ious to relate, as days and weeks passed,
Smiths repugnance to her presence not only
yanished with them, but he began to regard
Ter with positive pleasure.
He used to often look through the glass |
loor, watching the graceful poisc of the
lead and the rapid motion of the deft little
ingers as they gided over the paper. until
It last curious fancies seemed to creep into
lis brain, and he began to indulge in glow
NJ dreams of how wonderfully such a little
woman as that would brighten up his lonely
nd cheerless home.
But he determined to proceed cautiously.
Ie had it. His housekeeper was about to
cave; he would offer Miss Gardner the sit
atiOn-and then.
Having formed this resolution, his next
tep was to request the young lady's presence
4 his private Office-a summons that was
rOmptly Obeyed.
"Miss Gardner, don't you think the situa-
ON of housekeeping in quiet home. like
line, for instance, would be preferable to
our situation here?"
perhaps in some respect it might said
eorgiana, coloring at this abrupt inquiry,
nd the look which accompanied it.
Was the old gentleman about to make her
n offer?
But his next words relieved her of this ap-
rehensiOn.
"My housekeeper is about to leave me,
nd should be glad to have you supply her
lace
Georgiana's face grew very red, and her
outh dimpled with the smiles that she strOvc
ainly to suppress.
"You are very kind, sir, but the fact is,
II. jenkins has spoken to me first.
"Mr Jenkins?"
eyes. sir He asked me to be his house.
eeper, and I said would.
"But, nv child, Mr.. jenkins is q young
an; it would not be proper for you to keep
,use for him. Now with me it isdifferent.
And Gcorgiana inwardly agreed with him.
, fact. there was all the difference in the
orld for her.
"But he asked me to be his wife as well
housekeeper."
"O-O-O-h!"
Smiths first feeling was that OF intense as
nishment. his next of quite rs strong cha.
in. But it all ended in an emotion OF
ankfulness that he had not committed him
If.
His disappointment, however, could no!
We ranked very deeply, for he attended
& wedding with smiling tranquility, me
remony that transformed his new clerk