River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-08-08


with desk, chairs, and a sofa. Occn'
plying the sofa were two young women
The one at the desk did not raise bar
head at my entrance. The other rose
and bowed with an AIR of business
woman, and the grace of cultured
lady.
For myself / could not strive In con.
ceal the awkwardness / felt. who
could possibly expect TO meet ladies in
a ladies parlor in gentleman's count.
lng-room | managed to bow and saw
Shall l beg pardon2 | came in
expecting 60 see 'Colmon,' of the firm
of Colmah Il CO."
81 represent the name," the lady
said quietly, then added, "Please be
seated.
Now, if Coleman had been n man
any man, | should have had no diff.
Guilty IN stepping up to him and sbak.
ing hands and Introducing myself and
firm and becoming acquaintance in n
moment. This, however, was a new
programme, and / became still more
involved by my next remark, which
was That the person | wished particu
larly to see was "per q" Involun-
terily | made circling motion with
my thumb. The girls head at the desk
bent low over the leaves of the ledger
The woman sitting opposite me, with a
kept-back smile in her eyes and on her
lips, indicated with her eyes the direc.
ton OF the ledger, aud said, "That is
per G.
Was there ever such position [
glanced toward the desk. The ewes of
the girl were raised from the book, and
| met my doom | yielded to fate.
Hencetorth, whatever befell me, nv
heart and my destiny were at the mercy
of "per G.
There was a pause, and growing
desperate, | determined to explain
matters. Rising, l said:
"Will you grant me grace for five
minutes (? ("
| had turned away from "per c."
and was looking straight into the face
OF the older woman. She bowed, Just
raised her eyes toward the tesk, and |
knew that per c." was looking and
listening as we'll
. | am Louis Colman, of Maconville
| have written, suppose. one hundred
letters to Colman 4 Co. of Abbetown,
The first L ever wrote was in reply TO
an order for a superior casket,' sent
on the decease of Colman, of CoIman
" Go. / signed it per G, and copied
as nearly as | could the peculiar sigma.
ture OF the order sent. It had been q
notion of mine neve" to put it on any
other letter q wished then could
have seen per C's' face). | have
come to Abbetown quite by accident.
The sign it was which attracted my at
tention. | came to see Colman. 7
waited to see per c. Please don't
misunderstood me. Believe me. [ did
not expect 70 find affairs conducted bv
a woman"
The lady | addressed, as soon as
| had finished speaking, said
+" Mr.. Colmau," and bowed as she
pronounced my name, q give entire
credence to what you have told me.
-Four years ago, when you commenced
your business life, we, too, commenced
ours. My father was Colman, of Col
man & Co. He died suddenly. The
Co. is Mr.. Hicksey. He is, and has
been for many years, helpless in BODY.
but his mind IS perfectly clear. He has
always advised, but the business
was overlooked entirely by my father.
my fathers short illness NV
sister and | took temporary charge of
and when affairs called
Tor settlement, with the consent of
Mr. Hlcksey, we retained the name and
business Mr.. Hicksey's advice we
follow, ana have been so far successful.
Ot course, IN our town we are known
beyond that people may naturally have
come to the conclusion that son has
the father i'll business. l 4
am Colmln, of Colman & Co, to the
outside world; IN proper person am
Miss Eugene Colman. GAS such"
said she, with a smile " as such L in.
roduce myself to you"
] arose, bowed, and turned to re-
,eive an introduction to the younger
sister of Miss Caddie Colman. / felt
that this was intended as dismissal.
Taking my hat in hand, | said
May | see you again before |
leave2n
out UoNcu dtillcSteuCe AFTER
leaving Miss Colman | INDUCED in
long walk for the purpose of settling
plan which had suddenly presented
itself to me and upon which suddenly
resolved To act. In short / had sud
denly determined To settle in Able
town.
As soon as | had matured plan,
called on Mr.. Hicksey. proposed TO
buy ont his interest in the business.
He thought he did not care TO sell. |
then went to Miss Colman. She said
Mr.. Hiscksey had been exceedingly
kind TO them, and she felt under obi
cations TO him; and that he wished
soon 10 advance Harley, his son, TO his
in the business and retire.
My jealousy took immediate alarm,
and | sought Harley, the young man
whom | had seen first in the sales
rooms. was rather surprised that he
agreed with me, until he gave MS his
reason that another hand would keep
Caddie ont Of place, and that would
suit him. Caddie, indeed
/ coolly said - shall try and see
that Miss Caddie has au interest else.
where, If take an interest in her"
He looked nj mo. returned n