Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1873-04-26

"Of course it is" replied Smith,
Frightening at the suggestion. "Just
tell her she does not exactly suit, and
we shan't need her after to-day"
"But she does suit me and if you
are not suited, all you have to do is to
tell her to CO."
"You hired her.
"And for that reason 1 won't discharge
her without some good cause"
Ono matter" returned Smith, indif-
ferently; 81 can discharge her. Think
l am equal to that much"
Jenkins, who had left the room, put
his head back minute later.
Bet you hundred dollars you don't
do it."
With this parting shot he disappeared
Now Smith had nervous horror of
women-as his partner well knew, es-
pecially young women-and never spoke
to one if ne could help it.
Had it been man he would have
known what to say, and experienced no
difficulty in saying it; but a woman was
quite another thing.
But his partners words had touched
his pride, and, summoning all his reso-
luton, he walked in.
But his courage failed him rs he came
opposite the desk where she sat, and he
passed by, glancing sidewise at the un-
conscious occupant, who did not lift her
head as he approached.
After speaking to clerk in the farther
end of the room, he walked slowly back
to where the young lady sat, and who,
as he passed, raised a pair of soft blue
eyes, shooting a bewildering glance to
Smiths, that he felt to the toe of his
boot.
Miss-Miss-' he stammered.
"My name is Georgiana," said the
young lady, smiling. "Some call me
George, for short
"Well, Miss George-Georgiana, I
am afraid you will find your situation
rather unpleasant"
Not at all, sir. On the contrary, 1
find it very pleasant and comfortable.
Ahem-but I fear you will hardly
be equal to the discharge of its duty"
81 hope not. If you will run your
eye over the balance sheet you will find
everything correct"
With desperate hope that there would
be something amiss, Smith did so, but
was disappointed.
81 hope you have no fault to find? ?"
said the clerk, rather anxiously, on per-
ceiving that he hesitated.
"You are woman"
Here, whether abashed by sud
den display of dimples on the pink
cheeks, that grew more pink at this
rather unnecessary assertion, Smith came
to an abrupt pause.
At this the smiling face settled into
an expression of demure gravity.
81 must plead guilty to the charge of
being woman. But though it may be
misfortune, it can scarcely be called
fault; at any rate, it is one for which
am not answerable."
"You misunderstood me, ma'am.
What I meant to say was, that there are
certain duties connected with your office,
such as opening the store, going to the
postoffice, ETC., which you cannot very
well perform.
I" I assure you, sir, that like nothing
better 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 harder to perform that
office for store than for house.
claim no consideration for my SEX" re-
sumed the young woman, casting re-
proachful glance at the perplexed coun-
tenance of her employer, "but I ask,
in common justice, that you will not dis
charge me simply because I am wo-
man."
Muttering disclaimer of some kind,
he hardly knew what, Smith sbeat sud
den retreat to his own room, assuming
bold front as he met his partners in
quiring eye, but with an inward con-
sciousness that he had been completely
routed by the enemy.
"Going?" said Jenkins, with nonchal-
ance most provoking.
"Well, no, not to-day. What the
deuce are You grinning at !"
"Oh, nothing-nothing at all" re-
sponded Jenkins, throwing himself back
in his chair, and regarding intently fly
on the ceiling.
"What I was going to remark was,"
resumed Smith, with quite an unneces-
sary assumption of dignity, that I
have concluded to allow the young girl
to remain until can find some situation
for her more in accordance with her sex. {"
Every kind and considerate of you,"
sail Jenkins, dryly, especially taking
into consideration 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 prejudices he
was a sensible, kind-hearted man.
Georgiana was not called upon to open
the store or run errands, though she