The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-12-29
THE PRETTY SHOP GIRL

"Dear me w said the customer, who had
broken in on her thoughts, show very
cltrmsey."
Patty colored, pouted, and bit her lip.
The proprietor of the shop came to the
rescue, and Patty vanished.
"Patty Price," said Mr.. Denbrooke, az
ter the customer had gone, with quarter
of a yard Of six-penuy ribbon in her pock-
ct, "whst ails you oflate9 9'
"What ails meP" repeated Patty shrug-
ging up one shoulder, and looking very
hard at the box of mixed hair-pins that she
was making pretext of Arranging
Nothing ails me. Why should you
askP''
Because" said Mr.. Denbrooke, with
grave, fatherly kindness, "you are not
your old self at ALL Because your mind is
not on your business. Because, whatever
is worth doing at all, is worth doing well.
Patty, my girl you are an orphan, and our
Charley thinks deal of you-two good
reasons that should be glad to have you
in my shop.
"But Patty, your services will be worth
nothing at all to me, if you don't put lit
lie more heart into them"
Patty contracted her pretty arched
.brows, and muttered something about mot
expecting to spend all her days in thread
and-needle shop" which Mr.. Bonbrooke
made it convenient not to hear.
But Grizzly Walters, the forewoman,
nodded her head significantly, as Patty
went out.
"AhT' said Grizzly, in meaning sort OF
monosyllable. "She's got beau"
"Eh!" said Mr.. Denbrooke. ooh you
mean my nephew, Charley" with glance
at the high-railed cashiers desk, where the
identical Charley in question was at that
moment engaged in casting up long col
umn offigures, with one pen in his hand
and another behind his ear.
"No,' said Grizzly. "Not your nephew,
Patty has taught herself to look higher
than that now"
Walters, what do you mean?" demand
ed Mr.. Denbrooke.
"He lodges at the st. Nicholas, and
wears fine broadcloth and vanished boots, ~
said Grizzly, maliciously enjoying the com
motion she was creating in Mr.. Den
brool0e's mind. "He's fine gentleman,
and comes in here often to buy little things,
handkerchiefs, and neck-ties, and the like.
saw hiai when he first came, and said
something pretty to Patty about her blue
eyes. They walk together on Sunday af-
ternoons, and Patty thinks she's going to
be a fine lady"
What's his name?' asked Mr.. Den
brooke, after an uncomfortable silence.
'He calls himself Sinclair" said Grizzly,
with AN incredulous toss of the head.
"Imust speak to Patty about it," said
Mr.. Denbrooke, much disturbed
"She'll only be offended" /" said Grizzly.
"No matter if she is, nodded Mr.. Den
brooke. "Her best friends should have
her best interests at heart
Grizzy Walters was right.
Patty colored and tossed her head when
Mr.. Denbrooke veRtared to ask few ques-
tions about this fine new lover Of hers.
She wasn't aware that it was anybody IS
business what she did with herself after
business hours" and answered so tartly
that poor Mr.. Denbrooke was quite dis
couraged.
"It's only for your good, Patty" said
he.
"I'm much obliged to you, I'm sure"
retorted Patty, in tone which expressed
exactly the reverse "but can take care
of my own goodp
" Yes, but if Charley"
Charley is nothing to me, one way or
the other.''
"But you're a good deal to Charley" 4"
cried out Mr.. Denbrooke in despair
al can't help that, I'm sure" said Patty.
And that was all the good 1t did.
"Patty Patty - he demonstrated, 'flne
gentlemen don't mean any good when they
come philandering around shop girls. Take
warning, Patty, child. Remember the old
fable Of the stone pot and the iron poi"
But Patty Price only flOunced out Of the
room.
1t was late when she escaped from the
shop that night--past ten, with full moon
shining in the sky.
And just as she slipped out of the side
door, looking like a bewitching little nun,
in her waterproof wrap, with a hood
drawn over her head, Charley DenbroOke
came forth from the other entrance.
81 may go home with You, Pattys"
"pd rather walk alone" said Patty.
sit is late"
"I'm not at all afraid"