The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-01-01
A FANCY STORE.
BY SHIRLEY BROWN.

Drip drip drip
If rainy day is depressing among
the wales and copses OF the country,
how infinitely more so it is upon
Broadway, where only strip of
leaden sky frowns down between
rows of buildings, and the omnibus
wheels splash up cataracts of black
mud over the few luckless passen-
gers who hasten by, cloaked, hood
ed and umbarella ed.
Not a very promising beginning
for poor Mildred Erskine-fOr this
was her first day in business.
Business And Mildred Erskine
had been a millionaire's daughter
once.
'l mustn't think of these things
now,' said Mildred to herself, as she
crossed the threshold of Messrs.
Tape 81 Sparkles great Fancy En-
porium, as it was phrased, in glitter.
ing letters, above the shop door, Tm
a working girl now, glad enough OF
the chance to earn daily bread
And with throbbing heart she hung
her coarse straw bonnet and black
shawl in the dark little room, which
was devoted to the twenty Other
girls who stood behind the counter
of Tape 81 Sparkle.
A little fretty eyed man, with 9
bristle head of hair, and complex
ion that looked as il he had been out
in rain of freckles, stepped forward
as she emerged.
you are to take charge of the cut
glass and Parian marble counter,
Miss Erskine,' he said, briskly rub
bing his hands. you need any
information come to me for it. L
beg your PARDON as she sank pale
and trembling into a chair but that
is against our rules
what is against your rules, Mr.
Lacy p
Sitting down. Don't look busi-
ness-like. Amt the proper thing in
an establishment like ours
'But there are no customers in at
present.
Can't help that, said Mr.. Lacy,
feeling his stubby red beard. 'Dis
cipline must be kept up Miss Frs
kline
And so Mildred wearied with hel
long walk to the shop, and faint with
a vague feeling of dread and uncer.
tainty, stood leaning against the
counter, inwardly wondering how
the other girls could giggle and
langh so under their breath when
Mr.. Laey's back was turned, and Mr.
Sparkle, pompous, bald headed
man, who sat in private office al
the back OF the store, was engaged
In his accounts.
InyOluutarily she shrank back
eoloring scarlet, as gay party alight
ing from close carriage at the door
swept into the store.
Have you alabaster vases2'
The careless, insolent tone-tht
defiant hauteur of the young girl's
manner stung Mildred to the quick
Surely, in the halcyon days OF bel
prosperity, she never had addressed
sister woman like that.
IL am not sure.' she falteringly
answered. Il will inquire
'Pshaw 7 cried out the girl, turn
ing to her companions. Let's go te
some one who understands her busi
ness
stop Z said deep calm voice
how Mildred started as it fell on hei
ear. Here are alabaster vases. vii
you tell me the price OF this one p
Yes, it was Gerard Avenel-th,
man she bad waltzed with at Sarato
ga years ago-the man who haC
stood with her on the moon-ligb
beach at Long Branch, when sh,
was a jeweled heiress-the cynosur,
Of all eyes. He did not know he
now-she was glad of that; but
somehow, it cut her to the hear
thus to realize how changed she was
But, as he lifted his eyes to bel
face, a sudden gleam of recognition
flashed into them.
Miss Erskine. Am ! mistaken
or-
you are not mistaken, Mr.. Ave
nel,' said Mildred, with forced calm
ness. ssThe price of this vase ii
seven dollars
sThey told me you had gone e
Europe, as goyerness TO an Englist
family he calculated.
Il did go,' said Mildred, but the,
preferred French goyerness, and
| returned by the next steamer. Cal
show you anything more p
As she sat down the vase with
trembling hands, the girl who has
first spoken turned away.
Il don't like these things she
cried, impatiendy. 'Horrid stiff de
signs, only ft for restaurants |,
She caught up her gloves - shs
spske, and N the sAms second, 8 Dc