The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-12-11

r. ~" N"'c hV iault 10 ma
Sald the clerk, rather anxiously, on per,
eeiving that he hesitated.
You are woman"
Here, whether ubashed by sudden
display of dimples on the pink cheeks
that grew more pink at this rather unne
cessary assertion, Smith came to an abrupt
pause.
At this the smiling face settled into an
expression of demure gravity
" / must plead guilty to the charge Of
being woman. But though it may be a
misfortune, it can scarcely be called fault
at any rate, it is one for which am not
answerable."
You misunderstood me, ma IN. What
l meant to say was, that the reare certain
duties connected with your Office, such as
opening the store, going to the postoffice,
ETC., which you cannot very well perform. u
" l assure you, sir, that l like nothing
better than an occasional walk in the open
air. And us to opening the store, aud
sweeping and dusting, don't know why
it should be harder to perform that Office
for store than for house"
" claim no consideration for my sex,
resumed the young lady, casting reproach.
ful glance at the perplexed countenance
OF her employer, "but | ask in common
justice that you will not discharge me
simply because | am woman"
Muttering disclaimer of some kind,
he hardly knew what, Smith beat sudden
retreat to his own room, assuming a 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 noncha-
lance most provoking.
"Well, no, not to-day. What the deuce
are you grinning at ?'
"Oh, nothing-nOthing at all, respond
ed jenkins, throwing himself back in his
chair, and regarding intently fly on the
ceiling.
What was going to remark was"
resumed Smith, with quite an unnecessary
assumption Of dignity, shat l have con-
cluded to allow the young lady to remain
until | can find some situation for her
more in accordance with her sex"
"Very kind and cOnsiderate Of you"
said jenkins, dryly, especially taking into
consideration 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 prejudice, he
was sensible, kind-hearted man. Geor-
gianna was not called upon to open the
store or run errands, though she offered
to do both. Curious to relate, as the days
and weeks passed, Smiths repugnance to
her presence not only vanished with them,
but ne began to regard it with positive
pleasure.
He used to often look through the glass
door, watching the graceful poise of head
and the motion of the deft little fingers as
they glided over the paper, until at last
curious fancies seemed to creep into his
brain, and he began to indulge in glowing
dreams of how wonderfully such little
woman as that would brighten up his
lonely and cherries home.
But he determined to proceed cautious
". He had 1t, His housekeeper was
about to leave; he would offer Miss Gard
ner the situation-and then.
Having formed this resolution, his next
step was to request the young lady's pres
ence in his private Office, summons that
was promptly obeyed,
Miss Gardner, don't you think the
situation of housekeeper in a quiet home,
like mine, for instance, would be prefera-
Bile to your situation here y
Perhaps, in some respects it might,
said GeOrgianna, colOring at this abrupt
inquiry and the look which accompanied It,
Was the old gentleman about to make
her an cfierg
But his next words relieved her OF this
apprehension.
NV hOssekeeper is about to leave me,
and I should be glad to have you supply
her place"
Georgiauua's face grew very red' ana
her mouth dimpled with the smiles that
she .trove vainly to suppress
d - n
aYou are very kind, sir, but the fact
Is Mr.. jenkins has spoken to me first'
"Mr Jenkins?"
ayes. sir. He asked me to be his
hOusekeeper, and I said | would.
aBui, my child, Mr., jenkins IS young
map--it would not be proper for you to
been house for him. Now with me it is
different" :,
And CieOrgianna inwardly agreed with
him. In fact, there was all the difference
IN the world for her .
q Blu. be asked me to be his wife as well
as hOusekeeper
uO-o-o.hl"
Smiths first feeling was that Of intense
.,on;.hment, his next Of quite as strong
.h,griu, But it all ended in an emotion
r s,b.nkfulness that he had not committed
himself
His disappointment, however, could not
have ranked very deeply, for he attended
,hs wedding with smiling tranquility, the
ceremony that transformed his new clerk