The Van Buren press., 1876-12-12

WOULD BE CLEkk.-A iet"" Wy
goods dealer on Sixth avenue had a cou-
Die of visitors the other day, where he cx
peeted couple OF customers, A WON
an, appearing to be about fifty years old,
entered the store in company WIN her
daughter-a thin faced old maid OF about
t,irty-and when the clerk slid forward
the mother said
Not any dry goods for US to-day.
Where's the ownerf'
DO you wish to see the proprietor T
asked the clerk
"Hes the man."
They were shown into the office. The
merchant supposed they owned village
store and wanted to stock up. and he
welcomed them with winning smile.
my daughtea Minerva-Minerva Bol
ton." said the lady by way of introduc-
tioa.
Minerva and the merchant shook hands
chairs we're placed, and the two sat down
the old lady said:
"She's one Of the best girls IN the
state of New York
"No doubt, madam.
.After she has been one month in the
store you wouldn't part with her for Sio
a day. said the mother.
"Ah-yes--yes
"Shes smart on figures, honest as an
oldtashioned winter, and she wouldn't
be gigling round with the clerks y
III hardly understand you,' said
the gentleman.
IL want a place for Minerva. She's
sighing and dying to be clerk. =
"Ah! But have no vacancy Just
now
IL don't want any vacancy. want
Minerva to be clerk She's just as
smart as wolf, and If she comes here
shall of course do all my trading with
her. don't know but I'd take some
bed. ticking home with me to day, for
they say ticking is on the rise.'
"Yes-- -but--but-----'
II know how you feel" she interrup
ted. "but you can depend on her. Our
postmaster square johnson, and heaps
Of others, will recommend her. She's
got character, that girl has. You might
leave million dollars with her and fee!
perfectly faie. Minerva, il you sold four
yards of factory at ten cents a yard. how
much would the whole thing come to 2
Forty cents, of COURSE drawled
Minerva.
.'See there--see thcre!" exclaimed the
mother "Have you q clerk in the store
that can reckon figures as quick as that =
"But / have all the clerks want he
managed to get in.
"You might discharge that croes.eyed
young man out there, and give this poor
girl chance for her life pleaded the
mother, If she doesen't get chance
she will certainly 90 into decline aud
| die ="
Yes-but--but-----"
"Miuerva. il you sold four bnnches OF
hairpins for six cents per bunch, how
much money would you get 7"
"Twenty four cents--any fool knows
that replied the daughter.
"Can you beat that in this store 2
proudly inquired the mother II you
take her you eau depend upon her. She's
always home nights, is not hearty eater,
can put up with children, and know
your wife would like her, She can sor,
o'do housework in the morning and after
dark, and so you'll be killing two birds
with one stone"
II cant take her--no--n0. Got all
the help want!" replied the merchant
"Three dollars a week and board takes
my daue ehter,' persisted the mother.
"Can't--can't do it,"
'Say two dollars
"No--no" t.#
"That settles that.' remarked the
mother. as she rose up. III see your
object You want me to come down to
81 q week, but III see you hung first
Come on Minerva, did think of looking
at some bed-ticking, but We'll go up the
street. I'll get yeu a e'erkship where
you can look right down on this store as
a horse loo ks down on a grasshopper,'