Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-15
Would Be q Clerk.

A retail dry goods dealer on Sixth avenue
had couple Of visitors the other day, where
he expected a couple Of customers. A
woman appearing 10 be so years old entered
the store in company with her daughter
thin.faced old maid Of about 30,-and when
the clerk slid forward the mother said
"Not any dry goods for us to-day.
Where's the owner 7"
"Do you wish to see the proprietor ~
asked the clerk"
"He's the man."
They were shown into the office. The
merchant supposed they owned village
store and desired to stock up, aud he well
coined them with winning smile.
"My daughter Minerva--Minerva Bolton, I"
said the lady by way Of introduction.
Minerva and the merchant shook hands,
chairs were placed and as the two sat down
the old lady said :
"She's one of the best girls in the state Of
New York"
"No doubt-no doubt, madam"
"After she's been in the store one month
you wouldn't part with her for ten dollars a
day." said the mother.
"Ah-yes-yes."
"She's smart on figures, honest as an old
fashioned winter, and she wouldn't DO gig
Cling round with the clerks"
Ill hardly understand you" said the
gentleman.
IL want place for Minerva. She's sigh
ing and dying to be clerk"
"Ah! But | have no vacancy just now. II
ggI Inrik M I NJ Nj;
nerva to be clerk. She's just as smart as a
wolf, and if she comes here shall Of course
do all my trading with her. l don't know
but Id take some bed ticking home with me
to-day, for they say ticking is on the rise
"Y cs-but-but-"
81 know how you feel" she interrupted,
"but you can depend on her. Our postmas.
ter, Squire johnson, aud heaps Of others
will recommend her, she has got a character
that girl has. You might leave a million
dollars with her and feel perfectly safe
Minerva, if you sold four yards Of factory at
ten cents yard how much would the whole
thing come tot"
Forty cents, Of course" drawled Minerva
"See there-see therem exclaimed the
mother. "Have you clerk in the store
who can reckon figures as quick as thatf
"But have all the clerks that want,
be managed to get in.
"You might discharge that cross-eyed
young man out there, and give this poor
girl a chance for her life," pleaded the
mother. "lf she don't get place she will
certainly 20 into decline and de-"
"Yes-but-but-"
"Minerva if you sold four punches of hair
pins for six cents per bunch. how much
money would you get ?"
"Twenty-four cents,-any fool knows that,
replied the daughter.
"Can you beat that in this store 2" proudly
inquired the mother. "lf you take her you
can depend on her. She's always home
nights, is not hearty eater. can put up with
children, and know your wife will like her.
She can sort o do housework mornings aud
after dark, and SO you'll be killing two birds
with one stone"
al can't take her-no-uo. Got all the
help want - replied the merchant.
three dollars n week and board takes my
daughter, promised the mother.
"Can't-can't do it."
"Say 81"
"No-no!"
THAT settles that" remarked the mother,
as she rose up. 81 see your object. You
want me to come down to 81 week, but
I'll see you hung first. Come on Minerva,
l did think Of looking at some bed-ticking,
but we'll go up street. I'll get you clerk
ahin vhara unu ann looL ri1ht doua On fhio