Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-09-25

his head at the frowning face that looked
at him from the mirror That hung oppo-
site.
4 yOuug face and not a disagreeable
one Con the contrary, quite an agreeable
one when minus the scowD, surmounted
10y waving locks OF bright auburn some
people call them red-aud lighted by a
pair OF sparkling real blue eyes. Nose
squilino. musiache to match the hair,
mouth large and not SO very ugly, and
the chin-weil, perhaPs if the chin had
been trife more prominent, and the
hair q shade less-aubutn, Rufus might
have possessed more hopetuluess and u
better temper.
That very oveniug-suc1 is the ncon-
sistencY of man--in spite ot his assertion
that THAT sort of thing didn't pay"
Rutos bought at the nearest florists two
Madeira vines. q smilaN, and spicy car
nation pink, and The ueN' morning they
were sweellY blooming in his window,
when the tall, rather rough-looking
youlL mau Who had been overseeing the
carmen the Jay oeio,r, come briskly in.
"Ir. Lypd- ?" said ne.
R7tus bowed ,tnl}.
'"Ct.cl t. see ii touG ct mo take a
look II tae arrau cement ui your window
irou jEe iu,idc-capitt effect outside
IIov. DO You MANAGE I don't know
mu,a ab,u; sach ,biogs myself"
"Wnat cool imporuuence !" thought
Ruils. And then he sad ia al icy mar
ner and an icy tone I'm afraid you
wout be taught here. sir. 1t costs me
time, thought and patience to produce
the capital effect of which you speak.
You must use Your own brains. Mine
are Mt At Your service"
"Oa, IS that tAo way you feel ?" said
the youns man with cl4ckle. "Well,
l guess Bright x Co. can do without
you;" and be disappeared as suddenly
rs be came.
And apparently bright & Co" could
for IL TWO or three hours The shop win
dow of that enterprisirE firm burst upon
the admiring gszo Of tue passer by like
whole garden OF flowers.
Such delicate mius,ing of shades and
skiliul combination OF coiors had never
been seen in a shop window before-at
least not in that avenue. Dark purple
scars aud ribbons pretlily entwined
with those OF pale yellow; smoking caps
gay in crimsoDs and -olUs. and blues and
bUtls, and scarlets and greens; bows OF
every hue, looking Ike q flock Of gigaG-
tic butterflies clinging 10 O carpet ct dark
brown velvet; beautifully embroidered
slippers; silkea and satin watch tobs Of
many fantastic shapes; piPe-holders
quaint aud graceful in design and lilly
other things Rufus had never thought OF,
"bUt which women Will be just tools
enough to buy and give to men," he said
to himself, bitterly-shono from his
neighbor's window.
Poor fellow, That gorgeous window
con pletely eclipsed his own, and he saw,
With heartsohe the people pass his door
day alter day aud eu.or the more a.trsc-
two -ioro al pr',M * Fa
4 week wen, By, during which Mr.
Lynde refused the loan vi q hammer -
they had miS,aid theirs I'd as neighbors,
kicked their Cal G, W., very gentle
kick. md Intended mor Tor a hint than
anything clsel when she chased hying
rat ito bis store and uuroT his counter,
and T.cd had rough and tumble fight
with lhc boy, cause ae swept all the
dirt Of his own sidewalk on to ourn."
Then one uncommor.y bright and
pleasant Monday morniay, as Rufus, re-
freshed by the S4bbslh rest, was coming
down the street, humuiog an old hymn
tune which his moth,r-eood old Meth
odis was fond of sing g., and happily
forQ,tia! Tor the moment Of all life's
care aud vcxatilHs. lie we was caught
by aa unusual glare s., he very top Of
"BIi-ut X Co.'S bui.dio-. A mammoth
sign bad been placed here, calling at
tenti3n in enormously r letters of the
gull lest sji.-,arse erou-a . 10 be seen at
lesst ltlt mi.e away-.o the business
OF TIA, wonderfully aad aggravatingly
gc-shead fttn; andtha' IN trespassed
at less: two inches on his own premises.
Raius ceased hUmmiug scowled, quick
ened uis steps. entered b. store, seated
himself al his desk, illng his hat on the
floor, ran his fingers throg- his sanguin-
airy locks until they stood up like an
aureole around his head, seized pen, pa-
per and ink, and dashed ofi the follow
ing note:
Mr. Lynde's compliments to Bright
i CO., and begs 10 call their attention to
the fact that their last snd biggest sign
exceeds the limits allowed by law"
This, with snort Of delight, as war
horse that scenteth the battle aiar, did
Fred receive and hasten To deliver next
door, 10 return with answer, equally con-
else, written in large, bold, but rather
scrawley hand:
bright .S Co. are sorry that the sign
maker should have made such mistake !;
INIT unIess Mr.. lynde wishes TO put up a