The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-07-19

p"hO III the WlnuOW-lG also
had only one window -shone like an
oyergrown diamond, and in each corner
was already placed, ON a pretty walnut
stand, a4pot of IVY the dark green vines
climbing the gray papered wall, while
the scarlet flowers of 1iourishing yera
mum smiled gayly in the sunshine.
A sign above the door, beside which
the modest one bearing his name looked
like dwarf besides giant, bore in great
gllttering letters the inscription, Bright
Going in for combining poetry with
business. Twon't pay,r said Rufus,
referring to the ivy and geranium, as he
slammed his own door behind him, and.
seating himself at his desk, took up the
morning paper, but not to read. He had
lost all interest in the political situation i
all he did was to gaze vacantly at the
printed sheet, and think about his rivals
to be-''Bright & Co."
~ This neighborhood won't support us
both, that's sure,'' he said. ..sIt must
be a hand-to-hand fight until one is left
victor ~ Too bad! too badt Here's
sister Fan nicely married, andImot otheras
comfortable and happy as can be in her
little rooms around the corner, and 1
thought saw smooth sailing before me
at last. After teaching school for five
long years away out West, besides keep
ing books for people and copying law
| documents far into the night, to say
nothing Of living like a miser all the
time, ON purpose to save money enough
to start in business in my native city-to
have fellow set up right next door in
the very same business, it's too much"
and Rufus shook his head at the frown-
ing face that looked at him from the
mirror that hung opposite. 'sH s3iS
A young face, and not a disagreeable
one ION the contrary, quite an agreeable
one when minus the scowD, surmount-
ed by waving locks of bright auburn
some people called it red-and lighted
by pair of sparkling real blue eyes.
Nose aquiline, mustache to match the
hair, mouth large and not so Uery ugly,
and the chin-well, if the chin had been
trifle more prominent, and the hair a
shade less-auburn, Rufus might have
possessed more hopefulnesslanda a better
temper. .a e.a, os. .jltf{.'
That very evening is the incon-
sistency of man-in spite Of his asser-
ton that 'sthat sort of thing didn' t pay"
Rufus bought at the nearest florist S two
Madeira vines, smilax, and a spicy
carnation pink, and the next morning
there they were sweetly blooming in his
window, when the tall, rather rough
looking young man who had been over
seeing the carmen the day before, came
brisk1y in. 20. ..z .,ft
"Mr. Lynde?'' said he. t.,.
Rufus bowed stiffiy. '''''''''''''.
"Called to see if you'd let me take a
look at the arrangement of your window
from the inside capital effect outside.
How do you manager don't know
much about such things myself"
"What cool impertinence!" thought
Rufus. And then he said, in an icy
manner and in an icy tone, "I'm afraid
you won't be taught here, sir. 1t cost
me time, thought, and patience to pro-
duce the capital effect, of which you
speak. You must use your own brains.
Mine are not at your service"
"Oh! is that the way you feel!" said
the young man, with a chuckle. "Well,
I guess Bright & Co. can do without
you;" and he disappeared as suddenly
as he came. .' ''-'''>..' ~
And apparently "Bright, & Co."
could, for in two orthree hours the shop
window of that enterprising firm bnrs,
upon the admiring gaze of the passers,
by like whole garden of flowers.
Snch a delicate mingling of shades
and skillful combination of colors had
never been seen in shop window be
| -, hot 10 yt
purple scarfs and ribbons prettily en-:
twined with those of pale yellow
smoking-caps gay in crimsons ane
Colds. and blues and Bluffs, and scarlets
and green; bows of every hue, looking
like a flock of gigantic butterflies cling
ing to a carpet of dark brown velvet
beautifully embroidered slippers; silker
and satin watch fobs Of many fantastic
shapes; pipe holders quaint and grace
full in design !, and fifty other thing
Rufus had never thought of, g bu
which women will be just fools enough
{ to buy and give to men," he said t
) himself, bitterly-shone from his neigh
boris window. .... ....v4.,.4;s.. =
Poor fellow! That gorgeous window
/ completely eclipsed his own, and h
= saw, with a heart-aehe, the people pas
: his door day after day and enter tn
E more attractive store of "Bright q Co.
A week went by, during which Mr.
r Lynde refused the loan of a hammer
: they had mislald theirs-to his neigh
' bors, kicked their cat Gt was a yer.
: gentle kick, and intended more for
E hint than any thing else). when sh
chased flying rat into his store ant
under his, counter, and Fred had =
t ough-and-tumble fight with the boy