Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-05-25
BRIGHT & 90.

large STOREY was, after much thought and
experimenting, arranged to his satsfac-
ton; the'bright-colored scarfs and cravats
and neck.ties forming a sort of rainbow
against the somber background of black
ones; the packages of kid gloves show
ing the tips of their many hued fingers
at the ends of their gilt and white wrap
pers; the gaudiest silk handkerchiefs fly
ing like jolly young flags above the dozen
or two other articles pertaining to the
masculine wardrobe which, in admirable
taste and order, were grouped below them
when his one clerk, who was also er.
rand-boy and several other things-in
fact, engaged for general utility" as
they say in the dramatic profession
rushed in, with face every feature of
which said as plainly as words, " Inn
portant newsp
Rufus looked at him moment
"What is it, Fred?" he asked at last.
Zone hundred and thirty-sixis taken, 4"
said Fred, pausing to give due effect to
whatever further communication he had
to make.
"Well?" queried his employer.
"Same business as ourn--gents' fur
nishing," continued Fred.
Don't say 'ourn,' and don't say
gents" said Rufus, in his surprise re.
lapsing for q moment into his old role of
teacher. ~
"Well 'tis," said Fred, sulkily.
"The deuce it isl" exclaimed Rufus,
resuming the character of the man of
business, as he threw down the collars he
had been asserting and walked moodily
to the door. fE y
Before the next store, which had been
vacant for a long time, stood a heavily
laden cart. Two men were unloading
and carrying in boxes and cases the same
shape and size as those which had con.
tanned his own goods. A tall, rather
rough,looking young man was superin-
tending, and boy evidently general
utility" like Fred-was darting hither
and thither with great pretense of rem
dering valuable assistance.
Rufus stepped out on the sidewalk,
whistling carelessly, and becoming at
once very much interested in an over
worked horse that had fallen across the
car track; but as the horse was helped to
his feet by sympathizing crowd he
slowly turned and came in again, giving
as he passed a comprehensive glance at
the neighboring establishment.
Every pane in the window-it also had
only one window-shone like an over
grown diamond, and in each corner was
already placed, on apretty walnut stand,
a pot of ivy, the dark. green vines climb
ing the gray-papered wall, while the
scarlet flowers of fourishing geranium
smiled gaylv in the sunshine.
A sign above the door, beside which
the modest one bearing his name looked
like a dwarf beside the giant, bore in
great glittering letters the inscription:
bright q Co." . 4~-
"Going in for combining poetry with
business. 'Twon't pay" said Rufus, re-
ferring 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. Hehad
lost all interest in the political situation;
all he did was to gaze vacantly at the
printed sheet, and think about his rivals
to-be--" Bright g. Co."
This neighborhood won't support us
both, that's sure, he said. 1t must be
a hand-to-hand fight until one is left
victor. Too badl too bad Here's Sister
Fan nicely married, and mother as COM
Portable and happy as can be in her little
rooms around the corner, and l thought
saw smooth sailing before me at last
After teaching school for five long years
away out West, besides keeping books
for people and copying law documents
far into the night, to say nothing of liv-
ing like miser all the time, on purpose
to save money enough to start into busi-
ness in my native city-to have a fellow
set up right next door in the very same
business, it's too much" and Rufus
shook his head at the frowning face that
looked at him from the mirror that hung
opposite.
A young face, and not disagreeable
one Ton the contrary, quite an agreeable
one when minus the scowl, surrounded
by waving locks of bright auburn some
people called them red-and lighted by
a pair of sparkling real blue eyes. Nose
aquiline. mustache to match the hair,
mouth large, and not so gerry ugly, and
the chin--well, perhaps If the chin had
been trifle more prominent, and the
hair shade less--auburn, Rufus might
have possessed more hopefulness and a
better temper.
That very evening-such is the incon.
sistency of man---in spite of his assertion
that "that sort of thing didn't pay"
Rufus bought at the nearest florists two
Madeira vines, a smilax and spicy car
nation pink, and the next morning there
they were sweetly blooming in his win
dow, when the tall, rather rough looking
young man who had been overseeing
the carmen the day before came brisk
ly in.
"Mr. Lynde2" said he.
Rufus bowed stifiy.
Called to see il 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 impertineDceP thought
Rufus. Aad 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"
"Ohl is that the way you feelS" said
the young man, with chuckle. "Well,
guess Bright & Co. can do without
youi" and he disappeared as suddenly as
he came.
And apparently Bright 8 Co." could,
for in two or three hours the shop win.
dow ofthat entcrprising firm burst upon
the admiring gaze of the passors-by like
a whole garden of flowers.
Such a delicate mingling of shades and
skillful combination of eolors had never
been seen In a shop window before-at
least not In that avenue. Dark purple
scarfs and ribbons prettily entwined with
those OF pale yellow smoking-caps gay
in crimsons and Colds, and blues and
bluffs, and scariets and green; bows OF
every hue, looking like a flock OF gigan
tic butterflies clinglng TO u carpet Of dark
brown velvet; beautifully embroidered
slippers; silken and satin watch fobs OF
many fantastic shapes; pipe-holders
quaint and graceful in design and fifty