Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-01-11

the doll was minus a leg. "But ten
cents was very cheap" John Austin
thought, "for even an ugly doll with a
squeak in it," He had quite decided
idea That somebody wanted a doll,
and vaguely now that somebody else
} wanted dinner. He bought the doll
with an airy grace that would have
shown young millionaire disdaining
to chatter with a jeweler as to the
price of solitaire diamond which was
to deck the hand of his betrothed on
Christmas day. 1t was foolish thing
to do with, only eighty-fve cents in the
world. He pushed the doll, now done
up in piece of coarse paper, into his
pocket. "Don't ram her into your
pocket that way, or you will bust her,
and then your little 'un would be dis
appointed. "Oh, thank you," said
Austin as he extaicated the doll and
carried it in his hand.
1t was half past four when John
Austin, still hungry, remembered that
he had better go to that office where
a shipping clerk was wanted, and get
back his papers. He knew that he
had not even the ghost of chance
The office was empty now.
"Back again Well, now, closed
up that annoying advertisement bust
ness some three hours ago." said the
clerk. "Didn't tell you you wouldn't
suit ? We are just shutting up. Don't
bother. The place is filed"
"Wonld you kindly return my letter
of recommendation p
"Your papers Oh, you are the par
ty who showed papers on me! In
deed Just as if my life wasn't worn
out by everybody in the world SHOW
ing papers on me. Do you suppose /
am going to hunt them up pow ? just
as likely they are in the waste basket.
See here, you are a regular nuisance
hanging around. All yoa fellows an
swering advertisements are just the
same. Papers! Stuff! Get somebody
else to write you brand new lot of
papers"
"But," gasped John. The slide be.
fore the pigeon hole was pushed to
with snap, and voice cried out
from behind the partition, "Clear out.
I didn't tell you to leave your papers,
did I?'
John was dismayed. His poor use-
less old letter be felt was the barest
shred of seeming responsibility which
was left him. He had been treated
most discourteously. There was
table near. John dropped his pack
age on the table, and raped vigor-
ously with both hands on the glass
partition.
"If you are going to make a row."
cried the voice, ''if cant put you
out, the porter must"
John Austin was on his rnettle now,
and felt prepared for any emergency,
when a gentleman of about Johns age
entered. 'What is this most unseemly
disturbance? What is the matter
What do you want? This is my office,
sir" Saying this the gentleman, who
had several bundles under his arm,
placed them on the table.
"Simply this, SIR said John Austin
81 answered in person an advertise
ment for shipping clerk-references
required | lett letter of recon-
mendation with your clerk. He re-
fuses to return it to me. and has been,
if not uncommonly rude, at least sin,
gularly abusive. These papers are all
| have In the world
"But, sir" said the clerk addressing
his principal 81 told this party not to
leave his papers, and the party forced
them on me. | might find them, of
course. If the party will call to NOR
row-no, that is Christmas--on Mon
day next"
"You will be good enough TO find
them for this person at once, if he re-
quires them. 1t is optional with him
whether Monday next will do" and
saying this in an imperative way, the
gentleman picked up his parcels and
left
There was some grumbing behind
the screen. 81 want them now," said
John Austin, eff you and | have to
stay here all night" In about fifteen
minutes afterward when the young
gentleman had BACKED his boots in
the most careful manner and washed
his hands, in sign of a capitulation a
broomhandle was protruded over the
partition, on the end of which broom.
stick was letter, aud both were
pitched over on the floor. Indifferent
as to the further insult, John picked
up his letter, took his doll package
J from the table, and went homeward.
To moment he had gained his equa
nimity
"You will come into my room for a
moment, little sister" said John as be
met the child, always providing your
dress is done. But how shall ever
tell whether it will fit ?"
you have not real true for true
doll for me-? cried out the child
bounding up the stairs after him.
81 have such grave doubts about
whether your dress will become her."
said John. exhibiting the package.
. cit wouldn't NATTER" exclaimed the
: child.
} "Wcll, them" John united the
string, glanced at the contents, but,
amazement! 1t was not his doll.
What he held concealed, for he run
now into corner of the room, was
the personification of beauty, French
doll-one of those only the most ele
giant children deign to play with. A
doll of Paris make, in all the supple
grace ofkid epidermis and with a cof-
fure of elaborate character. A doll
} such as finds its way to South Ameri
? ca, which dressed in silk and decked
t with gems, Indians and negroes wor-
J ship at their feSa, John even dared to
t exert gentle pressure on the bosom
) and back of the doll, no rough sound
came. 1t struck him that such super
r lative dolls must be necessarily soul
/ less images, mere tulips, in fact, want
4 ing perfume. They are more daintily
4 pretty, but dumb and voiceless. There