The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1877-11-21
BRIGHT & co.


right-coIored scarfs and cravats and
neck-ties forming sort of rainbow
| against the sombre background Of
black ones; the packages of kid
gloves showing the tips Of their
many.hued fingers at the ends oftheir
gilt aud white wrappers; the gaudi.
est silk handkerchiefs flying like
jolly young flags above the dozen or
two other articles pertaining to the
masculine wardrobe which, in admir-
able taste and order, were grouped
below them-when his one clerk.
who was a!co errand-boy and several
other things-in fact. engaged for
general utility" as they say in the
dramatic profession-rushed in, with
a face every feature of which said
as plainly as words Important
newsr'
Rufus looked at him a moment.
What is it, Fred p he asked at
last. ai
"One hundred and sixty-six is TAX
en- said Fred, pausing to give due
effect to whatever further communi-
cation he had to make.
well" queried his employer.
"Same business as ourn-gents'
furnishing" continued Fred.
"Don't say 'ourn, and don't say
gents" said Rufus, in his surprise
relapsing for moment into his old
role of teacher.
"WelI tis.' said Fred, sulkiIy.
"The deuce it is p exclaimed Ru-
fus, resuming the character of the
man of business, as he threw down
the collars he had been asserting
and walked moodily to the door.
Before the next store, which had
been vacant for long time. stood
heavily laden cart. Two men were
unloading and carrying in boxes and
cases the shape and size as those
which had cont&ined his own goods.
A tall, rather rough-looking young
man was experimenting, and boy
evidently general utility" like
Fred-was darting hither and thither
with a great pretense of rendering
valuable assistance.
Rufus stepped out on the sidewalk,
whistling carelessly, and becoming
at once very much interested in an
overworked horse that had failed
across the car track ; but as the horse
was helped to his feet by sympa-
thizing crowd, he slowly turned and
came in again, giving as he passed a
comprehensive glance at the neigh
boring establishment.
Every pane in the window it also
had only one window-shone like an
overgrown diamond, and in each cor
ner was already placed. on a pretty
walnut stand, a pot of ivy, the dark
green vines climbing the gray-paper-
ed wall, while the scarlet flowers of
a fourishing geranium smiled gayly
in the sunshine.
A sign above the door, beside
which the modest one bearing his
name looked like a dwarf beside
giant, bore in great glittering letters
the inscription. g Bright & CO..
Going in for combining poetry
with business. 'Twon't pay" said
Rufus, referring to the ivy and gera-
mum, 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
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 suro.' he said. It
must be hand-te-hand fight until
one is left victor. Too bad too
bad F! Here's sister Fan nicely mar
ried. and mother as comfortable and
happy as can be in her little rooms
around the corner, and l thought I
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 ma
tive 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. I
A young face, and not disagreea-
BILE one ION the contrary, quite an
agreeable ore when minus the scowD.
surmounted by waving locks of
bright auburn-some people called
them red-and lighted by u pair of
sparkling real blue eyes. Nose
aquiline. mustache to match the hair,
mouth large. and not SO Oery ugly,
and the chin-welI, perhaps if the
chin had been trife more promi-
nent. and the hair 8 shade less-au-