The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-07-05

and with resolution and defiance writ
ten on his brow, and hands firml.
clasped behind him, he began slowl!
pacing backward and forward, his de
termination to fight it out with hi
heighbOr growing stronger and strong
er every moment; for, in the frs
place. it was downright shabby to SCI
up in the very same line right mex
door, he repeated for the twentieth
time Il couldn't and wouldn't have
done it ; but, no doubt, this Bright is
some selfish, grasping. cold-hearted
unpleasant fellow, not caring who he
shoulders out of the way, as long as
he" when suddenly the door flew
open, and the roundest, plumpest,
prettiest tot of woman flew in.
She wore dainty white apron,with
a bewitching bib and two charming
pockets, and the pockets were adorned
with scarlet bows, and the bib had q
bit of scarlet geranium pinned at the
left corner, and a saucy small hat,
turned up on one side and trimmed
with scarlet berries and green leaves,
was perched insecurely on the top OF
her satin. black head.
'Mr. Lyude?' said she, in voice
that implied Pm not to be contradict
ed under any circumstances whatever,
as she confronted Rufus.
Rufus replied, AT your service,
with smile. He'd have been more
than mortal if he could have looked
in that bright face, with its frank fear
less gray eyes, cunning pug nose, dear
little mouth, and general air of cheer
full independence, without smiling.
& am Bright & Co.
And rightly named, flashed through
Lynde's mind and then his face be-
trayed the great establishment he felt
but he bowed and said nothing.
You look surprised said the little
woman.
Il am,' said Rufus. l thought
mean was sure-that is, supposed
No matter what you supposed in
terrupted Bright & Co.. in manner
that in any one else would have been
rude, bu. in her was decidedly charm
ing. I'm Bright-dnd Co., and l
want to know why, in the name of
pins and needles, you're SO awful hate
full about that sign? 1t can't hurt
your housc--ii it is yours-or you, cX-
tending only that far (holding out
two tiny forefingers with nails like
wee pink shells. about half an inch
from each otherl beyond my house
it IS my house-and you knOc, if you
have one grain of common sense, it
can't
She paused, but Rufus said never a
word.
Il suppose the little woman went
on. shaking her pretty head so emphat-
ically that the saucy hat nearly slipped
Off, just hanging by her back hair in a
manner that suggested to Rufus the
days of his boyhoOd and the Sailors
Hornpipe,' you think L have injured
your business. If have l didn't
mean to. The building next door was
left to me by an old aunt, and the
store was stocked from the wholesale
establishment of and old uncle. Now
couldn't set up millinery shop, or
a flower store, or confectionery, with
shirts and socks and collars and cra-
watts and suspenders and such things
could I?'
'Of course not replied Rufus. Il
see no way in which they could be
converted into bonnets, bouquets or
candy
Just so,' SAID Bright Il Co., putting
her right hand into her pocket and
drumming softly on the counter with
the fingers of her left. L took the
house and thanked my lucky stars and
my auntie and took the goods, and
thanked my lucky stars again and my
uncle. Iplsced Bright over the door
without any 'Miss' (Rufus couldn't
have explained for the life of him
why he was so relieved to find it was
not MRS COR Christian name, because
it looks more business-like, and 1 add
ed the Co. because it sounds well, and
my small brother (the one your Fred
tried to thrash the other day) is my
general assistant, and my big cousin
(to whom you refused look at your
window { helps me in every way he
can, though that isn't much, because
he has his own business to attend to-
Glad of it, thought Rufus.
'And have a pair of LOVELY twin
sisters only six years old. and e dear
mother aud grandmother to take care
of-,nd oh how can you be SO hate
iu! about that sign?'
Good gracious! exclaimed Rufus,
running his fingers wildly through
his re,i--ihat is, his and
causing the au;eoie 10 arise again.
{ Don't say another word about it.
Cover The whole Of your honse, and
mine aisa--though ii isn't mine; thor.
too, You have the advantage of me, AS
you have in every thing clsc-wi,h
signs il you will. L can make living
ior my mother and myself somewh here
else, il no: here. have no large fam
lily dependent upon me, like Bright &
Co.
% dear, nc, Mr.. Lynde, that won't
please me at ALL said the little woman
- the somewhere else,' you know
stay tight here. There'll be room for
us both after while. I'm sure of it.
Hufus looked into the rosy, earnest
face with an almost lOyer-iike smile.
as Fred burst into the store, shouting:
The lawyer says, come to his Office at
ton 0,cincE To. mnrrnw anl hn'Il 600