Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-07-20
BRATTLEBORO w. FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1877

u confess L could not, ana teel fJrci'
bly, the need of helpmeet; in fact, an
miserable without a companion. My deal
Miss Drake, man was not made to bC
alone"
"Nor woman to he trodden upon, and hol
means of subsistence wrested from her by
grasping individuals who are not ashamed
to appropriate to themselves those avenues
of labor which God designed for u.s."
"Right, my dear madam, would make
of woman companion, helpmeet. She
commands my respect, tny love, my devo-
tion in a word, my dear Miss Drake,
would make you my wife; yes, am con-
quered at last, 1.-The impenurbable."
Miss Drake stood like a statue and feel
ing sure of success in his suit, he contn-
ued
"As proprietors Of the most extensive es-
tablishments in the city, with our congen-
ial tastes, wo may live such life Of peace
aud prosperity as princes would envy"
Miss Drake, who had now recovered her
breath and her composure, asked, $50 you
propose with marriage to unite the busi-
ness2"
"Certainly; l think that would he the
better way; all could go on in the name of
Jones & Co.."
my establishment is going 10 be made q
woman's cooperative union, and every
woman employed, beside her salary will
receive profit from the sales. Though
SD all remain the chief uperinlendent, my
book keeper and the heads Of the various
departments will be paid an equal share
according TO their ability. AS for male
clerks, l shall employ only a sufficient
number 10 wait upon such ladies as insist
on being served by men. As for your offer
of marriage, despiSe you too deeply to re-
ply"
And Jones departed wiser man. Ruin
was staring him in the face. Miss Drake
not only made Better show, but she drew
a better class Of custom, and she contrived
to underSell him al every point. There
wasn't a woman worth having in his work
room that wouldn't leave and 60 over to
Miss Drake at the first opportunity, and
none came back.
As this dealer in woman's apparel walked
home that night he wished bimself well out
Of the business. Six months after, the
stauncb clipper, the "Ployer," again made
the port Of Hubbubble, and Captain Hart,
as jolly as ever, fastened to pay his respects
to Miss Drake. He found her busy as usu-
al, aud So glad TO see her old friend that a
pretty flush stole over her face, and a stray
tear rested on her eyelashes.
The Captain actually kissed it away be-
fore all the girls, which made the little mill
liner blush in earnest. "The fact is" said
the matter-of fact Harry, 81 have cousid-
cred you my property ever since induced
you to enter into partnership with me in
the dry goods line. And now you have got
your cooperative union in regular work
ing order, with such leaders as Lucy Wade
and Jessie Wilton, think I'll take you on
the next voyage to select our own goods.
I've sailed clipper without mate long
enough"
ooh, Harry!" was all the reply he got
then; but he proved good hand at press
ing suit. And when he sailed again he
took the milliner with hiD-no longer Miss
Drake, but his own dear wife.
Jessie and Lucy, tried and faithful, were
LETT in the care of the establishment, and
many fearful eye followed the kind-heart-
cd proprietress as she bade them adeu.
Across the way the red flag of the auction
eer hung conspicuous on the morning OF
her departure. Jones & Co. had proved a
failure in every sense of the word. Aud
now they were being sold out. "Im sorry
for him, and for every otber man who is so
foolish as TO attempt women's business" ="
said the little lady.