Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-09-25

Bright & c.. as soon as Mr. Lynde
chooses"
But it happened that Rufus couldn't
get away from the store that day. Some
great iestivity TO take place that evening
in the vicinity, sent nll tho boys and
young men in search OF masculine
necessities and adornments, and the over
flow from Bright & Cos. alone was sufii-
cient to keep Rufus and his only assistant
extremely busy. But as soon as night
had fairly set in and the rush was over,
he sent Fred, delighted messenger
with communication to ayoung lawyer
friend. and with resolution and defiance
written on his brow, and hands firmly
clasped behind him, he began slowly
pacing backward and forward, his deter
mination TO fight it out with his neighbor
growing stronger and stronger every
moment; for, Gin the first place, it was
downright shabby TO set up in tho worry
same line right next door, he repeated
Tor The twentieth time. IL couldn't and
wouldn't have done it; but no doubt this
Bright Is some selfish. glasping, cold
hearted, unpleasant fellow, not caring
who he shoulders ont OF the way as long
as he" when suddenly the door flew
open, and the roundest, plumpest. prot-
,iest lot Of woman lew in.
She wore a dainty white apron. with n
bcwitching bib and two charming
pockets, aud the pockets were adorned
with scarlet bows, and the bib had bit OF
scarlet goranium pinned at the left cor
ner, and saucy small hat turned up on
one side Snd trimmed with scarlet berries
and green leaves, WAS perched insecurely
on the top OF her satiE-smooih black
head.
mfr. Lynde !" said she in voice that
implied I'm mol to be conlradicted 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 at that
bright face, with its frank. fearless gray
eyes, cunning pug nose, dear little mouth,
and general air of cheerful independence.
without smiling.
Il am Bright & Co."
And rightly named" flashed through
Lynde's mind; and then his face betrayed
the great astonishment he felt, but he
bowed and said nothing.
You look surprised" said the little
woman.
Il am" said Rofus. Il thought
mean | was sure--that is. | supposed"
mo matter what you supposed" in
terrup.ed Bright * Co.. III i manner
that in any one else would have been
rude, but in her was decidedly charming.
I'm Bright-aud Company, and want
to know why, in the name of pins and
needles, you're so awful hateful about
that sign? IL can't hurt your house-it
it IS yours-or you, extending only that
lar" (hoiding out two tiny iorefingers,
with nails like wee pink shells, about
hall an inch from each other) beyond
my house-it is my house and you know,
il You h yc one grain OF common sense,
il can't"
She paused. but Rufus said never u
word.
81 suppose" the little woman went On
shaking her pretty head so emphalically
that the saucy hat nearly slipped of, just
hanging on her back hair that suggested
10 Ruius the days OF his boyhood and the
Sailors Hornpipe." you think have
Injured your business. II have, | didn't
mean to. The building next door was
leit to me by an old aunt, and the
store was stocked from the wholesale es-
tabishmeut of an old uncle. Now, |
couldn't set up 3 millinery shop or u
flower store, or = confectionery with
shirts and socks, and collars, and cravats
and suspenders-apd such things, could
I?"
'Of course not," replied Rufus. al
sec no way in which they could be con-
verted into bonnets. bouquets, or candy"
Just So" said Bright & Co., putting
her right hand into her pocket ard drum
ming softly on the counter with the
fingers of her left. 81 took the house
and thanked my lucky stars and my
auntie and took the goods and thanked
my lucky stars again, and my uncle. |
placed Bright over the door without any
Miss (Rufus couldn't explain for the
life OF him why he was so relieved to find
it wasn't Mrs, y cor Coristian name, be-
cause it looks more business. like, and |
added the Co because it sounds well,
and my small brother-the one your Fred
tried to thrash the other days my gen.
eral assistant, and my big cousin-to
whom you refused look at your WIN
dow-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 pair of lovely twin sis
ters only six years old, and a dear mother
and grandmother to take care of-and
oh how can you be so hateful about that
sign?"