The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-10-11
speak. You must use your own brains.
Mine are NOT at your service -

speak. You must use your own brains.
Mine are not at your service"
go, is that the way you feel? ?" said
the young man, with chuckle. "Well,
l guess Bright & Co. can do without
you" and he disappeared as suddenly as
he came.
And apparently "Bright & Co."
could, for in two or three hours the shop
window of that enterprising firm burst
upon the admiring gaze of the passer-by
like whole garden of flowers.
Such delicate mingling of shades
and skillful combination of colors had
never been seen in shop-window before
at least not in that avenue. Dark
purple scarfs and ribbons prettily ell
twined with those of pale pellow; smok-
ing-caps gay in crimsons and COLDS, and
blues and bufs, and scarlets and greens
bows of every hue, looking like flock
of gigantic butterflies, clung to carpet
of dark-brown velvet; beautifully-em-
broidered slippers; silk and satin watch
fobs of many fantastic shapes; pipe
holders, quaint and graceful in design,
and fifty other things Rufus had never
thought of, "but which women will be
Just fools enough to buy and give to
men," he said to himself, bitterly, shone
from his neighbor's window.
Poor fellow! That gorgeous window
completely eclipsed his own, and he saw,
with a heartache, the people pass his
door day after day, and enter the more
attractive store of Bright & Co.
A week went by, during which Mr..
Lynde refused the loan of hammer
they had mislaid theirs--to his neighbors,
and kicked their cat---it was a very
gentle kick, and intended more for a
hint than any thing else--when she
chased flying rat into his store and
under his counter, and Fred had a
rough-and-tumble fight with the boy,
"'cause he swept all the dirt off his own
sidewalk on to ourn."
Then one uncommonly bright and
pleasant Monday morning, as Rufus,
refreshed by the Sabbath rest, was COM
ing down the street, humming an old
hymn tune which his MOTHERHOOD old
Methodist--was fond of singing, and
happily forgetful for the moment of all
life's cares and vexations, his eve was
caught by an unusual glare at the very
top of Bright & Co. IS" building. A
mammoth sign had been placed there,
calling attention in enormously-fat let
tiers Of the guiltiest gilt-large enough
to be seen at least half a mile away--to
the business of that wonderful and
aggravatingly go-ahead firm; and that
sign trespassed at least two inches on his
own premises.
Rufus ceased humming, scowled,
quickened his steps, entered his store,
seated himself at his desk, flung his hat
on the floor, ran his fingers through his
sanguinary locks until they stood up like
an aureole around his head, seized his
pen and ink, and dashed off the follow
SMr. Lynde's compliments to Bright
& Co., and begs to call their attention
to the fact that their last and biggest
sign exceeds the limits allowed them by
law"
This, with snort of delight, as war
horse that scenteth the battle afar, did
Fred receive and hasten to deliver next
door, to return with answer, equally
concise, written in large, bold, but
rather scrawly hand:
Bright & Co. are sorry that the sign
maker should have made such mistake !;
but unless Mr.. Lynde wishes to put up
a similar sign, we are at loss to see how
SO slight an infringement can interfere
with him."
40, indeedl" said Rufus, his face al
most as fiery as his hair. "What re-
markable GOODNESS the fellow has! But
I'll let him see he can't completely over
shadow his humble neighbor," and forth
with dispatched another note:
"Mr. Lynde demands the instant re-
meyal of the aforementioned sign, or
Mr.. Lynde's lawyer will wait on Bright
& Co. this afternoon"
To which came the short but pertinent
"Mr. Lynde's lawyer may wait on
Bright & Co. as soon as Mr.. Lynde
chooses"
But it happened that Rufus couldn't
get away from the store that day. Some
great festivity, to take place that even
ing in the vicinity, sent all the boys and
young men in search of masculine ne
cessities and adornments, and the over
flow from Bright & Co.'s alone was suffi
cient to keep Rufus and his only as
sistant extremely busy. But as soon as
night had fairly set in and the rush was
over, he sent Fred-a delighted messen-
ger-with a communication to young
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 determination to fight it out with his
neighbor growing stronger and stronger
every moment; for, sin the first place, it
was downright shabby to set up in the
very same line right next door," he re-
peated for the twentieth time.
"I couldn't and wouldn't have done
it; but, no doubt, this Bright is some sell
fish, grasping, cold-hearted, unpleasant
fellow, not caring who he shoulders out
of his way as long as he" when sud-
denly the door flew open, and the round
est, plumpest, prettiest lot of woman
flew in.
She wore dainty white apron, with a
bewitching bib and two charming pockets
with scarlet bows, and the bib
had bit of scarlet geranium pinned at
the left corner, and a saucy little hat,
turned upon one side and trimmed with
scarlet berries and green leaves, was
perched insecurely on the top of her
satin-smooth black head.
. "Mr. LyndeT' said she, in voice that
implied "Pm not to be contradicted un-
der any circumstances whatever" as she
confronted Rufus.
Rufus replied "At your service" with
a 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.
az am Bright & Co."
"And rightly named" flashed through
Mr.. Lynde's mind; and then his face be-
trayed the great astonishment he felt,
but he bowed and said nothing.
"You look surprised" said the little
woman.
al am" said Rufus" al thought
1 mean 1 was sure-that is, supposed"
"No matter what you supposed" III
terrupted " Bright & Co.," in manner
that in any one else would have been
r,Jo hut IN bar uyo @ danidadlv cbo orminp