The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-07-20
BRIGHT & co.

Rufus Lynde had just got comforta-
bly, settled III his new store. The win
dow ct had only one, being-well, not a
arge store) was, after much thought and
experimenting, arranged to his satisfac-
Ion-the bright-colored scarfs and cra-
watts and neclSties forming a sort of rain
bow against the somber background of
black ones; the packages of kid gloves,
showing the tips of their many-hued
fingeHs at the ends of their gilt and white
wrappers; the gaudiest silk handker-
chiefs hvil like jolly young flags about
the doZen'or two other articles pertaining
to the Inasculine wardrobe which, in
admirable taste and order, were grouped
below them-when his one clerk, who
WIS also .errand boy and several other
things-in fact, engaged for "general
utility, s8 they say in the dramatic pro-
fessIx1--rrrshed in, with a face, every
feature Of which said, as plainly as words,
'simportant news -
Rufus looked at him moment.
~'Wha& is it, Fred2" he asked, at last.
Zone hundredand thirty-six is taken, :"
,said Fred, pausing to give due effect to
whatever further communication he had
to make.
Well ?" queried his employer.
."''Same business as ourn, gents fur
nishing," continued Fred.
Don't say 'ourn,' and don't say
gents, " said Rufus, in his surprise re-
la,1sing for moment into his old role
of teacher.
"Well It's" said Fred, sulkily.
"Tbe deuce it is 2" exclaimed Rufus,
resIInring the character of the man of
business, as he threw down the collars
ire Jaad been asserting, and walked
moadlfiy 10 the door.
Before the next store, which had been
vacant for a long time, stood heavily
laalxsi cart. Two men were unloading
and carrying in boxes and cases the same
shape and size as those which had con-
Sained his own goods. tall, rather
rough looking young man was superin-
tending, and boy--evidently general
utility" like Fred--was darting hither
and thither with a great pretense of rem
dering valuable assistance.
Rufus stepped out on the sidewalk,
wldsEting carelessly and becominga at once
very much interested in an over worked
horse that had fallen across the car track,
but MS the horse was helped to his feet
by sympathizing crowd he slowly
turned and came in again, giving as he
passed comprehensive glance at the
neighlroring establishment.
Every i,ane in the window-it also had
only one window-shone like an over
grown diamond, and in each corner was
already placed, on pretty walnut stand,
pot Of ivy, the dark green vines climb
ing the gray-papered wall, while the
IL
smiled gayly in the sunshine.
A sign above the door, beside which
the modest one bearing his name looked
like dwarf beside a giant, bore in
great Qlittering letters the inscription,
BrrgiTt * Co."
"Going in for combining poetry with
business 'Twon't pay" said Rufus,
referring to the ivy and geranium, as he
slammed his own door behind him, and,
seating himself ut 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 sure" he said. "it must
be hand-to-hand fight until one is left
victor. Too bad to bad! Here's Sis
&er Fan nicely married, and mother as
comfortable and happy as can be in her
little rooms around the corner. and I
Thought saw smooth sailing before me
last. After teaching school Ave long
years away out West, besides keeping
books for people and copying law docu-
nents far into the night, to say nothing
of living like p miser all the time, ON
purpose to saw money enough to start
IN tmsiness in my native city-to have
"a fellow set up right next door in the
very same business, it's too ouch :" and
Rnfns shook his head at the frowning
face chat looked at him from the mirror
that hung opposite.
A young face, and not disagreeable
enc ION the contrary, quite an agreea-
bic one when minus the scowD, sur
mounted by waving locks Of bright