Connecticut western news., 1878-09-05


 vorldiness and pettiness, and found the sweet madonna whom Heaven meant for you. In one little year I may have proved that all the tendencies of my un- disciplined nature lead away from you, and toward some middle-aged sage. My fathers and mother's was 6 school-boy romance of first love, and they were wretched even before poverty came. Perhaps I never shall marry. Certainly will not until I have lived little of my individual life" ....-.... ...
 "And where and how is this individual life to be lived, Clara 2''
 ''I wish I knew. MT. Stone, dear good master that he is, has been trying to find work for me. Ah, here he comes, with news, I hope. Good-evening, sir. You have letters. You need not mind speaking before Richard. I have been telling him my plans, or want of them. !"
 The benignant master smiled kindly on the young couple, whose story he fancied that he read. "Very well, then, !" he said. " But you must both be pre- pared for a present total absence of Richard from all schemes of a career, Clara, have two situations to offer you: the first is that of teacher at the old Maple Ridge boarding school, at salary of six hundred dollars the first year."
 "And the other ?"
 "The other is sort of superintend- ency in the house of Furlong & Foot, in New Babylon. Furlong was chum of mine, good fellow, in college, and I wrote him about you. If you go there, you begin with thousand dollars and fixed hours of work from eight to six. Your evenings, therefore, will be your own, with midsummer vacation of a fortnight.
 "And you think I could give satisfac- tlon?"
 ''I have no doubt of it. You under stand bookkeeping pretty thoroughly. You write French and German readily enough for business necessities. You will soon rise. But, Clara, you must remember that female clerk in New Babylon is indistinguishable from saleswoman to the eye of fashion, which tabooes both. That fine society for which you long will have none of you whereas, as teacher, you may be al- lowed to pitch your tent upon it's out skirts, and sometimes cross it's shining fields.''
 "But will make it desire me-" said the girl, with her eyes shining. "I will begin as clerk, and will end with 8 s1Loy. know should hate the petty life of boarding school, and have not patience for stupidity and emptiness, as you have, dear old master. Thank you. I will go tomorrow, and in year you shall see that I lead.' .-
 At the end of her first year Clara Wells was cashier and confidential clerk of the great retail house of Furlong & Foot. She had studied it's affairs with constant diligence. The artistic eye which she inherited from her father was offended by the incongruous arrange ment of the crowded shop. She sug- gested changes here and there, massing of colors, managing of background, al- tering of lights. People began to come to see this extraordinary bazaar. The partners, much interested, consulted her judgment. She advised the introduction of certain new departments, at that time unheard of in their line of trade. They hesitated, but consented. Fashionable ladies were delighted, and profits proved large. The house saw that this inge- nious brain should be used in the direc- tion of affairs, and promoted her again and again. She had conquered her black silk long ago she had put more money in the family purse than she had dared to hope she had discovered, with satisf action, that she had first-rate business head and still all that she longed for seemed afar off. Furlong & Foot's confidential clerk had no part in the social circle whose representatives daily brushed idly by her solitary desk than the porter who carried their par cells. Yet these were women no better bred than she, much less well taught, seldom so handsome, and not half so useful She was not in the least morbid about lack of recognition. Hitherto, she said to herself, there had been noth- ing in her to recognize. At five minutes to eight every morning she had opened the little gate of her high pen and be- come calculating machine, an animated manual of profit and loss, Q tradesman's guide. At five minutes past six she had closed the little gate, and reappeared as very tired and dull young woman who most give some time and thought and handiwork to her clothes, write letters home, study at least the markets and the general news of the journals in her de- termination to comprehend her business in it's fullest scope, who must practice enough to make her music serviceable tool in society, and read good book now and then for her hungry minds sake. What was there left of her, body or brain, which any sane mortal would desire .....
 But now she could afford to hire her sewing, to delegate certain routine work, to occupy new territory on her map of life. She had met by accident we'll known journalist "a lady of literary reputation and established social rank. By her she had been kindly invited to her weekly receptions. Cit is the first step," she thought, with beating heart. "I will go.' .........-... ....,..... .....a.
 Plainly this was door not barred with gold nor opened but to golden keys. The spacious rooms were filled with men