The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1879-03-07

dozen.' They were banded out
He paid for them hastily, and turn.
ing around, gave one to Biddy
Flyn, who sweeps the store, two to
ParsOn Potter, aud one to an old
lame rf1an who lives with his wife
in the alley back of the store. Just
then, Nellie and Jane StOugbton
aud Kate Holt came along. Mr..
james knows them all well, and he
now greeted them cordially, and in
few of the pleasant, pat words
which are always at his tongues
end, sent a broom to mother Holt,
aud one to mother Stougbton.
They are both widows, you knOw.n
"Kate Holt took the one tender
ed ber, saying, 'Ithark you, CRATE
fully; We were just needing "a new
broom sadly. Mother will be glad,
but | shall appreciate it the most,
because you see, | do all the sweep.
lns, aud she trip, ed gracefully up
the street, carrying the broom as
indifferently as if it had been a
silk umbrella or roll of music.
"The Misses Stoughton. however,
hesitated about accepting the gift.
Neither of them offered to take it,
but as it was held out to Nellie,
and she dared not offend Mr.. James,
who is the superintendent of her
Sabbath. school. by refusing it, she
carried il IA little distance, looking
exactly as if she had never seen Il
broom, and supposed it to be- an in-
sigma OF dishonor.
"As soon as the two girls turned
the corner and started down Gener
al street, | ran around to another
room in the store to look at them.
Mr.. James, who had just come IN,
followed, chuckiing, after me, and
we peered through the closed shut
ters to ste what they would do.
Nellie had laid the obnoxious
article against the laulp-post, and
was determined to leave it there.
But Jane would not allow that, aud
they quarreled about it until some
people came up, to whom they
made excuses. Jane laughing, ana
nearly bepding herself double, aud
covering her face with her bands
i'll a paroxisn Ot merriment, and
Nellie gigglina, and holding that
dreadful broom gingerly in her
hand.
After awhile they compromised
the matter 10y locking arms, taking
the deSpised article between them,
covering the brush with their
drapery, and mincing slowly away.
"'Littie things test the ciarac
ter chuckled Mr.. James. The
wife Of a poor man who has got his
way to make in the world mustn't
be afraid to handle a broom
"'Thank you. Mr.. James, said l.
a" Ali my Interest in the Stuugliton
family has vanished with thai
broOm-handIe. | think | shall
transfer my attentions to Kate
Holt, ....
"Ahn said my employer. 'she's ii
girl III thOusand-qulet, lntelll- |
gent and lady-like. There she goes
now. Put on your hat aud walk
with her to the bank; here's "a
draft to be cashed.'
- ubeyed, and matters were set,
tied satisfactorily with Kate. as sbt.
walked along by my side, broom in
hand"
"Ha! hap laughed the tall,
young man. Pm glad that your
eyes are opened at last, Joe. Twas
afraid you intended to throw YOUR
self away upon that buddle of at
fcctatlon. Nellie Stoughton, and
asked the question | did for the
purpose of givingyou advice, which
l am glad TO hear IL umcalled tor.
But We part here. Good morning."
"Good morning." and with
shake OF the hand, one lett the car
on one side, the other on the other.
But the little Larlaiive made AN
impression upon my mind.