The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-10-25

mutter through the day, "She is dandy,
but guess I shall have to give her o
lesson of some kiud;" and inward psrox
ysm of suppressed mirth would almost
choke him. He went to bed that night
With his head full of underlined practical
jokes, but all having a sort of center
piece in Eva and her pistol.
1t was only at the breakfast table that
the family met, for Eva took her lunch
at the store and was always late to din
ner,
The next morning, Jack commenced
on Eva: Ia.
"Well, my Amazonian little salesla'ly.
did you slay any sand-baggers last
nights"
1T am not saleslady, I want you to
know, Cousin Jack"
"N hat! been promoted again?"
mo, am not promoted and 1 am not
q saleslady. / am saleswoman. If there
is one word despise more than another
it is saleslady. Do you say sales gentle
man? 1 suppose you are . teller
gentleman in the Southwestern"
NO" said Jack, II am gentlemanly
teller"
"You may joke, but tell you abom.
mate saleslady. Why can't girls and
women have as much sense as men? Are
we to say kitchenlady, cooklady?"
EVERY woman is lady by her right
of SEX" said Jack.
Doubtless that's true, but why should
we American girls be 30 distrustful as to
be constantly announcing ourselves as
ladies? We are ladies if we act suitably
to whatever place We are in. Others may
call themselves salesladies, if they
choose. but for Ayself, am q sales
woman, and when it is necessary to refer
to me in that capacity, I prefer to be
called so. Think of man advertising
for place as salesgentleman! He would
get it, guessw
bravo! bravo! my belle cousin. An.
other new departure. Here is sales
woman, armed cap-a-pie. Well may the
philosopher ask, whittier are We tending?
Are there any more young women IN
your store of your mind?"
"Yes, few; but the great majority
are and prefer to be salesladies."
81 hope, COZ, you don't consider your
sslf NO nan with mission?"
mo, sir, I am not q woman with q
mission. The strongest points about my
sex are their weaknesses, and one Of their
weaknesses is to be called salesladies.
1 don't believe I could reform that ont
of them if tried. like the name lady.
1t implies dignity, refinement and good
breeding. Don't let US drag it in the
mire. Every saleswoman can be lady
if she chooses, but she is not lady be-
cause she stands behind a counter and
sells goods to customers. Saleslady!
fddlestickv' and Eva started up and off
with an energy that almost made Jacks
head swim. "My opinion is that she is
dandy" soliloquized Jack. But the
pistol idea is not q good ole. She must
give that up. She'll hurt herself some
time, and should reproach myself. I
can't argue her ont of it, that's certain,
but shall find Q way"
Jack continued in a brown study
nearly all day. In the evening he came
home to dinner, but strolled out lmme.
diately after. He had an idea and Was
going to work it out.
Eva left the store as night was falling.
She had long ride in q street car, and
by the time she reached her crossing it
was pitch dark, and the scattered gas
lamps only tended to make the darkness
but she never did like that long walk
alone at night. Quietly adjusting her
dress, and putting her hand in her pistol
pocket, she started forward. As she did
so she saw a figure stealing along the
opposite side of the street and then cross
ing toward the path she must. take. She
hurried along, and SO did the figure,
now in front of her. When she slack.
ened her pace so did the figure. The
street was deserted, but Eva gave her
pistol tighter grip and moved on cour-
ageously. Just as they got in the mid
die of the darkest block the figure turned
and came toward her. It, doomed up in
the darkness like a giant. She spoke
quickly. "Out of my way, sir!' No
answer.
Crack went the little pistol.
The figure never needed it.
Crack again.
Great Scott, Eva, do yul sant to kill
me?" howled Jack, as heOelt O sharp
pain rush through his upper arm.
Great Scott! Put up, that gun. Don't
you know me? Jerusha! Whew! You've
blown my arm of. Don't you know me?"
and Jack capered around on the side
walk holding his arm, while the warm
blood commenced to trickle out at hi o
cuff
Eva stood almost dazed.
"Oh, John, Why did you not speak?
Why did you act so? Have hurt you?
Are you killed? Are you dying? What
shall do? Come, hurry home; don't die
| here ia the street: let me carry Won. LET