The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-10-13

- ~ J0u soy SoAeS 6Susao
man! suppose you are q teller
gentleman in the Southwestern.
mo, 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 so 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 ealesladies, if they
choose. but for myself, I am "a sales
woman, and when il is necessary to refer
to me in that capacity, prefer to be
called so. Think Of q man advertising
for place as salesgentleman! He would
get it, I guess!''
"BravOl bravo! my belle cousin. An
other new departure. Here is a 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?"
eyes, few; but the great majority
are and prefer to be salesladies."
ST hope, coz, you don't consider your
sslf woman with mission?"
''No, sir, I am not q woman with
mission. The strongest points about my
sex are their weaknesses, and one of their
weaknesses is to be called salesladies.
/ don't believe / could reform that out
of them If tried. like the name lady.
It 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 counter and
sells goods to customers. Saleslady!
iddlestickP' and Eva started up and off
with an energy that almost made Jacks
head swim. My opinion is that she is
a dandy" soliloquized Jack. "But the
pistol idea is not good ole. She must
give that up. She'll hurt herself some
time, and I should reproach myself. I
can't argue her out of it, that's certain,
but shall find way"
Jack continued in q 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 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
more visible. She was not timid girl,
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 q 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 loomed up in
the darkness like 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 you want to kill
me?" howled Jack, as he felt sharp
| pain rush through his upper arm.
"Great Scottl Put up that gun. Don't
| you know me? Jerusha! Whewl You've
blown my arm off. 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 his
cuff.
| Eva stood almost dazed.
! "Oh, John, why did you not speak?
| Why did you act SO? Have I hurt you!
Are you killed? Are you dying? What
shall lido? Come, hurry home; don't die
here in the street; let me carry you; lei
me support you. It's only short way
home. Here, lean on me-"
And Eva clasped him around the body
and rushed him forward. Jack felt as il
he was being waited through the air by
fairies. They hurried up the steps and
into the house. Mrs. Bascom met them
"Why children, what is the matter
John is as pale as ghost. What is it
Eva? Look at Johns hand, all covered
with blood! Where have you been, ani
what has happened?"
They ierked off Jacks coat and rolled
up his sleeves. Sure enough there wa
little bullet-hole in the feshy part O
the upper arm. It had gone through
but touched no bones. It was not very
serious, and Mrs. Bascom soon dressed
and bound it up. As Jack marched OF
to his room he looked at Eva humorously
and said:
'You are dandy, and no mistake
But you can now see that pistol is of nj
account"
"There we're four more charges in it
Cousin Jack"
ST believe don't want any more o
them tonight. I hope can use m.
arm tomorrow"
Jack lay awake long time thinking
over the matter. He had been yer,
, stupid. He felt that. What would Ev
think OF him. And what girl she was
What intrepidity and characterl TIA
, girl is treasure, thought Jack, as b
foated off into the land of dreams.
As for Eva, she did not sleep wink
, She could hardly accuse herself o
wrong, and yet she could not excus
herself. To think that she had wound
, ed Jack was terrible. She might hav
killed him. Even now he might lose hi
{ arm. How dreadful. And on her sleep
{ less pillow she upbraided herself tn
| whole night through. One thing sh
determined to do. As soon as it a,
peared that Jacks arm was all right sh
t would return home.
i Jack appeared at the breakfast table
: his arm somewhat stiff and sore. but nc
much more painful than il it had bee
] newly yaccinated. He tried feeble jok
or two, but both Eva and Mrs. Bascol
!, felt too serious for much conversation.
I Eva thinks she will go home" sal