The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-10-13
A SHOT IN THE DARK.

A SHOT IN THE DARK.
It was 25 calibre, and carried leaden
pellet no larger than pea. It did not
look very formidable, and, in fact, was
not, but when Eva put it in what she was
pleased to call her pistol pocket, in the
rear of her dress, she felt as safe as if she
had the escort of regiment.
"What are you doing with that pop
gun?" said Cousin Jack to her one morn
ing as he, observed her putting her
armory in her pocket preparatory to
going out.
s'That'S my beau, if you please, sir; he
sees me safely along those four dark
blocks when come home at night
'sJust let me look at that gun, will
your" said Jack s'Pshawl you couldn't
hurt mouse. Come, I'll let you shoot
at me all day for nickel shot. Hurt
me? Not bit. But why in the name of
the guardian angel of ell young women
do you want to carry pistol?''
swell, Cousin Jack. you know that it
is late when leave the store, and I cam
not always have company. It's dark
walk from the cars over here, and I
thought saw sneaking fellow follow
me one night. shall be ready for him
the next time. I don't intend to be
bothered or robbed if can help it.
Don't think can't shoot. I have been
practising little, and shall make it very
uncomfortable for the coming sand
Dagger as sure as my name is Eva"
"But you couldn't hurt anybody with
that thing, you know"
Couldn't I? Don't you get in front
of it, that's all. Good bye, must hurry
along"
Jack looked after her as she tripped
down the steps, and laughing, said:
"She's dandy, and no mistake" Then
as he caught sight of dainty boot with
little CLINT of white above it, as she
crossed the street. he repeated: "a dan
| dy, we'll, I should say she was, and as
pretty as picture. What shall we do
with our girls?"
Eva Barton was twenty-three, and
saleswoman in the great establishment of
Herschell, Shield & Co. She was rather
| under than over the medium size, some
what slight in figure, but compactly
formed, every gesture and movement de-
noting energy and character. Her cheeks
were like lilies, and her eyes of limpid
blue, such as Solomon would have de-
scribed as being 'slike the hsh pools of
Heshbon by the gate of Bathrabbin -
that divine blue, capable of expressing
every passion of the soul.
It was more in her expression than in
her features that she was beautiful. She
knew how to dress, and the art of be-
slowing the simplest ribbon or her neck
or hair In such way as to lend elegance
and refinement to her toilet. If she had
been French they would have said she
had chic. No English phrase can exact
~ describe what chic is, but we know
it when we see it. It is style and some
thing more. It is the knack of doing or
being in the best form. It is not fash
ion, but it is to fashion what poetry is
prose. It is entirely feminine attribute
but all women do not possess it. When
woman has chic, age can not withel
her. nor custom stale her infinite varie
ty; other women cloy the appetite they
feed; but she makes hungry whom she
satisfies.
Eva had chic.
She had come to the great city t
make her way in the wo Id, not that sh.
was obliged to, but because she wanted
to. Her mother was dead Her father
second wife was her schoelmate. He
home was pleasant enough after fash
ion, but glimpse of the great world
and business ways is good for sensibl,
girls. So Eva had come and took III
| quarters with Aunt Biscom. Having
some knowledge of ribbons and DIR,
goods she got place in Hepschield
, Shield & Co.'s, commanding at five dol
lars a week. She was now getting TWEEN
ty, and was considered the best saleswo
man in the store. She had such an ar
of displaying goods, of throwing then
! over her arm or shoulders that the la
] dies were obliged to buy. The coulG
not help it.
Cousin Jack, or more properly, Johl
| Bascom, was teller in the Southwestern
, National. He was % and was perfectl
loyal to one woman, and that was hi
J mother. Whatever he did he did TO
, her.
ST don't think shall ever get maj
ried." Jack would say to himself. sTho
! come too high, and, besides, I don't Sc
any like my mother" Toward his cousi
Eva he had always felt in paternal sor
, of sort of way, and he would deal out t
{ her large chunks of fatherly advice, I'll
ted for almost any occasion.
f The pistol episode amused Jack not
t little. Every now and then he woul
J mutter through the day, "She is dandy
} but guess / shall have to give her
! lesson of some kind;' and inward paro1
8 ysm of suppressed mirth would almos
1 choke him. He went to bed that nigh
q with his head full of underlined practic;
8 jokes, but all having sort of center
Y piece in Eva and her pistol.
Q It was only at the breakfast table ths
n the family met, for Eva took her lunc
: at the store and was always late to dill
y ner.
: The next morning, Jack commence
g on Eva:
i. "Well, my Amazonian little saleslad,
o did you slay any sand-baggers la
b night?"
y 81 am not a saleslady, want you
o know, Cousin Jack"
"N hatl been promoted again2"