Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-06-13
MRS. FENTON'S MYSIERY.

David Fenton stood behind his coun-
ter plunged in Thought. From the lines
upon his face it seemed that his rehec-
tons were not Of pleasant nature.
This was really the case. The fact was,
business had been very dull for some
time past, and in consequence Of an over
supply probably dry goods had fallen.
IL unfortunately happened that Mr..
Fenton had laid in a large supply,
bonght on ninety days, anticipating a
brisk demand and remunerative prices.
B But oil his calculations were put out by
the prevailing dullness and tho depreci-
7ation, SO that he would not only meet
with loss, but it seemed very doubtful
whether he could meet the payment now
due. :. ,.
He had been in business for half
dozen years, and met with moderate
success. Indeed he considered himself
d worth ten thousand dollars. But if he
should be unable to meet his engage
raent, and his creditor should levy upon
his stock at tho present time, the sac
ritice would be such that little or moth
ing would pr obably be left. -,
It is not remarkable that under the
circumstances he should feel little IL
ritable His bill Of goods must be paid
in three days, and he had only eight
hundred dollars towards the necessary
three thousand, and saw no way to OBJ
tain the balance. He had already ap-
piled to several business acquaintance,
but was in each case assured that money
was tight, and as much as they would
like to accommodate him, they were quite
unable. To this he could sey nothing.
Money was tight. If it had not been he
would not have been borrower.
While he was rather despondently
considering what he could do, lie saw
entering the door of his shop the spar Q
: form and vinegar visage Of Miss Vincent,
maiden lady noted for the very scnnt
supply ofpersoaal attractions witbswhich
nature had supplied her, and no less for
the disposition to pry into the affairs Of
her neighbo1s, and pick up all the small
bits Of Aoating scandal and give them
d the largest amount Of publicity in her
@ power. ,".''a To
MIR. Fenton was not particularly glad
to see Miss Vincent, for he knew very
u we'll that her purchases were generally
very small, anu not likely to help HIM
materially towards raising the two thou
sand dollars odd which De needed TO
make up his payment. Still she was q
customer probably and his face assumed
tho customary BRIDESMAIDS smile, as he
said, Good morning, Miss Vincent;
what shall I show your"
~ '"Well, I'm not wanting much. Mr..
Fentom," said the spinster in @ voice of
high pitch, though I believe I make
most of my purchases OF dry goods Of
you "'s-,.a.. "a, ses.4e, y ~
4 "Then you must be wonderfully spar
ing in your wants." Thought the shop
keeper, but he only said, IT am glad to
heart We are ready to sell anything
!. from silk dress pattern to spool OF
cotton" -
f.. "That is just hat ! came in for" said
; Miss Vincent. ,-s.y +
"Ihe silk dress pattern 2 What shade
!. mo I don't :alean that. It's d spool
of cotton I want. /" a.. ~~s....-rs<~. !.
""I think. / can supply you" E.
ii Miss Vincent after o while found q
spool to suit her, and paid for it, man
aging to be one penny short. &.=~
It'll bring the other panny next time, > ,
she said. . Il i. ]. } %.15 /
It's Of no consequence, Miss Vincent, "
said the merchant, Knowing that she
would take care never TO think Of it
again, r ~ : 1-.3 .s.S= II.
q 20 yes it is.s I am very parti cular
about such matters. Just remind me
next time am in" s.s% z5Ss1f L I.
IF should, ten to one she wouldn t
I. have the money" thought Mr.. Fenton.
3.t "sNo. I think I'll leave it to you to
remember if you really insist upon it. y
Il This was whatshe said, So. differently in
MANI cases are Dur. thoughts from Our
words .ss IA s5S,6S5
How is Mrs Fennton % in auired Miss
Vincent, as She deposited the spool in
y tho pocket Of her dress. IL. sS
She is quite we'll, thank you" II
I am glad to hear it. Health is q
< great blessing. was afraid she might
@ be in poor health" N
81 sis Ia poor health! What made ron
Il think so? 2" demanded MIR. Fentor sur
s,s prised 1. DO You think she looks I'll p
ssI II D, Z said Miss cent. hesitatingI
81 don think she looks Ill. Quite the
contrary indeed, i think I have never
seen her looking better, o. more cheer
s3 full II &. @. Us 81 sgs
So ] think. Why, then, should you
fear that she was in poor health? Icon-
u ffeas am puzzled 10 make ont your
meaning u. 5ss
" Mr.. Fenton, ron must excuse my
plant, myself. really would
thers not 40 so, Z and Miss Vincent
cred her "a ad ], and spoke a
Ha|. tsS,n.
Excuse ,your exgp laiinings yourself!