The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-10-13
4 T[iflilg UIistake.

It was very busy day at Storrs & Jackson's. All the country customers had come in to make their purchases for the week, which they always did on Saturdays, rain or shine. The five overworked clerks were rushing here and there, striving to be in half-a- dozen places at once, and old Storrs himself, smiling and obsequious, was lowing in the carriage customers, and giving more familiar greeting to the plainly dressed people who were not likely to run up big bill.
 "Just look at old Storrs lowing and scraping to Mrs. Walton" Tom Jarvis whispered to one of his fellow clerks. "Wonder if he won't have crick in his fat back to-night?"
 "Oh, he's lowing to the hundred dollar bill he expects to get out of her," the other answered. "She talks big about her indifference to expense, but all the same she holds on to her money with tight grip. Those newly rich people always do. But I'll bet the boss is more than match for her."
 Mrs. Walton, 8 stout, vulgar, pre- tentious woman, sailed into the store with her head thrown back and what she considered naughty carriage. She had been wealthy very short time-not long enough to forget the value of the dimes, which were scarce enough in her days of poverty, and to keep sharp lookout over them, but yet striving to impress others with her indifference to expense. Farsi mony and ostentation waged perpet- ual battle in her mind.
 "I do hope you're goin' to wait on me yourself, MT. Storrs," she said, loftily. "The last time I was here I had stupid fellow who didn't know real valenshun lace from imitation" :" She did not add that she was ignorant of the difference herself, until one of the other clerks pointed out the mis- take. "Yes, sir, that's just what he did. l never wear any but the real thing, and don't care what it costs. {"
 "Oh, of course, of course, madam" MT. Storrs answered, obsequiously "A lady of your fortune wouldn't be seen with that cheap stuff on you. Most people can't afford the price of real laces, so we're obliged to keep all kinds on hand. You shall have the best clerk in the establishment to- day I only wish 1t was in my power to wait on you myself, but I am com pelled to give my personal supervis- ion to & large country order. Here you,"-to one of the cash boys,-"tell MT. Allen to come here immediately I don't care whether he's busy or not I want him."
 In few moments a bright, intelli- gent looking lad of about eighteen hurried up.
 "Here, MT. Allen, I want you to wait on Mrs. Walton. Show her the best qualities of our goods. Those handsome lace fiohus, and the velvet mantle we opened to-day. It will suit your figure to perfection, madam None but stately, queenly person ought to wear that style of mantle.
 Henry Allen checked smile as he glanced at the portly figure of the lady. She spoke to him in peremp- tory tone, as MT. Storrs bowed him. self of:
 "You needn't show me no velvet mantles, young man. got mine from New York, and it cost me one hun- dred dollars. reckon yours isn't a patch to mine. I want to see them new silks MT. Storrs said you have got in. You're mighty young, seems to me, to know much about the qual- ity of goods,- she added, with suspi- cious look.
 "I have been clerking ever since was twelve years old, madam" he an- swered respectfully.
 "Be you any relation of old William Allen, who died round here three years ago?" was the next question.
 A hot flush crept up into the boys face, and his voice faltered little as he answered, "I am his son, madam" !"
 Would he never get over the shame of being his fathers son? Would his years of hard work and strict honesty never outweigh the chance circum- stance of his birthP Because his father had been a drunkard, and only by a lucky accident had escaped conviction for forging his employers name, was he, innocent, to bear through life the burthen of another's sin2 Henry AL len's eyes were cast down, but he could