The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-12-14
Another lecture followed.

took particular notice, and knew its de
nomination"
81 doubt it very MUCH" said Mrs
Talboys. "You may possibly thinl
you are right, but have handled mon
ey for years. OF course, could no
contest the point with the girl unless
you upheld me. That was your duty.
| The truth was that Mrs. Talboys hat
given wrong change Intentionally. Sh,
often did so. The rumor that had fol
lowed them into town had not been un
founded.
"If it were not for Dominic Rivers
she should pack" the exasperated wo
man said to her husband; and he an
swered:
"Why don't you make it so disagree
able for her that she will want to go:
I'm sure you can do it if any one can,
Mrs. Talboys."
His wife looked at him little sharp
ly. but seeing he had no idea of being
sarcastic, accepted the remark as a
compliment, and took the advice.
From this day Effie's life became a
burden. Mrs. Talboys constantly crit
icised her.
| ''You are so awkward, Miss Chaun-
| cy," she would say; or again: "You are
| so slow"
Etfie's neat black dress was not made
of the strongest material, and it frayed
at the elbows, and needed patching.
The white threads of the cotton goods
chung to it. Mrs. Talboys forbade
aprons. The shop was bitterly cold in
winter. Mrs. Talboys forbade shawls,
as dowdy. A fine was imposed for be-
ing five minutes behind time; and Mrs.
Talboys often set the hands of the clock
ahead in order to impose it; but Effie,
terrified at the loss of money, which
meant perhaps glass of cream or a
needful garment for her mother, kept
her own clock by that in the store until
both clocks were half an hour faster
than any other clocks in the town, until
Mrs. Talboys, finding that she over
reached herself, since Elites hours of
duty ended at seven p. m, made the
sudden discovery that 'they were FAST
herself, just as the girl was putting on
her hat one evening.
Effie had never met with any thing
but kindness before. The blows to her
self-esteem were very painful. She
never thought for moment that Mrs.
Talboys had a motive in her criticisms;
but for her mothers sake she resolved
to show no i'll feeling; was always re-
spectful, strove to please, and became
a favorite with the customers.
Get Miss Chauncy to measure it for
you. and you won't be scrimped in
measure" people would say, whose
trimmings had been wont to fail them
because of Mrs. Talboys' short yards,
or who could not believe that they al
ways lost some trihe from their par
GELS.
The honest clerk helped the business,
but the Talboys never guessed it.
Their great hope was to fill their pock-
cts with the little pilferings of dishonest
tradespeople.
However, there was as yet no excuse
for dismissing the minister's protegee.
At last it came. The handsomest
residence in town had long been unin-
habited. The owner lived abroad.
Now he was about to return, his family
having finished their education. All
the tradesmen in the place were inter-
ested, for the Dearborns lived well, and
made business lively.
Workmen were busy about the place,
and son had arrived to superintend
matters-a good-looking young man,
who had been child of ten when he
left the place, long before the Talboys
bought the store from the widow of the
former proprietor.
Charles Dearborn went about the
place, making himself agreeable to all. |
He began to drop in at the Talboys'
store frequently, chiefly for little |
articles needed by the upholsters-l
thread and curtain rings, and what not,
but sometimes for stockings or handker-
chiefs for himself.
Coming in suddenly, Mrs. Talboys |
found him talking to Fife. She frowned |
upon the poor girl. sent her TO wait up
on an old colored man who wanted a
pair of shoe-strings, and attended to
the gentleman's purchases herself, with
her everlasting smirk, her sly chances
from beneath her pale straw-colored
eyelashes, and her continual protesta-
ton OTTO you, sir. it is only so
much" as though prices were altered
for favored customers.
1t angered her to see the young man
glance now and then at Effie's pretty
face, as she patiently produced the
shoe-strings for old Sans critical ex-
and when at last, in leaving
the shop, he lifted his hat to the young
lady, she grew furious.
Il am shocked, Miss Chauncy," she
said hocked-that you should be so
bold! Talking to customers of position.
a thing never allowed in any respecta-
BILE storer'
Il knew Mr. Dearborn as a little
boy" said Effie. 1--WE often played to-
gether. He inquired for my mother,
and spoke as an old acquaintance
would naturally do"
VERY we'll; for once l excuse it."
said Mrs. Talboys; but remember, no
more of it. Your manner was very ILL
BRED
Fife felt that she was insulted, but
none the less would her weeks wages
BUY bread and meat. That day she
net young Dearborn, quite accidentally