The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-02-25
A Prompt Solution.

There were soap and pins. and needles
and lctter-paper. and back combs and
paper collars. and suspcnders. in glass
cases Ia the 'front.' and crockery and
calico. and tinware and overalls. and
cowhide boots disposed on the shelves,
and butter and dried beef. and buck
wheat and kerosene. and molasses and
Goldfish In friendly confusion In the
rear. Its molly variety was. indeed, a
necessity. Lamphier's was the one
store Of Unionyille.
II Lamphier's was the typical coun-
Try store. Lottie Lamphier was not the
typical country storekeeper's daugh-
Ter. So John Stockham. Mr.. Lam
pliers clerk from the next town. had
thought. when he saw her tripping In
to the store one morning after \ spool
OF thread and pound of coffce--she
was her fathers housekeeper.
She had seemed to John, In her crisp
pink calico and her natty straw hat.
the most jauntily-stylish girl he had
ever seen. as well ms the prettiest.
That was four months ago. Lottie
came down TO the store frequently.
OF course IL was n necessity that she
should; something was always needed
at the house. Certainly John was far
too modest TO dream that his presence
could have the remotest influence on
her comings and goings.
But lie had not neglected his oppor-
tunities. He had talked 10 her as he
tied up her sugar or rolled up her lin
ing cambria, and smiled at her from
over the kerosene can and the molasses
barrel. and Lottie had not been prud-
ishly backward in responding. The
first snow found them very good
friends indeed.
The one blot on this extremely
pleasant companionship was Mr..
Lamphier Whether Mr.. Lamphicr
was guilty of the notion that
his clerk was an undesirable party. and
therefore dangerous companion for
his daughter. or whether he was pos
sessed Of an ignoble fear of the loss
Of a good housekeeper; or whether he
had developed streak of the unreason
and contrariness not entirely unknown
20 the old gentlemen who are undc-
going their first touches of rheumatism.
and feel the mead OF m older pair ,of
glasses-what Mr. Lanphier's motive
was was doubtful
But he was plainly opposed to John
Stockham's growing admiration for
his pretty daughter.
The scene which took place one
snowy December morning had come to
be common one.
Lottie came down 20 the store at
quarter to nine. II was earlier than
she generally came. and the fact ac-
counted for the blackness of Mr.. Lam
pher's frown.
Her new brown dress was cxtraord-
inarily stylish aud becoming. and
John Stockham fairly blushed with
delighted adm ration at the sight OF
her.
Lottle had nothing to get but n
pound Of rice. and 1t was impossible to
be very long about getting that. But
Lottie was young person of ways
aud means.
'Good morning. Mr.. Stockham." she
called out chcerfully.
John was replenishing the fire at
the back OF tho store.
Good morning. Miss Lamphicr.
he rejoined. with subdued enthusl-
asm.
Mr. Lamphlcr's sharp eyes were
upon him, and he did not venture TO
Join her.
"What are these. papaP" cried Lot
tie Immediately. do come and show
me how they work, Mr.. Stockham."
They were patent mouse-traps. IL
was improbable that Lottic was igno-
rant OF their function. or that John
Stockham believed that she was; but
he got himself to the front of the store
with alacrity.
"It's lovely weather. Mr.. Stock
ham," Lottie observed. forgetting the
mousc-trap. Elegant
us ftp" said John. not brilliantly.
but devotedly. looking his admiration
OF Lotlie's bright eyes and rod cheeks.
''Oh. yes; the SHOWS foot deep. and
I had TO wade; but like it,"
..Do you like walking alone-by
yourself ?" John ventured.
''Oh. well. l suppose 1t would be
nleasanter with somebody along" Lot