The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-06
A PROMPT SOLUTION.
BT EMMA A. 0PPER.

IutIC Nclt soap anu pms, "L'' AAOINA'N
and Ietter-paper. and back combs and
paper collars, and suspenders, i'll glass
cases in the front, and crockcry and
calico, and tinware and overnauls, and
cowhidc 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 ncccs-
sity, Lamphier's was the one store of
UuionvilIe
If Lamphier's was the typical country
store, Lottie Lamphier was not the typI-
cal country storekeeper's daughter, SO
John Stockham, Mr. Lamphier's clerk
from the next town, had thought, when
he first saw her tripping into the store
ono morning, after a spool of thread and
a.pound of coffcc-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 we'll as the prettiest
That was four months ago. Lottic
came down to the store frequently, OF
course it was aneccssity that she should :;
something was always needed at the
house. Certainly John was far too mod
est to dream that his presence could
have the remotcst influence on her com
ings and goings.
But he had not neglected his oppor-
tunitics. He had talked to her as he
tied up her sugar or rolled up her lining
cambrIc and smiled at her from over
the kerosene can and the molasses bar
rel, and Lottic had not been prudishIy
backward in responding. The first
snow found them very good friends in
deed.
The one blot on this extremely pleas
ant companionship was Mr. Lamphier
Whether Mr. Lamphier was guilty of
the notion that his clerk was an unde-
sirablc party, and therefore dangerous
companion for his daughter; or, whether
he was possessed Of an ignoblc fear Of
the loss Of a good housekecper; or
whether he had merely developed a
streak OF the unreason and contrariness
not entirely unknown to elderly gentle
mon who are undergoing their first
touches of rheumatism, and feeling the
need of an older pair of glasses-what
Mr., Lamphicr's motive was was doubt
full.
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 to the store at a
quarter TO nine. 1t was earlier than
she generally came, and the fact ac-
counted for the blackness of Mr.. Lam
pliers frown.
Her new brown dress was extraordi-
narily stylish and becoming, and John
Stockham fairly blushed with delighted
admiration at the sight of her.
Lottie had nothing to get but a poun
of rice and it was impossible to be very
long about getting that. But Lottie
was young person of ways and means
"Good-morning, Mr. Stockham," she
called out, cheerfully.
John was replenishing the fire at the
back Of the store.
"Good-morning. Miss Lamphier,'' ; he
reioined, with subdued enthusiasm.
Mr., Lamphier's sharp eyes were upon
him, and he did not venture to Join her
'Whrt are these, pa!" cried Lottle,
Immediately DO come and show me
how they work, Mr.. Stockham.''
They were patent mouse-traps. 1t
was improbable that Lottie was ignorant
of their function, or that John Stock
ham believed that she was; but he got
himself to the front Of the store with
alacrity.
It's lovely weather. Mr.. Stockham, "
Lottie observed, forgetting the mouse
trap. ''EIegant"'
is it, said John, not brilliantly, but
devotedly, looking his admiration of
Lottic's bright eyes a9d red checks.
''Oh, yes; the SHOWS a foot deep, and
I had to wade but like it,
DO YOU like walking alonc-by your
eclfI'- Tob,, ,-,r+,lroG