The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-03-10
A Prompt Solution.


and letter-paper, and back combs ane
paper collars. and suspeuders. in glass
cases in the 'front.' and crockery ant
calico. and tinware and overalls, ant
cowhide boots disposed on the shelves
and butter and dried beef, and buck
wheat and kerosene, and mohsses anC
goldfish in friendly confusion in the
rear. Its molly variety was. indeed.
necessity. Lamphier's was the one
store of Unionville.
If 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 spoo
of thread and pound of coffee-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. us well rs the pret.iest.
That YVES four months ago. Lottie
came down to the store frequently.
Of course it was q 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 or
her comings and goings.
But he had not neglected his oppor-
tunities. He had talked to her as he
tied up her sugar or rolled up her lin
ing cambria, and SIN led 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 companiollship was Mr..
Lamphier. Whether Mr.. Lamphier
was guilty of the notion thai
his clerk was an undesirable party, and
therefore dangerous companion for
his daughter. or whether he was pos
sessed of all ignoble fear of the loss
of a good housekeeper; or whether he
had developed streak of the unreason
and contrariness not entirely unknown
to the old gentlemen who are unde
going their first touches of rheumatism.
and feel the need of an older pair {ot
glasses-what Mr.. Lamphier'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 a common one.
Lottie came down to the store at a
quarter to nine. 1t was earlier than
she generally came, and the fact &C
counted for the biackness of Mr.. LAM
phier's frown.
Her new brown dress was extraord-
inarily stylish and becoming, and
John Stockham fairly blushed with
delighted adm ration ut the sight of
her.
Lott;e had nothing to get but a
pound of rice, and it 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 cheerfully.
John was replenishing the fire at
the back of the store.
Good morning. Miss Lamphier, :"
lie rejoined. with subdued enthusi-
asm.
Mr.. Lampher's sharp eyes were
upon him, and he did not venture to
join her.
What are these, papa?" cried Lot
tie Immediately. do come and show
me how they work, Mr.. Stockham.
They were patent mouse-traps. 1t
was improbable that Lottie 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.
"Its lovely weather, Mr.. Stock
ham," Lottie observed. forgetting the
mouse-trap. Elegant
us itP" said John. not brilliantly,
but devotedly, looking his admiration
of Lottie's bright eyes and red cheeks.
"Ob, yes; the SHOWS foot deep, and
1 had to wade; but like it,
DO you like walking alone-by
yourself p John ventured.
"Oh, well. 1 suppose it would be
pleasanter with somebody along" Lot
tie responded with her eyes on a row
of ove-polsh boxes.
Il should say so, decidedly" said
John, growing holder.
'sStockhsmw Mr.. Lamphier called,
snappishly. please attend to your
customers"
The customers" consisted of old
Billy Murdoch, who came in regularly
to st over the stove, but never bought
anything; but John went back obedi-
entity.
There was period of silence. and
then a clatter from the front.
"Oh. goodness!" cried Lottie. in a
tone of horror, 'I've knocked down a
box of curtain fixtures. Mercy do
help me pick them upr'
John rushed to her side. He did not
know whether she had knocked them
off purposely, but he hoped she had.
Lottie knew; but she looked quite in
nocently regretful.
They CROPPED about together for the
missing curtain fixtures among the
empty boxes under the counter. Oc-
casionally their hands touched each
other.
Wen never find them ALL" said
Lottie.
Il hope we won't. I'm willing to
keep on hunting" John rejoined. with
sly. shy glance at the pretty face near
h m.
I've got a lot of things to do at