Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-12-14

| IOunueu.
III u 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 gol
I'm sure you can do II II any ono can
Mrs. Talboys."
His wife looked at him little sharp
ly, but seeing he had no idea of being
sarcastic, accepted tho remark as d
compliment, and took tho advice.
From this day Efle's life became q
burden. Mrs. Talboys constantly crit
icised her.
"You are so awkward Miss Chaun-
cy," she would say; or again: You are
so slow"
Enie's mont black dress was not made
OF the strongest material, and II frayed
at the elbows, and needed patching.
The white threads of the cotton goods
clung to it. Mrs Talboys forbade
aprons. The shop was bitterly cold in
winter Mrs Talboys forbade shawls,
rs 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 IL; but Eflic,
terrified Mt the loss OF money, which
meant perhaps II 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 Eflie's hours of
duty ended Mt seven p. M, made the
sudden discovery that "thoy were fast
herself, just as the girl was putting on
her hat one evening.
Efiie had never met with any thing
but kindness before. The blows to her
sclf-estcem were very painful. She
never thought for moment that Mrs.
Talboys had 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
u 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 triile from their par
cells.
The honest clerk helped the business,
but tho Ta,boys never guessed 1t.
Their great hope was 10 fill their pock-
cts with the little piferings OF dishonest
tradespcople.
However, there was rs yet no excuse
for dismissing tho minister's protegee.
At last it camo. The handsomest
residence in town had long been unin-
habitcd. The owner lived abroad.
having finished their education. All
the tradesmen in the place were inter
ested, for the Dearborns lived we'll, 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-
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 Etlie. She frowned
upon the poor girl. sent her to wait up
on an old colored man who wanted Il
pair of shoe-strings, and attended to
the gentleman's purchases herself, with
her everlasting smirk, her sly glances
from beneath her pale straw-colored
eyelashes, and her continual protesta-
ton of-"To 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 Efiies pretty
face, as she patiently produced the
shoe-strings for old SANS critical ex-
amination; and when at last, in leaving
the shop, he lifted his hat to the young
lady, she grew furious.
II am shocked, Miss Chauncy," she
said-''Sh 'Shocked-that you should be so
bold! Talking to customers OF position,
a thing never allowed in any respecta-
BILE storem
"I knew Mr.. Dearborn as n little
boy" said Efiie. 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"
Effie felt that she was insulted, but
none the less would her weeks wages
buy bread and meat. That day she
met young Dearborn, quite accidentally
on her part ut least, on the way home.
He turned and walked with her. Al
most at the door of her own homo they
came face to face with Mr.. Talboys,
who had been to the butchers to pay
his weekly bill, and was returning with
a pair of chickens, dangling by their
long, yellow legs from his right hand,
and paper OF sausages in his left.
The mean little man bowed and
smirked at his customer, took no notice
of Efiie, and hurried home to tell his
wife.
On Monday Effie presented herself al
the store as usual. To her astonish-
ment, long, lean youth stood behind
the counter, and Mrs. Tnlboys ad,
vanced, with grim and forbidding ex'
preston on her face.
II intended to send you word had
you not been so unusually prompt
Miss Chauncy." she said. II have
engaged Thomas Edwards in your place
Your conduct in picking up acquaint
Al.