Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-12-12
"a THRILLING MISTAKE. ("
Not Such a Trifie, Though, as She
Thoughtlessly Supposed.

1t was a very busy day at Storrs q
Jackson's. All the country customers
had come in to make their purchases
for the week, which they always did on
Saturdays, rain or shine. The five
overworked clerks were rushing here
and there, striving to be In half-a-
dozen places at once, and old Storrs
himself, smiling and obsequious, was
bowling in the carriage customers, and
giving more familiar greeting to the
plainly-dressed people who were not
likely to run up long bill.
Just look ut old Storrs bowling and
scraping to Mrs. Walton" Tom Jarvis
whispered to one Of his fellow-clerks.
wonder If he won't have a-crick in
his fat back tonight"
"Oh, he's bowling to the hundred dol
lar bill he expects to get out Of her."
the other answered. "She talks big
about her Indifference to expense, but
all the same she holds on to her money
with tight grip. Those newly rich
people always do. But I'll bet the boss
is more than a match for her."
Mrs. Walton, a stout, vulgar, preten-
tious woman, sailed into the store with
her head thrown back, and what she
considered a naughty carriage. She had
been wealthy n very short time-not
long enough TO forget the value of the
dimes, which were scarce enough in her
days of poverty, and to keep a sharp
lookout over them, but yet striving to
impress others with her indifference to
expense. Parsimony and ostentation
waged perpetual battle in her mind.
81 do hope you're goin' TO wait on
me yourself Mr.. Storrs," she said, loft
lily. THE last time was here had
stupid fellow who didn't know real va
lenshun lace from imitation" She did
not add that she was ignorant OF the
difference herself, until one OF the other
clerks pointed out tho mistake. Eyes,
sir, that's just what he did. l never
wear any but the real thing, and don't
care what it costs"
"Oh, OF course, OF course, Madam"
Mr.. Storrs answered, obsequiously. "A
lady OF your fortune wouldn't be seen
with that cheap stuff OH you. Most
people can't afford the price OF real
laces, so we're obliged to keep all kinds
on hand. You shall have the best clerk
in the establishment to-day. 1 only
wish 1t was in my power to wait on
you myself, but am compelled to give
my personal supervision to large
country order. Here you,"-to one Of
the cash boys-''tell Mr.. Allen to come
here Immediately. don't care wheth-
or he's busy or not l want him."
In few moments bright, intelli-
gent-looking lad of about eighteen hur-
ried up.
Here, Mr.. Allen, want you to wait
on. Mrs. Walton. Show her the best
qualities OF our goods Those hand
some lace fichus, and the velvet mantle
we opened to-day. twill suit your fig
ure to perfection, Madam! None but a
stately, queenly person ought to wear
that style Of mantle"
Henry Allen checked a smile rs he
glanced at the portly figure Of the lady.
She spoke to him in peremptory tone,
as Mr.. Storrs bowed himself off:
"You needn't show me no velvet man.
ties, young man. got mine from New
York, and 1t cost me one hundred dol
lars. reckon yours isn't q patch to
mine. want to see them new silks
Mr. Storrs said you have got in. You're
mighty young, seems to me, to know
much about the quality of goods" she
added, with a suspicious look.
II have been clerking ever since l
was twelve years old, Madam" he an
swered, respectfully.
''Be you any relation of old VIM.
Allen, who died round here three years
agop" was the next question.
A hot flush crept up into the boys
face, and his voice faltered q little as
he answered: II am his son, Madam"
Would he never get over the shame
Of being his fathers sonp Would his
years OF hard work and strict honesty
never outweigh the chance circum-
stance OF his birthp Because his father
had been drunkard, and only by q
lucky accident had escaped conviction
for forging his employers name, was
he, innocent, to bear through life the
burden OF anothers sinP Henry Aliens
eyes were cast down, but he could feel
the woman's contemptuous look and
her tone was more arrogant than usual
when she spoke: t
81 wish you'd hurry with those silks,
Young man, and don't you 90 10 show
me any that amt all silk. You can't
cheat me in goods. I'm up to all your
trade tricks. Does old Storrs allow
you percentage on the goods you sell,
or pay you salaryp" tst i' e
HE gives his clerks a regular
salary" was the answer
"Well, then, Il amt so much TO your
profit TO cheat as II your living depend
on It," with coarse laugh. 'When
hear OF q clerk getting percentage,
keep my eyes open, tell you. dom
like those dingy-colored silks. Show
me some thing brighter"
But these browns and gray are very
handsome and fashionable, Madam,
demonstrated Henry Allen.
They're too grave for me. I'm not
a Quaker"
Henry. looking at her bsickdust
colored skin and shapeless figure
thought that the gravest colors were
needed 20 tone down such marked i'm
projections. bat II was his business I,
sell 20 his customers, and not TO cult