Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-11-23
THE COPYlST.

Jim said Mr.. Perkins to the office
boy, put on some more coal"
Yes, sir"
"And-do you hear?-take this pack
ct of papers around TO Penn & Ink :
and ask 'em what they mean by send
ing me such a blotted piece of work.
Yes, sir" and jim evidently pre-
| ferring the snow-freighted air and
slippery sidewalks of the outer world
to the close little law Office, darted off
like an arrow out of bow.
Come in" said Mr.. Perkins, in a
voice that sounded considerably more
like clear out" and young lady
entered, dressed in currant-colored
merino, with little plumed hat and
neat looking fiat satchel on her arm.
Il haven't anything to give said
Mr.. Perkins. sternly.
The young lady sat down uninvited,
and then Mr.. Perkins saw that she
was very pretty.
Il was not begging, sir, she said.
May | ask, then, what was your
busineSs?' said Mr.. Perkins, more
frigidly than ever.
The young lady took a parcel from
her bag.
Il don't want to buy anything,
said Mr.. Perkins.
Il was not selling, sir" said the la
dy
please explain your business at
once said he tartly. 81 have no
time to spare"
Please allow me to do so, then, y
said the young lady. Il was solicit
ing subscriptions for"
Il don't want to subscribe, hastily
interrupted Mr. Perkins.
How do you know whether you do
or not, " inquired the young lady, with
some spirit, until you have seen the
work, at least?'
Mr.. Perkins smiled a little She
was brusque, but he didn't altogether
dislike that And besides, she was de
cidedly original.
Because there have been at least
three of your craft before you this
morning. said he, 'all selling Illus
trated Lives of Great Men"
But mine is quite different Mine
is Careers of Famous Women, with
Steel Plate Engravings, persisted
the young lady.
Your business is overcrowded, y said
Mr.. Perkins. No. you needn't take
the trouble to show me the book.
Why don't you do something else?'
"Will you tell me WHAT" said the
young lady, despairingly. will you
help me to get anything whereby
may support MYSELF"
What can do?'
That is what everybody says, she
answered, ''and between you all |
should starve. You are lawyer. Will
you give me some law copying?"
Can you write a clear and legible
hands' Mr.. Perkins asked.
The young lady sat boldly down at
desk by the chimney piece.
I'll show you what | can do, " said
she,
Mr.. Perkins looked over her shoul-
der as she wrote in quaint, distinct
style, the words:
MY name is Amy Archdale, and
want to earn my own living"
Amy Archdale, = repeated Mr.. Per
kins. Rather a romantic name, ism I
it?''
Il had no hand in naming myself, y
retorted Miss Archdale, so | cannot
justly be held up TO blame in that mat
| ter"
Mr.. Perkins looked meditatingly al
her for a second or two.
Il should think you might teach, y
said he.
Il did try it, said Miss Archdale.
Il was governess in private family.
And why did you give it upf"
rs this a catechism?" said Miss
Amy, smiling. We'll, have no OBJ
lection TO answering. Do you want
me to tell the plain TRUTH"
Certainly"
We'll, then, it was because my lady
employer did not like her grown-up
son address me with common polite
ness. Perhaps she thought | was en-
deavoring 10 facinate him. but she
was entirely mistaken.
"Oh, said Mr.. Perkins. please
write down your address
Are you really going to give Inc
some copying to do?" she said, eager
ly.
Il am going to try you"
For the first time tears came into
| har