The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-01-12
A PROMPT SOLUTION

4
paper aud back combs and paper collar
and suspendes 10 glass cases in The trout
and cfocker and calico. and tinware sni
oversIls and oosbide boots disposed O
,he shelves, aud butter and dried bee
aud huekw beat, kerosene, molasses sni
Goldfish 10 friendly confusion In the resf
Ils molly variety was, Indeed necessity
/ Lamphier's was the one store 10 Union
vile.
II LAmphier's was the typical cnuntr
store Lotiie Lsmpbier was not the TYPES
country store keepers daughter. So Joh'
Stockham. Mr. Lsmphier's clerk from th'
next town. bad thought whep he saw be
tripping ieso the store one morning aite
spool OF thread and pound Of cofiee
She was ber fathers bousekeeper
She had seemed 10 john, ia her crisp
pink calico aud her ratty straw hat. ib
most isuntily stylish girl he bad ever seel
~ we'll As the prettiest
That was four months ago. Lntii
came down TO the store frequently o
course ii was necessity that she should
something was always needed at th'
house. Certainly John was far too modes
to dream that bis presence coul have th'
remo,est Influence on her eomings anC
goings.
But be bad not neglected his opportun
tiles. He had talked to her as he tied NJ
ber sugar or rolled up ber lining eambrle,
and smiled at her from over the kerosene
can and molasses barrel. and Lottie had
not been prudishly backward in respond
iug. The FIRST snow found them very
good friends indeed,
The one blot on this happy compan.
ionsbip was Mr.. Limpbier. Whether Mr..
Lamphier was guilty OF the notion that
his clerk was an undesirable party, and
therefore an undesirable companion FOL
| his daughter, or whether be was possessed
Of an ignobe fear OF the loss OF good
house ekeeper, or whether he had developed
a streak OF the unreason and contrarlness
not entirely unknown to old gentlemen
who are undergoing their first touches OF
rheumatism and feeling the need OF an
older pair OF glasses what Mr. Lam
pliers motive was was doubtful,
But he was plainly opposed to John
Stock hams growing admiration for his
pretty daughter.
The scene which took place one snowy
Decem Der morning had come to bo CON-
mon one.
Lottie came down to the store at q quar-.
ter to nine. 1t was earlier than she gen
orally came accounted for the blackness
Of Mr.. Lamphier's frown.
Her new brown dress was extraordina-
rily stylish and becoming, and John
Stockham fairly blushed with delighted
admiration when be saw her.
Lottie had nothing to get bat pound
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, chesrfully.
John was replenishing the fire at the
back OF the store.
Good morning, Miss Lamphier,' be
rejoinad, with subdued enthusiasm.
Mr.. Lsmphiers sharp eyes we're upon
him, and he did not venture to join her.
"What are these, pa ?" cried Lottie,
immed lately. "Do come and show me
how they work. Mr.. Stockhsm.
They we're patent mouse traps. 1t was
improbable that Lottie was ignorant OF
their function or that John Stockham
believed that she was, but he got himself
to the front OF the store with alacrity.
It's lovely weather, Mr.. Stockhsm.
Lottie observed, forgetting the mouse
trap. Elegant -
as it ?" said John, not brilliantly but
devotedy, looking his admiration Of Lot
ties bright eyes and red cheeks.
"Oh, yes; the SHOWS a foot deep, and ]
had TO wade but like it. ="
"Do you like walking alone-by your
self ~ John veDtured.
"Oh, we'll, suppose it would be pleas
snter with somebody along" Lottie re-
sponded, with her eyes on row Of stove
polish boxes.
II should soy 80, decidedly, said John
growing bolder.
"Stockham !" Mr.. Lsmphier called,
snsppishly. please attend to customers.
The "customers' consisted Of old Billy
Murdock, who came regularly to sit over
the stove, but never bougbt anything;
but John was obedient
There was period Of silence, aud then
. chatter from the front
"Oh, goodness r cried Lo.tie in tone
OF horror, I've knocked down box OF
fixtures. Mercy do help me to
pick them up.
John rushed TO her side. He did not
know whether she hrd knocked them of
but he hoped she had. Lotiie
knew, but she looked quite innocen,ly 70
gretful.
They groped about together for the
missing curtain fixtures among the empty
boxes under the counter. Occasionally
heir hands touched each other.
"We'll never find them all, said Lottie.
II hope We won't I'm willing to keep
on hunting" John reioined, with a sly
shy glance at the pretty lace near bin,
live eot lot OF things TO do at home.
said Lotiie smiling back at him. I'm
new hat -
"Yon couldn't improve on that one,
John put 10 with another sdmiring glance
"And II I'm going TO have rice padding
il ought TO be gong on, said Lot,ie,