Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-03-20

she should pack" the exasperated wo-
man said TO her husband; and he aii-
swercd:
"Why don't you make II so disagree
able for her that she will want TO gop
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 the remark as a
compliment. and took the advice.
From this day Effie's life became a
burden. Mrs. Tslboys constantly crit
icised her.
"You are so awkward, Miss Chaun-
cy," she would say; or again; "You are
so slow"
Effie's neat black dress was not made
of the strongest material, and 1t frayed
at the elbows, and needed patching.
The white threads Of the cotton goods
chung TO IL. Mrs. Talboys forbade
aprons The shop was bitterly cold in
winter. Mrs. Talboys forbade shawls,
as 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 Efiie,
terrified at the loss OF money, which
meant perhaps n 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 Effie's hours OF
duty ended at seven p. M, made the
sudden discovery that 'they were fast
herself, just as the girl was putting on
her hat one evening.
Effie had never met with any thing
but kindness before. The blows TO her
self-esteem were very painful. She
never thought for a 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
a favorite with the customers.
Get Miss Chauncv TO measure il 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 trino from their par
cells.
The honest clerk helped the business,
but the Talboys mover guessed it.
Their great hope was TO flll their peck
cts with tho little offerings OF dishonest
tradespeople.
However, there was IA yet no excuse
for Diminishing the minister's protegee.
At last IL came The handsomes,
residence in town had long been I'm n.
habited. The owner lived abroad.
Now no was about TO return, his family
having finished their education. AL
the tradesmen in tho place were inter.
eetcd, for tho Dearborns lived we'll, and
made business lively.
| Workmcn were busy about tho 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 tho
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. Talboy.
found him talking to Ellie. She frownet
upon the poor girl. sent her TO wait up
on an old colored man who wanted {
pair Of shoe-strings, and attended tt
the gentleman purchases herself, with
her everlasting smirk, her sly glance,
from beneath her pale straw-coloret
eyelashes, and her continual protesta
ton OTTO you, sir, it is only 81
much" as though prices were altered
for favored customers.
1t angered her TO see the young mar
glance now ana then at Effie's pretty
face, as she patiently produced the
shoe-strings for old Sans critical ex
animation; and when at last, in leaving
the shop, he lifted his hat to the young
lady, she grew furious
IL am shocked, Miss Chauncy," sh,
d-"shocked-that you should be Sc
bold! Talking to customers Of position
q thing never allowed in any respecta
BILE store!'
II knew Mr.. Dearborn as a littl,
boy" said Fife. 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 ! excuse it,
said Mrs. Talboys; but remember, NJ
moro OF It. Your manner was very Ill
bred"
Efie felt that she was insulted, bu
none the less would her weeks wage
buy bread and meat. That day sh'
mot young Dearborn, quite accidental,
on her part at toast, on the way home
He turned and walked with her. AL
most nj the door of her own home the.
csme face TO face with Mr.. Talboys
who had been to the butchers TO pa.
his weekly bill, and was returning will
q pair OF chickens, dangling by thei
long, yellow legs from his right hand
and a paper Of sausagcs in his left.
Tho mean little man bowed an
smirked nj his customer. took no motto
OF Ellie, and hurried home TO tell hi
wife.
On Monday Effie presented herself .
tho store as usuol. To her astonish
ment, a long, lean youth stood behin'
the counter, aud Mrs. Talboys al
vanced, with a grim and forbidding ex
preston on her face.
II intended to send you word ha,
you not been SO unusually prompt
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