St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-02-02
Another lecture followed.

inc Oil one DOLLAR, said Effie; ''but /
took particular notice. and knew its do
nomination"
g! doubt It very much" said Mrs.
Talboys ''You may possibly think
you are right, but have handled mon
~ for years. Of course. could not
contest the point with the girl unless
you upheld me. That was your duty"
The truth was that Mrs. Talboyshad
given wrong change intentionally. She
often did SO. The rumor that had fol-
lowed them into town had not been un-
founded.
''If it 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 1t 10 Disagree
able for her that she will want to goP
I'm sure you can do it il any one can,
Mrs. Talboys."
His wife looked at him a little sharp
ly, but seeing he had no idea Of being
sarcastic. accepted the remark as q
compliment, and took the advice.
From this day Efiie's life became .
burden. Mrs. Talboys constantly crit.
icised her. u
'.You are 50 awkward. Miss Chaun-
cy." she would say; or again: You are
60 slow"
Effle's neat black dress was not made
Of :he strongest material, and it frayed
at the elbows, and needed patching.
The white threads of the cotton goods
chung to it. 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 it; but EAies
terrified at the loss OF money, which
meant perhaps u cla.s Ut cream or q
needfui 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 Efie'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.
Efie 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.
Talbcye had a motive in her criticisms;
but for her mothers sake she resolved
to show no ill feeling; was .always re-
spectful. strove to please, and becasae
favorite with the customers.
Get Miss Chauncv to measure it for
you. and you won't DO scrimped in
measure" people would say, whose
trimmings had been won't TO iail them
because OF Mrs. Talboys' short yards.
or who could not believe that they al
ways lost some trifle from their par
GELS.
The honest clerk helped the business,
but the Talboys never guessed it.
Their great hope was to fill their pock-
cts with the little pilferings Of dishonest
tradespeOplc.
However, there was as yet no excuse
for dismissing the minister's protegee.
At last it came. Tho handsomest
residence in town had long been unin-
habited. The owner lived abroad.
Now he was about to return, his fnmily
having finished their education. All
the tradesmen in the place were inter-
ested. for the Dearborns lived Well, and
made business livel;;.
Workm!sn were busy ahout the place.
a.,u a son had arrived to superintend
matters-a good-looking young man,
who had been a 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 upholeters-
thread and curtain rings. and what not,
but sometimes for stockings or handker.
chiefs for himself.
| Coming in suddenly. Mr.. Talboy:
found aim talking 70 Efiie. She frownei
upon The poor girl. sent her TO wait up
on an old colOred man who wanted q
pair of shoe-strings, and attended u
the gentleman's purchases herself Will
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.
It angered her to see the young mar
glance now and then at Effie's prett!
face. as she patiently produced thu
shoe-strings for old Sans critical ex
animation; and when at last, in leaving
the shop. he lifted his hat to the youni
lady. she grew furious
Il am shocked, Miss Chauncy," sh'
..shocled-that you should be 81
bold! Talking to customers OF position
thing never allowed in any rcspecta
BILE storer'
Il knew Mr.. Dearborn - a littl'
boy" said Ellie. I'VE often played to
gether. He inquired for my mother
and spoke as an old acquaintanc
would naturally do"
Every we'll; for once excuse it,
said Mrs. Talboys; but remember. NJ
more of it. Your manner was very i'll
bred"
Fife felt that she was insulted, bu
none the less would her weeks wage
buy bread and meat That day sh
met young Dearborn, quite accidental.