Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-07-25
A PIECE OF SILK.

1t had been rainy, drizzly, disagree
able sort of day. The flowers and sun
shine were alike scarce and coy. At
Snipwell & Birch's business was dull, and
when, late in the afternoon, a customer
came in, Fanny Pole was fast asleep be-
hind the counter. She hoped that the
sturdy old man, with the white whiskers
and the keen blue eyes, would pass on to
George Miller's department, but he did
not. He paused directly in front of the
silks, with an air that meant business.
"For-r-ward, silks! Miss Fanny-wide
awake there!" cried the foor-walker,
rousing himself from the newspaper.
And Fanny came forward, assuming a
smiling interest that she was very far
from feeling.
"What color, please9" said she, yawn-
ing behind her hand.
"Well," said the customer, 'tthat's
exactly what don't know. It's for the
old lady at home. It's her birthday to-
morrow, and she amt never had silk
gown yet. So, if you please, young
woman, I'll take your views on the sub
ject. What would you advised"
Fanny frightened up, with a sudden
inspiration.
"Black," she cried-"black by all
means. There's nothing so durable as
black, nor so ladylike. And we have
some very desirable dress-lengths in black
cachemire- finished silks"
The old farmer stroked his beard du-
biously.
"Olive's fashionable color, amt it?"
said he. "And she was always partial to
blue when she was gall"
''But she isn't a girl now, is she2" re-
torted Fanny, rather fiippantly.
"Well, no--I can't say she isl" slowly
answered the old man. "She1l be sixty
tomorrow"
"Then blue would be quite out of the
question:" said Fanny, with little au-
thoritative nod of the head. "And olive
is a dreadful color to fade and spot"
The old man poked at the pile of soft
bright silks with his whip handle.
"This ere reds mighty pretty color" p"
said he, tentatively.
"It's great deal too bright to be in
good TASTE" said Fanny, with decision.
"Well, l dunno but what it is," said
the farmer, regretfully.
"You'd better select this black" said
the girl, with persuasive smile.
"Ef twas for your mother you was
a-buyin' it., said the farmer, ''would you
AXE the black2"
II certainly should" said Fanny Pole
"How much is it2"
ga dollar-twenty yard, reduced from
dollar and half" Fanny glibly an.
answered. "Fifteen yards is the piece
"a good, full pattern"
''Do you recommend it as good7" ques
toned the old man. II amt no judge
Of the article myself. Eff twas fat cat
tie now, or sample of oats"
"There isn't better silk in the store,
said Fanny.
And the farmer bought it and paid fo
it, accordingly.
'Bring me some paper and a string
and I'll do it up myself" said Miss Pol
to the cash boy, who took the farmer
twenty y-dollar bill; and she did so.
"I'm awfully obliged to you, youn'
woman!" said the old man, as he too,
The precious parcel on his arm. "Good
day!"
The other store girls giggled.
"Fanny Pole has got hold Of the old
est inhabitant this time" said one.
"Wasn't he queer old stick" laughe
another. "Did you notice his old fash
ioned silver watch chain7"
"Girls," whispered Fanny, exultantl!
as the floor walker paused at the far en-
of the room to criticise some arrang,
ment of the ribbon counter, tI've sol
It'll I've got it off our hands!"
"The pattern9" whispered Cynth
Joyce.
"What pattern?' said Lizzie Iona,
who was newcomer. "What are yc
all talking abouta"
"She don't know" said Cynthi
"But it was one dull day, and old Pa
4 kins, the plank trotter, was home with
sore throat, and Fan and me ate O
lunch up stairs, instead Of taking it dow
into the packing-room, according
orders. Fan treated to oyster-soup, al
we had little scuffle over the tin pail
soup, and somehow it,upset, and"
''Not over the goodsr' gasped Liz
'Lomax, with round eyes of dismay al
! horror.
eyes, over the goods" struck in NJ
4 Pole and I tried my best to wash it (
the black silk, but the grease wouldl
come out do what / would. Oh, if ey
{ Parkins found it out I'd have lost my ypla
certain, and when stock taking time can
81 he would have found it out sure. +
been on > the lookout for chance to s
; rid Of it ever since, butI declare to goc