Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-24

How . Chicago Man Perplexed the Girl
Who Was Temporarily in Charge.

How . Chicago Man Perplexed the Girl
Who Was Temporarily in Charge.
From the Chicago Tribune.
Some Of the down town merchants put in q
stock of books just before the holiday season
and sell the volumes at way-down prices that
would make the authors groan. Sometimes
these book counters or stalls are placed in
charge of a young lady who has all the neces-
sary qualifications for making one buy, but is
utterly destitute Of the sort of information the
buyer sometimes wants before he makes pur-
chase. 1t isn't the fault Of the young lady.
She could puzzle q man very quickly if she
were over in the embroidery department and
man went there to purchase But she is sent
to the book stall by the manager, who
doesn't stop to inquiry whether she knows
anything about books, and the result is that the
young lady is often quizzed in way that
makes her cheeks tingle.
"A gentleman was at one Of these book stands
looking over the bargains.'
Have you seen the beautiful books which We
advertised today?' asked the young lady be-
hind the books.
The gentleman said he had seen the adver-
tlsement. but not the books.
Indeed" the young lady replied. ''Well,
tEey are here. Have you seen our beautiful
Romeo and Juliet? Here it is. Only $3"-
The gentleman concluded he would have
some fun quietly so he looked over his glasses
ut the young lady and asked:
who Is the painter Of this Romeo and
"Painter"' exclaimed the young lady. "It
ISM a painting, it's a book
An. beg your pardon. Who is the author
didn't mean painter-I meant author?'
The young lady blushed and then rallied.
We'll" she said, II you don't know who
wrote 'Eomeo and Juliet don't think there is
much use showing you the book"
Possibly not" the gentleman replied. 'sBut
l am a stranger in the city and have been
fooled so much since came to Chicago that
thought might venture to ask who wrote the
beautiful book which you have advertised
This was long speech The gentleman in
tended 1t should be, for during its delivery the
Young lady peeped into the front of the book,
and, shutting it quickly, said in a decided way:
"Mr. Shakespeare wrote it. Maybe you have
heard of him"
She uttered the last sentence in . mean
way-the way in which only woman can utter
mean sentence. 1t was scorn and hateful
ness and triumph all in a heap.
The gentleman replied: 1T seen , to me
have. Have you his other works?''
There was no improperly in the query and
yet the young lady blushed again and looked
MT the man as if she could kill him. Then q
light broke over her face and the look Of
| triumph came back to her eyes-the look which
comes into the cats eyes when it discovers
| that the canary is asleep.
Il will see," she said, and in her face was a
you-haven t-got-me-yet expression. Then she
| glided to the end of the counter where the
hairless-headed floor walker was posing in his
! Sunday school attitude. She whispered to him
| and he shook his head. She glided back to the
place OF beginning and said in firm, you-are-
a.wretch tone of voice: mo. sir; we had his
other works. but they have all been Sold
| II am sorry to annoy you." said the gentle
| man, but can You tell me where / could get
'Shakespeare's Hiawatha' in the same bind
ing as this! The publishers list Eust be in
your house."
The young lady bit her under lip until all the
! blood In her beautiful face-for she is a beau
full girl-rushed to the place of attack. A
woman's intuition is quick. She knew this
man was intent upon mischief and yet there
was nothing in his speech or manner to which
| she could take exception.
She again had recourse to the housekeeping
floor walker. who said something and smiled.
| She returned to confront the man whom she
now hated. She informed him in hurrying
way that this Romeo and Juliet was the only
one OF MIR. Shakespeare's works in the house.
/ and that the house had no publishers list.
very WELL" said the gentleman. Il will
look at this. if you please. and see whose YER
! sion 1t If, If you have no objection
Certainly" she replied. And the way she
said it,
He looked at the copy for half hour. 1t
seemed whole afternoon to the young lady.
Then he said to her:
''Of course it is not your fault. Idon't
| blame you or your house. You could not have
known this. Of course. You will pardon me, of
| course"
This was one time when she had nothing to
say. She stood like piece of statuary that is
TO be rallied off for fair.
| The gentleman seeing her position continued:
| according to this edition Of Rome and Juliet
Juliet kills herself, when the truth il she was
| IN Nv 10
The book is q fraud"
II had not read it, " the young lady answered
in subdued manner. Il am here to sell books
not to read them," she concluded.
of course not" the gentleman replied, re-
lentlng. Have you Mother Browning Melo-
dies?" he asked.
| You mean Mother Goose?'"
| No: mean Mother Browning. She used to
be Mother Goose, but she is married"
] The young lady put a pin in her hair and
where Is the soap counter?n asked the
wretch.
| ''Second aisle to the right. That wav."
The young lady felt relieved when he asked
her for the soap counter. 1t was an indication
that he was going; but he fingered.
maybe you have it here" he said II want
book OF poetical quotations. 1 have made a
bet with friend Of mine that Campbell is the
author of the line While there's life there
| soap and it occurred to me might find it at
ehe SOAP Soanter, Dht maybe you have 1t here"
Il think you will find it in tine second aisle to
the right" she said with indifference
| Find what?' he asked; 1.-The book ON quota
| tions Or
NO" she shrieked, ''the soapl'
| And she left him standing there while she
went to wait on an old gentleman who was
looking at the juvenile prints of Noah's ark at
the far end of the counter.
''Will Christmas ever come this year?' she
| murmured as she went away.
THE MATERNAL PARADISE.