Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1890-02-21

AiuSldCue anu an eye SldSS, VINO Was S,il-
liant and offensive. Then she received
many "not at homes" from angry SER
wants, who knew her errand well, and
felt that they had been troubled to open
the door unnecessarily. After many long,
hot, wasted hours she found that her
next number was a drug store, and en-
tered it, thankful for its cool shadow.
She was hot, thirsty, wretched. She
longed for a glass of the ice cold soda
water but had only a little change,
which must serve for fares, in her pocket.
She stood before the counter and re-
peated her little story-her talk about
the book. The druggist smiled as he
glanced at the volume.
IL would not half such drash in mine
house, he said. You waste your dime
NIT book like dis"
1T seems worthless to me-" said poor
Phoebe, signing
You get dook in, like some oder beo-
pies, nit dem rascals. said the German.
"You look dired, madame, and not veil.
Go home and rest-I atvise you as doc
tor"
\ customer, who had been looking at
her, threw down the price of tooth
brush he had bought, and seizing his
purchase, followed Phoebe out of the
door.
LET me see your book, madame he
said. Very nice; I'll subscribe. Give
me your book, I'll write my name and
residence"
lie did so. Phoebe thanked him, and
tried to read it, but the letters danced
before her eyes. Her head was SO hot,
so heavy, she must go back to Mr.. Coz
zen's, get her dollar, give in her sub
scription, tell him that she had failed.
She would feel better after she had
rested. She thought-better. How kind
that man had been. But he subscribed
for her book-she knew it well-out of
sheer pity; as one gives aims to beg
gar,
She was in Mr.. Cozzeu's office again.
He looked at her out of his bush of white
hair, His black eyes and black nose
more poodle like than before.
She had wasted her day, risked sun
stroke. failed in her effort, and crushed
her hopes What did he care, if he had
one subscription more? A book agent
was almost surefo get one, and hundreds
toiled over the earth every day with the
same results.
"Nery foolish to give it up So" he de-
clared. The first day never counts.
have ladies on my list making hundred
dollars a week who got no subscribers or
the first day, and Oh, your dollar
Yes, yes! and here is your percentage
ten cents. But you ought not to despair
when you have secured the name Of
Capt. Barton on your list. Well, good
day"
she was gone, threading the streets
that led to the ferry. The boat first
then the train. Was that the train com
ing? What a roar! How black it was
She staggered. but she did not fall tt
the ground. Some one caught her il
his arms.
Out of darkness, out of rest, out o
strange conmpnion with her mother il
another world, Phoebe floated back tt
life again. 4 woman sat beside her anC
famed her
''She's all right now, said a voice o.
the family doctor order Only faint
ness; not sulstroke."
Then peace again; and waking, much
better.
My poor fatherr' she sighed. "Ht
must be SO terrified! Some one has been
so kind; but let me get to my father at
once"
".ill in good time, said the motherly
woman at her side.
"Your father won't be anxious, Phoe
be, D" said man, and her only subscriber
stepped where she could see him. 81
found your name and address in your
little note book. | went and told him
you'd he home tomorrow. You don't
remember me, Phoebe?"
Phoebe smoothed her dress and sat Ut
on the chintz couch and looked at the
speaker.
"You subscribed for my book" she
said.
"But before that" said the man. ''Be-
fore had beard and went away to sea
with no hopes Of being captain. Don't
you know Billy Barton, Phoebew
"Oh!" cried Phoebe. ais it your"
~ thought knew you," said Capt.
Barton. Il followed you, wondering if
dared speak; and you looked SO ill. So
was there when you tainted"
He took her hand and held it and lifted
it to his lips before he put it down.
"The same sweet girl he said, softly.
"Good night. Peggy will take good care
of you. Every one who falls sick at this
hotel knows Peggy"
BY next morning Phoebe was well
again, bnt Capt. Barton insisted on see
ing her home
"What did pa say?" she asked, care
you sure ne was not worriedT'
He said, replied the captain, with a
smile, "that girls are never to be de-
pended on. and that if he had had a son
be never would have cut up such
pranks."
Phoebe felt the tears rise to her eyes.
"The old gentleman is very much
broken" soid Capt. Barton. "He does
want a son as well as daughter; don't
you think so Phoebe?'
When he said that, he looked like the
Billy Barton Of the long gone times.