The St. Johns herald., 1890-03-06
Fz0UucLcs HlooNo.
A Commercial ,s,our.sl's Broken Heart and
 Iic s.n.cl- Laacnzera,.

ana Sna0y lanes the cSrei OOt6Q urcn in with 8 long fishing-pO.e over his shoUl- der sneaked down toward the mill dam, and the frisky bee buzzed noislly among the clover blossoms like an as- 5istant librarian at Sunday-school picnic, the June sun, on one of these rare occasions when he forgot himself and condescerded to shine, lit ID the interior Of the store Of MarIup & Comedown, dealers in dry goods. boots and shoes, hats and caps, notions, gro ceries, drugs, medicines, gueersware. paints, oils, wallpaper and window blinds. In enc corner cf the room was the village post-ofice, occupying Q space six feet square, and behind 2 curtain partition in the rear was .. milliner's shop.
 It was the witching hour Of noon. Spoonyille was at dinner. A pleasant odor of fried ham, mingled with sug- gestions of boiied cabbage and therich aroma of the seductive onion, pervGdod the dreamy atmosphere.
 On the counter of the store of Mark up 6 Comedown were spread the samples 3lat J. Harry Peduhcle, con- mercial trave:er, had just taken from his iron-bound, gageman-psoof trunk for the inspection of the young woman with the blue eyes nad golden hair. who acted as head clerk, chief milliner and assistant postmaster.
 ''I came at this time of day, Miss Winnie" said the young man, leaning confdentially over the counter, "be- cause was sure of finding you alone. There's 10 hurry about making any selections from this line of goods. Mr. Markup doesn't come back from his dinner till ha'f-past twelve, and old Comedown always takes a nap at noon. I've got both of them down fine, you see. Ibaven't been coming to Spoouville for the last three years for nothing. And now tell me, you dear girl, how you've been"
 "Ary letters yere fur the Markleys UT the GorumsP"
 The fair young assistant postmaster shook her head.
 ''Ur tho Millsesf"
 ''No."
 ''Nur the Jacobys, nur the Butlers2"
 'No. Wait moment Are you going homo past the Beerces?"
 ''Yas."
 "WelL. here's letter for MT. Kelsc, that's visiting them"
 'If that boy has gone, Winnie" said the drummer moment later, Il want to tell you something. I've got tired of this thing of having just twelve half-days of happiness ill the year. The route l have to go over brings me here only orce in thirty days, and 1 cant shorten it to save my life. l am going to quit the road. I have saved up something and in- tend to go into business for myself Then I shall build a little homo in the suburbs of -"
 'Td like to gitabout five cents wutb of plug tobacker," piped G lank, tii- ious-looking customer who had just dropped in. Miss Winnie waited or him and he went out again.
 And you know, Winnie" resumed young Peduncle, 'whom am go- ing to ask to share that home with me -"
 Got any eggsP" called out shriD voice as a little girl with 3 faded sun-bennet, who had slipped into the store unobserved, stepped up to the counter.
 We have"
 "Fresh?"
 "Yes."
 Don't want them if they ain't fresh. Gimme dozen."
 The drummer wated patiently few minutes longer.
 ''Has she goneP'' he asked.
 ''Yes"
 "Then I must speak quickly, for time is flying. It will break my heart, Winnie, if I have to go away from Spoonville again without the promise Iwaut from the dearest girl in the world. Darling, will you be my wi
 "Mr. Peduncle," quickly exclaimed the young girl. in confusion, 'I ought not to have permitted you to go on in this way, but I did not dream you were speaking Of me. Why, 1 have promised to marry Mr. Spatu!a."
 'The young chap that travels fov Drugmiller S5 Co. ?''
 Tho gentleman that travels fo, Drugmiller & Co, sir!''
 The drummer buried his face in his hands and leaned for a few moments motionless against the counter. Then he wiped his brow with a lavender tinted silk handkerchief, took his order-book from his pocket, and asked, briskly:
 Miss Wagstaff, to begin with, shall I put you down for a dozen bottles of this prepared glueP-Chicago Trib- une.
 She Was Tired of It. sGk{r Smfthers said his wifo ts;f