The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-07-31
SELECTED.
THE SWEET MYSTERY

leave your address"
'.Perhaps," said Miss Sublett, you
would have room for an unpaid novice.
II think could make myself useful
enough to repay the trouble taken to
teach me the ropes"
Mr.. Warner was quite accustomed to
declining applications for positions in
his store; indeed, 1t had become a mere
routine with him. There was always the
same polite readiness to listen to the
biography Of the applicant, which was.
however, hurried on q little faster than
the narrator intended; always the SYM
pathetic desire to do what he could in
the case of need (there was always of
course) then brief consultation IN an
inner room with some Invisible authority ;
then declinature; and finally, as an In.
cline plane on which to shove his visitor
with gentle rapidity to the street, there
was the promise to notify her II a vacan-
cy occurred.
To days visitor bothered him by her
unlikeness to the rest, She was not ner
vous, did not seem anxious, spoke Of no
need, told him nothing of her history,
and was evidently neither moved by the
statement that there was no vacancy, nor
hoodwinked by the suggestion that she
should leave her address.
As she sat calmly waiting his reply to
her last proposition, the old merchant
was struck with the perfect self-posses-
sion aud dignity of her bearing. She
was neither handsome nor snowy, but
the very lack of pretension accumulated
her gentility. The style of the woman
was not tailor-made style. "She will
! ....te.e.e.;n s4id tba- old man. his percep-
ton Of what was attractive in woman
being sharpened by forty years of pick
ing and choosing-and refusing
He agreed to her proposal, taking care
to let 1T appear that he was doing her an
immense favor. But somehow this new
saleswoman did not seem oppressed by
the obligation she bowed slightly, drew
off her long gloves. which Mr.. Warner
observed at once as costly pair, took a
white apron from her package, and an-
nounced herself ready to begin work.
"Your first name, please" said her en-
ployer. my girls are only known In the
store by their first names"
There was an instant's hesitation, aud
a suggestion of one shrinking from an
unexpected blow, before she answered,
"Miss Carey"
THAT is your first namei"
mo; 1t Is my middle name, but | pre-
fer to be known by it. My first name Is
Mary"
LET it be Miss Carey, then," said Mr..
Warner. after moments silence on his
part II have Marys enough"
"You have sold goods BEFORE" said
Miss Grace, tired looking, youngish old
maid who was put In charge Of the nov
ice, to teach her the mysteries of trade.
mo" answered her pupil with merry
smile. "Why do you think so?"
"You are not half stupid enough for
beginner"
"Thanks. That is an unusually fine
compliment. / can learn something from
you besides the meaning of these HERO
glphics; but you have futtered me into
forgetting what hid 2" means"
At the end of her month Miss Carey
thanked her employer for the opportunity
he had given her.
81 can now ask elsewhere for a place
with some assurance" said this willy
Young woman, "for not only know the
tricks, but l also know q good many
people,"
or course Mr.. Warner did not let her
90, and she, moreover, made very good
terms with him.
| Nv ndt are YOU Roins w Wv twilight,
Essie?" asked the girl at she stock count
er, as she busily sorted and rearranged
| her boxes.
The girl addressed was leaning against
the middle counter, In a tired, but grace
full. attitude. She was out OF bounds,
but. being by far the handsomest woman
in the store, the manager gave her great
liberty when Mr.. Warmers back was
turned.
II am going to see THE Faithless
Wife, with Joe Barton"
II wonder you aren't ashamed, Essie
Thorpe, and afraid, too, TO be seen with
that man," said Miss Grace, sharply.
You know what he Is ="
| al don't care what he Is !" cried the
girl, augrily, with red in her cheeks
.'He is very nice to me-brings car
rage for me and bunch OF flowers, and
takes me where have 30 much fun that
| almost forget this hateful place where
have to drudge all day."
but don't 60 tonight Essie, dear, ?"
said Miss Carey's soft voice. "if you
will promise not to go out with that man
for month. will bring carriage for
you this evening and take you to dilight-
full place."
A most surprised silence fell upon the
group Of listeners, but the sound OF the
office door creaklng on Its hinges startled
the idlers back to their places. Miss Ca
rey followed up her offer, and the beau.
ty reluctantly made the bargain.
HAS somebody died and left you
rich?" asked Miss Grace, sarcasttcally
"You seem to have money to throw q
way"
II don't call money thrown away tina,
will help to keep young thing like that
out of harms way" said Miss Carey, her
face glowing with earnestness. But the
sweet earnest face was unusually grave
the rest Of the day, for, truth to tell, this
rash promiser wondered how abe could
make her promise good. what place
do I know Of" she asked herself over
and over; what place can I take the
girl 70 that will amuse her unframed
II say girls" said Miss Essie, In half
whisper, the next morning. - she stood
Iin group Of girls who were hanging up
THAR hats and coats. ''where do you
thick Miss Carey gets money enough "a
speud on % - she did last nighti She
took four Of % In carriage, a. shs had
Ipromised me. 10 some lovely tableaux
were only swell people 20. tell you We
felt nne. They were In private house,
Iyou know, given for hospital or some.
thlng, ard hardly knew myself when "a
Old lady y lacs and diamonds, real lace
lend rs6l diamonds, mind yoa, came and
lepoko 70 M, aad called me my dear.
81 cd Miss CArey were - thick q
lhopo, ~ On lady cslled her Mary, end
| think 2lss Cassy nust have askea hes
Ito ooDe and speak - ~. 70 make m
I'D uogo Is ko0a, gueae. Hoigh.ho