The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-03

some OF the QoNu-lDNu merchants. the
Chicago Tribune. put in q stock Of books just
before the holiday season, and sell the volumes
at way-down prices that would make the au-
thors groan Sometimes these book counters,
or stalls are placed In charge Of young lady
who has all the necessary qualifications for
making one buy, but Is utterly destitute Of that
sort of information the buyer sometimes wants
before he makes purchase IL isn't the fault
OF the young lady. She could puzzle a man
very quickly II she were over in the embroidery
department, and man went there to purchase
But she is sent 70 the book stall by the manager,
who doesn't stop 70 inquire whether she knows
anything about books. and the result is that the
young lady is often quizzed in way that makes
her cheeks tingle.
gentleman was at one of these book stalls.
looking over the bargains"
"Have you seen the beautiful books which we
advertised today" asked the young lady be
hind the books
Toe gentleman said he had seen the advertise
ment, but not the books.
Indeed, " the young lady replied. swell. they
are here. Have you seen our beautiful ROM
and JulietT Here it is. Only S2'-and the odd
cents, whatever they were.
The gentleman concluded he would have some
fun quietly, so he looked over his glasses at the
young lady and asked:
who Is the painter Of this Romeo and
Julistf"
PAINTER exclaimed the young lady. 'It
isn't painting. it's a book"
'Ah, beg your pardon. Who is the author
didn't mean painter-I meant author"
The youug lady blushed and then rallied.
Well" she said, ''if you don't know who
wrote Romeo and Juliet don't think there is
much use showing you the book"
Possibly not, y the gentleman replied. But
! 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 IL nuiCElV Raid in a dapf1A1
Mr. Shakespeare wrote it. Maybe you have
heard of him"
She uttered the last sentence in a mean way
the way in which only woman can utter a
mean sentence II was scorn and hatefulness
and triumph, all in a heap.
The gentleman replied: 1T seems to me
have. Have you his other worksy''
There was no improperly in the query, and
yet the young lady bushed again, and looked at
the man as if she could kill him. Then a 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.
~ will see.' she said and in her face was
you haven 't-got- me yet expression. Then she
glided to the end of the counter where the hair
less headed floor walker was posing in his Sun
day school attitude She whispered to him.
and he shook his head. She glided back. to the
place of beginning and said in a firm, you-are a.
wretch tone of voice: mo, sir; we had his other
works, but they have all been sold"
Il am sorry TO annoy you, said the gentle
man, but can you tell me where l could get
'Shakespeare's Hiawatha' in the same binding
as thsi The publishers list must be in your
house?"
The young lady bit her under lip until all the
blood in her beautiful face-for she is beautiful
girl-rushed to the place of attack woman S
intuition is quick She knew this man was in
tent upon mischief. and yet there was nothing
in his speech or manner to which she could take
exception.
She again had recourse to the pious-loosing
floor walker who said something and smiled
She returned to confront the man whom she
now hated. She informed him, in u hurrYing
way, that this Romeo and Juliet" was the
only one OF Mr.. ShakeSpeare's works in the
house, and that the house had no publishers
list.
VERY well" said the gentleman. 81 will look
at this, If you please, and see whose version it
is, il you have no objection"
"Certainlyl'' she replied. and the way she
said it.
He looked at the copy for half hour. It
seemed whole afternoon to the young lady
Then he said to her
"Of course, it is not your fault. I don'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 ratified off for fair.
The gentleman, seeing her position, contin-
ued; According to this edition Of Romeo and
Juliet, Juliet kills herself when the truth is
she was smothered to death by 'Othello' with a
Il had not read it, the young lady answered
| IN subdued manner. II am here to sell books
mot TO read them" she concluded.
"Of course not" the gentleman replied, re-
lenting Have you Mother Brownings Melo-
| dies?" he asked
"You mean Mother Goose?'"
mo. ! mean Mother Browning. She used
to be Mother Goose, but she is married"
The young lady put a pin in her hair and said
something about high time she was
Where Is the soap counter?" asked the
| wretch
Second aisle to the right That way"
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" be said; 81 want a
| book of poetical quotations. have made a bet
with friend of mine that Campbell is the
author of the line. While there's life there's
| soap and it occurred to ms l might find it at
the soap counter hut maybe you have it here "
Il think you will find it in the second aisle to
the right" she said with indifference.
Find what?" he asked 1.-THE book on quota.
tons or"
mol" she shrieked ''the SOAP
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.
VIII Christmas ever come this Year," she
murmured as she went away.