The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-10-11
A WOMAN OF BUSINESS.
Bv EVA WILDER MGLASSON.

of you, pappy" Fields looked miserable;
but it never occurred to him to make head
against Louisa Nj. Ruin would doubtless pe
the issue of the reckless lterprlse, but
an show him how to 90 business"
said Louisa NJ; standing erect, her nos ffc
continued to shake it aolemnly ut inter
walls in the days that followed, when
boxes and bales to his direction began
the Southern roads freight down the
river.
"Gettin' move on yourself, hur. Uncle
Jimmy?' suggested the village idlers. OBJ
serving these signs If trade. But Fieldss
jaw only elongated the more, while his brow
became Il network of conflicting wrinkles.
1t was remarked in open council at Fax
tons store that Uncle Jimmy Fields
warn't lookin jest up to the notch;
''Mebby he misses that girl O hlsn,
suggested some one. "Shes away SOM
'ers He sets everythin' by that er Louisa
NJ. Say, Paxton, l like to died that night
at Wilson's dance when You asst fer a cud-
rillc, and she jest sized you W. and says
she gives yeh, double-barreled and self.
loadin'! But say, Paxton, you oughtn,t of
give her the comfort of seein.. you make a
home sneak on account of it. ,,
Paxton's cheeks REDEEMED. He was slight
and tall and his shoulders twitched a little.
said. The other man strapped on spur,
his foot on his knee.
''Fia,ds is paintin' his house," he said.
"They tell me thet he's tixin' up inside, too;
Reckon Louisa Ms ben stirrin' him up.
After Louisa NJ s return the changes
became more marked. Two shades OF pea
green illuminated the house without. In
side new stove and Il complete stock OF
dry goods invited the villagers. Even the
window underwent startling metamor-
and IL
ness When it was found that prices We're
happily in accord with all this enliyening
prospect town sages remarked that Uncle
Jimmy. when it comes to rale tradln, KIN
whip any young dozen o faXtoh SOFT
with one hand tied behind him.
Matters began TO look dark for Paxton
Public favor is an uncertain thing, lnper-
mancnt as the sudden rush of bloom on an
apple bough i'll spring. Paxton's hour OF
bloSsomiug seemed past. lie thought olIeh
of removing to another town, hut he mad Il
certain sense of surrender III departure
He knew we'll enough that she was at the
bottom of his 0yerthroW-that daughter Oh
Ficlds's-that little sypsy-faced crca lure
with her black silk locks lie could see me
mockerv in her oddly blue eyes, the scorn
on her lips when she should near that he
had given up the battle:
She never spoke to him now. Since he
painted advertisements on the FENCES sue
had not SO u>,ch as looked At HIM IL pass
Enough emo Paxton remembered how
pleasant she had been when he hrst came
TO town the year before, looking Tor a place
to establish himself. When he decided 10
STAY it had been with more thought or
Ficldss daughter than of Fields lie had
not thought of competition, but this had
been thrust upon him before he considered
what it meant 1t meant everything adj
verse, and after Paxton read this IN open
dis,lain of Louisa NJ, he felt there was
nothing for him but to go on and be sue
cessful though success now had DltIer
dregs. and broke in sharp, spiteful sparkles
at his lips.
from his door the rocky hills, no longer
rugged. but rounding with spring greenery
to a virginia. softness of curve, fetched Il
big sigh
'Mebby it's only the time o year, he
speculated, but somehow | don't feel jest
risht-spech'ly when l git to studyin bout
young Paxton"
Louisa NJ gave the back of his gray
head glance of challenge. She was set
ting things to rights in the showcase, and
she thrust Il bone halrpln rather angrlly INTO
a bolt of ribbon.
why" she exclaimed.
"We'ye run him too hard said Fields.
intentionally. A friend o his named it
to me yestiddy that he couldn't holt out
much longer | feel this ways: l had my
chance ard he ought to hev had his. He
hadn't no i'll will to'des me. He was get
tin trade far and squar', and he could of
KEEP it eff | hednt ondersold him crar be
low cost prices. | feel ez mean and or'nry
ez n flee dog that sucks eggs. l haint
treated him white
business is business, said Louisa NJ.
shaking back her hair She was a little