Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1893-03-18
A BUSINESS WOMAN

Fields gave . croupy chuckle. She
had passed young Paxton without return.
ing his bow. There could he no doubt
Of 1t, for Fields had seen the whole pro
ceedihg from the moment when she
turned the corner, the stiff river breeze
blowing about her face certain stray
locks of the soft. short hair under her
beaver hat.
She had looked very sweet to Fields,
COMING m s'ghf against the tall Cumber-
land cliffs. II seemed to him that she
had been smiling, but he surmised this
from the change which struck across
her face upon passing Paxton's store.
Her very coat collar stood about her
ears aggressively, and though Fields was
not commonly given to humorous per-
ceptions OF things, he saw in his daugh-
ter's small human assumption Of AFRO
gance o certain incongruity with the
bleak hills hedging the town, their tops
fiat, as If they had crouched TO keep
their bald heads from striking the hard
autumnal SKY.
Look like thar's some things that fell
ler amt gittin, il trade is whoopin
his way" considered Fields, staring
toward Paxton's store, which occupied
tb6 river corner just above the landing
at which Nashville boats stopped on
their way 10 the head of navigation. II
was now building, that store, which
In Fislds' old age had risen to place his
own commercial merits in the eye OF
scorn. Among the weathered cottages
Of the town its yellow walls rose with
great dignity, its clean window gay
with pyramids of tomato cans festooned
In bright prints and cotton laces.
With so many odds in his favor it was
natural enough that things should be
going Paxtoa's way. His way, indeed,
meant radicalism and reform, and all
the rash ventures Of young blood and
uBlicked idsas. The village at first
blush had 2ought very shy Of Paxton.
He was from "up moths" he advertised;
no was good looking, a yellowish mus.
tacbs barring his face like o streak Of
sunshine. The town decided against
taking stock in so insidious combine
ton.
Paxton, however, kept right ON. II
was % good point for country and river
trade. Fields had made money, appar.
emily by stdcny natural methods and
without tho vaguest effort.
His store included the postoffice and
stood some forty PAGES above Paxton's.
Time had bfeathed long and asthmatic-
ally upon the window panes of Fields
store, covering them with veil of gray
which effectdally concealed the fact OF
dust ON the commodities behind it. In
side were some boxes and barrels, an
odor of tobacco, potbellied stove and
fields himself, u slow man in his fifties.
With those superannuated attractions
Paxton felt that he could scarcely fail OF
successful competing, If only he could
hold out long enough TO win the towns
confidence. But confidence ia not an
easy thing to win in Kentucky town in
which the war is considered as barely
over and freshly discussable.
IL took Paxton several months to down
ths native conservatism, but once the
first WEAKNESS Of the burgers was over.
come; they gave way on % sudden TO the
delight Of getting better things for less
money than Fields had charged, and
Paxton found an unexpected victory in
his plumes.
Fields took his defeat calmly. He
took everything, even his whisky and
water, In that way. He seemed TO lack
capacity Of any kind Of action, and it
was q common wonder as TO where that
girl Of his, that Louisa NJ, got her spirit.
For her spirit commanded instant rec
ognition. Fields himself stood in awe
0f ", and 40 Louisa M. rushed up the
st0rs steps bs drew back with sense OF
impending unpleasantDess,
"Say, Louisa M he broke out In a
e0nciIiatinz tone, II saw yeh give Pax
ton the go by. You're kindeh hard On
him, ain't yehT'
The girl fling her soft hat on the coun-
ter and plunged into a chair.
"Oh, she said, "pappy-Ivs Just been
down 10 soc the new boat land. They
sent an order 10 him for something
they'd run out Of. can't stand 1t.
won't-that man coming down here and
taking everything and doing you out OF
your rights, and--Obf' She gasped a
little, tossing her hair with an excited
hand. her Eyes strangely blue In the
darkness Of her vivid little face.
fields jasr assumed an smiable laxity.
Don't tal.s ON 80. he said. IL hain't
got nobody lyut you. and l reckon 1 got
enough laid by 10 keep us. I'd kindah
ike ~ quit business anyhow and hev
gyarden AMI raise things. Course ]
'spiss 10 SEQ my odd friends a-chasin into
PaxfOn's store. but amt a-c0nplsinin.
Ils kesys 90 good grade o tobaccer ca
sser sInoksd after, and sells it reason
able"
His daughter flashed around star.
Ting glance.
Il am going 10 stop all this" she said:
''Yss. paDpy. 1 am not going TO stand
II. 1 won't see yOu trampled On. lie
may 10 'sniart'-that Paxton. 30 am
/ I've gef a. mash natural wit as
be any day Of tho world. ! wiz show
hlnr sbs hold out . ngid little hand
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