The herald., 1893-05-25
THAT CLOCK.

titudes Of charming abandon. the neat
est of carved flowers and various other
decorations, all calculated to attract at
tention and please the eye.
1t stood under a glass globe in con-
spicuous position in the show window
of we'll known Broadway jeweler, and
as pretty Mrs. Mayblossom. the wife of
a month. passing by with her young
husband, caught sight of it, she abruptly
paused and gushingly exclaimed:
"Oh. George. what lovely clockl"
Eyes. Annie, dear" replied he. ''it is
really beautiful"
"How | wish,' said she wistfully,
"that you could afford to buy it. 1t
would make such a splendid ornament
for the parlor mantelpiece"
II would be only too happy to do So
but you know. Annie. Pm young mer-
chant, and whatever resources l have
must be strictly devoted to business"
| She gave little sigh of regret, but
urged the purchase no further and the
newly married couple shortly afterward
|
business he. after tender, parting from
his wife, entered his store, while she con-
tinued on her way to buy some few nee
essary things for their recently estab-
lished household.
In spite of his economic resolutions
the young husband felt strongly inclined
to crafty his pretty wife's wish, and
when therefore he found lying on his
| lis desk a letter containing sum of
money and was informed by the writer
that it was the repayment of loan
| which Mr. Mayblossom had made to
friend in his bachelor days and long
looked upon as hopeless he determined
to invest the money, which was as good
as found, to the purchase of that clock.
1t did not take him long to return to
the jewelers. to strike bargain, the
money he had so opportunely received
being just little more than the price
lsked, and the clock and globe were care
fully done up in a parcel
ITO what address shall | send it?'
isked the polite storekeeper.
There is my card" replied Mr.. May
blossom. taking the bit of pasteboard out
y
it at once. as my wife is out, and I de-
sire to surprise her by having her sec
he clock on her return home.
Il am sorry that it is impossible for
me to do So My delivery clerk is alb
sent and will not return for an hour or
so."
mo matter then. Give me the par
eel
He took the clock, and having reached
he sidewalk hailed commissionaire,
Who happened to pass by
You will take this clock to this ad-
iress," he said, handing him the parcel
md card from the cardcase which he
still held in his hand, land here's the
money for your service. Now be off
and see that you execute your errand
promptly and don't you dare to demand
any pay from the lady"
"All right, sir" said the commissions
aire I'll do the job in jiffy."
Mr.. May blossom returned to his store
IN very blissful state of mind, while
the man glanced at the card for the di-
rection.
Hello. what's thisP" exclaimed he
in some surprise, reading the address,
Miss Priscilla Dusenbury. dressmaker,
$40 - street. well. now. who'd
think that such fine gentleman would
be sending clocks to dressmakers? No
matter; that's none of my business I've
got my pay in advance, and I'll take her
the clock.
Now, Miss Priscilla was a charming,
red checked, blue eyed dansel of IS or 10
years of age. possessed Of fair patron
age. good health and beau who gloried
IN the name of Augustus Tomkins. and
was indeed clerk in the identical jew
elry store where the clock had been
bought
She was sitting stitching robe, hum
ming song, and with her thoughts CEN
tered on her devoted Augustus, specu-
lating whether he would make his Gus
tomary MONDAY visit. when a knock
sounded on the door. and opening it she
saw the commissionaire with his parcel
"A present for you. miss" said he
placing the clock on the table before the
astonished girl And such fine gen.
tleman too. He's paid me already. l
congratulate you. miss. Good morn
ing
And before she could even say ''Thank
you he was gone
In great surprise Priscilla united the
parcel, and an exclamation of joy es-
capped her lips when she beheld its con-
tents
THE very clock l was speaking to Au-
gustus about. The dear. delightful fell
low has bought it from his employer and
sent it to me. Oh don't | wish he'd
come today, so that could tell him how
much obliged am to him for his splen-
did gift"
She arranged the clock on her tiny
mantelpiece and had hardly finished do
ing so when there was second knock
on the door, and in answer to the "Come
in" in stalked Mrs. Mayblossom.
She was one of Priscilla's customers
anc had cbyne 20 see about dress upon
which the latter was just then engaged.
Her first glance naturally took in the
clock.
"Oh, Mrs. Mayblosson," exclaimed
Priscilla, noting the direction of her
eyes, isn't it lovelyf And it was just
sent to me as present by gentleman
who loves me ever SO much"
"Oh. he loves you. does he2" said the
young wife in tones so cold and metal