The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1894-09-29
A BUSINESS WOMAN.

Fields gave croupy chuckle. She
had passed young Paxton without return
ing his bow There could be no doubt
Of IL, for Fields had seen the whole pro
ceeding 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 in sight 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 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
Ter amt gittin. If trade is whoopin
his way" considered Fields, staring
toward Paxtons store, which occupied
the river corner just above the landing
at which Nashville boats stopped on
their way TO the head of navigation. 1t
was a new building. that store, which
in Fields 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 Paxton's way. His way. indeed.
meant radicalism and reform. and all
the rash ventures of young blood and
unlocked ideas. The village at first
blush had fought very shy of Paxton.
He was from up no'th;" he advertised;
he was good looking, yellowish mus
tache barring his face like n streak of
sunshine The town decided against
taking stock in so insidious combina-
ton.
Paxton. however, kept right on. It
was a good point for country and river
trade. Fields had made money, appar-
emily by strictly natural methods and
without the vaguest effort.
His store included the postoffice and
stood some forty PAGES above Paxton's.
Time had breathed long and asthmatic-
ally upon the window panes of Fields
store, covering them with veil Of gray
which effectually 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 a slow man in his tifties.
With these 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 is not an
easy thing to win in a Kentucky town in
which the war is considered as barely
over and freshly discussable.
IL took Paxton several months to down
the native conservatism, but once the
first WEAKNESS Of the burgers was over
come, they gave way on sudden TO the
delight of getting better clings 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 il
was 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 aw,
Of it, and as Louisa NJ. rushed up tn,
store steps he drew back with sense Of
impending unpleasantness.
Say, Louisa M he broke out in
conciliating tone, IL saw yeh give Pax
ton the go by. You're kindeh hard OF
him. amt yehY"
The girl flung her soft hat on the coun
ter and plunged into a chair.
"Oh," she said, "pappy-ITe just beer
down to see the new boat land. The,
sent an order 20 him for something
they'd run out of. | can't stand it,
wOn't-that man coming down here an,
taking everything and doing you out o
your rights, and-ohl' She gasped
little. tossing her hair with an excite,
hand, her eyes strangely blue in tn
darkness of her vivid little face.
Fields jaw assumed an amiable laxity
Don't take ON So" he said. II hahn
got nobody but you. and reckon | 20
enough laid by 10 keep us. I'd kindal
like to quit business anyhow and hev
gyarden and raise things. Course
. 'spise to see my old friends a-chasin int
Paxton's store, but amt a-complainin
He keeps ez good a grade o tobaccer q
ever | smoked after, and sells it reason
able"
His daughter flashed around a stai
tling glance.
II am going to stop all this" she sale
Yes, pappy, l am not going 10 stan
1t. won't see you trampled on. II
may be 'smart'-that Paxton. SO al
, l. I've got as much natural wit 1
he any day of the world. | will sho
himT She held out a rigid little ham