The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-11-07
COMPLETING The ORDER.
How the Peddier Played 1t on the Ancient
Spinster.


Spinster.
He threw away the stump Of his cheroot
as he assembled the steps of the North State
street residence yesterday afternoon, and
as he touched the bell adjusted his neck
tie. He wanted to make as good first
impression as possible, because 1t was part
of his business. He was selling q new
cosmetic.
1t was well he took the precaution, for
as the portals opened he beheld a female
face. 1t was storm and austere, for it was
attached to a woman of some years, who
bore all the marks of spinsterhood. She
wore glasses and gave the impression that
her features as well as her intellect had
been sharpened by contact with children
in tho schoolroom. Her corrugated face
made even the nerve of the cosmetic vend-
er wriggle with apprehension. But 1t was
too late to retreat
= Good day, miss, - he said politely, re-
moving his hat and bowling low. "Is your
mother imp
The corners OF that grim mouth began
to elevate. mo, sir, she's not In. Wal
dor"
He saw his advantage and replied,
"Why, certainly, you'll do, miss, +" adding
under his breath, "in pinch"
But he got inside, and as he deposited
his hat within easy reach he asked, II
called to inquire, miss, II you need any
cosmetic"
She was sitting primly on the edge of a
chair across the room, waiting for him to
make known his business, and as those
words smote her ears that coffee colored
face turned II shade lighter
"What made you ask such question as
thati" she asked sharply.
hWhy Tn, io,ht tol
is, I'm selling cosmetic" " he stammered.
'Woll, then, must inform you that I
do not need any. Was that ALP"
But ho wasn't going to be bluffed
May ask in parting II you ever use
any?' he asked as he reached for his hat
No, sir, DON'T"
"Well, l don't know-only those Ham
ilton girls across tho street told me that
might call here, but they didn't think /
could sell you any"
She pricked up her ears.
did they buy any9"
"Yes, sold each of them three bottleg
know, miss that you may not need any,
but this cosmetic of mine is warranted to
remove all skin blemishes, frockles, erup-
tions and give a beautiful healthy color
to the skin. Not only this, but IL will rem
der the skin soft and smooth, just like
sealskin, ma'am."
did you tell them Hamilton girls
that"
why, certainly, ma'am."
"That it would make their skins as soft
as silk, just like a sealskin?"
~ did"
"Then l don't want to talk to you. A
man who can lie like that amt safe. Why,
sir, don't you know that IL them Hamil-
ton girls got faces like sealskins there'd
be moths in them before two hours'"
II know it, my dear young lady, but
that was none of my business"
She softened bit and talked about the
use of cosmetics as though it was q sin.
Finally she decided to try it once and
bought q bottle. She would give him 80
cents and not cent more. He was SELL
ing it for 81, and as 1t cost cents he
vowed he couldn't afford 1t, but rather
than miss sale he took the 80 cents.
He was In no enviable mood as he turn
ed to wish her good morning, and as he
was leaving he reached into his pocket and
pulled out little box. Handing it to her.
he said:
II almost forgot, miss, that this goes
with your bottle" She took 1t, and
moment afterward he was gone
AS she stood in the doorway unwrap-
ping the little package in a half mystiiisd
manner the agent was peeping out from
behind IA tree. The next moment the
street echoed with wild demoniac yell
The splnster had unrolled box Of moth
e1terminator. or.-Chicugo Times