The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-11-17
peated bounds and sharp, eager barks,
showed his delight at seeing her.

tail OIL some day, laughed Amy. L
know you'd soon stop it if you knew
l had forgotten your dinner. Bonesl
Juicy mutton bonesl Just think"
she continued; and Rover's bright
brown eyes glistened with approval
while he listened with cooked ears.
"Youll have to go home with father,
and get them yourself;" and away
dashed the dog, and stood whining at
the outer door.
81 guess you won't be troubled
with customers today: it's very dull"
said Mr.. Winslow, taking off his
glasses and putting down his graver
on the bench where he had been at
work. eff old Mr.. Slocum comes in,
he'll want bis watch. He has farm
down in Newton. You know him,
don't you?" and Amy nodded. at
will be seventy-fve cents" continued
her father; ''and, if Mrs. Luke Jones
comes in, here is the pin she left for
mending. Tell Mr.. Lee that his
spoons'll be ready by two o'clock,
but | guess he won't be in till I'm
back" Mr.. Winslow hurried into his
coat and hat, hastily shutting the
inner door of the open safe, and mas
ter and dog were soon lost to sight.
How the wind howled through the
we'll nigh deserted street, with every
now and then drops of cold, chilly
rain reluctantly wrung from the low
hanging, leaden clouds! The click of
the big regulator, its long pendulum
swinging to and fro with solemn,
steady strokes, seemed to be all that
broke the stiffness. Amy glanced at
the big clock in furtive way as she
walked by it to seat near the front
bench. 1t had always been ghostly
thing to her; and somehow today its
round glass face and slow moving
hands seemed more uncanny than
ever. Amy gave herself little dis
gusted shake, and went to look at the
pretty rings whose modest diamonds,
rubies, and pearls were so beautiful
and fascinating to her. She was soon
disturbed by the entrance of an old
man, enveloped in a faded buffalo
skin coat, with huge red muffler
wrapped around his neck, and worn
fur cap pulled down over his rugged
face.
"Wall, wall! So We be John Win
slows daughter!" said he, as Amy,
calling him Mr.. Slocum, handed him
his watch. mot powerful big, are
ye9 But s'pose yer pa thinks ye're
bout right" the farmer continued,
as he handed her a tattered dollar.
"Ain't afeard, Amy, are ye9 Purity
fine lot o things here for ye to look
arter;" and, putting his change into
his wallet, Mr.. Slocum drew on his
mittens. and went slowly out.
"Tick, tickl Tick, tickl" proclaimed
the clock. "You and I, you and l."
it seemed to say to Amy, as the gusts
of wind ratified the door. Restlessly
Amy walked up and down behind
the long counter, looking in the cases,
end finally perching herself on the
high stool at the desk. AS she sat
there, idly turning over the leaves
of the day book, the store door open
ed and two men came in. Amy
jumped from her stool, and, going
behind the main counter, asked what
they wished.
"Me and this man here,' said the
spokesman, big, burly man, with
coarse. jovial face, 1--WE want to go in
to the back shop, and see some books
your father let us put there"
His companion, a slender man with
shiny eyes and straight, black hair
and beard, that nearly covered his
face, gave Amy furtive, persuasive
smile, showing a row of cleaning
white teeth that accented the intense
blackness of the face.
81 don't know anything about such
books" said Amy. "Father has
never said anything about them, but
he will soon be back"
"Oh, it's all right, sissy" said the
big man, with a sniff, while he settled
his hat firmly on the side of his head
and glanced boldly to the rear of the
store. "They're the books of Seward
& Stearns, the storekeepers who
failed. Your father let us put them
in there" he nodded; "and this is
Mr.. Stearns."
Here the silent man smiled, looking
sneakingly at Amy, and then at tie
big man, who glared with impotence.
1t flashed over Amy. The strange
men with their Grand, the deserted
streets, the open safe and cases! They