The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-06-16
JORNNa'S ROuaNCE.

Where / first saw Joanna was in
the draper's shop OF stagnant little
country town, place storied enough
for hundred towns, small and great.
The place was quite dead, and given
over to its illustrious ghosts, and to
the lashing, tearing voices OF the
Atlantic, that even in the mild
autumn shouted and smote inces-
sanity, making tumult in the air.
The shop was hung with shawls and
cheap, shoddy prints and linscys, so
that in the dark one could scarcely
see Joanna's bright head at first, as
one came blinking out Of the day
light; the shop was sunk step or
two below the street.
She was II big, generously built,
handsome girl. Her hair, twisted in
splendid coils, was Of that pale color
which is as much silver rs gold her
face, with its regular, large features,
was suffused with healthy color;
she looked at us from large gray eyes,
clear as agate and as hard.
Our business was to make some
small purchase OF basket, If we
could find one, to carry home II speci-
men of the towns manufacture
Of rough red pottery. Joanna as
sisted us in this TO the best OF her
power, and then some remark about
the slowness OF business brought
down upon us perfect avalanche
Of explanation.
Joanna had little to do at that mo-
ment; indeed, for an hour or more
we conversed with her, her customers
were small child for half penny
spool, and n girl who came back re-
penting purchase, and wanting the
money restored. With these Joanna
dealt summarily and came back to
the chat she was apparently eager
for. She set us couple Of chairs be-
tween the lines OF shawls, and leant
forward herself with her arms akimbo
on the narrow counter.
Here was discourse on the Irish
Land Laws, the relation between
landlord and tenant, the deteriora-
tion in the condition Of the Irish
poor with Emergencies TO the gem
eral subject of labor, the cause of
strikes, and great many other
things. We were well content to
listen. The girl was extraordinarily
well informed and intelligent. The
soft brogue was musical.
Also we were in the very midst of
q disturbed and distressed district,
and were both keenly interested. We
were not English tourists, but pair
Of Irishwomen with certain knowl.
edge Of the matter, though without
Joanna's illumination from within.
We were both filled with admira-
tion for the creature before us. For
in the excitement of her voluable
talk Joanna had grown brilliantly
handsome. What II girl to be doling
out farthing purchases in this melan-
choly, haunted little place, which
was only tolerable because of the
contrast to ones own vivid life far
away in the world, Aswe talked the
wind lashed the sea-blown alders and
dreary patter Of dead leaves came
down the street, where, at long inter
walls, human football sounded.
you will not always stay here, !"
Rosa said, with sudden, quick sym
pathy. You are saving your wages,
no doubt, and will get away some
day to bigger place, because you are
such clever girl."
SAVING" echoed Joanna scorn-
fully. mo indeed then; il you knew
what my wages were 'tis little you d
talk of saving. And what for would
i save? am as happy here as IL |
went foreign to Dublin or Cork
What for would l go saving an roam
ing?"
Rosa answered deprecatingly.
But fine, handsome girl like you
won't spend all your life behind this
poor little counter? You will want
a business of your own, and it is per-
haps possible you might think OF
marriage"
Marriagel' said the girl almost
fercely. There's not man to be
had here less nor three hundred
pounds. An them ould shows OF
widowers, for ther's nothing else
here. Why, IL l ever could have
under the sun three hundred pounds
is it on the like OF them I'd spend
it2"
Her wailing Cork brogue rang ou'
vehemently in her indignation. Il
was our first experience of the re
suits Of the Munster matchmaking
system. Rosa looked rather shocked
felt vastly amused.
But, my dear" said Rosa, ''yo,
are young and clever and handsome
There are many men in the worl,
who would love you just for you
own sake. Do you only think o
marriage in the way you have said