Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1894-07-13
A WOMAN OF BUSINESS

udu puSSOU young luAlON Nllhoul tN~
turning his bow. There could be no
doubt of it, for Fields had seen the
whole proceeding 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.
Her very coat collar stood about her
ears aggressively and though Fieiis
was not commonly given 20 humorous
perceptions Of things he smiled as he
saw his daughters small human as
sumption of arrogance.
Locks like thar's some things that
Teller amt Citing, if trade is a'whoop-
ing his way" considered Fields, star
ing toward PaXtons store, which oc-
cupied the river corner just above the
landing. 1t was a new building, that
store, which in Fields old age had
risen TO place his own commercial mer-
It's in the eye of scorn. Among the
weathered cottages Of the town its
yellow walls rose with great dignity,
its clean window with pyramids of
tomato cans, festooned In bright prints
and cotton laceS.
With so many odds in his favor 1t
was natural enough that things should
be going PaXton's way. His way, IN
deed. meant radiCalism and reform and
all the rash ventures OF young blood
and unlocked ideAs. The town at first
blush had fought very shy OF Paxton.
He was from 1.-THE city" he adver-
tised; he was good looking, a yellowish
mustache barring his face like streak
a oil n.f
taking stock in so inSiduous combina-
ton.
Paxton. however, kept right on IT
was good point for country and river
trade. Fields had made money, :p-
narCntly by strictly natural methods
ara without the VagucSt effort.
His store included the postoffice and
stood some forty PAGES above PaNtCns.
Time had breathed long and dsthmdti-
callv upon the window panes of Field S
store, covering them with a veil OF
gray, which effectu lilly concealed the
tact of dust on the commodities be-
hind il. Inside were boxes and bar
rels, an odOr Of tobacco, n pOt-bellled
stove, and Fields himself, slow man
in his SOS.
With these supernatural attractions
Paxton felt he could scarcely fail of sue
cessfully competing If only he could
hold out long enough TO win the town
confidence. But confidence Is not an
easy thing TO win in California town
in which the mining excitement Is
considered as barely over and freshly
iScussable.
1t took Paxton several months to
down the native conservatism, but once
the first wariness of the burgers was
overborne they gave way on II sud
den TO the delight Of getting better
things for less money than Fields had
charged. and Paxton found an uneX-
pected victory in his plumcs.
Fields took his defeat calmly. lie
took everything. even his whisky and
water. in that sort He seemed TO
lack caDacity for any kind of action
and it was common wonder rs TO
where that girl Of his, that Louisa NJ
got her spirit.
For her spirit commanded instant re-
cognition. Fields himself stood IN awe
Of it and as Louisa NJ. rushed uD the
store steps he drew back with sense
Of impending unpleasdntness.
Say, Louisa NJ" he broke OUT III
a concilliating tone. IL saw yen give
Paxton the go-by. You're knd-eh haru
on him, amt yehE'
The girl flung her soft hat on the
counter and plunged into q chalr.
OH she said, Papa, I've just been
down TO see the new boat land. They
sont nm order for him for something
they'd run out Of. / can't stand il
won't-that man coming down Eere
and taking everything and doing you
out of your rights-oh" She gasped
n little. tossing her hair with an ex-
cited hand, her eyes strangely blue III
the darkness OF her vivid little race.
Fields law assumed an amiable lax
ity. -, .,
hain't got nobody but you. and reckon
| GOT enough laid by to keep US
kind-eh like to quit business anyhow
and hev a garden and raise things.
Course l 'spiSe to see my Old lIlehu'
n-chasing into Paxton's store, put l
'aint a-complainin'. He keeps ez good
n grade o tObacccr eZ ever L slhoheu
after and sells it reasonable.
His daughter flashed round a start
ling glance.
II lam going to stop all this," she said.
Eyes. papa, am not going TO stand IT,
I won't see you trampled on. lie may
be 'smart'-that Paxton. SO am !. l
win show him. She held out rigid
little hand. do you know the last
mean trick he's been up to? He's had
his name painted along all the pike
fences and cliffs. Come to Paxton
for new goods That's what he's put
IN. It's an INSULT means that our
goods are oldW
Fields looked around.
well" he said, "our stuff Is pooty
toTable seasoned, Louisa NJ she
wheeled about.
well get new. Wen paint the store
and order n whole stock Of everything.
III 90 to the city myself and order
what is necessary. won't have no one
get ahead Of you"
Fields looked miserable, but II never
occurred to him to make head against
Louisa NJ. Ruin would doubtless be
.he issue Of the reckless enterprise, but
Fields was helpless.
on show him how TO do business,
said Louisa NJ, standing erect. her nos
trils dilated. Fields shook his head.
He continued to shake it solemnly at