The Opelousas courier., 1895-08-03

oeltef TO strangers, she said.
Somehow, people were MT SO
enthusiastic over Miss Willard as
they should have been and did Mt
seem to realize that in refusing
this book they were losing the on2
portunity of a lifetime. The agent
believed that. She talked lone
and well; she said things 1.-The
House" had suggested as appro-
pirate and she ventured other
thlngs oHt of her own quick little
brain and worshipful heart. Still
those Eomen would MT get
wrought up to buying-pitch.
Why don't you 60 to the
men?' inquired a handsome. mid
dle-aged lady. "They buy better
than women do"
but" faltered the agent. "but
l thought that women were natu-
rally more interested in this great
champion of the sex-and-and
then
"And then, you re a little bit
tlmld,' the lady laughed good
humoredly. "Let me tell YOU,
little girl" Little girl, indeed!
I'm old enough to vote-only |
can't!] "Let me tell you, little
girl. you just go to my brother; he
has a store on the Main street,
and | do believe he'll buy your
book"
The sun grew warmer. The
Would-be voter trudged brayely
ON, stopping at two or three places
more. The result-lots Of good
advice, many kind words, but no
orders. An agent wants orders.
She puckered up her forehead
and thought: "They say, one Or
der to five visits is a pretty fair
average; but that it's a poor agent
who can't get one to seven calls.
Dear me! I've made nine now!"
Drowning men catch at straws,
and one appeared to her at that
moment as she thought of the
handsome lady's advice. Go to
the men! Surely, one who aspired
to seats in legislative halls and
presidential chairs wasn't too tim
i'd to face a few men in coun-
try stores. She hadn't thought
of it in that light before-how
queer!
"I'm not afraid. I'll do it'll"
and the mighty determination was
formed.
It must, have been a special
Providence again that led her
right straight to a store over
which she recognized the name of
that very ssbrother'' who was
likely to buy her book.
The agents heart beat a bit
fast, but she walked in, asked for
the proprietor and was ushered
directly into the presence of a
trinity dressed man, who rose
quickly from behind a tall desk,
bowed with the effusiveness Of a
foreigner, put forward a rocking
chair in which he prayed the Wis
itor to be seated, and then stood
by deferentially as though await
ing orders from a queen.
land I'm hoping for an order
from him. the visitor thought,
with her quick sense Of humor.
"A book?"- how politely he
bowed. Certainly, I'll look at
it, if you wish, mademoiselle." He
was French, that's the reason his
eyes were so brown and his curl
ing hair so very black. s.I'Il look
at it with pleasure, but | can
hardly promise" he began apol-
ogetically. But she quickly inter-
posed: II wish you to look at the
book, that's all that / ask now
He smiled and complied.
"Miss Willard? Oh yes, she's
for the temperance and he
Did he mean to speak
slightingly of Miss Willard or of
the temperance cause? She grew
indignant. Being a Frenchman,
he might like his wine, but he must
the noble Miss Will
lard.
The young agent spoke earn
she turned the leaves rap
idly, she forgot self, until, look
ing up suddenly, she became
aware that the young mans eyes
were more intent upon the agents
face than upon the
An angry flush swept over
her brow and the clear eyes fell.
Quickly divining the cause, he
said: Pardon, pardon!' and
a question about the Life
Of Miss Willard. Henceforth his
gaze never wandered. The des-
was finished, she was just
ready for the five concluding re-
before securing the ORDER
but they we're unnecessary. 1.-The
work is most excellent. | have
admired this grand woman
and the w. G.. I. u. You wear
the white ribbon, I see. Please
put me down for the best bind
Then, at the big desk. she
pointed out how he should s'put
himself down.