The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-06-18
a WOMAN OF BUSINESS

Ildus pissed young Paxton without re-
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 Fields
was not commonly given to humorous
perceptions Of things he smiled as he
saw his daughters small human as
sumption of arrogance
Looks 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 new building, that
store, which in Fields old age had
risen to place his own commercial mer-
its in the eye of scorn. Among the
weathered cottages of the town it's
yellow walls rose with great dignity,
it's clean window with pyramids Of
tomato cans, festooned in bright prints
and cotton laces.
With so many odds in his favor it
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 ''the city," he adver-
tised; he was good looking, a yellowish
mustache barring his face like streak
Of sunshine. The town decided against
taking stock in so insiduous a combina-
ton.
Paxton, however, kept right on. It
was good point for country and river
| trade. Fields had made money, :p-
parently by strictly natural methods
ard without the vaguest effort.
His store included the postoffice and
stood some forty PAGES above Paxton's.
! Time had breathed long and asthmati-
cal]v upon the window panes of Field S
i store, covering them with a veil of
gray, which effectually concealed the
; fact of dust on the commodities be-
hind it. Inside We're boxes and bar
rels, an odor of tobacco, a pot-bellied
stove, and Fields himself, a slow man
in his sos.
With these superannuated~at attractions
Paxton felt he could scarcely fail of sue
cessfully competing if only he could
hold out long enough to win the towns
confidence. But confidence is not an
easy thing to win in a California town
in which the mining excitement is
considered as barely over and freshly
discussable.
1t took Paxton several months to
down the native conservatism, but once
| the first WarineSS of the burgers was
oyerborne they gave way on a 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 plumes.
Fields took his defeat calmly. He
took everything, even his whisky and
water, in that sort. He seemed to
lack capacity for any kind of action
and it was a common wonder as to
where that girl Of his, that Louisa NJ,
got her spirit. - q.
For her spirit commanded instant re-
cognition Fields himself stood in awe
of it and as Louisa NJ. rushed up the
store steps he drew back with sense
of impending unpleasantness.
"Say, Louisa NJ" he broke out, in
concilliating tone, Il saw yeh give
Paxton the go-by. You're klnd-eh hard
on him, amt yeh?'
The girl flung her soft hat on the
counter and plunged into chair.
"Ohr' she said, Papa, I've just been
down to see the new beat land. Ihey
sent an order for him for something
| they'd run out of. T can't stand it
| T Won't-that man coming down here
and taking everything and doing you
out of your rights-oh!' She gasped
a little, tossing her hair with an ex-
cited hand, her eyes strangely blue IN
| the darkness Of her vivid little face.
Fields Jaw assumed an amiable lax
| ity. .r
Don't take on &c." he said. Il
hain't got nobody but you, and reckon
| I got enough laid by to keep us. Ia
kind-eh like to quit business anyhow
and hev a gyarden and raise things.
| Course I 'spise to see my old friends
a-ohasing. into Paxton's store, but l
'ain't -complainin'. He keeps ez good
! a grade o. tobaccer eZ ever 1 smokeu
! after and sells it reasonable"
His daughter flashed round a start
ling glance.
lam going to stop all this she said.
eyes, papa, I am not going to stand 1t.
| 7 won't see you trampled on. He may
be ssmart'-that Paxton. So am L. !
will show him!' She held out a 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
up. It's an insult!-it means that our
goods are old!'
Fields looked around.
! ssWell" he said, "our stuff is pooty
torable seasoned, Louisa M" She
wheeled about.
'We'n get new. Well paint the store
and order whole stock of everything
I'll go to the city myself and order
what is necessary. won't have no one
get ahead Of you
Fields looked miserable, but it never
! occurred to him to make head against
Louisa M. Ruin would doubtless be
! the issue Of the reckless enterprise, but
| Fields was helpless. :,
/ ssIll 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
/ intervals in the days that followed
when boxes and bales to his direction
! r......, - 4,,,,I,1n off tho hns3fS which