Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1896-06-13
HALF A MILLION.

ten years or more and had drudged all
that while, winter and summer, with
out holiday, except Christmas and
New Years day and the Fourth Of Ju-
ly, when one summer, calculating my
profits, 1 made up my mind that
could afford to enjoy myself for once as
other people did-cut the shop outright
for while and spend week or so in
the country. Trade was dull, and I was
dull too. So as Dobbins' aunt-Dobbins
is my head clerk-had house at Shady
slope and took boarder or two and
was anxious to fill her unoccupied rooms
that summer, 1 gave my name to Dob
bins to fill up the list and ran down
there with my trunk and bag about the
1st Of July.
I felt that it was an honor to Dob.
bins aunt as well as to Dobbins, but
made up my mind to be affable and
not to make them more uncomfortable
than could. No matter what your po.
sition in life, it is very wrong to put or
airs and I never do it,
'"Tell them not to put themselves out
on my account" I said to Dobbins,
''but to treat me just as they do the 9TH
er boarders," and Dobbins SAID he
would.
Puff Of Puff & Co.," said when I
met the aunt. Don't disturb yourself
ON my account. 1 am quite simple in
my habits. -
She said she wouldn't, though 1 could
see it was not every day that the head
of q firm came to Shadyslope They had
three or four ether people there, few
who taught music and composed some,
you know, and an artist and doctor
and a few who wrote novels, but no.
body Of any importance.
When l sat down to the table that
night, put them all at ease at once
II distinctly desire it to be under
stood that I don't want to disturb any
one, I said. ''Go on just as you have
been doing. I want relaxation, and it
will amuse me. Simple pleasures are
very charming when one is weary with
application to more important matters.
Then l bowed. But you can't expect
everything of people not up to the mark
Two or three laughed-why 1 don't
know
1t was very pleasant there--particu-
larly pleasant. My landlady had
daughter, quite a charming creature,
with eyes like bluebells and voice like
canary. She used to sing good deal
with the music man. The moment that
girl looked at me she appreciated me-
Before the day was over she was des-
perately in love with me, and when a
creature like that gives you her heart,
how can you look coldly on her?
Far be it from me to win the affec-
tions of an innocent girl, knowing as I
do that have a position in the world
and must marry with due consideration
OF the fact, but knowing what emotions
had awakened in her bosom 1 felt
obliged to be kind to her. We walked
together. We rode, we sung. I felt that
it was wrong, but my feelings carried
me away. Ioften thought to myself, eff
that girls father had been in the whole
sale line and had left her well off, what
q bliss would have been minep' But he
was nothing but lawyer and had
scarcely left penny. Excelsior is my
motto. Large retail should always as
pire to connection with wholesale.
And Miss Briggs Of Briggs & Bounce
smiles very sweetly when she bows to
your humble servant.
Alas, who shall control the hearts
affections? Evelina's beauty and her de-
votion touched my soul too deeply. On
tho OF of Sn1,ta1nI,n1. xxrho
growing brisk, began to feel that it
was better for the peace Of both our
hearts that I should fly. l should forget
the dream in Il little while. But she,
poor child, feared that she would nev-
er forget me.
"Adieu," l said as l shook hands
with her. perhaps we shall never meet
again.
She turned her face away from me-
Her emotions overcame her. And I took
the next train for the city.
/ entered again into the turmoil Of
trade. 1t was brisk. But nothing could
make me happy. l accused myself of
trifling with the affections of an angel
She loved me, / thought, and 1 have
broken her heart-I who secretly adore
her.
l lost my appetite. Igrew thin. When
1 saw fair creatures of her age bending
over the counter, my mind flew back to
her, lovclier than all. When Mrs. Briggs
daughter smiled upon me, l thought
how plain she was and how adorably
beautiful was Evelina.
AT l;.st--it wns in LOctober-my head
clerk claimed a holiday. II shall spend
it with my aunt and Evelina," he said.
/ sighed.
"a beautiful girl - said l.
YES" said he, blushing at the COM