Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-08-19


course, the shop
was not very large, and was choked full
of things, principally readymade pima
fores. skirts and shawls, whilst in the
plass case that stood beside the door
woods and bright-colored ribbons were
displayed and on the counter were laid
tapes, pins and needles, and all kinds
of small ware.
Craseby was a large manufacturing
flown, such as the north abounds in,
where people earned in the factories
good money" which they were always
too ready to spend; and among the wom-
en- not a little of each weeks wages
found its way TO Miss Hampson in ex-
change for the bright ribbons displayed
In her glass case, or in a cotton blouse
Of brilliant tint; and Saturday after
noon was the time when those impor-
tant purchases were made. Friday
evening was pay time, and the money
was burning holes in the owners pock-
cts until the halliday holiday gave them
the leisure they required to go and
spend it.
Ellen-or Miss Hampson as she was
always called-was a general favorite
in the way we regard something we
rather pity. She was quiet and humble
in manner, so ready to please and oblige,
and would take as much trouble in serv-
ing q penny customer as one who came
for things many times that amount.
In appearance she was rather gaunt;
her clothes seemed TO hang loosely on
her, and her hands were rough and red
with hard work. There was a patient
look in her brown eyes, and her hair,
had she allowed it, grew loosely and
lightly over her temples, but this was
strained tightly back. Undoubtedly
she had the mallings of good-loolling
woman that for Lack of being made the
most of were going to seed.
'Pve a good business" Ellen would
say, "and just live in that, and p'r'aps
I'm downright ungrateful to expect
more; but cottons and tapes are pooc
company, and now mothers gone |
never feel as though it matters whether
customers are few or many. 1t was diff
ferent then; each tinkle of the bell
seemed like luxury for mother"
But it wasn't often she had time TO
indulge in such wicked thoughts" as
she called them, for business was brisk,
and it was only during the week ut odd
moments" that she could sit down a bit,
and then this desolation came, and al
most seemed to suffocate her And on
Sundays she seldom ventured out, eX-
cept to go to church, for it was so doubiy
dreary to walk out alone, when every
one except herself had a companion. and
right down in the bottom of her heart
she envied the young couples who would
stroll by arm in arm, utterly oblivious
TO everybody or thing except them.
selves.
Years ago, when she had been q girl
of about II, young George Seaton had
wanted her to keep company with him;
but the mother had declared she was too
young, and now Ellen thought, with a
sigh, 81 am too old" though, in reality,
she was not very much the wrong side
of 80, but then she looked very much
older, and it is supposed woman is as
old as she looks.
So, however bright the Sundays were,
Ellen would not be tempted out of her
little parlor to go for walk, for she
felt her loneliness more in going out
than when sitting by herself in the
house. 1t was almost like being n leper,
to walk alone. Doubtless there were
many people, had they known how
much pleasure they could have given,
who would gladly have Invited her out
walking, but the general impression
was that Miss Hampson was rather
dull sort of person, who was happy
enough in her own way.
1t had been a warm, sultry day, ana
towards evening Ellen stood at her door
trying to get a breath of air, when DICK
Darnlev came along the street. He was
a good-looling man, with an honest race
and clear blue eyes, and was general
favorite. Craseby was not his native
part. for he hailed from the Midlands.
He was a, carpenter by trade, and had
more than once done some small jobs
for Ellen.
In passing ne gave iiti u piN
and then. turning rather suddenly, ne
came back and followed Ellen, who had
gone in, into the shop, treading eau
tionsly, as though he feared to do some
damage.
Iwant some buttons, please" he said'
a little awl1wardly, placing siXpence on
the counter; those with holes in them.
"What size will you be wantingT
This was evidently poser. AtIength
he answered.: "Middlin' big"
You has a deal of stuff" he re-
marked. looking around; but not mum
in my line. I'm thinking.
90, no. don't know anything about
mems things" blushing 81 suppose
you are buying these buttons for some
one? I'll change them, you know IL
they're not right"
The man gave little laugh as IL
something amused him.
I'm real obliged to you" he sald;
and, as the parcel was ready, be oade
aud