Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-01-03

Il basket and then 1 shall know they
are safe
But you will have to go to and fro
so many times, mother | remonstra-
ted.
"I don't care she said, with the
mild obstinacy which / knew IL was
useless to try to combat. 1 shall carry
them. James, so there is the end OF IL.
Annie happened to be up at our
house while this conversation was go
ing on. So she said in minute:
" 4 will come and help you, Mrs.
Ansell'
livery well. my dear" said my moth
er.
so it was arranged that next day
she and Annie were to do this lght
work between them.
1T happened that business called me
away from home in the early morning
and | did not return until rather late.
When a man comes in dead tired he is
apt to feel rather cross as well, so II
came to pass that when my mother
spoke to me | answered her good deal
shorter than | should have done in an
ordinary way.
"'Annie hasn't been up to-day,
James, she said.
Then let her stay away re-
Joined in no very amiable tones. We
can do without her, expect
Now, when l said this, l meant
nothing in the world, can faithfully
assure you. 1t was just one of those
hasty speeches which, suppose, every
body makes at times. Little did |
think what its consequences were go
ing to be. s~---'-,--:.--
IAN oficious neighbor happened to
be in. and straightway took the story
TO Annie-with additions. Annie had
a temper of her own, and made rather
scathing remark, which drifted back to
me. as such things always do.
Annie was too aggravated to come
to Justify herself. as it afterward turn
ed out she could easily have done, and
| chose to be offended at her staying
away. So there we were with matters
at a deadlock.
You will perhaps hardly believe me
when I tell YOU that from trivial
cause like that sprang an estra1gement
that all but parted us for good and all.
If we met in the street we never spoke.
One night | saw her and she loofed at
me with something like laugh in her
eve. but | held my head up stiff and
gazed straight before me. That made
her wild and an idea began to come
into her head.
MY business had prospered well since
my removal. / had the full run OF trade
in the village, for there was no opposition:
so as far as monetary matters went
had a good reason to be satisfied with the
state of affairs.
you will remember that told you Mr..
Lasons house was exactly opposite my
own. one morning when ! went out TO
take down the shutters | was surprised
to see lot of workmen beginning to be
busy across the way.
II wondered what on earth they were
going to do, but was too proud to inquire.
/ was not. however, long left in ignor-
ance. News soon flies. and before the day
was over the matter had been discussed
times over by gossips in our shop.
NV mother was the first TO hear, and
when she had a bit of leisure she came out
u where l was unpacking goods in the
back yard.
James said she. Whatever do you
think? Mr.. Lason's house is going TO be
turned into shop, and Annie is going to
start in business.
"'Oh.' l replied indfferently. What is
the shop going to be?'
"a general dealers. said my mother.
My lad. there isn't room for two shops
here If one fourishes the other can't
81 felt n bit queer but I never said
word. Day after day the work went on
and the things were done in a style that
made my place look dull and old-fashioned
At last bills appeared to say that the new
shop would be opened on next Saturday
night
Now. Saturday night was always our
busiest time. We were used 10 taking
about $50 over the counter between
o'clock and closing time. I had set out
my windows TO the very best advantage.
but when the blinds of Annie's shop were
drawn up knew was beaten.
THAT night my mother and stood wait
ing for the customers that never came
We did not say much to one another. but
I knew how we felt.
you may guess there was plenty OF talk
outside. and now and again scraps drifted
in to us Public opinion was divided; some
freely abused Annie. while others flung
hard words AZ me.
Served him right ! heard one indig-
nant voice exciaim. Why didn't he marry
the wench. after courtin her all them
years? Shabby beggar"
Then came remark from the opposite
side:
Her wants shootin'. her does. trying to
take the bread out Of a honest chaps
mouth Her'n come 20 no good
But even those who sympathized with
me lid not come in and bestow their GUS
tom as usual Curiosity was too strong
for them They wanted TO see what the
new shop was like.
THAT night. after closing time. we went
through the farce Of counting up. The
contents OF the till were exactly eleven
shilings.
MY mother looked inclined to burst