Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-06-22
4 STORE
ROMANCE

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William French Irided himself on the
fact that he was not an ambitious man.
He was wont to say that envy and
discomfort are the twin roots Of all evil
and that to be satisfied with cue's lot
In life is the sum total If all earthly
philosophy.
William did not put il that way ez-
actly. for he hadn't much more educa-
ton than he had ambition. But that
was what lie meant when be would oc-
casionaIly announce to his fellow clerks
over the bowl Of mush and milk that
formed his MONDAY meal at the quick
lunch" counter, "What I can get Is
good enough for me- and don't yCu for
get it.
And his fellow clerks, mostly unam-
bilious men like himself. would general
ly reply, with laconic vagueuess of as
sent, That's what.
William lot in life was sufficiently
humble.
He sold tin bathtubs in the poorly
lighted basement Of a big department
store six days in the week. His Sundays
he spent in riding a secondhand bicy
Gle. If il was fine. and reading the pic
torial papers or sewing refractory but
tons and reluctant patches on his cloth
ing when the weather precluded any
idea Of outdoor amusement.
For William was a bachelor and
looked askauce at the fair sex as the
lovely promoters Of much Of the dis
content he 20 sternly deprecated and the
gentle inciters Of the reckless and wick
cd extravaganza whose existence in the
world he so greatly deplored.
So when he caught the futter Of
skirt On any stray bicycle he chanced to
pass on a lonely road he would scorch
sternly ahead and never once glance
around 10 see if the fair traveller was
riding for fun or 20 reduce her waist
measure
From which it may be seen that Mr..
French was very much Of a philosopher.
But, alas, even philosophers are not
exempt from the visitings of the tender
passion, and it CHANGED one day that
Cupid, for want Of something better to
do, chose TO visit the basement Of that
particular store and plant his dart deep
in the heart Of the young man who sold
tin bathtubsl
1t happened this way:
A young woman came to fill vacan-
cy in the graniteware department, next
to Williams $ own, and he, 50 long In
different and even callous to the charms
Of woman, no sooner saw the new clerk
busy over her saucepans and teakettles
than he was smitten with a desire TO
possess her for his own.
Miss Thompson was not beautiful, to
be sure, nor was she at all imposing Of
appearance. shat she should thus capti-
vate the heart Of this severe critic at
first sight. And she trotted about with
a brisk alertness Of movement quite in
compatible with grace and elegance Of
movement.
But she suited William right down
to the ground.
To begin with, she had soft eyes, Of
no particular color perhaps, but some
how when their gaze rested on William
he felt that here, at last, was one who
could appreciate his true vulue almost
as keenly as he did himself Heg brown
hair, Of a very ordinary shade, was
parted very neatly over her smooth
brow Ia fnshiorf extremely plain and
unambitiOus compared with the impos
ing pompadours worn by the magnificent
young ladies who sold ribbons and neck
ties at the counters up stairs and whose
airs and graces made William SO un-
comfortable that he frequently went to
rival establishment to purchase the
modest "made up cravat which com
pleted his humble toilet.
Moreover, Miss Thompson simple
black alpaca gown, with its trinity belt
ed waist and spotless cuffs and collar,
betrayed none Of the wickedly extraya
CANT ideas William had long considered
the prevalent weakness Of the sex.
1t wasn't very long before the two
young people became very friendly.
Stewpans and teakettles being moro
in demand than bathtuhs, William
was frequently called upon to assist
Miss Thompson in her department, and
this association with her afforded tho
young man moments Of exquisite Joy.
At other times he would watch her.
busy over her cooking utensils, and
Imagine how she would look in a little
kitchen Of her own manipulating sim
| liar implements in the preparation Of
his own supper.
The thought was Intoxicating. Here
at last he had found girl who would
| be willing TO share his humble lot he
| told himself 4 plain little thing like
her would probably regard tiny three
room fiat such az he had IN mind as a
very palace Of luxury. He himself
| would seem to her sort OF special
| Providence through whose benevolent
intervention she would realize all those
! dreams OF home and husband most girls
! indulge in
This Thought he found even more
! agreeable shan the other, and he found
himself assuming protecting and even
! patrOnizing air with her ut times
The enamOred young man went 50
| far as 90 hint 10 the object Of his aifec-
tion his hopes Of having modest home
Of his own one day, and while lie could
not recall aftnWard that she had be-
traycd any great interest in his plans
be took comfort in thinking that girls
are shy about showing their feelings
and that probably it had not occurred
10 her that he would notice little clerk
in the graniteware department.
So William dreamed his dreams, and
even began to inquire around about the
rent If flats such as nc would be apt 10
require
But he did not tell his love. There
was no hurry about that. He would
wait till spring when rents were
cheaper.
And, besides, she was probably not
prepared to hear Of the honor he pro.
posed to pay hcr. She might faint or
something Girls were apt to do those
things when you took them unawares,
he had heard
80 the Winter wore on, and William
spent more and more Of his time talk
ing to his fair neighbor, and fell more
deeply in love at every interview.