The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-10-17

usual, that the graduating exer-
cises were the best that the acad-
envy had ever known. and at the re-
union in the evening Hamlin Hall was
crowded with students, old and new.
But il was all over now, and the last
10 leave the hall were John Arming-
ton and Alice Raymond. They were
somewhat older than the rest Of the
class. and IL was well known that they
were engaged. Alice had been the
~ music teacher at the academy during
the last year of her course, and River
dale was more than proud Of her mu-
steal ability. John had assisted in
teaching some OF the younger classes.
The grace and beauty Of youth rested
upon them as they stood side by side.
They were looking at the class motto
above the stage:
PER ASPERA AID ASTRA
"Plenty OF 'aspera' ahead OF us SAID
John, but guess we go per them to
gether."
"Oh, but we must remember all the
time there are plenty OF 'astra, TOO,
said Alice cheerfully
NO" said John, looking straight
down into her star-like eyes, "only two
'astra' in all the world for me"
Alice tried TO look very grave, but
only succeeded in Flushing prettily as
she said, 1T doesn't do bit of good
to preach to you, John, you always
make some sort of game OF it,
Then they ran down the stairs and
out into the bright moonlight of the
cool May night, none the less happy
because there was an undcr-currcnt
of anxiety in their thought of the fu-
ture.
The next morning John went 10 the
station with Alice, and she took the
early train for Boston, where she was
TO study music, and as soon as possible
to teach II. When the train had gone,
John went Immediately to Enoch
Rices general store in the village, hung
up his coat put on linen duster, aud
began to "sweep out"
There were some who were much as
tonished at Johns action in going into
the store az n clerk.
II hadn't no idee that John was goin'
to stop here" said old Josiah Green,
the village "uncle." "When ! hcerd
him rattle off that Latin piece to the
graduatin', | thought certainly he was
goin' right on TO be pcrfessor or
minister, or sunthin. OF course, not
havln' no own folks, as you might say,
he may be short ont for money TO go
ahead, and so he's gone int the store TO
arm little to help him out"
But il soon appeared that John was
in the store TO stay, and il also ap-
peared that many changes were taking
place there. Order succeeded chaos.
With the reluctant consent of Mr.. Rice,
John arranged sort of "rummage"
sale, and marked old goods at such low
prices that the accumulatiOns of TWEEN
ty-fve years were cleared away, and
the store looked as if II had just been
stocked with new goods.
81 tell ye what" said Uncle Josiah
Johns hustler, no mistake. Trades
just about doubled since he went
there. Enoch has raised his pay twice.
and he's had TO hire new hand al
ready. The way John handles all sorts
of customers is a caution. Why, here
the other day he actually sold Mis-
Pinchter a new black alpacky afore
she knew it. when she hain't bought a
new dress this ten year, with all her
money" And the old man chuckled
with silent laughter
II happened into the store the other
day he continued, when Oliver
Rush that Boston drummer, come in
He hadn't been in the store before
since John had his sale and cleared off
all the old goods. Rush. he looked all
around the store aforc he said word
"'Cap'n Rice he says what you
been don'T
Oh says EnoCh, my clerk here
has been havin' a kind of an auction
sale of the old goods, and ixin' up
things little
Rush turned quicker'n lightnin'. and
looked John all over. head TO foot:
but John, he never turned hair. Jest
KEEP right on measurin' off dress for
one of the factory girls. | tell We. sir.
see now what Johns game is. He's
set out to be a millionaire and he'll hc
1t, too. And that drummer. he'll have
his finger in the pie, now you mark my
words"
And having once more settled Johns
future to his own satisfaction. Uncle
Josiah shufiled home.
one morning Mr.. Rice came into the
store in great excitement. John" he
said, Il hear that two men from Rut-
land are going to start a grocery store
In the lower village. right where so
many of the mill people live. II will
cut deep into our grocery trade. sure as
you are born, but don't see how we
can do anything about IT,"
why don't you make an offer TO
these men to sell out your grocery de-
partment TO themT asked John. oul.
etly.
sell OUT" exclaimed Mr.. Rice. "You
must be crazy. Johnw
NO, Mr. Rice, think Il Is a great
opportunity to make profitable
change in the store. believe the time
has come when It will pay you TO put
In larger and better stock of dry
&Apds and shoes and let the grocery
department 90. The new mill will
soon be built. and that will double the
mill trade. Then. too believe that
with n hlgh-gradp stock of drv-roods