The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1902-10-24
RoRoHoHol
!. FROM GRAFTON
AND BACK
BY cEctLY ALLEN
Copyright, 1901, BY Ceelly Allen

Copyright, 1901, by ceeiiy Allen 5
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
When the news spread through
Grafton that Frank Wilson had given
Jennie Holmes position as clerk in
his store. the gossips Of that self impor-
tant little county seat were thrown into
fine dutter. The women shook theiF
heads over their teacups and prophe-
sled that no good thing could come out
Of such an Innovation. The men en-
circling the stove in the store OF
Franks only competitor in groceries,
dry goods, crOckery and general mer-
chandise" decided that "et OIL Sam
White lsnowed there was n gal swishl'
her skirts roun' his flour barrels an
sugar sacks he'd just natu'ly turn over
In his grave" And the whole town and
surrounding farming district an
nounced that 1t was all due to Frank
Wilson'S having attended business
College in the city for three months.
But in due time the women on trad
ing trips" gravltated toward Jennie.
she had an eye for colorS and knew
Just how much 1t would take for baby's
first short dress or Martha James pima
fores. The bluff farmers liked her, too.
because she seemed to read Alright the
mysterious Instructions intrusted to
them by busy wives at home. There
was no complaint about the calicoes
and ginghams matched at Wilson's
store, and Jennie always threw in a
stick of candy for the littlest one, to
say nothing of smiles and friendly
glances.
And, the strangest OF all. she did not
spill sugar nor drop the cracker box
nor leave the molasses faucet running,
us her employers competitor had fore
told. In fact she fitted into the niche
SO admirably that on two occasions
Frank saw tit to raise her salary.
At this last piece of good fortune she
bought an organ on the installment
plan, and the wee front room at her
aunt's home was thereby transformed
into veritabie paradise.
Enter then the proverbtal serpent In
the form OF demonstration whose mis-
sion was to teach stolId wives Of fnrm-
crs the gentle urt of warming up
canned baked beams. She wore
striped silk waist. very long and very
pointed In the front, very high as to
collar and very tight as to sleeve--she
had u pretty armand her silk lined
skirt gracefully swept up the saW'dust
on Frank Wilson'S floor.
The demonstration first patrOnized and
then really liked Jennie. She told the
wfnsome little clerk that her energy
and talent were wasted in such mar
row sphere She really ought to be In
the city, where her ability would COM
mnnd good salary and where she
might In time rise to be head Of de
partment Jennie was not quite sure
what the latter elevation implied. but
she was properly dazzled by the fair
words of her new found acquaintance
and when the Inter suggested that she
had a 6riend who had the necessary
influence to secure q position for any
one" particularly any one she might
recommend. Jennie was duly grateful.
So when a month later she received a
few lines written In u sprnwIlnE at
tempt Mt English angular pCnnanship
announcing that an opening awaited
her in the great city Jennie was wildly
excited So great was her excitement
that she did not notice the expression
on Franks face when she offered her
resignation and told him the good
news Yet he went with her to the
train. saw her comfortably fixed for
the days Journey and tried not to look
wtstfuily into the sweet face. fairly
shining now with happy antIcipations.
Then he went back to the store, the
new clerk and realization that It was
not the girls sales. but her gentle per
sonality, which had reused his interest
and something more.
The deInonstrator. clad in u new tai
Tor made suit and a silk whist even
more gorgeous than the one which had
dnzzlcd Jennie aud Grafton in general.
met her at the depot and pilotcl her to
the boarding house where she had, with
nil good intentions. selected tiny hall
room with running water, dear, and
you doA't often get that III u hall room.
"Ill be around In the morning. my
dear, and take you to the store. My
friend will be expecting YOU OF course.
but my being with you will make it
pleasanter. Then l shall hot see you
for u week or ten days. I'm going out
ON the NJ. and c. Il. for trip. But
you'll be SO busy you won't be lone
some"
Lonesome? oh. no. Jennie was not
lonesome. She was simply sick from
the tip Of her new tan shoes to the
crown Of her new sailor hat with
strange, vague illness which is not de
lined in medical publications She was
glad when the we'll meaning hut chat
tering demoustrator took herself on.
The next day found her Installed in a
bargain square OF the big department
store. The rush of people made her
head swim. the rude. captiOus bargain