The Elbert County tribune., 1903-11-05
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H.
ylsQ li9l|I seemed entirely out of
place on busy Summer
street, with its strutting hustle and
hurried air of Importance. But the
house was relic of other days, when
the now thriving town was simply "A
village, and the old residents. who
had long since died or moved TO quietcr
and more fashionable quarters, had
considered Summer street the most
desirable place of residence in the
county. The Honorable Peter Perkins
had built the house. and there he had
lived for years, nomlnally practising
law. but in reality cultivating that
unproductive field, so dear TO the heart
of every true patriot, the field OF Polit-
ical Preferment; and being uniformly
unsuccessful, at length. after partic-
ularly disappointing campaign. had
died. leaving only his daughter Mar
tha-Miss Perkins-and his little old
fashioned house.
Westfield. with all its miniature
metropolitan ways, had not outgrown
the habits of everybody's knowing
about everybody elses business. and
after the Honorable Peter Perkins was
laid in his final resting place. there
was not household in Westfeld In
which the probable doings of Miss
Perkins were not more or less dis
cussed. But Miss Perkins, being what
her neighbors called IA strong minded
person." did not leave her friends long
in uncertainty, for the very day after
her fathers funeral she announced her
intention of opening "A flower store"
a new venture for Westtleld. but one
that she felt sure the growing refine
ment of the people. as they got more
money and We're brought more and
more in touch with city ways, would
warrant.
Accordingly. in n few days there
appeared a neat sign over the front
door: "Mis~ Perkins Flowers" And
into the little front parlor there came
counter and a refrigerator. while the
window was filed with fragrant bios
soms-roses, carnations and violets
predominnting. The cut flowers came
from florist in nearby city. but 1t
was not long before small green
house in the back yard did much to
supply the demand.
At first the young men of Westfield
seemed in fair way to bankrupt Them
selves at Miss Perkins counter. but
gradually they grew ncrustomedto 10 the
novelty, and the volume of trade was
reduced to proportions that could be
relied upon.
And SO Miss Perkins store became n
permanent institution. and Westfield
wondered how the town had ever got
4.
convenient stopping place. too: the la
dies made it a sort of rendezvous, and
drop in when you might. You were
almost sure to find some one to tell you
what was going on or coming of in
Westfield society. Indeed. the young
society reporter of the Westiield
Weekly Watchman depended upon
Miss Perkins store almost entirely for
the social gossip that made mp her
weekly society letter" 1t is true
that in this way she always printed
what every one already knew, but the
Watchman was conservative paper
and did not feel called upon TO assume
the responsibility of printing news be-
fore It had been discussed and con-
firmed by the whole town.
MISS ttTklilS WIS Ousy th'
counter one morning. arranging fresh
ly cut supply of flowers. when two
young ladies' arrived at the door at
the same instant, and came bustling in
together.
"Why, good morning. Miss Clemans."
exclaimed Miss Perkins, looking up in
surprise. Good morning. Miss Elwell;
aren't you chicks out a little early this
morning.
"Oh, not at ALL" replied Miss Glenn
ans with laugh. "You know. were
early birds at our house; I've been to
market already"
"Well. dear mer' exclaimed Miss FL
well. who was rather languid crea-
ture, I'm sure you are an early one.
Now nothing in the world would usual
ly get me out this early. but l have
very important riece OF news. and I
could hardly wait to get down town
to tell itr'
Miss Elwell stopped and looked at
Miss Clemans TO see that she was duly
impressed, while Miss Perkins went on
arranging her flowers.
..well. now that you are here" said
Miss Cle-1ans, "let's have the news
What is the wonderful piece of infor-
nation that has gotten Miss Lazy
bones out of bed before ten o'clock?
81 never was more surprised in my
Iife," said Miss ElwelI. "and L know
everybody will be completely upset
over it. Can't you guess what it is:"
why. of course I can't! How pro-
voking you are, Without hint of any
kind except that it's the most surpris-
ing thing that ever happened"'
Miss Elwell seemed to enjoy her
friends curiosity. Finally Miss Glenn
ans said:
1.-THE most surprising thing that ever