The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-09-25
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vll9l ll9llI seemed entirely out Oh
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 q
village. and the old residents, who
had long since died or moved TO quieter
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, nominally practising
law, but in reality cultivating that
unproductiye 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 hls little old
fashioned house.
Westfeld, with all its miniature
metropolitan ways, had not outgrown
the habits OF everybody's knowing
about everybody else's business, and
after the Honorable Peter Perkins was
laid in his final resting place, there
was not household in Westfield In
which the probable doings of Miss
Perkins were not more or less dis
cussed But Miss Perkins, being what
her nelghbors called "a strong. minded
person" dld not leave her friends long
in uncertainty, for the very day after
her fathers funeral she announced her
intention Of opening n flower store,
n new venture for Westfleld, but one
that she felt sure the growing refine
ment OF the people, as they got more
money and were brought more and
more In touch with city ways, would
warrant.
Accordingly, I'm n few days there
appeared q neat sign over the front
door: miss Perkins, Flowers" And
into the little front parlor there came
a counter and q refrigerator, while the
window was filed with fragrant bios
soms-roses. carnations and violetS
predominating The cut flowers came
from florist in n nearby city, but 1T
was not long before "A, small green
house In the back yard did much to
supply the demand.
At first the young men of Wcstileld
seemed I'm fair way to bankrupt them
selves Mt Miss Perkins counter, but
gradually they grew accustomed TO the
novelty, and the volume Of trade was
reduced to proportions that could he
relied upon.
And so Miss Perkins store became
permanent institution, and Westfield
wondered how the town had ever got
ton along without II. II was such
convenient stopping place. too; the Ia
dies made Il sort Of rendezvous, and
drop I'm when you might, you were
almost sure to find some one TO tell you
what was going on or coming off In
Westheld society. Indeed, the young
society reporter Of the Westiield
Weekly Waterman depended upon
Miss Perkins store almost entirely for
the social gossip that made up her
weekly society letter" II 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 IL had been discussed and con
flrmed by the whole town.
Miss Perkins was busy behind the
counter one morning. arranging fresh
ly cut supply Of flowers. when two
young ladies arrived at the door Mt
the same instant. and came bustllng In
together.
'Why, good morning, Miss Clemans.'
exclaimed Miss Perkins, looking up in
surprise. Good morning, Miss Elwell;
aren't you chicks out little early this
morning.
"Oh. not nj ALL" replied Miss Clem-
ans with laugh. You know, were
early birds at our house; I've been to
market already"
"Well. dear mcr' 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 | have q
very important piece of news, and |
could hardly wait TO get down town
10 tell ftr'
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 Clemans, lets have the news.
What is the wonderful piece OF infor-
nation that has gotten Miss Lazy
bones out OF bed before ten o'clock"
"I never was more surprised in my
llfe." said Miss Elwell. land l know
everybody will be completely upset
over IL. Can't you guess what it is?'
"Why, of course | can't! How pro-
voking you are. Without hint OF any
kind except that it's the most surpris-
ing thing that ever happenedw
Miss Elwell seemed 10 enjoy her
friends curiosity. Finally Miss Glen.
ans said:
''Thc most surprising thing that ever
happened? You must be going to get
marriedw
"Now, see here. girls" exclaimed
Miss Perkins from behind the counter.
''thats the way young ladies talk. 1
believe I'm the comic papers, but ii isn't
the kind OF wit that is considered good
form in good society; so Rose. II you
have any news TO tell. let us have IL.
and. Blanche. stop your onaffing."
The girls laughed. and Miss Elwell
said:
miss Perkins curiosity is getting
aroused. so won't keep you in sus-