Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-08-11
WILLIAM and marcia.

CO HE little, old-fashioned building
on the o!dfashioned side of the
green. contained three little, old
fashioned shops.
or the three one was vacant. Be
fore the coming of the brick block on
the opposite side Of the green, it had
been the postotfice but upon comp.e
dion of the new building. Uncle Sa,n-
acl that his dignity and prestige
might remain unimpairei, moved
across, followed by the usnai crowd
OF ,oIngers and most of the business
Until then, also. the little. old-fash
toned building had always been proud
Iy referred to as the block" now the
prefix, old. became necessary to dis
1inguish it from its newer and more
preteutiOuS rival.
Two little signs, hanging chumnity
aide 10y side above the doorways of
the other two little shops. informed
those who cared TO know that the 0c-
cupants We're. respectively: 'Nar,'ie
Goodwin. Milliner." and William Tn
derwOOd. Newsdealer aud StatiOner :"
short somewhat stout man of 10
odd years came across the green one
morning. and unlocking the door be-
meath the sign of william Under
wood" entered. Soon he emerged.
minus his hat aud coat, and after
throwing back the heavy wooden
shutter covering the window. began
sweeping the board walk which ran
~ front of the shop.
For this was William Underwood,
the proprietor. Not the William Tn.
derwOOd whose name the sign bore;
that was odd Billy" Underwood. 1t
was Young Billy" Underwood sweep
ing the walk; so christened by the vii
layers for convenience in distinguish
Ing him from his father when he en-
tered the shop as ssistant. twenty
five years before; and although his
father had been dead these many
years. to them he was Young Billy"
still.
And although at the time of his
dca tn the elder Underwood was con-
sidered the richest man in the county
and William was his only heir. he con
hnued to keep the little shop. seem
lnGly content to follow in the foot
steps OF his sire.
AS il awakened by the noise and
hustle. the door of the adjoining shop
opened and "A trim little woman ap
peared. broom in hand.
In response to Williams Good
morning, Marcia" she nodded a CHEEKY
good morning, aud going to the oppO-
site end of the walk. began to sweep
Drisaly
AS the sweeping progressed and
they neared each other. the CONVERSE
ton was resumed.
IFS lovely morning for SO late in
the fail William"
Yes; though 1t does feet a trifie
winterish."
Another silence. during which both
swept industriOusly. Then William
Aaid:
Squire Martin tells me that Ruth
York"
TIN glad she married we'll Off. and
was able to go there. l knew she d
enjoy it."
The sweeping was finished and for
moment they fingered in front Of
thcir dOorways.
II did not see you at the wedding"
''NO. did not GO" Then profess
slonal pride asserting itself she add
ed: Il made her wedding bonnet and
che hat she wore away"
The day was "a trife wintersh," as
William had said and Marcia hav-
ing tidied up the shop. decided fire
Wo1.d he necessary to remove the
Ehill. She had some difficulty in get
hing 1t to burn, but succeeding finally.
came to the front and seated herself
by the window. her favorite corner.
Her thoughts weer still Of the we'd
ding, and she sighed softly, as she
eazed out on the green. 1t was nearly
nineteen years since she left school to
assist her mother In the care of the
shop. Theirs WAS the only millinery