The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1905-04-28
William and marcia.

60 HE little, OlO-IaSnlOneO DullOln8
on the old-fashioned side of the
- green, contained three little, old
fashioned shops.
OF the three, one was vacant. Be-
fore the coming Of the brick block on
the opposite side Of the green, it had
been the postoffice. but upon compile
ton Of the new building, Uncle Sam
Eel. that his dignity and prestige
might remain unimpaired moved
across, followed by the usual crowd
OF ,oungers and most of the business.
Until then. also, the little, old-fash-
toned building had always been proud
ly referred to as ''the block" now the
prefix, old, became necessary to dis
tinguish it from its newer and more
pretentious rival.
Two little signs, hanging chun,n,ily
side by side above the doorways Of
the other two little shops, informed
those who cared to know that the oc7
cupants were, respectively: Marcia
Goodwin. Milliner," and civilian In
derwood, Newsdealer and Stationer"
A short, somewhat stout man of 40
odd years came across the green one
morning, and unlocking the door be-
meath the sign of civilian Under
wood" entered. Soon he emerged,
minus his hat and coat, and after
throwing back the heavy wooden
shutter covering the window, began
sweeping the board walk which ran
in front of the shop.
For this was William Underwood,
the proprietor. Not the William I'm
derwoOd whose name the sign bore;
that was "Old 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 assistant, 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
death the elder Underwood was con-
sidered the richest man in the county
and William was his only heir, he con-
tinued to keep the little shop, seem
ingly content to follow in the foot
steps of his sire.
AS If awakened by the noise and
hustle, the door of the adjoining shop
opened and trim little woman ap
peared, broom in hand.
In response to Williams "Good
morning, Marcia" she nodded CHEEKY
good morning, and going to the oppo
site end Of the walk. began to SWEEP
briskly.
AS the sweeping progressed ant
they neared each other, the converse
ton was resumed.
It's a lovely morning for so late ii
the fall, William"
Eyes; though it does feel a trif,
winterish."
Another silence. during which boil
swept industriously. Then william
said:
Squire Martin tells me that Rutl
is having a splendid time in New
York"
I'm glad she married we'll of, an
was able to go there. / knew She
enjoy it."
The sweeping was finished and fo
q moment they fingered in front Q
their doorways.
II did not see you at the wedding.
mo, did not CO." Then profe
sional pride asserting itself. she ado
ed: II made her wedding bonnet an
the hat she wore away"
The day was "a trife winterish," 9
William had said, and Marcia ha'
1ng tidied up the shop, decided a fl
would be necessary to remove tt
chill. She had some difficulty in &c
ting 1t to burn, but succeeding fnall
came to the front and seated herse
by the window, her favorite corner.
Her thoughts weer still Of the we,
ding, and she sighed softly, rs ST
gazed out on the green. 1t was near
nineteen years since she left school
assist her mother in the care Of Il
shop. Theirs was the only millinel