The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16
TIE EVENING STOR r


were orphans. Douglas was ambitious
both for himself and his sister. He
wished to become a merchant in the
city and was DESTROYS that Clara who
was a charming girl, should marry
city man. His plan was to sell the
farm and set up a country store This
would take him to the city to buy
goods, where he would make the ac-
quaintance of business men through
whom he would gradually work his
way into a wider field. Some of these
acquaintance he might introduce to
Clara, and among them she might find
q husband.
Douglas carried out his plan. Before
starting to the city his sister warned
member that he was not versed in city
ways. To this he replied that he had
letters to the firm of Burt & Richard
son and would rely on them for adj
vice.
Burt & Richardson were wholesale
grocers. Douglas was received by Mr..
Richardson, who said to him:
on have goods to buy in SO many
different lines that you had better take
one OF our clerks to show you where
you can buy cheapest. At the same
time you can sound the market for
your groceries, and we will do as well
or better than you can do elsewhere. =
Douglas gladly accepted the offer,
and the clerk who was sent with him,
Ebert Adams, put him right into the
way of securing bargains, and by 4
| 0 clock all but the groceries had been
purchased. Douglas had found Adams
strictly a business man and was much
relieved on returning to the store to
be introduced to a Mr.. Merriman, who
he understood had just dropped in and
whose genlaity captivated the young
countryman at once. Mr.. Merriman
seemed to take to Douglas and sat
chatting with him while the others at
tended to business.
Merriman," said Mr.. Richardson,
we are very busy just now and can't
give Mr. Midway the attention he
needs. Can't you devote yourself to
4 him this EVENING""
/ Il shall be most happy" said the
! genial Merriman.
The evening was revelation to the
young merchant. He saw the sights
/ OF the city in the most delightful fash
/ ion. He tried to pay his share of the
/ expense, but Merriman would wink at
1 the cashiers and remark to Douglas,
/ wait till I go to your place, then it
| VIII be you who shall do the paying"
! Douglas became confidential, show
| ing his new friend q photograph of his
-slster. Merrlman at once went into
/ raptures over it, declaring the face to
! be the most beautiful he had ever
seen. Then a secret desire creDf into
I Douglas breast. Merriman was just
the match he would like for Clara.
The next morning Merriman spoke
/ of the picture in such terms that Ell
/ bert Adams asked to see it He gazed
back without word. Douglas would
nave been disappointed had he not
| been satisfied with Merriman's enthu-
siasm.
Douglas, having completed his pur-
chases, hurried home to tell Clara that
he had made the friend of his life who
had fallen in love with her picture and
was dying to see her. He was to come
up Soons when Douglas would return
the favors he had received, but must
necessarily do SO in his own house.
This would throw Merriman and Clara
together.
Week after week passed, but moth
| ing was heard of Mr.. Merriman. Doug
1 las was disappointed. When October
came he wrote inviting Merrinan to
+ come up ana make them a visit. The
/ letter was answered by the firm, say
i ing that Merriman was very busy A
! few days later young Ebert Adams
/ walked into the store in shooting cos
tune and said he was on his way to
his shooting club. Douglas invited
MIN to supper, and from the moment
he and Clara met they seemed desper-
ately pleased with each other.
Adams did not get away to his
shooting for several days, remained
| there but a short time and when he
came back spent several days more in
the company of Clara Midway. Doug
| las was troubled 4 He did not relish
the idea of his sister taking a fancy to
a mere clerk. He wished to keen her
During the winter there was not a
holiday that Adams did not appear
and spend the whole of it with Clara.
1.-THE more Douglas thought about the
matter the more he was surprised. The
man who had fallen in love with the
picture had not taken the trouble to
see the original. The man who had
made no comments on the picture had
fallen in love with the original.
One evening Douglas went home
from the store and found Adams and
Clara together. Indeed, they were very
near ogether-they were in each 9TH
er's arms Adams on becoming aware
of Douglas presence said to him:
do you remember showing me your
sisters picture in the city on your
visit there?"
Eyes. and you made no comment on
"Stil1 waters run deep: [ fell in love
with it. I vowed that I would seek
out its original and win her if possible.
I have done both and nothing remains
but your consent.
"Clara can speak for herseIf-that
is, if you are able
81 am now member of the firm of
Burt & Richardson"
81 confess" said Douglas, fthat I
always hoped that Mr.. Merriman''-
ssMerrimani Why Merriman is our
professional entertainer. The firm pays
him a salary and all he spends on our
customers. Besides, he's a married
man."
well, I'll be hangedi'' exclaimed
Douglas. HARRIET CAWLEY.
QUAKER REFLECTIONS.