The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-08-15

shear points. Sometimes he would add
tiny balls of colored candy dough TO
the mass, and when drawn out these
would make the stripes in stick candy
and candy balls and shaped objects.
All this was plainly visible through
the windows Of the shop, and from her
position at the cart the girl watched
the candy maker much Of the time
when not engaged with customers. at
first idly and then with increasing in
terest. Apparently the operation was
novelty to her And on his part.
after the first day. the old candy maker
got in the habit of smiling and noddinG
an acknowledgment of her interest.
He was a good customer for fruit,
partly to be used in his trade and
partly for his own consumption. So
on the second day when he picked up
basket and came out ON the sidewalk
barchcaded and in his shirt sleeves
several of the push cart men stepped
forward with eager anticipation. Eut
he waved them back bruSquely He
had seen good deal through the win
dow in spite of his seeming absorption
in his work
NO. no." he said irascibly, 'yom
hands are not clean enough to handle
fruit | will buy from the girl"
The third day he began to watch the
girl anxiously. He. too had noticed
her exhaustion. During the day he
was out twice and bought fruit fror,
her
The fourth morning n long line OF
girls went into the shop one after an
other remaining a few moments and
then came out For the most part they
We're i'll clad, unattractive girls, and
not one of them bought anything It
was evident they We're seeking work
and just as evident. after the first
twenty or more had gone in and come
out that the candy maker was becon-
ing irritated Toward the end he only
gave an applicant single glance, and
more than once his "Now was plainly
heard by the girl at her push cart on
the corner.
At length late in the afternoon he
came out bareheaded and in his shirt
sleeves. as usual. but without his has
ket He went straight to the girl
Are YOU going to run this push
cart all the timer" he asked.
The girl looked surprised
Il don't know" she answered doubt
fully
Because if you're not" he went on
Il want to hire you to work in my
shop. You saw all those girls strag
Cling in with soilcd dresses and untidy
hair and SOU faces and pert man.
ners. Bah. They'd make pretty
shopGirls. wouldn't they? | want q
lady. 4 nice looking. neat, capable
Cirl who can look pleasant and at Ii,
same time he ladylike. They all came
in answer to an advertisement, AM
not one In the whole lot suited me"
The girl swaycd slightly. but stead
led herself quickly by leaning against
the cart. holding to it by both hands,
Perhaps | wouldn't suit either" she
ha-arded, forcing smile to her face
Yes. You would" he answered But
Two been watching you through tn,
window for three days. You're neat
and particular about yourself. Thai
shows And you're neat about other
things from the way you look afte.
your cart and fruit. And you're at
tractive to customers and make your
self look pleasant even when you fee
the other way That's what your,
doing now You're not sickly, ar
yOu?" his new found anxiety at last
finding expression in words.
no; I've always been very stron2
and healthy" she answered. "OnlJ
just now I am little weak"
Il thought you must be strong" wit
some relief il his voice. from the wa
you handled the cart the first day yoJ
came | was watching But yesterday
and today you've seemed q little sick
~ My work viii be lots easier thar
having a cart like this and nicer and
| think will pay You better. But Of courS,
| III need a girl who's spry and ca,
keep up. She'll have to help me make
chocolates and fancy candies and pu
them in boxes and look after custom
ers. I'm too busy to wash my hand!
every time a customer comes in, anl
! il hurts trade. l could do twice the
business if 1 had good help. I'm turn
ing away trade every day" He waited
- moment, as though debating some
thing. then added cordially: Anyway
| I'm willing to try you few week
evol if you should be sickly. You're
just the appearing girl want, and
know you're spunky."
We'll, l don't know yet" the CIR
began TREMENDOUSLY Then her face sud
denly changed SIZE was looking be
| yond him. Father" she cried re
| nrolchfully.
:. frail little man with white hal
was approaching them, walking slowl.
with the aid of a cane. He looked anx
i)us.
"Giuseppina," he cried, Il could no
wait any longer. | have been worry
ing all day. and at last ! had to get vi
and dress and come and see. You
looked so bad last night and you die
not want me to notice. pretended t.
be asleep, but ! watched, and
watched the might before The tw,
| first days | was too sick to think, bu