Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-04-24
Lox,e Behind
The Counter.
[Original.l

making. If a man is bent on telling
girl he loves her, there is no earthly
power to stop him. The field Of battle
is not too noisy, nor is the churchyard
too quiet. On land and on sea, ut noon.
at twilight, in the ballroom and in the
death chamber lovers have wooed and
will continue to WOO so long as the
human race is OH the earth.
Johnny Bounce was a clerk in a de-
partment store in large city. He sold
goods from the mems underwear coun-
ter, which adjoined the department of
ladies' hosiery. Johnny's place was on
the right of the underwear. and on the
left of the ladies' hosiery stood Lucv
Crowfutt. a dainty blond, who from
the moment she had taken her place
there and had brought her robins egg
eyes to bear upon him had melted
way with them straight into the under
wear clerks heart. They had found
opportunity to speak scattered SEN
bright days when the store was full
of customers and to chat continuously
on rainy days when the store was de-
serted hut in this chat there was no
word of love. Love had been looked,
but not spoken. Nevertheless. after
several weeks Of propinquity. the two
young hearts had become welded
Then came new man at the glove
counter, directly opposite the mems
underwear and ladies' hosiery. He
was Byronlc in his appearance, espe-
cially his collar. which, il it was not
cut In Byronic collar fashion. was
equally ample. A mass Of raven curls
were tossed up on the top Of his head,
one of them falling down upon his
forehead, nearly touching hook nose.
He had hardly taken his place before
the fioorwaker was obliged to admon-
ish him to attend to his customers and
keep his eyes off the little girl at the
counter opposite.
Johnny Bounce was panic stricken.
No woman is insensible to admiration,
and the blue eyed beauty from the mo-
ment the clerk at the glove counter
cast his flashing black eyes upon her
threw up her hands-not in token of
surrender. but to make sure her hair
was properly adjusted. Johnny saw
the admiring glance and its effect. He
cursed himself for fool that he had
not secured the prize while there was
no one at the glove counter except two
commonplace middle aged men and an
old maid. Now it might be too late.
Not a moment was to be lost.
The morning was beautiful. The
windows were full of spring goods.
The wax ladies donned in the habili-
ments of the opening season seemed
to smile more contentedly than usual
But this has nothing to do with an
artistic setting for this romance. for
within the store was crowded and the
weather being mild, overheated. John
ny Bounce's cheek glowed not only
with the temperature of the building
but with anxiety. He was keeping one
eye on some union suits he was show
ing to customer. the other on the
toner, not finding what he wanted.
moved on. A lady to whom Miss
Crowfutt had been showing stockings
moved on at the same time. Johnny
determined to seize the opportunity.
miss Crowfutt," he began, "do you
know that it seems very short time
since you came into the place beside
me. but 1t isn't It's month. That's
long enough for me to find out a Sc
cret. I've found out Blankets, sir?
Sixth floor. Take the elevator I've
found out that if l don't Wooden
ware? Basement. If don't-I mean
if you don't Mems underwear? Right
here. What size, sir? Thirty-two
waist is too large. for twenty eight
length. Undershirt thirty -four? Think
you'll find thirty-six more satisfac-
tory. No, the goods don't shrink, but
thirtysiX will be easier. Don't like
the quality? They're all wool, sir. We
haven't a better line in the house.
Sorry can't suit you. You'll find
bath robes in the back of the store.
four aisles that way"
AS the man moved off Il lady ap-
preached Miss Crowfutts counter. and
it was half an hour before the two
were again free Then Johnny sidled
up to Lucy. This time he spoke from
| the heart.
I'm nearly crazy"
whats the matter with you? You'll
find lace curtains over on that side,
madam"
'That fellow opposite Is rubbering
| you
"Pshaw. Do you think I'd look ut
| him: What size, madam? I.isle
thread? We have-very fine articles.
You'll find the advertised goods over
there, sir That'll fit you. Openwork?
We haven't any of these in openwork. y
| The customer passed ON and was
succeeded by another. This time Miss
| Crowfutt made Il sale, but the lady
turned away for moment to speak to
friend. Johnny whispered:
Lucy, | love you awful If YOU
don't love me I'll go mad. Tell me,
quick. before she turns. VIII you?"
evil | what:'
"Win you be my girl and marry me
so | can know YOU belong to me and
to nobody else"
At that moment the lady turned
Lucy whispered the one word Yes,
then. tapping with her pencil on the