The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1907-07-21

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 i'll
terest. Apparently the operation was
q 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 good customer for "'nt.
partly to be used in his trade ana
partly for his own consumption. 50
on the second day when he picked Zip
a basket and came out on the sidewalk
barehcaded and in his shirt sleeves
several of the push cart men stepped
forward with eager anticipation. But
he waved them back brusquely. II"
had seen n gool deal through the Will
dow In spite of his seeming absorption
in his work.
mo. no." he said irascibly. your
hands are not clean enough to handle
fruit. I 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 from
her.
The fourth morning n long line OF
girls went into thc shop one after an
other. remainin~ y few moments ana
then came OF. - the most part they
were i'll c,:t.' una. active girls. and
not one of them bnilght anything. 1t
was evident they were seeking work
and Just as evident. after the first
twenty or more had gone in and come
out. thAt the candy maker was becom-
Ing irritated Toward the end he only
gave an applicant a single glance. and
more than Cnce his "NO!' was plainly
heard by the girl at her push cart on.
the corner.
At length late in the afternoon be
came out bareheaded and in his shirt
sleeves. as usual. but without his bas-
ket. He went straight to the girl
"Are you going to run this pus'i
cart all the time?" he asked.
| The girl looked surprised.
Il don't know" she answered doubt
fully.
Because if you're not" he went Oh
II want to hire you to work in my
shop. You saw ali those girls stra.c
Cling in with soiled dresses and rntidy
hair and sour faces and pert man
ners Bah. They'd make pretty
shopgirs wouldn't they: | want 81
lady, nice looking. neat. capable
girl who can look pleasant and ut the
same time he ladylike. They all came
in answer to an advertisement. and
not one IN the whole lot suited me"
The girl swaycd slightly. but stead
! the cart. holding to II by both hands.
perhaps I wouldn't suit either she
hazarded. forcing Il smile to her face.
YES, you would" he answered. But
his tone wIs not quite so positive.
1--WE been watchin. YOU through the
| window for three days. You're neat
and particular about yourself. That
shows And .on're neat about other
things from re way you look after
your cart ar fruit. And you're at
tractive to o. olncrs and make your
self look p'''-' ant even when you fee!
the Othe" ". : That's what you're
doing no You're not sickly. are
yOu?" his r"'- found anxiety ut last
finding expression in words.
mo: I've always been very strong
and healthy" she answered. Only
|
II thought you must be strong" with
some relief in his voice. from the why
you handled the cart the first day You
came l was watching. But yesterday
and today you've seemed little sick
| ". My work will be lots easier than
having a cart like this and nicer and
think will pay you better. But Of course
| I'll need q girl who's spry and can
keep up. She'll have to help me make
chocolates and fancy candies and put
them in boxes and look after custom
| ers I'm too busy to wash my hands
| every time a customer comes in. and
it hurts trade l could do twice the
business II had good help. I'm turn
Ing away trade every day" He waited
JuOuCut, us tuOuNu uCDutiu8
| thing. then added cordially: Anyway.
I'm willing to try you a few weeks
| even il you should be sickly. You're
just the appearing girl want. and ]
know you're spunky."
"Well. i don't know yet" the girl
began TREMENDOUSLY. Then her face sud-
denly changed. She was looking be-
yond him. Father she cried re-
proachfully.
A frail little man with white hair
was approa ching them. walking slowly
with the aid of cane. He looked anx-
iOus.
"Giuseppina" he cried, II could not
wait any longer! l have been worry
ing all day and at last l had to get up
and dress and come and see. You
looked so bad last night. and you did
not want me to notice. l pretended to
be asleep. but watched. and !
watched the night before. The two
first days l was too sick to think. but