The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1911-12-20

I have taken infinite pains with these.
Please, please tell me what is wrong
with them"
There was a note of tragedy in the
rich contralto tones which, together
with a beseeching glance from won
derful violet eyes, put to rout the
rules and regulations Of the astute
buyer of Christmas novelties. His
was a smart shop. and he had never
y~ouchsafed explanation to struggling
young artists whose work he declined
to sell on commission. but now he
picked up the little packets Of plate
and score cards, gay with holly, Santa
Claus heads. etc.
Let me explain" he said. ''These
are not novelties. They are the same
style Of cards used in the past twenty
years, with the same decorations. Wo-
men who can afford to pay the prices
demanded for hand painted novelties
want something new. See this poin-
settia blossom-not painted on a card.
but cut in the shape Of the blossom
itself-and this funny, bullying stock
ing, overflowing with faces Of pretty
girls, for a bachelor. They are catchy.
the sort of things my customers want.
Your work is neat. but not novel,"
THANK you," the girl said bravely.
II understand now, and it Is too late
for me to try my hand at novelties.
But perhaps you will keep my cards,
and I-well, your novelties might not
60 around, and then perhaps some late
customer might buy mine after ALL"
Certainly. I will be glad to keep
them in reserve. Your name and ad-
dress-oh. yes, I remember-Miss Syl-
via Leigh, the Grant studios. l will
do my best for you"
Nevertheless as the girl slipped
through the door he opened a deep
drawer under the counter and dropped
the cards out of sight. 1t would never
do to display those old fashioned bits
OF %pasteboard among the novelties
which appealed to his fashionable
trade. And then very suddenly the
man who had been engrossed in leath-
er bound gift books stepped up to the
counter.
lone minute, please. l should like
to take a look at those cards you just
bought from the young lady"
The astonished manager Of the store
glanced from the we'll groomed man
with fine brown eyes and iron gray
hair to the more expensive novelties
in the showcase.
1.-THE ones you just bought from the
young lady," repeated the customer Sc
renely.
Certainly" responded the manager
hastily, and he spread forth the de-
spised bits Of pasteboard. The work
was dainty. but utterly commonplace.
Just what my sister would like
conservative sort Of woman my sister
1s-don't 60 in for newfangled ideas.
I'll take t~hose-three dozen. Not
enough! Do you suppose the girl
could do two dozen more by the day
before Christmas? II she can, send
EN- to me, James Macy. at Marquette.
I'll take these with me-"
And almost before he could realize
what had happened the manager was
actually gaping. open mouthed. after
this eccentric customer whose sister
was to give a dinner party Of sixty
covers on Christmas day and intrusted
the buying Of such important articles
~ dinner favors to al obviously in.
experienced bachelor brother.
Christmas eve was frosty and starlit.
James Macy. coming home from bis
once. smiled somewhat grimly at the
holiday preparations made.
Holly and svergreens there were in
plenty. great wreaths with massive