The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-05
GETTING RID OF ANNIE
Copyright. 1911, by Associated LII
arrary Press.
BY MAIsIE b. WHITING.

Copyright. 1911, by Associated Lit
arrary Press
Z II am sure that this ARRANGEMENT
/ has not proved Il success" said Mr..
/ Simeon Smith as he peered through
/ the dusty window Of the back office
/ into the shop where n trim figure was
moving about tying bouquets OF vio-
I lets Net but what Annie Is nice
enough girl, but / find IL most an
noying to have q woman about the
place. y Yesterday she dropped her
+ hand bag on my new derby and near
+ ly smashed the crown"
THE day before she left three hair
pins and one safety pin on the wash
stand" added Mr.. Joel Smith.
Her hat takes up all the room on
( one side OF tina office, and l get
/ 5abhed every time I move in that di-
rection,"
And she always leaves the end of
her parasol sticking out 50 that
! stumble over 1t"
And she's forever dropping her
7 handkerchief for some ono 10 pick
fup. I Amt been on nay knees SO often
since l was n young man declared
Simeon.
Nor t. agreed Joel.
Beyond. IN tho store, Annie con-
tlnued TO arrange her flowers and 20
+ hum contentedly a little song. She
was slight, good looking girl, with
wavy light hair and wide open blue
eyes. For her part, she considered
the Smith Brothers florist shop a
very pleasant place, and her employ
ers the dearest pair Of old bachelors
ever found outside OF a story book.
There's. just one thing certain"
said MIR. Simeon Smith, while I'm
gone on my vacation you must get
rid Of Annie
NOW. Simeon. that isn't playing the
game fair" protested Joel.
Yes, It's I've thought 1t all out.
You're younger'n me. Joey. I'm will
Ing TO accommodate any time about
the shop. and it's only fair you take
a few Of these jobs off my shoulders.
Tam sure we've both been inconven-
fenced long enough by this--er--
misplaced young woman"
Il suppose you are right. Simeon.
but IT'S a kind Of ticklish Job.
reckon YOU wouldn't mind II
thought up some good excuse for get
ting rid Of her"
tTTse all the excuses you want.
Joel"
II might tell her she isn't always
on time in the morning"
"'Twon't do Tried It myself not
long ago. and she said she'd be more
prompt In the future, and she wss
for n week.
I'VE might cut down her wages
and then she would leave Of her own
accord"
Mo good. I did that very thing a
month ago, and she said she'd try to
do better work. so I had to raise
her again the next month"
"Ill tell her she isn't accurate
! enough She frequently makes mis-
takes in change"
II tell you what will happen then.
She'll nearly cry and say she never
was much good at figures. ! say.
Joel, you'd be a brute to discharge a
poor girl because once in a while
she made a mistake OF few PEN
MES"
DO you think that in any way she
hurts the trade %
Not exactly, but I've suspected
that one or two young men are buy
ing honttonnierea lately that can't af
ford them. and It's getting them into
had habits. The Smith Brothers never
wanted 10 make their money out Of
other peoples foolishness. 1 dunno's
you can, tell her that. But you're
smart. Joey. you'll find q way. Good
luck to you," ana tho elder men,
Der of the firm was off to enjoy his