Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-01-29
A Double Mistake.

|
tion there is no risk. When ! was
young man went to work for whole
sale drug firm. One day retailer wrote
from neighboring town that our concern
had sold him drug that made every one
sick who took any of il. II turned out
that had put up the package sold.
never entirely got over the narrow es-
cape had had in this case. | received
only the usual reprimand from my en-
ployers, for no one can perfectly rely on
accuracy always. Later set up for my
self as retailer of drugs. Though our
system was perfect, we had some narrow
escapes from committing unintentional
murder. When any of my clerks made a
mistake impressed upon him the i'm
porance of being careful, but | could not
in my heart blame them.
There are occasions where person
who is perfectly methodical, adheres TO
system, exercises every care and yet
will do something that he can never al
terward understand why he did it. Then
there are occasions when il is impossi-
BILE to fix the mind on ones work. One
day not long after had set up for my
self young lady came into the store and
asked for some harmless medicine. AT
the same time man asked for poison
with which to kill bugs. The young lady
happened to be one who impressed me.
| couldn't keep my eyes off her. Before
the two different packages were ready
other persons came in, and did one OF
those things | should not have doTe.
Instead of paying no attention to new
comers till after serving those present
| undertook 10 serve all Of them. What
was the result? When the young lady
who had called for simple remedy and
the man who wished bug poison had
gone horrible suspicion came into my
head that had given the poison to the
young girl. could not warn her, for |
didn't know who she was.
Why had broken my rule about serv-
ing a number OF persons at oncer !
could't answer the question except tor
the reason that had been very much
struck with the young lady. Indeed, |
had looked at her so admiringly that |
had noticed faint flush come into her
cheek. But the fearful consequences OF
her or any one else taking the dose OF the
bug poison for the medicine she had call
ed for would surely result fatally.
A crisis hung over my read which, till
it had passed, would keep me in fright
full suspense. AS soon as the calamity
occurred. if had made the error feared
had made, the medicine | had solo
would be examined, my name would be
on the package and would soon hear OF
| the trouble. The best that could be said
| for my comfort was thai would not like
ly be tried for murder, because had no
motive for poisoning any one. But
would carry TO my grave the knowledge
that had through carelessnesS caused
the death of the person TO whom had
S. Id it, for remembered she asked me,
Chow often shall take it2" Further
more, my business would be ruised and
| would not have the heart TO go else
where and make another start. | made
two resolutions in case the trouble fell
upon me-iirst, | would never again start
in the drug business second, would COM
nit suicide.
Every morning and every evening ]
took up newspaper with fear and tremb-
ling. When a week had passed | felt that
the danger was somewhat lessened. But
had the young lady died from the effect
OF poison would those about her surely
attribute her death TO that cause' This
gave me feeling similar TO that OF one
who may expect at any moment to drop
down from heart disease, apoplexy or
some other fatal disease.
| am one OF those persons whose ac-
tive, imaginative minds may influence
their bodies. became morbid, then i'll,
simply from suspense. | took partner
into my business and absented myself
from il most of the time. A physician
told me that was going into a decline.
But knew well enough that il could be
assured that had not killed any one ]
would be we'll enough. Finally il occur
red TO me that il The young lady had not
suffered the consequences OF my possible
error she would likely have visited my
store again.
One day was wandering aimlessly
through an unfrequented street tortured
by my troubles when, turning a corner,
came face TO face with the girl whose fate
was driving me into melancholia. There
she was, tripping along as healthy. as
rosy, as fresh as life. Beside myself with
Joy, made one bound, caught her in my
arms and covered her face with kisses.
When realized what | had done ]
was stricken with fresh terror lest she
have me arrested for assault. Instead,
whenI released her she smiled at me
through her bushes and said, 81 knew
how you felt toward me the day went
into your store for prescription"
"You knew that p
"Of course. You didn't say it, but you
looked it."
"And why have you never come
again 2"
"Do you suppose I'D do that2 Not !.
II was for you to seek me, not me YOU"
We have been married long while,
but to this day she doesn't know why !
was so joyful at meeting her again. !
wouldn't dare tell her.
An Ideal Woman's Laxative.
Who wants to take salts, or castor oil,