Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1914-02-05

SeDted EDeneZer WIN unexpected en-
thusiasm. Don't be surprised at any
thing you hear. Calista."
Il won't-short OF you're getting
married" retorted the spinater archly.
Seems to me, Eb," she added, III you
was going TO hire help you might have
picked out home talent. There's plenty
in Keystone would IKE this job"
Yes, l reckon there are, but there's
mighty few that are willing to work to
hold It down" retorted Ebenezer grim
| ly. There wasn't any job till this lady
came and asked for one and | prom
ised to give her trial"
Calista Steele shifted scornfully, Il
shant be surprised at anything hear,
| Ebenezer-not even the news that
| you've married designing female"
Impossible" cried Ebenezer. but
| the door had closed or Celista.
After the first morning Ebenezer
DORIS trade increased; people came
IN to buy spool of thread merely to
note what an astonishing change had
taken place in the store during the
! past twelve hours.
| Lucie Moore worked like bee, dig
ging out old boxes Of forgotten stock
and arranging them tastefully in the
| windows or on the central counters OF
| the store 1t was wonderful the things
| that Lucie could dispose Of at alluring
bargain prices,
| Ebenezer Dorr opened a separate ac-
| count for the credit OF sales from this
forgotten and apparently worthless
stock that cluttered his shelves and
Ills storeroom.
! One day ii was sale of pea green
hosiery that some INSCRIPTIONS sales
man had unloaded upon him; they
went like hot cakes at seven cents a
! pair, and for months thereafter the
ladies of Keystone flashed around in
green stockings as they accomplished
the prosaic daily tasks.
| Another time 1t was laces, again it
was mems neckties and shirts, until
there came day when all the surplus
stock was sold out and the freshly
| painted white shelves were neatly ar
ranged with fresh stock carefully Sc
/ iected by Lucie Moore herself And
/ the Encouragement Of the store was
much appreciated by the shoppers of
/ the village. Heretofore when one
4 wanted buttons she searched until she
found the heap of button boxes where
Mr.. Dorr had made his last sale and,
having conveyed them to a fresh
/ place the customer would make a
/ choice, and the next button hunter
would find the buttons in fresh loca-
/ ton.
/ Now, all was changed When one
wanted buttons she went to the but
ton stock" as Lucie called 1t crispiy,
and so on with other goods, Trade II
creased and Ebenezer found himself
I paying a goodly slice off the mortgage
/ that numbered the store building He
also doubled Lucie Moores wages.
One day there entered the store a
/ very prosperous looking couple, mid
dle-aged man and young woman.
rather SLOWLY dressed. Ebenezer
/ Dorr was standing near the door and
/ they addressed him at once,
! Il want to see Miss Lucie Moore"
said the man pompously
/ Miss Moorel" Ebenezer slightly
raised his voice and then drew away
as Lucie came down the store, her
mild brown eyes wide with amaze
ment
Uncle Philemon" she exclaimed;
land how do you do, Mrs Beebe?" she
inquired politely.
See here. Lucle," said Mr. Beebe
hurriedly, I've had the greatest hunt
for you, and only by the merest
chance did | get clue that you were
here working in little village store!
Now, this won't do at all! Emma here
has thought matters over and there's
home with us as long as you like!"
He smiled kindly at Lucie's sensitive
face with the color coming and going
That's very kind of you uncle"
said Lucie, slowly. land | thank you
both but | am very happy-and very
independent here. ! think l better re-
main
But suppose something happens to
your position-the store may fail-you
might be sick" urged Mr.. Beebe.
Excuse me moment, please" said
Lucie and she hurried to Ebenszer
DORIS desk, where his sleek head was
bent over his books just as if he had
not heard every word of the CONVEX
sation near the door
Mr. Dorr. tell me what to do"
pleaded Lucie. MY uncle and his wife
have asked me to return to them and
make my home there, but my life is
very pleasant and very independent
right here. They suggest that the
store may go out OF business and l."
Ebenezer laid his lean hand over
Lucie's small fingers. I'm tell you
what TO do, Lucie." he said in new
voice with a deep note in it that
stirred Lucie through and through
Just marry me and stay right here
you needn't work in the store. and
you can make a home for me in my
lonely house. | can't let you go-I
can't"
Lucie went white and then rose UNI
der the fire of hts glance and the pas
sion In his voice This gray store that
l. 4