The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-06-21
nat the desire would be accomplished. !.
rhe girl was very near the point Of

where he drew it out and rolled 1t into
sticks. which were cut or broken into
right lengths by the slight touch OF
shear points. Sometimes he would add
tiny balls of colored candy dough to
the mass, and when drawn out these
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, III
first idly and then with increasing in
terest. Apparently the operation was
novelty to her. And on his part, aft
er the first day, the old candy maker
got in the habit of smiling and noddms
an acknowledgment of her interest.
He was a good customer for fruit,
partly to be used in his trade and part
ly for his own consumption. So on the
second day when he picked up basket
and came out on the sidewalk bare
headed and in his shirt sleeves several
of the push cart men stepped forward
with eager anticipation. But he waved
them back brusquely. He had seen
good deal through the window in spite
of his seeming absorption in his work.
NO, no., he said irascibly, "your
hands are not clean enough to handle
fruit l will buy frem the girl.
The third day he began to watch the
girl anxiously He too, had noticed her
exhaustion. During the day he was
cut twice and bought fruit from her.
The fourth morning long line OF
| girls went into the shop one after an
other, remaining a few moments and
| then came out. For the most part they
were i'll clad, unattractive girls, and
not one Of them bought anything. 1t
was evident they were seeking work
! and Just as evident, after the first
twenty OF more had gone in and como
out that the candy maker was becom-
ing irritated. Toward the end he only
gave an applicant single glance, and
more than once his ''No.' was plainly
heard by the girl at her push cart OH
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.
'a!Are you going to run this push cart
all the time?" he asked.
The girl looked surprised.
Il don't KNOW" she answered doubt
fully.
Because il you're not" he went Oh
II want to hire you to work in my
shop. You saw all those girls strag
Cling in with soiled dresses and untid,
hair and sour faces and pert manners
Bah! They'd make pretty shopgirls
wouldn't they? l want Il lady, nic'
looking, neat, capable girl who cal
look pleasant and at the same time b.
ladslike They all came i'll answer t
an advertisement, and not one OF tn
whole let suited me-
The girl swayed slightly, but stead
led herself quickly by leaning agaiiis
the cart, holding to it by both hands.
Perhaps I wouldn't suit either sli
hazardesl, forcing smile to her face.
Yes, you would" he answered. Bu
his tone was not quite so positive
I've been watching you through til
window for three days. You're nea
and particular about yourself. Tha
shows. And you're neat about Othe
things from the way you lock afte
your cart and fruit. And you're a
tractiye to customers and make you
| self look pleasant even when YOU fet
fsc. }af sr6A
ing now You're not sickly, are you!
his new found anxiety at last findin
expression in words.
NO; I've always been very stron
A and healthy she answered. "Onl
Just now am little weak.
! II thought you must be strong wit
| some relief in his voice, from the wa
/ you handled the cart the first day yO
! came. l was watching. But yesterda
and today you've seemed little sicl
d ". NY work will be lots easier tina
having cart like this and nicer and
think will pay you better. But OF cour'
I'll need a girl who's spry and ca
H keep up She'll have to help me NAL
Il chocolates and fancy candies and p'
4 them in boxes and look after custOT
crs. I'm too busy to wash my hant
every time customer comes III, al
It hurts trade. l could do twice tt
!. business if had good help. I'm tur
ing away trade every day. He waite
, moment, as though debating som
thing, then added cordially "Anywa
I'm willing to try you a few wee
even il you should be sickly. You
just the appearing girl want, and
a. know you're spunky.'
~ "Well, I don't know yet" the e
10 began TREMENDOUSLY. Then her face 81
denly changed. She was looking
=, yond him. "Father!' she cried
=. proachfully.
ar A frail little man with white hs
ho was approaching them, walking slow
With the aid Of a cane. He looked al
90 ioEs.
:. "GlusapDina," he cried, Il could I
=. vait any longer! / have been worl
M ing all day, and at last l had to get
81 and dress and come and see. !
- looked so bad last night, and you
er not want me to notice. pretended
-. he asleep, but ! watched, and
watched the night before. The f
:. two days I was too sick to think. |
he since then you have not eaten thl
"a. You spent your money for wines a
~ medicines for me, and
q The girl had been trying to interr'
100 him with warning glances, with
.e pressive motions Of her hands. n