Grainger County news. (Rutledge, Tenn.) 1917-current, 1917-07-26
HER COMPETITOR.
BY JANE OSBORN.

u . NhDiAis Nhhl pIONiutd hht NN's@S>-
tone Of picturesqueness for such ven-
ture. II was not far from the prone
made that led past the fashionable ho-
tells, the Casino and the larger cot
tages.
In order to effect every possible
economy. Edith had arranged TO sleep
In her lOft-having one end partlti0ned
of and divided into bedroom and liv-
ing room. The first thing that Edith
did was to go out to the little rustic
gateway, mount on a rickety old chair
and hammer her blue and green sign
into place. The sign simply said
''The Fishnet. Goods for men and boys
q speciality"
This done, Edith returned to her
shop, and by dint of much inexpert eff
fort uncovered the packing cases and
boxes in which the supplies had been
sent to her. Then she set to work joy
ously to make her shop ready for Gus
toners.
When Edith tucked herself into her
little cot that night she heard strange
and unexpected rappings and ham
merings, apparently in the other and
unoccupied end of the loft; but realiz-
ing that pluck was absolutely essen
tial If she was TO live alone during the
summer in her little "Fishnet," she
dismissed all alarm and assured her
self that 1t was pure imagination.
1t was not until after breakfast the
next morning, when she CHANGED to
look out of her door and saw Butler
Judson lacking up sign on the rustic
gateway, that she realized the truth.
The other loft had been rented and,
what was really calamitous, 1t had
been rented for gift shop. Apparent
ly the proprietor was man. Edlth's
feelings of jealousy were mingled with
contempt. The man she saw, comfor-
tably attlred in white tlannels, lacking
his sign on that rustic gateway, was
much too substantial of frame and too
muscular and tall, to content himself
with running gift shop, especially
when that enterprise was to interfere
with the profits of the "Fishnet." From
the first Edith made up her mind to
dislike him. RI he sought to make her
acquaintance, as competitors often do
she would stand aloof.
In spite Of all good resolutions, Edith
did become friendly with the propri-
etor of the adjoining shop, and be.
fore two weeks had passed she found
herself counting the hours Of the after
noon till night when the two little
shops were closed and the competitor
would come In with ibis contribution In
the way of fresh fruits and other dain.
ties, which they shared In front of the
large open fire In Edith's living room
cts funny you make such go OF
It," commented the rival. I'm salts
fed with my success, but what gets
me is how you happened to make such
n 20 with your mems things"
"You see, 1t is this way" Edith ex'
planned. Somehow man Is always
sorry for girl, and If the girl doesn't
seem too shrewd, he always likes to
see her make profit. That's mans
nature. And that's why the men come
In here without in the least trying t.
flirt or be silly because am girl, but
always buy quickly. But women are diff
ferent with each ether. A man can al
ways sell more quickly to woman
because woman is more tlattered b,
the attention of man, suppose.
don't know whether this theory hold'
good everywhere, but it certainly does
with these Deans Bay people"
"And in the meantime" commented
Judson with frown, "you are max
ing IA profit on the fact that you art
an attractive young woman. Forgive
me, but that Is the way it looks to me
And incidentally we are both losing
all the trade of the women. For sure
ly l don't 60 in for fancy work ant
| flattery. How about making that sigr
read, The Fishnet. e. and b. Judson
ProprietorsY You know l am distract
ed about you. / didn't think had thu
right to ask you till had won out ant
that might be years hence. But don
you think you could love me enough
| to-"
And week later, after Il hurried
weekend trip to Edith's home in thu
city, the sign was changed, the parti
ton was torn out and profits were Il
creased fOurfold.
| Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure Newspa
| GOndipatal