Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-08-27
The TRIMMED LAMP
By O. HENRY sS " u.s. $. Rs :;ss;. Is


Van Alstyne Fisher was wearing. The
girls say her bill in the store last year
was SIZ,OO9 made mine, myself. 1t
cost me Sl.5O. Ten feet away you cOuldn t
tell It from hers"
., ON, well" said Lou, good naturally,
you want to starve and put on airs
go ahead But III take my Job and good
wages and after hours give me some
| Ihlng as fancy and attractive to wear as
am able to buy j."
But just then Dan came--a serious
young man with a ready-made necktie.
who had escaped the City's brand of
frlvoiity-an electrician earning $50 per
week who looked upon Lou with The
SAD eyes of Romeo, and thought her en-
proldered waist web in which any fly
should delight to be caught.
My friend, Mr. Owens-shake hands
with Miss Danforth," said Lou
m mighty glad to know you, Miss
Danforth, said Dan. with outstretched
often"
Thanks" said Nancy, touching his
myers with the tips of her cool ones
I've heard her mention you-a few
times Lou giggled.
:, DID you get that handshske from
asked.
IF did you can feel safe In copy-
Ing it," said Nancy.
on, ! conldn't use it at all. It's too
stylish sly for me It's intended 10 set off
till I get a few and then III trv r."
Learn 1t first" said Nancy, wisely.
and you'll be more likely to get the
rings
Now, to settle this argument said
Dah, with his ready, cheerful smile, "let
me make proposition AS | can't take
Doth Of you up TO Tlnanys and do the
right thing, what DO you say to a little
NauueViIle: I've got the tickets. How
about looking at stage diamonds. since
we can't shake hands with the real
sparklers?"
The faithful squire took his place
close TO the curb; Lou next, little pea
ccocky in her bright and pretty clothes ;
Nancy on the inside slender, and so
Derry clothed as the sparrow, but with
the true Van Alstyne Fisher walk-thuS
they set out for their evenings mod
crate diversion.
/ do not suppose that many look upon
n great department store as an edUca-
tloual institution. But the one I'm which
Nancy worked was something like that
70 her. She was surrounded by beauti-
ful things that bresthed Of taste and
refinement. II you live In an atmosphere
or Injury, luxury Is yours. whether your
money pays for 10. or anOthtr's
he people she served were mostly
women whose dress. manners and posi-
ton in the social world were quoted as
take toll-the best from each, according
10 her view
From one she would copy snd practice
a gesture, from another an eloquent lift
ing Of an eyebrow, from others, man
ner Of walking Of carrying a purse of
smiling, Of greeting q friend, OF address
Ing interiors IN station From her
lest beloved model Mrs Van Alstyne
Fisher. she made requisition for that
excellent thing a soft. low voice as clear
as silver and as perfect IN articulation as
the notes Of thrush Sufuse0 IN the
aura OF this high social refinement and
good breeding. It was impossible for her
70 escape a deeper effect OF g. As good
habits are said TO be better than good
principles, so. perhaps. good manners are
better than good habits, The teachings
Of your parents may not keep alive your
New England conscience: hut n YOU
sit on a straight back chair and repeat
the words ''prsms and pilgrims" forty
times, the devil will Tee from you. And
when Nancy spoke In the Van Alstync