Year: 1877

"Genulne articles OF foreign and
home manufacture will be found as u.s.
ual in great variety on our counters,
and only Americans will be employed
in our establishment. JONES & Co."


'The ladies of Hubbubble know
good India shawl when they see it, and
real point lace, too, | reckon" said Miss
Drake as she selected some of the finest
patterns for the window, and gave the
finishing touch to a magnificent morn
ing robe which one of the girls was pre-
pairing for display.


There seemed to be magic in her fin
gers. Whatever she touched she i'm
proved, and her assistants soon learned
that bonnets fashioned by the tasty
proprietress were in greater demand by
the Hubbublians than the costliest of
Paris Importation.


1t was she who fashioned neat prints
into these delicate morning robes which
comfort requires; and so great grew the
demand for these inexpensive articles
that new assistants were daily added to
the already large crops employed IN the
bress department.


A busy year was this first year to
Dorothea, yet it was the happiest she
had ever experienced; and with heart
thankful for her success. she resolved
that not one human being should 60
out of her establishment with heavy
heart that night. One by one, from the
book-keeper down to the little floor
sweeper, they were summoned to her
presence, and each made the recipient
of some valuable token of her esteem,
and an increase of salary for the coming
year.


Fatigued with the unusual exertions
of the day, she went early to her lodg-
ings, and was an hour after surprised
from her dreamy, listless attitude on the
sofa by knock at the door, and imme-
diately after the announcement of "Mr.
JONES'" by her landlady.


"Yes, it was her rival from across
the way. A little smile-Dorothea
could not help it-swept across her
usually calm face as she requested to
know his business.


He stood before her in the blacklist
of black broadcloth and the shiniest of
patent leather, fresh from the hands of
the barber, and with a smile meant to
be captivating, he replied, 81 called to
express my high appreciation of your
t'M Miss Brake Brake bowed and he proceeded
"You must find the cares of such an es-
tablishment as yours tax on your ner-
vous system"


81 doubt if have nervous system; I
feel no indications of it as yet


"Ah, indeed 1 sometimes find my
self shattered completely by the perplex-
tiles of the business


''That is probably owing to your be-
ing cut of your sphere. We women
were calculated for it, so we do not find
ourselves upset by the difficulties which
you men complain of; indeed, were my
assistants to leave me in body, as l
am told yours do occasionally, l could
trim bonnet, plait a frill, or measure
and cut a garment, without the aid of
seamstress or milliner. 1 doubt if you
could do as much"


81 confess [ could not, and | feel
forcibly the need of helpmeet; in fact,
| am miserable without companion.
My dear Miss Drake, man was not
made to be alone"


'Nor woman to be trodden upon, and
her means of subsistence wrested from
her by grasping individuals who are not
ashamed to appropriate to themselves
those avenues of labor which God de-
signed for u.s."


"Right, my dear madam, I would
make of woman companion, help
meet. She commands my respect, my
love, my devotion; in word, my dear
Miss Drake, would make you my
wife; yes, l am conquered at last, 1
the imperturbable.


Miss Drake stood like statue; and
feeling sure of success in his suit, he
continued:


Gas proprietors of the most extensive
establishments in the city, with our
congenial tastes, we may live such a
life of peace and prosperity as princes
would envy"


Miss Drake, who had now recovered
her breath and her composure, asked,
$50 you propose with marriage to unite
the business 2"


Certainly; 1 think that would be
the better way all could go on in the
name of Jones & Co."


"My establishment is going to be
made woman's cooperative union, and
every woman employed, beside her sal
airy will receive profit from the sales.
Though I shall remain the chief super
intendent, my book-keeper and the heads
of the various departments will be paid
an equal share according to their abili-
ty. As for male clerks, | shall employ