The William Henry Letters Part 21

_Lady._ Yes! Go on! Go on!

_Countrywoman._ And he asked 'em would they take fifty cents apiece and give it up. For he knew 't would be rewarded in the newspapers. And they took the fifty.

_Lady (eagerly)._ And what did he do with him? Where is he now?

_Countrywoman._ Why, I was goin' to ride in with the old man this mornin' to have my bunnet new done over, and I took the dog along. And we happened to see that 'ere notice, and he and I together, we spelt it out! (_Opening bandbox._) Now look in here! Snug as a bug, right in the crown o' my bunnet Seems poorly, but he'll pick up. (_Takes out a white lapdog._)[A]

[Footnote A: A white lapdog may be easily made of wool and wire.]

_Lady (s.n.a.t.c.hes him, and hugs and kisses him)._ 'T is my Carlo. O my precious, precious pet! Ah, he is too weak to move. I must feed him and put him to sleep. (_Rises to go out._)

_Countrywoman._ But the five dollars, marm!

_Lady._ O, you must call again. I can't think of any paltry five dollars, now. (_Exit._)

_Countrywoman (calling out)._ I'll wait, marm!

_Enter MIKE._

_Mike._ An' what bisness are ye doin' here?

_Countrywoman._ Waiting for my pay.

_Mike._ Pay, is it? Och, she'll niver pay the day. She's owin' me wages, an' owin' the cook, and Mrs. Flarty that scoors, and the millinery lady, an' 't is "Carl agin," she sez. "Carl agin. Can't ye carl agin?"

_Countrywoman._ Then I'll get mine now. (_Takes off shawl, and sits down. Takes out long blue stocking, and goes to knitting, first pinning on her knitting-sheath._) I don't budge, without the pay.

_MIKE looks on admiringly. Curtain drops._

WHOLE WORD.

_CLERK standing behind counter, with shawls and various dry goods to sell. Also rolls or pieces of carpet, oil and other kinds. Various placards on the walls,--"No credit." "Goods marked down!" &c. Enter OLD WOMAN._

_Old Woman (speaking in rather high key)._ Do you keep stockings?

_Clerk (handing box of stockings)._ O yes. Here are some, very good quality.

_Old Woman (examining them)._ Mighty thin, them be.

_Clerk._ I a.s.sure you, they are warranted to wear.

_Old Woman._ To wear out, I guess.

_Enter YOUNG MARRIED COUPLE._

_Clerk._ Good morning. Can we sell you anything to-day?

_Wife (modestly)._ We wish to look at a few of your carpets.

_Clerk._ This way, ma'am.

_Husband._ Hem! (_Clearing his throat._) We will look at something for parlors.

_Clerk._ Here is a style very much admired. (_Unrolls carpet._) Elegant pattern. We import all our goods, ma'am. That's a firm piece of goods.

You couldn't do better. We warrant it to wear. All fast colors.

_Old Woman (coming near)._ A good rag carpet'll wear out two o' that.

_Wife (to Husband)._ I think it is a lovely pattern. Don't you like it, Charley?

_Husband._ Hem--well, I have seen prettier. But then, 't is just as you say, dear.

_Wife._ O no, Charley. 'T is just as you say. I want to please you, dear.

_Old Woman (to Clerk)._ Have you got any crash towelling?

_Husband._ What's the price of this carpet?

_Clerk._ Three dollars a yard. Here's another style (_unrolls another_) just brought in. (_Attends to Old Woman._)

_Husband (speaking to Wife)._ Perhaps we'd better look at the other articles you wanted. (_They go to another part of the store, examining articles._)

_Enter a spare, thin WOMAN, in plain dress and green veil._

_Clerk._ Can we sell you anything to-day?

_Woman._ I was thinking of buying a carpet.

_Clerk._ Step this way, ma'am. (_Shows them._) We have all styles, ma'am.

_Woman._ I want one that will last. (_Examining it._)

_Clerk (taking hold of it)._ Firm as iron, ma'am. We've sold five hundred pieces of that goods. If it don't wear, we'll agree to pay back the money.

_Woman._ I want one that won't show dirt.

_Clerk._ Warranted not to show dirt, ma'am. We warrant all our goods.

_Woman._ Can it be turned?

_Clerk._ Perfectly well, ma'am. 'Twill turn as long as there's a bit of it left.

_Woman._ What do you ask?

_Clerk._ Well, we have been selling that piece of goods for three fifty, but you may have it for three dollars.

_Woman._ Couldn't you take less?