“She has not been in again. Several times I thought I saw her some aisles away. Her face is an unusual one. It is strange I seem always to be seeing it.
“I heard a few minutes ago a rumor that I was being considered for a great piece of good fortune if Mr. Baldwin’s illness continues to prevent him from resuming his duties. I do not know why I am not so very much thrilled by the prospect. I suppose I ought to be.
“She must have decided that McDavitt’s is too expensive. Her dress was tasteful, but not at all luxurious. She gave me a feeling of great respect.
‘Friend, let us cease to vex the Eternal Why:
’Tis very good to live; better, perhaps, to die.’
Reader Magazine.”
On Monday, April 18, he wrote:
“To-day, on account of the continued illness of Mr. Baldwin, I was promoted to be the assistant buyer and manager of this department. Three thousand a year, nearly sixty dollars a week! Once I looked forward to thirty per w’k like millions. Now sixty is not so much. I must be getting old. It will help me to lay up a competence for my declining years. Perhaps I should send one of my nephews to college. It has been the regret of my life that I entered on an active business career immediately after graduation from high school. Doubtless I should have made an effort to work my way through Columbia. Yes, I will write to my brother and offer to send one of the boys to college.
“She has not been in again. Doubtless she decided to purchase elsewhere. McDavitt’s is expensive. Perhaps I should strive to have the margin of profit reduced. She did not dress or act like one with much money. Doubtless she was attracted to Mc’s by their reputation for handling only the best. I remember she looked worried whenever I quoted prices. Still, she wished the best. But the state of her purse made her careful, and finally made her decide to purchase in a cheaper store. I think I can understand her. That London mist would have suited her, trimmed with a little old gold. However, of course it is foolish for me to allow myself to indulge in such reflections. I shall probably never see her again.
“Mrs. Benson congratulated me warmly on my advancement. She has been very thoughtful of my comforts for the last seven years, going on eight. She mentioned how she had always tried to, and I thanked her deeply. She said she hoped I wouldn’t feel impelled to move elsewhere, and I assured her I had no such intentions. I despise a man who is puffed up by a little success. Vanity of vanities, vanitas vanitatis. Or vanitatium? I wish I remembered more of my Latin; my memory is far from what I should like it to be. Mrs. B. also said she had two tickets to The Empire Vaudeville given her by the new couple in the back parlor. They are in the theatrical profession, and are getting a try-out there this week. I could not well refuse her invitation to accompany her, although I do not care for vaudeville. She says she goes at least once every week. It brightens up her dull life. Poor soul! I guess she needs it. Hers is not a very gay life.”