1846.] Taking a Journeyman. 271 



each a shop, that no other member of the craft might be induced 

 to come in and illustrate the effects of competition. 



Watson remained in the old shop, and Allen rented one direct- 

 ly opposite Dr. Bollman's o.'hce. Both of them had as much 

 work as they conveniently could do. 



Allen had a decided taste for the society of the ladies in gene- 

 ral, and of one in particular He was a straight, fine looking fel- 

 low, appeared very well dressed on the Sabbath, and was, on the 

 whole, very well satisfied with the impression he made on the 

 beauties of the village. 



As his shop was directly opposite Dr. Bollman's office, Allen 

 could not but observe the young men of broadcloth coats and 

 goose-quill tooth-picks, as often as he looked across the way. 

 He would have preferred more agreeable objects of contempla- 

 tion, but at first he did not care much about it. But soon other 

 facts forced themselves on his attention. The young ladies of 

 the village were seized with a great desire of walking, and while 

 giving indulgence to that desire, they always took the side of the 

 street nearest to Dr. Bollman's office, though the opposite side 

 was gravelled and shaded with elms. Perhaps they were afraid 

 that insects would drop on -their naked shoulders, from the 

 branches, if they ventured under them. These facts did not strike 

 Allen pleasantly, nor did the frequent walks which the young 

 doctors took with fair damsels hanging on their aims. When 

 Ellen Graham was seen with them, he was greatly troubled. 



This broadcloth and nothing to do every day, was a bad thing 

 for him. On Sunday he had broadcloth on, and was a match for 

 the best of them; for the rules of proportion were not strictly ad- 

 hered to in the construction of any of their forms. But one day 

 to seven was a fearful odds to contend against. 



Watson used to call at his friend's shop occasionally, but he 

 seldom staid long, because Allen always stopped working when 

 he was there. This was contrary to his own practice: he could 

 talk and work at the same time. 



" Do you see those fellows over there? " said Allen to him one 

 day, as he called at the shop. 



