OR, HOW I BECAME A FLORIST. 43 



"Johnny, bring me some tubes." 



Johnny dived downstairs, and soon returned with a small 

 quantity of curious-looking bulbs, quite dry and dusty. 



" That's all there are left, miss. Only twenty in all." 



" What is the price ? " asked I. 



" A dollar and a half a dozen. But, as you are in the 

 trade, we will take off something. You may have the lot 

 for a dollar." 



I decided to take them, and Johnny turned them into my 

 box. 



Then, placing my name and the date at the top of my 

 paper, she made a note of it, and, handing it to me with a 

 smile, began turning the leaves of her book. Bidding her 

 good-morning, I took my bill and departed, thankful and 

 happy; happy in meeting with success in my morning's 

 sale, and thankful in finding such a friend as Miss Samp- 

 son, the book-keeper, bid fair to be. 



As I walked away, I passed a large dry goods store, with 

 the shutters still up. Glancing at the door to see what it 

 could mean, I saw a placard on the glass : " Taking Stock. 

 Open next Monday." Now, there is an idea for me. Those 

 business-men are taking an account of stock. I am a 

 business woman and should follow their example. I'll do 

 so before I go deeper into the business. But how about 

 the money this morning ? All I have is my list of flowers. 

 What is that worth ? I can't sell it, what shall I do ? Will 

 it ever be good for anything ? Will they cash it at the 



