Transient trade was light in Plattville; nobody ever came there, except occasional commercial travellers who got out of town the instant it was possible, and who said awful things if, by the exigencies of the railway time-table, they were left over night.
Behind the host's chair stood a red-haired girl in a blue cotton gown; and in her hand she languidly waved a long instrument made of clustered strips of green and white and yellow tissue paper fastened to a wooden wand; with this she amiably amused the flies except at such times as the conversation proved too interesting, when she was apt to rest it on the shoulder of one of the guests.

This happened each time the editor of the "Herald" joined in the talk.

As the men seated themselves they all nodded to her and said, "G'd evening, Cynthy." Harkless always called her Charmion; no one knew why.

When he came in she moved around the table to a chair directly opposite him, and held that station throughout the meal, with her eyes fixed on his face.

Mr.Martin noted this manoeuvre--it occurred regularly twice a day--with a stealthy smile at the girl, and her light skin flushed while her lip curled shrewishly at the old gentleman.