Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-22
u0r hoshan,l-D

"Or husbapd either. don't care which;
come. my love, let's shopping in this classic
town"
The two ladies Immediately rose, II was about
noon day, put on their bOnnets, took their para
soils, and sailed forth.
" For husband or jaconet, you say"
s''rwo yards of jaconet, or ahusband."
The town of Williamsburg, like every other
little town in Virginia, or even New York. does
not contain many stores. A shopping expedition
is therefore soon completed. The two ladies
saantered into this shop. then into thai, some
times making the poor fellow Of shopkeeper
turn out his whole stock in trade, and re-
warding bis pains bv the purchase of a sixpenny-
worth Of tape. They had proceeded for an hour in
this ounging, lazy style, when Louisa said, "Oh
Mary Ann, here is an old beau Of yours in that
stare, with the red gingham Tapping at the door
like pirates flag: come, let US go and plague
him for sauld lang syne, as Mrs. Mcdonald, the
Scotch lady of Norfolk says"
.'Certainlv," said Mary Ann. but which Of
my old admirers is lts"
!" Have you got your list in your pocket"
"Not at all, | left it at my grandmother's at
Richmond what pity"
The two wild creatures, bounding like cou-
pie of fawns over the forest glade. Tor they were
reckless Of the public opinion among the old dow.
ayers and staid maidens Of Williamsburg. en-.
tered the store and asked for sight of gloves,
muslins, and ribbons. Mary Ann did not seem
! to pay much attention to the hne articles shown
her. She ever and anon cast her eyes by stealth
round aud round the store, endearoring tn dis
cover it she recognised any Of the faces as that OF
an old acquaintance. She could see nothing
to repay her effort. Not face had she ever
seen before. She summoned W to her recollec-
| ton all her former admirers, they passed through
her mind like the ghosts in Macbeth; for, not.
withstanding her rejection of SO many lovers. she
ever retained certain portion ofregard t. ever y
poor fellow who had fallen victim to her whi'n,
beauty. witchery, and caprice.
"This is an Arabian desert" SAID Mary Ann,
signing to Louisa, as she split pair of kid gloves,
in endeavoring to get them on,
sob! no." said gay young shopman; Sin.
deed. Miss. they are the best Ftench kid"
| PRAY" SAID Louisa. in low tone. "don't
you any thing in the back room OF the store
In a remote corner OF the store, there stood at
the desk plainly dressed gentleman. leaning
over the corner Of ws5den railing. with his eyes
firmly fixed upon the two. ladies, now so actively
engaged IN tossing over the counter all sorts Of
merchandise and lehl French goods.
"As l lIve," said Mdrv Ann, ''there is my
l
whispered she, "dreuched with summer show.
er, when first was thrown INTO his society.
believe the poor fellow loved me sincerely
Come, let us spend upon him at least ten dollars
in jaconet; he spent one hundred upon me in
balls, dancing, colds. cough. drops. and drives,
and got oothlng for his pains but neat billet,
dour, declining his poor heart and soft hand..-
Poor fellow!'
With this sally the ladies bought several arti.
Giles. scarcely caring whether they suited them
or not. When they left the store. Mary Ann
fell INTO reverie, quite silent, which for her
was unsual and singular. Lousa's spirits, on
the contrary, gathered life and energy as those
of her companion sank away. She, talked, she
laughed, she ridiculed her beaux, she rallied Ma.
nv Ann, and looking into her for once melancho-
y iace said, $50, my love, yon are caught at
last"
Caught" said Mary Ann, "indred you are
much mistaken. / do not think-that is to saw,
| fancy should not like to marry my Blue Ridge
heaux. Oh! LOUISA" said she, after a pause,
with a tear in her eye, "what foolish creature
l have been. Mr.. Collingwood, for that is his
name, | am sure, quite sure, does not lhiak of
me; but cannot remember the attentions he
once paid to me without feeling Of regret"
Whv? now what's the matter with yuu?-
After refusing so many. are you going to throw
yourself away upon -shopkeeper? 4 descend
ant Of one of the most ancient families Of Vir-
ginia, to marry shopkeeper!''
"AIas! alas! Louisa. what is DESCENT What
is fashion! What is all the life | have ledl Do
YOU see that little white house, with the green
Venetian blinds, across the street? | was me
evening in that house. | saw enough To satisfy
me that have been pursuing pleasure. not hap.
piuess. o.! it only could feel as that young
wife d0es!''
| You taught am sure do not think of Mr.
Coll'n.w"od-but there was time when his soft.
quiet, aHecuonate manner did touch me most
sensitiveiy."
| Have you got the gloves you bought?' ask
ed Louisa. Mary Ann looked She had forgot
them on the counter. or lost them.
- We must RETURN said Louisa. Never
said Mary Ann Il never dare look at him
| am sure he despses me. GA! if he only knew
what feel-what pan9s pass through this heart,
/ am very sure he would not"
"C0ma, come =" said Louisa, "we must re-