Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-06-24
Select 0 olt5.
BY T. 5. ARTHUR.

'Strawb'rccsi Strawb'rccs p cried apoorIy
clad, tired looking woman, about eleven o'clock
one sultry June morning. She was passing a
handsome house in Walnut street, into the win
dows of which she looked earnestly, in the hSpe
of seeing the face of a customer She did not
look in vain, for the shrill sound Of her voice
brought forward lady, dressed in a silk morn
ing wrapper, who beckoned her to stop. The
woman lifted the heavy tray from her head, ant
placing it upon the door step, sat YEARLY down
Whats the price of your strawberriesl asked
the lady, as she came to the door.
Ten cents a box, madam. they are right
fresh
Ten centsp replied the lady, in tone o
surprise, drawing herself up and looking grave
Then shaking her head, and COMPRISING he
lips firmly, she added
Il can't give ten cents for strawberries. IT.
too much
you can't get such strawberries as these fol
less, madam said the woman. i got levy
box for them yesterday
Then you got too much, that's all I've got tC
say. never pay such prices, bought straw
berries in market yesterday, just as good a
yours, for eight cents box
Il don't know how they do to sell them a
that price, returned the woman. mime COS
nearly eight cents, and ought to bring me a
least twelve. But am willing to take ten Sc
that can sell out quickly, It's avery hot day.
And the woman wiped with her apron the pers
piration from her glowing face.
No, | won't pay ten cents said the lady q,
coldIy. I'll give you forty cents for five quarts
and nothing more
But, madam they cost me within triAe Of
eight cents a quart
Il can't help that. You paid too much fol
them, and this must be your loss, not mine, if
buy your straw berries never pay for othe
peoples mistakes. understand the use of mon
ey much better than that
The poor woman did not feel very well. Tn,
day was unusually hot and sultry, and her ira,
felt heavier, and tired her more than usual
Five boxes would Tighten it, and if she sold he
berries at eight cents, she would clear two cent
and half, and that made her something.
Ill tell you what will do she said, are
thinking few moments do not feel as wei
as usual to-day, and my tray is heavy. Fiv
boxes sold would be something, You shall hav
them at nine cents. They cost me seven ant
half, and I'm sure it's worth cent and hal
box to cry them about the street such he
weather as this
have told you, my good woman, eXact
what will do said the customer, with dignity
If you are willing to take what offer you, sa
so, if not we need MT stand here any longer
well, | suppose you will have to take them
'epIied the strawberry woman, seeing that Their
was no hope of doing better, But it is too Ii
tie
IT'S enough, said the lady, as she turned t
;all a servant. Five boxes of the fine larp
trwberres were received, and forty cents pal
or them. The lady re-entered the parIor, plea
ed at her good bargain, while the poor woma
turned from the door sad and dsheartened. 81
walked nearly the distance Of a square belo
she could trust her voice to utter the monotonor
cry of
'StrawbrceS! Strawbr eeSP
An hour afterward, friend called upon Nj
Mlcr the lady who had bought the strawberri'
After talking about various matters and thin
Interesting to lady housekeepers, Mrs. Mi
said
'IIow much did you pay for your strawberri
this morning?
Ten cents
You paid too much. l bought them
eight
For eight! Were they good onesr
Step into the dining-room and | will shc
them to you
The ladies stepped into the dining-room ,wh
Mrs. Mier, displayed her large, red berries ,whi
were really much finer than she had at first ST
posed them to be-