The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-05-08

| pink bonnet, till the eyes ofpretty Mrs. Doug
lass sparkled with delight. Elegant she eX-
claimed, but ] am afraid too expensive for
me MIR Douglass gives Inc lecture upon
economy every few days, and says am get
ting dreadfully extravagant.'
well, now, | will let you have this at n
great bargain said Mrs. Jerold, blowing up
on the feather. the maroon velvet, and white
plume, with French flowers inside, for-let
me seas you are an old customer, Mrs.
Douglass, and | feel honored by your patroII-
age, I'll say tllirty-ive dollars, and that will
be the cheapest bonnet ever purchased
ooh! you nnconscionable woman cried the
pretty lady, lifting her hands in anazement,
'thirty-five dollars! Why it is perfectly hor-
rible to think that could pay SO much. My
husband would think me crazy
1T is very cheap, ma'am, exceedingly cheap,
| do assure you,' said the willy miliner. Il
thought would make you the first offer, be-
cause knew Miss Willet would take it on
the instant. Such bonnet, and especially
such feather, won't go begging, and shall
charge any one but YOURSELF Mrs. Douglass,
at least forty dollars
Mrs. Douglass paused, and took the now
coveted plume in her own hand. Mrs. Jer-
Odds arguments were certainly very conclu-
sive, and no more so than that Miss Willet be-
tween whom and herself there existed a con-
slant spirit of rivalry, should become the pos
SCISSOR oft. Still, Mrs. Douglass who I'M
! fortunately had been n portionless beauty
when she married, had no private income,
by which she migut please her fancy in such
matters, aud both her love for her husband
and the fear ofhis displeasure, deferred her
from concluding the bargain without consult
ing him.
Ifyou choose, ma'am' said the milliner, Il
can lay the feather aside for n couple of days,
quite out of sight, and then | think You will
have decided to let me make the bonnet,which
shall be the sweetest thing ofthe kind seen
this season. Quite unique, assure you, and
MIR Douglass won't object, am certain, when
he sees how well you look in it,
Thus persuaded, Mrs. Douglass yielded,
and agreed to try her powers of coaXing upon
her too indulgent husband. The plume was
replaced in her box, and Mrs. Jerold assured
her customer that it should not be exhibited
to any one until she had decided, and with n
weak, and nm worthy desire TO outshine fell
low associate, Mrs. Douglass swept out of
the showroom. which was fast filling up,and
where Mrs. Jerold and her assistant, Miss
Gale, were now fully occupied. Our hero
inc, however,did not pass into the street with
out interruption, for at the foot of the stair
case she. encountered Mrs. Langly, who I'M
mindful ofthe glare and glitter above, was
speaking words ofcomfort TO the weeping
Annette.
You must not despair, Annette she said
kindly while her own handkerchief wiped the
tears from the cheek of her protege, keep a
good heart. my chd,and though all is so dark
now, God will send us light presently if we
trust in Him.
Mrs. Douglass kind-hearted, though vain
and trifiing, invOluntariy paused. and draw
ing bright quarter from her glittering purse:
slipped il into Annette's hand Mrs. Langlv
spoke the THINKS which the poor girl could
not utter, and joined Mrs. Douglass as she de-
scended the steps. 4 was going to see you
this morning. she said, so ask your assistance
for very helpless but n very deserving fam
iy.'
'Ah yes said Mrs. Douglass, drawing her
velvet cardinal more closely around her
AT this season there are so many demands
upon our charity
But this really is an extreme CASE said
Mrs. Langly, laying her hand upon the arm
other fashionable friend. THE mother of
that poor girl is i'll, and with three little chill
dren beside, has nothing to depend upon but
the labor ola hoy of twelve years of age, and
the chance charity of strangers Mrs. Jerold
has taken Annette into her establishment, and
byeSrbye she may earn livelihood there, but
atpresent she can do nothing for her mother
and now that the rent of their wretched room
rs due, with no means of paying it, the poor
child is really crying herself sick, lest they
should become entirely homeless
'Ah, poor thing said Mrs. Douglass, bow
ing to all acquaintance as she spoke, she is n
pitifu object indeed. She quite interested
me, and was enquiring ofMrs Jerold about
| her.
| you will take my word as to their necess-
ties, hope pursued Mrs. Langly, and if
you can give me something for them shall
| consider 1t as personal Obligation
| Il will certainly mention it to my husband
said Mrs. Douglass, but we have calls upon
lis daily, assure you Mrs. Langly, which we
| find it difficult 20 answer. Good morning.
/ hope we shall see you very soon on more u
greeable business than begging and with n
smile the lady stepped into cab which a.
waited her, and was driven off to Stewards,
while Mrs. Langly, with sigh returned TO
Annette.
Mrs. Douglass, her mind entirely engross-
ed with Mrs. Jerold, and the new bonnet, met
her husband at dinner, all smiles and pleasan-
try. resolved to try her utmost powers, and
induce him to consent to the purchasing of
the maroon colored velvet and white plume
Honied words were on her pretty lips, and
good humor sparkled in her blue eyes, and
few men there areas our heroine well knew
who can say nay to the request ola beauti-
full woman.
You have been out this morning, ofcourse,
said Mr. Douglass, as they fingered over their
desert. The weather has been so fine you
have probably taken advantage of it.
sYes, ] availed myself ofthe weather, and
with the convenience of a cab, accomplished
a deal of business replied Mrs. Douglass in q
careless tone. ...