The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-11-21


THE PRETTY APPLE GIRL---A CINCINNATI
STORY.
Some years ago, when was rambler through
the streets of Cincinnati, for the purpose OF
picking up trifes to interest the readers of the
local column of city paper, often purchased
apples, nuts, and candies. of a young girl who
had stand near the junction of two business
avenues.
She was not handsome, in tho common ac-
cepiation of this much abused word. but there
was an artlessness. and yet a winning grace,
in her maners, which convinced me that her
station in life should be above the one she then
occupied. She wore invariably. close fitting
pink calico dress. felt that her parents must
be worry poor: and. as saw her day after day
in tho same attire, had my suspicious that
her wardrobe could not be very extensive; yet,
as she always appeared scrupulonsly neat and
tidy. il was great mystery to me how this
striking neatness was secured, and why there
was never any variety in her apparel. saw
that it was tasteful and becoming. but knew
that ladies are pioverbial for love of variety
in dress, and had an interest in knowing why
this simple girl was So marke an exception.
I have ALWAYS deighed to study character
either in hah or low life and took it upon
me to investigate the pretty arpcpirTs Pc
culiaritv Her fruit was ever clean aud temp-
'ug hu' "ftcn made purchases merely for
the sake of forming an scquainanee At lem
gth known 10 h'r as a liberal patron, sho be-
gan 10 have loss reserve with mp than when |
fisr noticed her, and finally was emholdcned
t. make enquiries in reference to her family.
Ii was some time hcfore she conversed freely
hui by dnt of persev GRANGE. learned that she
lived with her mother, in pleasant cottage
on quiet street in the suburbs of the ciIy |
knew the sput--its attrac,iyeness Ind often in
teresed me, and now became more curious
than ever to hear the history of the npple-grl
in tho pink calico dress.
Iyentured 10 ask permission to call on her
mother, and make her acquaintance. under the
plea ofa love for birds and flowers. with both
Of which the cottage was surrounded. did
not receive the encouragement | wished but
still was left 10 hopo that my curiosity might bo
some day gratfled. As obstacles to my pur-
pose increased became more determined, and
resolved 10 chlnge my tactics | could not
understand the girls dsinclnation to allow
our Acquaintance to become, in any respect ia
mliar, but knew that she would not dare to
treat me rndely, and. watching my opportuni-
~, one Sunday morning | addressed her, as
she stood at the street-gate of the cottage, and.
as admired some flowers which grew in a
bed near the house. she could not escape, po-
litely, from the necessity Of inviting mo TO
walk through the ward Accidentally we met
the mother. had an invitation to enter tho
cottage; of course | accepted with pleasure,
and finding the mother inclined to be more
communicative than the daughter. | managed
to learn that they were French folks. although
both spoke English remarkably well. The
cottage parlor was furnished plainly, but ele-
gantly. There were upon the wall several pic
turaa and upar tho mantpl several 1alicata
works Of art, which / was satisfied could not
have been purchased by the limited earnings
of an apple girl
Why a young girl. who lived in such n cot
tage. with such evident taste and cultivation,
should invariably wear pink calico dress, and
sell fruits, nuts and candies on the street. was
to me perplexing mystery. There was web
of romance weaving around the mysterious
apple girl which became more and more inte-
resting. and every day my resolution to nnrav-
ell it grew stronger. There was so much mod
esty in the girls bearing the apple stand; she
seemed so afraid of scandal, should any one
converse with her longer than was necessary
to make purchases, that there was no way left
for me to solve the mystery of her life but by
visiting tho cottage. Again went, without an
invitation. and boldly made known the curios-
ity which led me to force myself upon their
The daughter laughed heartily, and said gai-
ly-
"We have been as much AT fault TO Under
stand your curiosity "a you have to reconcile
our circumstances with my employment. ed
"Then we should be mutual confdants," !
Observed; 81 have been very frank with you,
and hope you will reciprocate."
"But our relations are not similar she re-
piled, archly. "We are not responsible for
your curiosity. you are for ours"
"How sol" cried.
at was forced npon us.
"IDdeed; and was not mine forced upon me,
in such manner, too, as left no choice but to
seek out the mysteryf A truce to this handy
ing of words; you will not take advantage Of
ffankness for any other purpose than to reward
it with full explanations"
She looked at mo a moment. as if question
ing my apparent honesty, and then said, pleas
antly- ft.f .
"Well, as you have been so good patron
to my apple-stand, and have taken such pains
to know the romance If my history, If you will
promise secresy. I'll tell YOU
"Tl accept any conditions that can full
,fl," answered. eagerly.
"Walk with me into the garden, tben." said
the girl.
We had pleasant seat under rustic arbor,
when the lady remarked
"Molber told you that we once lived in a
village near Paris"
"She did, answered con my FIRST visit"