Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-05-18
Burdotte, for. really you have great taste in


"Well, mum, if were to choose I should
say wear handsome morning dress. Now
this foulard robe for instance, or that white
marino with the blue facings; something a
little neylige you know. Then for the hair
a little cap of lace, or something Of that SORT"
"Shocking, Burdotte, you surely would
not have me receive company in morning
dress. should certainly like to be as we'll
dressed as amy one who might happen to
come"
"That is it, mum. Supposing no BODY
should happen to come; you see mum this
being your first reception you wont have
large crowd perhaps, and it may be better not
toexpectmany. Now, mum, when lived with
Lady Clara Bently, why her receptions were
perfect jams; the two drawing rooms and
front passage crowded from twelve until i've.
But then you see, mum, Lady Clara was of
very old family indeed, and had such host
of acquaintances. If were in your place,
mum, I'd wear this foulard robe and this
pretty French cap. Those Clintons on the
other side of the street will be on the watch,
and wouldn't appear to dress much, nor be
anxious for company"
"Well, Burdotte, perhaps you are in the
right and with sigh Mrs. Sage laid aside
the very handsome and elaborate evening
dress she had anticipated wearing on this her
first day Of reception.
Mr.. Brevoort scarcely did her justice when
he said she was pretty she was more than
merely pretty; she was beautiful, perfectly
lovely in face and form, but with a mind en-
tirely destitute of mental culture, for Minnie
Moore was poor, and in the days Of her girl
hood a manufacturer of. artificial flowers !;
she was prudent and amiable; every body
said Minnie was nice girl and for once every
body was right. 1t was no wonder that
George Sage should have fallen in love with
her, seeing her pass Allen & IIurn's twice
each day on her way to and from the shop
where she was employed; and he thought
himself the happiest man alive when Minnie
consented to become Mrs. Sage and share his
lot in life, and the thousand dollars o year
he received as salary. They were happy
young couple, all in all to each other. Am
bition had not then found place in their
hearts and they were satisfied with their
station in life without wish to rank higher
in the social scale. Their home was with
middle-aged widow lady who supported
herself by keeping boarders. Oft times in
after life did George Sage sigh for the happy
cosy hours he had passed in the unpretending
two story brick house, but sighed alas, in vain.
Five years have passed since his marriage,
and George Sage is still head clerk at Allen
& HafD's; is sti)l the lover husband of five
yesrs before, and Minnie is even prettier than
on her wedding day. Mrs. Mervin the lady
they board with, thinks them model couple
--and she thinks Alright.
But Mr.. Sago's uncle dies and leaves him
two hundred thousand dollars, and this chan
ges all their prospects for the future. Allen
& IIurn offer him a co-partnership, but be
refuses, telling them that he is tired of the'
business, and must rest awhile and travel
some. Mrs. Sage has grown ambitious, and
wants residence up town in some lashiona-
BILE Street or Avenue. Her husband is only
too happy to be able to crafty her, and forth
with purchases an elegant five story granite
building on the corner. Of fourth Avenue and
Ninth street, to which they remove. Mr.. Sa-
20 is man of leisure now and Mrs. Sage
in a fair way of becoming fashionable,
heartless woman of the world. Some few Of
her fashionable neighbors have called, among
whom are Mrs. and the Misses Clinton who
live directly opposite. On entering the draw
ing-room Mrs. Sage invites them to lay off
their bonnets, which request is met by very
broad stare, and a very cool, "No | thank
you; we are out paying visits, s,"-and Mrs.
Sage is set down by them as being very igno-
rant and perfect novice as to the usages OF
society. So Mrs. Clinton and her two daugh-
tiers return home with the full determination
Of never calling on her again. Every lady
who lives in the neighborhood has maid
and of course Mrs. Sage must have one too.
She prefers French woman, and Mr.. Sage
advertises for one, which advertisement is
answered by nearly "a hundred applicants,
from which number Mrs. Sage selects Agnes
Burdotte, middle-aged woman, who purportS
to be French, though from her broad kentish
accent would certainly be taken for English.
But Mrs. Sage does not possess any great
deal Of penetration, and considers herself
quite fortunate in securing the services Of
Agnes Burdotte, whose chief recommendation
is that she has once been the attendant Of
Lady Clara Bently, of Bently Manor, Devon
shire, England.
CHAPTER III.
Its eleven o'clock a. M, and Mrs. Sago,