Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-06-04
rhe Clerks Plot.

L ~--N
| fsep< <'iat | am about to relate actually
tas'k 7'1cc Somewhere in the early part Of
the f- century was pleasantly situated
on u<Ie eminenee. completely environed
by n1'+ md mountains, aud reminded one
WITH ~ white dwellings,, pee2ing out OF
I greer <htnbbery, Of birds nest half hid
den = f5iage. The passing traveller
wou'qec Rrcely imagine that pride and ar
lsfver7eY - their attendant evils, could
nave <71s ban entrance in that beautiful
sylvia fefftat, afar from the hustle Of cit
/ tues. 80 Qestled in the very heart of the
Greeu Mountains.
hei'ghfest acquaintance with it's in
haoii>Fe. however, would have suficed to
conp1iEe him Of bis mistake. Being, a,
the TIRE Of which ] write, the residence il
the 6!*ernor Of the State, aud the seat Of a
fourl<|1pg Academy. it had acquired an al
most 1elropolitan pre- eminence among the
sqrrn1oEi'ng towns. and looked down with
a peertc Of contempt on its less fortunate
neig} t1rs, 10 addition TO these advan.
taees bad originally been settled BY
families q cultivation, refinement and
wealth, thus giving higher tone and pol-
ish to society than is often found in small
country village. Among the immediate
descendants of these families were six
young ladies', who prided themselves on
being par ercetlence, the aristocracy Of the
place, and forming clique by themselves,
condescended to associate but little, and
that IN naughty manner, with their more
plebian. but not less worthy companions,
On pleasant spring morning. two of
these young ladies, gaily and fashionably
dressed, might have been seen entering the
store Of Col. Dennis, the principal mer-
chant Of the place, whD had just returned
from Boston with his usual supply of sum-
mer goods The polite clerk hastened to
attend his fair customers, and the counter
was snon piled with silks. laces, and vari.
Gus other elegant etceteras of female ap
rarel. over which the young ladies' express
sions of delight were as loud and enthus-
astic as geniility would permit.
Among other delicate fabrics for sum-
mer wear, was beautiful piece of EN-
broidered muslin of a new ard fashionable
style, containing material for precisely six
dresses, and no more In the greatest
ecstacy the fair aristoerats FASTENED 70 in
form their companions Of this fortunate
discovery, and in short time the whole
bevy were assembled in the store, twi.Il the
exception OF one who was OUT of town on
a visit eager to secure the coveted trea
sures. before they should attract the gaze
of vulgar eyes
''Oh how charming" exclaimed little
Fanny Walters, the youngest Of the group,
chipping her hands in delight, IL wonder
what the odicus Jane Kendall will say now
Only think Of her presuming to have a
dress like mine last summer-pnor mecnan-
les daughter as she is But we'll outwit
her this time" and Fanny fairly danced
in the exuberance of her glee
Don't be such rOmp, FANNY" said
her older sister. 81 am really ashamed of
you. But what pity that cousin Alice
is away this week, when we shall want to
wear our new dresses to church next Sab
bath"
Yes" said third, tall queenly look
ing girl, but we cannot wait for her
there is no certainty when she will return,
and the dress can be reserved for her, so
that 1t will make no difference. Mr.. Har
vey," she added, addressing the clerk with
her neutrality-suspicious. air. ''you must prom>
Use us not to sell this dress to any person of
the common people; we wish it reserved
for Alice Walters who is out of town at
present"
The gentlemanly clerk, bowling politely,
gave.the required promise. but there was a
rognish twinkle in his eye which might
have aroused suspicion, had not the young
ladies been too much absorbed with their
purchases to observe it. Leaving the
store, they FASTENED with all expedition to
the shop of the only fashionable dress
maker in the place, and 6ssailed her with
! urgent entreaties to have the dress all
completed without fail, by Saturday night
This the dress maker assured them was
utterly impossible, rs she had but one as,
sistant, and It was near the middle Of the
week, already The girls were in despair
! they had set their hearts on appearing
at church the next Sabbath in their new
dresses and they could net endure to be
| disappointed. AT this juncture, Jane
Kendall entered the shop on an errand,
and learning the state of affairs, volun-
teered her assistance in making the dres
ses, with an air of great cordlality. As
Jane was known to be very expert with
| the needle, and there seemed to he no
other way of accomplishing their wishes,
her offer was finally accepted in suffer
| entity urgracinus manner
! The Sabbath came at last--warm and
pleasant, with a.i unclouded sky, and as
! usual. nearly the whole popula ion Assem-
| public worship. But from some cause or
other, an unusual air of expectation seemed
| to pervade the younger portion of the as
! sembly, and Harvey was seen to exchange
a glance OF rpgueish intelligence with
| Jane Kendall. just before it was time
! for the services TO commence, the door
/ opened. and the fine white dresses. fash
ionably made and adorned, moved grace
fully up the broad aisle, and seated them
selves IN a conspicuous position, where they
Immediately became "the observed of al,
observers The clique had enjoyed theiI
triumph but moment. however when q
heavy fuotstep again attracted the attention
OF the congregation, and who should be
seen eDteriugthe house hut eBlack Ruth, ;
a kitchen; fscullion in the neighborliocd
with her fat form ensconeed in white
! dress OF the same fashion and material al
those which had just caused go Extensive {
violation oil the tenth c mDandment among
the young ladies' of NJ. Marching
with ludicrous attempt at dignity, direct
ly up the broad aisle. shespassed the pew
occupied by the "aristocracyR and seateC
herself with great cOmplacency in Thu
hendalls," which was nearly opposite. =
At this moment the services commenced
but 1t Is a matter of doubt whether man'
OF the younger members of the congrega-
ton could have told. or their return frnn
church, the subject of the forenoon's dis
course
The reply of the trescaerous clerk, +
the storm of invective and reproaeh will
which he was assaiied by the outraged
aT,stocraev, was exceedingly satisfactory
Ladies" said he, II have kept my prom
'se. agreed not to sell the dress to an,
o. the common people, and you must ALLOW
that otGck people are very uncommon il
this place." 80,
A Trend of ours. who had taken prid
tor several years in cultiva.ing full crol
OF hair on his face, was called away from
home on business some time since. Will