The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-10-31
Buying Winter Things.
1.-The poor ye have always with YOU"

tlon-'Gertrude tie magnificent as her wor-
shippers called her, with more truth in their
epithets than there usually is in the compli-
ments paid to handsome women. Gertrude
Chaloner was self-poised to remarkable de-
gree. No worlds judgment, no human opin-
ion, had power to lay out foot-path for her
imperious feet. What she wlled to do she
did, and Of small import was any other NOR
tabs nilly. So far this circumstance did not
hurt her popularity, for she had only willed
to be the most accomplished, the most intel
lectual ard the best-dressed woman of her
set. So, never thinking of fashion, per Sc,
she became leader of it. A few knew, how
ever, that it wanted only the true electric
spark to quicken that grand nature into some
thing nobler than any of her past Dreams
Meantime her powers, unconsciousiy to her.
self, waited, as the offerings used to wait up
on the altar for the spark of celestial fire
which was to make of them sweet incense for
heaven.
/ Of course not every one knew this. Most
people supposed that she was in her proper
sphere now, and would never have thought of
associating her with self-denisl or self.sacri-
fee.
She sat-ths clear, bright autumn morn
ing-n her own room, which was shared,
Just then, with a guest who came the day be-
fore-her cousin Nan, from Philadel phia.-
The pair were complete contrast, and there
fore polarized admirably. Miss Chaloner
was tall and stately, with dark hair and gray
eyes, out of which the waiting soul looked
honest, earnest, truthful. Her lips, except
when she smiled, were thought too thin =
her brow, now that the hair was rolled back,
a thought too high. Nan Darrow's brow was
lows her eyes laughed even when her full,
soft lips did not, and her soul was all heart
"a creature pretty and most winsome, but
one whose good deeds would be offshoots of
impulse, not principle; none the less grace
full for that, however. She reverenced her
cousin Gertrude as superior being and,
after her own gay fashion, loved her dearly.
She sprang up and clapped her hands as Miss
Chaloner 81 oke.
Going to get winter things9 Oh, that is
, charming. I always love to see you shop
You go at it royalty. No chilling counters
for you 1t is well that your purse is as long
as your taste is lofty
Miss Chaloner smiled.
i fear you will be disappointed, Nan. I'm
going to buy practical, useful things thi.
morning.
'As if did not know that your most use
full gown was French cachemire, and YOU
most serviceable stockings were fne-spun O
the silk-worm's cast-otf winding-sheet'
well, am not going to buy cachemir'
robes this morning, but shall get goo(
many winter things nevertheless
Nan put on her dainty velvet cloak ant
S tied her French hat round face bright Will
: the thoughtless joy Of youth.
Miss Chaloner made graver toilet, ant
. soon they were on Washington street. Thei
first stoppng-place was at grocer's. Flou
e and sugar and butter were purchased in lbe
= raj quantities, and sent to different addresses
which Miss Chaloner read from card sh
held in her hand.
Nan began to wonder, but she maintaine
a discreet silence. She walked on beside he
cousin with her tripping footsteps till the
turned into Summer street, the more congel
= ial region of dry goods shops. A halfsu]
pressed exclamation of delight escaped hi
n as she saw the tempting array of silks in
window on the North side and when Mi
Chaloner entered the door she began to thin
the true business ofthe day was commencin
But they did not go up to the silk counter,
turn aside for the soft laces floating out mis-
lily. Halfway up the store, where the shelly
: were piled with substantial cottons and war
blankets, Gertrude Chaloner stopped, al
Nan made half-unwilng pause at her sid
- The purchase was extensive--several piec
of cotton, half dozen pairs of soft, war
y blankets, in these days when cotton and bla
IH- Iu kets are at premium. Mans wonder
. creased. But the articles were to be sc
home this time, and she began to think h
cousin was secretly contemplating matrimo
and housekeeping.
we will cross the street, now,' Miss Ch
Vt oner said, as they went out. i saw o,
- there some nice, ,serviceable winter dress goo
cheap
when, in the name of wonder, did q
. begin to care for cheapness :? muttered N
as the little door-boy let them in.
The dresses were purchased-a few re
nants for children, some dark calicoes a
strong woolen goods in larger patterns. II
dozen or two Of coarse, warm stockin
and the list was complete.
}. Now, to pay you for being good, you 81
- look at the pictures little Miss Chalo
said, as she led the way toward Everett's.
They looked over some choice engravil
for an hour, and finally Miss Chaloner p
Emo Emo chased one-small, but gem Of the m
Re exquisite art-a Madonna, with the H
ling r, ,d .bo o,.o,d
S of Nnliu suii!HS Ia nei "iii'o' OIL" Wv ''Ni"
angels looking out from the clouds arou
rem, rem with the brightness of another world u
>Eal