The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-12-12
From Harper's Magazine.
BUYING WINTER THINGS.

''The Poor We have Always with You"
"Would you like to go shopping this
morning?"
It was Miss Chaloner who asked the
question" Gertrude the Magnificent" as
her worshippers called her, with more
truth in their epithets than there usually
is in the compliments paid to handsome
women. Gertrude Chaloner was self
poised to a remarkable degree. Ne worlds
judgment, no human opinion, had power
to lay out a foot-path for her imperious
feet. What she willed to do she did, and
of small import was any other mortal's
nilly. So far this circumstance had not
hurt her popularity, for she had only willed
to be the most accomplished, the most in
tellectual, and the best-dressed woman of
her SET So, never thinking of fashion,
per- Sc, she became leader of it. A few
knew, however, that it wanted only the
true electric spark to quicken that grand
nature into something nobler than any of
her past dreams. Meantime her powers,
uncOnsciously to herself, waited, as the
offerings used to open upon the altar for
the spark of celestial fire which was to
make of them sweet insense 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-denial
or self-sacrifce.
She sat-this clear, bright autumn morn
ing, in her own room, which was shared,
just then, with guest who came the day
before-her cousin Nan, from Philadelphia.
The pair were a complete contrast, and
therefore polarized admirably. Miss Cha
Toner 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 low; her eyeslaughed even when
her full soft lips did not, and her soul was
all heart-a creature pretty and most win
some, but one whose good deeds would be
offshoOts OF impulse, not principle; none
the less graceful for that, however. She re-
verenced her cousin Gertrude as superior
being; and, after her own gay fashion,
loved her dearly. She sprang up and clap
ped her hands as Miss Chaloner spoke.
''Going to get winter things? Oh, that
is charming! always love to see you
shop-yOu go at it royalty. No shilling
counters for you! 1t is well that your
purse is as long as your taste is lofty"
Miss Chaloner smiled.
II fear you'll be disappointed, Nam |
am going to buy practical, useful things
this morning"
GAS if l did not know that your most
useful gown was a French cachemire, and
your most serviceable stockings were fine
spun of the silk-worm's cast-otf winding
Sheet
''Well, am not going to buy cachemire
robes this morning, but shall get a good
many winter things nevertheless.
Nan put on her dainty velvet cloak, and
tied her French hat round face bright
with the careless, thoughtless joy of youth.
Miss Chaloner made graver toilet, and
soon they were on Washington street.
Their first stopping-place was at a grocer's.
Flour and sugar and butter were pur-
chased in liberal quantities, and sent to
different addresses, which Miss Chaloner
read from card she held in her hand.
Nan began to wonder, but she main
tanned a discreet silence. She walked on
beside her cousin with her tripping foot
steps till they turned into Summer street,
the more congenial region of dry-goods
shops. A halfsuppressed exclamation of
delight escaped her as she saw the tempt
ing array of silks in window on the north
side; and when Miss Chaloner entered the
door she began to think the true business
of the day was commencing. But they did
not 90 up to the silk counter, or turn aside
for the soft laces floating out mistily. Half
way up the store, where the shelves were
piled with substantial cottons and warm
blankets, Gertrude Ohaloner stopped, and
Nan made half-unwilling pause at her
side. The purchase was extensive-sey-
eral pieces of cotton, half dozen pairs OF
soft, warm blankets, in these days when
cotton and blankets are at q premium.
Mans wonder increased. But the articles
were to be sent home this time, and she
began to think her cousin was secretly
contemplating matrimony and house
keeping. saag. 1ao8g4i oj ns...u.sg
1--WE will cross the street, now, Miss