The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-12-06
BUYING WINTER THINGS.

question: Gertrude the magnificent, as
her worshiprers called her, with more
truth in their epithets than there usually
is in the compliments paid so handsome
Gertrude Chaloner was self.
poised to q remarkable degree. No worlds
judgment, no human opinion, had power
TO lay out foot path for her imperious
feet What she willed to do she did, and
Of small import WAS any other mortars
will So far this circumstance had not
hurt her popularity, for she had only
willed to be the most accomplished, the
most intellectual, and the best dressed
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,
- the offerings used to wait upon the
altar for the spark of celestial fire which
was to make of them sweet incense for
heaven.
OF course not every one knew of this
Nest people suppose that she was in her
proper sphere now, and would never have
thought of associating her with self denial
or self sacrifice
She sat-this clear, bright autumn morn
ing-in her own room, which she was
sharing, just then, with guest who came
the day before, her cousin Nan, from Phi
ladelphia The pair were a complete con.
trast, and therefore polarized admirably
Miss Chaloner was tall and stately, with
dark hair and gray eyes out of which the
waiting soul looked honest, earnest, trust
full Her lips, except when she smiled,
were a thought too thin hei brow, now
that the hair was rolled back, a thought
too high. Nan Darrous brow was low !;
her eyes laughed even when her full soft
lips did not, and her soul was all heart
creature pretty and most winsoIne, but
one whose good dseas would be offshoots
Of impulse, not principle; none the less
graceful for that however She rever.
enced 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 spoke
Going to get winter things? Oh, that
is chalming! always love TO see you shop
you go at it royalty No shilling coun-
ters for you 1t is we'll that your purse is
as long as your taste is lofty
Miss Cha!oner smiled
Il fear you will be disappointed, Nan.
nm going to buy practical, useful things
this morning.
AS if | did know that your most use
full gown was a French cAchemere, and
your most servIccabls stockings were fire.
spur OF the silkworms cast-of winding
sheet.
Well, am not going to buy cachmere
robes this morning, but shall get good
many winter things nevertheless
Ma: put on her dainty velvet cloak and
tisd her French had round a face brigh;
with the careless, thouGhtless joy of youth
Miss Chaloner made a graver toilet, and
soon they were or Washington street.
Their first stopping places was at gro
GERS. flour and sugar aud butter were
purchased in liberal quantities, and sent
~ different addresses, which Miss Chalo
ner read from e card she held in her
hand
Nan began to wonder, but she main
tanned q discreet silence She walked on
beside her cousin with her tripping foot
steps till they turned into Sumner street
the more congenial region of dry-good,
shops A half suppressed exclamation OF
delight escaped her as she saw the tempt
ing array OF silks in window on the
north side; and when Mis- Chsloner en-.
tered the door she began to think the true
business OF the day was commencing
But they did not go up to the silk counter
or turn aside for the soft Eases floating out
mistily. Halfway up tine store, where the
sbelyes -ere piled with substantial cot
tons and warm blankets, Gertrude Chalo
ner stopped, and Nan made half.unwill
ing pause at her side. The purchase wa:
e1,eusive-scveral pieces of cotton, half a
= - IL
these days when cotton and blankets are
at premium. Mans wonder increased
But the articles were to be sent home thi.
time, and she began to think her cousin
was secretly contemplating. raatrimony and
heIsek eeping.
We will cross the street, now Miss
Chxloner said, as they went out. ! saw
over there some nice, seryiceable winter
goods cheap
When, in the name wonder, did yo'
begin to care for cheapness? mutteret
Nan, as the little door boy let them in.
The dresses were epurchased-a few rem
nants for children, some dark calicoes anc
strong woollen goods in larger patterns
Then q dozen or two of coarse, warm
stockings, and the list was complete.
Now, to pay for your being good. you
buhlt lOOh OF SuC RiCtAiCS u iAltAc -AASs
Chaloner said, as she led the way inte
Everett's
They looked over some choice engrav.
Ings for half an hour, and finally Mis-:
Chaloner purchased one-small, but 6
with the Holy Child smiling in her arms
and the attendant angels looking ou
from the clouds around, with the bright
,Ta ,rarl1 thatr hr. IA,
She gave directions for it to be framed
simply, and said she would call for it OF
the morrow.
With unusual reticence Nan refrainet
from any questions until they had reacheo
SAINT room to rest while. Then whel
the bundles began to come in, she asked
Are these blankets and cottons for your
sell, cousin Gertrude
No
And of course the calicoes and stock
ings and remnants are not Who, in tn
name Of common sense, are they for ant
how much money do you think you hav'
spent this morning on this rubbish !?
AS to whom they are for. you shall se'
that tomorrow; and rs to the money
have spent, it is less than half my usua
winter allowance.
And YOU expect to dress on the othe
halfY cried Nan, with wide open, won
dering eyes.
Ne, the other half goes for coal ant
house-rents
And you are to dress on-whatY
What have. Except boots and glove:
] do not mean to have single new thin
this winter
Except, Of course, your bonnet; on
| could hardly imagine Miss Chaloner in
last years ehapea~'
Not even excepting my bonnet N
last winters one was black velvet. It wi
alter over irreproachably. do net mea
that the werld shall know shall kno'
these things, Nan. am not going
turn hermit, or even to give up the societ
| in which have been accustomed.:to NOV
had more new ineries last winter tina
half nay friends had q sight Of sha