Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-12-17
Buying Winter Things,

Would You like to go a shopping thi
morning?'' .ryr
1t was Miss Chaloner who asked tn
Question -'Gertrued, the magnificent a
herworshippers called her, with more trutl
IN their epithets than there usually is i,
T the compliments paid to handsome women
Gertrude Chaloner was self poised to re
markable degree. No worlds judgment
no human opinion, has power to lay out
foot-path for her imperious feet. Wha
she willed to do she did, and of small i'm
port was any other mortals will So fal
this circumstance had not hurt her popu
larity. for she has only willed to be The
most accomplished, the most Intellectual
and the best dressed woman of her set
SO, never thinking of fashion, per Sc, she
became |, aler of it. A few knew how.
ever, 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, uncon-
sciously to herself, waited, as 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 this
Most people supposed that she was in her
proper sphere now, and would never have
thought of associating herwith selfdenial
or selfsacrifce.
She sat-this, clear, bright autumn
morning-in her own room, which was
shared, just then, with guest who came
the day before-her cousin Nan, from
Philadelphia. The pair were complete
contrast, and therefore polarized admira-
bly,. Miss Chalonef was tall and stately,
with black hair and gray eyes, out of
which the waiting soul looked honest,
earnest, trustful. Her lips, except when
she smiled, were a thought too thin; her
brow, now that the hair was rolled back,
thought too high. Nan Darrow's brow
was low; her eyes laughed even when her
soft lips did not; and her soul was all
heart-a creature pretty and most win
some, bnt one whose good deeds, would
beoffsheots of impulse, not principle; none
the less graceful for that however. She
her cousin Gertrude as a sI-
perior being and, after her own gay fash
ION, loved her dearly. She springs upand
clapped her hands as MissChaloner spoke.
Going TO get winter things? Oh, that
is cherming! | always love to see you
shop-you 60 at it royalty, No shilling
for you! 1t is well that your
purse is as long as your tastis lofty
Miss Chaloner smiled.
i fear you will be disappointed Nan
| am going to buy practical, useful things |
this morning.
AS if / did not know that your most |
useful gown was French cachemire, and |
your most serviceable stockings were fine
spun of the silkworm's cast-off winding
sheet
well, am not going to buy cachemire
robes this morning, but ! shall get good |
many winter things nevertheless
Nan put on her dainty velvet cloak aud
tied her French hat round a face bright
With the careless, thoug ughtless joy of youth.
Miss Chaloner made graver toilet, and
'oon they were on Washington street,
Their first stopping place was at grocer's.
Flower and sugar and butter were pur-
chased in liberal quantities, and sent to
lifferent addresses, which Miss Chaloner
'ead from a card she held in her hand.
Nan began to wonder, but she main
aimed discreet silence. She walked on
beside her cousin with her tripping foot
teps till they turned into Summer street,
he more congenial region of dry-goods {
hops. A half-suppressed exclamation of /,
lelight escaped her as she saw the tempt [
ng array of silks in window on the
lorth side; and when Miss Chaloner en- [
cred the door she began to think the
rue business of the day was commencing.
But they did not 60 up TO the silk coun- {
er, or turn aside for the soft laees floating !
ut mistily. Halfway up the store, 1
7here the shelves were piled with sub !
tantial cottons and warm blankets, Ger (
rude Chaloper stopped, and Nan made a |
pause at her side. The J
urchase was eXtepsiRe-ssyeFal pieces of '
otton, half dozen pairs of soft, warm S
lankets, in these days when cotton and '
lankets are at premium. Mans won t
ers increased. But the articles were to e
e sent home this time, and she began to t
link her cousin was secretly contempla- a
ng matrimony and housekeeping. Il
We will cross the street, now,' Miss e
haloner said, as they went out. Il saw v
yer there some nice, serViceable winter t
pods cheap" -.-,.-..- .--..- ..... v
When, in the wonders, did you being to
ire for cheapness? muttered Nan, as the y
tile door-boy let them in. n
The dresses were purchased-a few rem
apts for children, some dark calicoes and p
rong Boolen goods IN larger patterns Ii
hen a dozen or two of coarse, warm \
ockings, and the list was complete. W
Now to pay you for being good, yop b
lal look at pictures a little Miss Chal-
Ter said las she led the way into Eyerett's, Sc
They looked over some choice engra- SO
ngs for hall an hour, and finally Miss h
laloner purchased one-small, but gem
the most exquisite art-a Madonna.
ith the Holy Child smiling in her arms, pl
ldthe attendant angels looking out from 81
e clouds around, with the brightness of ~
Iother world upon their brow. She CO
We directions for it to be framed simply,
d said she would call for it on the NOR f;
W. h,
With unusual reticence Nan refrained VI
,m any questions until they had reached
me, and sat down in her cousins pleas pi
t room to rest while. Then when the NJ
ndles began to come in, she asked. W,
Are these blankets and cottoas for tr
urself, Cousin Gertrude?" ar
No.
And Of course the calicoes and stock ID
Is and remnants are not. Who, in the er
me- Of onr11n0n-canea ora tbov fnr9 ond nc