The Portland daily press., 1868-11-28
selected story.
The Pink Calico Dress,

enl who had stand near the junction oftwo
I siness avenues.
She was not handsome in the common 40
ceptation OF this much abused Wolu, cut
there was an artlessness and yet winning
syace in her manner which convinced me mar
her station in life should be above the one
she then occupied. Her dress was lnVariabiy
A close fitting pink calico one Iei' that hef
parents must be very poor, and as saw her
dav after day in the same attire, ! had my
susnicions that her wardrobe could not he
very extensive; yet, as she always appeared
neat and tidy. it was mystery to me Low
this striking neatness was secured, and why
there was not ever any variety in her apparel
[ saw that ii was tasteful and becoming, but
[ knew that the ladies are proyerbiai Tor
love OF variety in dress, and I had an Interest
in moving why this simple girl was so marx
ed an exception.
have always delighted TO study character
either in high or low lite, and took IL upon
me to investigate the pretty apple "iIis pecu-
larty. Her iruit was ever clean anu Tempt
inc. but often made purchases merely Tor
the sake of forming au acquaintance. At
lenoth known to her as a liberal patron. she
beoa 10 have less reserve with me than
Wien ! first noticed her, and finally ! was
enboldened to make inquiries in reference 10
er family. 1t was some time before she con-
yersed freely, but by dnt Of perseverance,
earned that she lived with her mother in a
pleasant cnttaee on quIeT street in the sub
urbs OF the city. knew the spot-its at
tractiveness had often interested me, and |
now became more curious than ever to hear
the story OF the apple girl in the pink calico
IL ess.
| yentrred to ask permission to call on her
u Other and make her acquaintance, under
the plea of love OF birds and flowers, with
9th OF witch the cottage was surrounded.
did not receive the encouragement l wish
ed. but still was left to hope that my curiosity
might some day be sratified. As obstacles to
my purpose increased l became mole deter
mined, and resolved to change my tactics.
| could understand the girls diSinclina-
ton to allow our acquaintance TO become, in
any respect, familiar, but L knew that she
would not dare to treat me rudely, and watch
lag my opportunity one Sunday afternoon, L
addressed her as she stood at the street gate
OF the co tage, and as l admired some flow
ers which grew in bed near the house, she
coud not escape, politely, from the necessity
OF inviting me to walk through the yard. Ac
ccidentalIy we met the mother. L had an in
vitation TO enter the cottage. OF course
accepted with pleasure. and, finding the
mother inclined TO be more communicative
than the daughter, managed TO learn that
they were French folks, although they both
spoke English remarkably well. he cottage
parlor was furnished plainly but elegantly
There were upon the wall several pictures,
and upon the mantel number OF delicate
works OF art, winch | was satisfied could not
Rave been purchased by the limited earnings
II an apple gill.
Why young girl who lived in such cot.
tage, with so much evident taste and !ltiva-
ton should invariably wear a pink calico
dress, and sell fruit, nuts and candies on the
street was to me perplexn9 inquiry. There
was web Of romance weaving round the
mysterious apple girl, which became more
ana more interesting and every day my reso-
luton to unravel it became stronger There
was so much mod3sty Ia the girls bearing at
her apple stand-she seemed SO much afraid
OF scandal, should any converse with her
longer than was necessary to make rur-
chase, that there was no way left for me to
solve the mystery of her lire but by visiting
the cottage. Again l went without an invi.
talon, anu boldly made known the curiosity
which led me to force myself upon their ac-
quaintance.
The daughter laughed heartily, and said
gaily:
~ have been just as much at fault TO un-
derstand your curiosity as you have to recon-
cile our circumstances with our employ
ment."
"Then we should be mutual coniidants," |
observed; 81 have been very frank with YOU,
and hope you viii recprocate."
"But our relations are not similar she
archly replied. I'VE are not responsible Tor
your curiosity, but you for ours "
why SOP" cried.
at was forced upon u.s."
Indeed and was not mine forced upon
me, In such a manner, too, as lett me no
choice but to seek out the mystery? But
t1uce to this bandying OF words; you will not
take advantage OF my franlness for aLy other
purpose than to reward it with full expana-
tions."
She looked at me moment as if question
ing my apparent honesty, and then said
pleasantly:
swell, as you have heen so good a patron
OF my apple stand, and you have taken such
pains to know the romance OF my history, if
You viii promise seCr~.s, raii .->n
| answered eagerly.
"Wak with me into the garden, them"
said the girl.
We had pleasant seat under a rustic az
Dor, when the lady remarked:
Mother told you that we once lived in
village near Paris"
''ohe did," 1 answered, "on my first visit"
I'VE were not rich, but we had a petty
cottage, and an income sufficient to support
US. Father died when / was little girl. |
had no brothers, but / had a PLAYMATE who
was dearer to me than brother. AS we
grew older. his parents, who were rich, ior-
bade him to visit our house. We met in the
fields. We loved each other. and would not
be separated. His father learned that we
still met, and he was very angry. He told his
son that if he visited me he coulu not stay at
home.
Our fathers had been bitter enemies. but
we could not understand why that should
make us enemies when we loved each othe",
and Emile declared that he would not ne
slect me, it his father did shut his doors
against him. One day he said to me, Il am
going to run away, but not from you-ircm
father, and you shall come to me, and then
we never be parted 1t was hard to consent.
but Emile insisted and we took leave of each
other, and he did run away. 1t was q long
time before we heard from him-then we cot
q letter which told us he was in America. |
had changed very much since Emile's absence,
and mother was afraid | would die. 1 coaxed
her to let me go to America Emile told us in
his letter that he lived in Cincinnati. When
we arrived in Boston we inquired TOR Cincin-
natl, and were directed TO this place. Mother
bought this cottage, and here we have lived.
expecting to meet Emile"
Have you ever heard from him? ?" | in
ouired.
Only once," she answered.
DO you know where he is new?'
NO, indeed; 1t we did we would not stay
here long,"
Have you never written him?"
I'VE do not know his name, He has
changed it, as he told us in his letter. but he
neglected 10 tell us what name he now
bears"
DO YOU think you will ever find him ?"
q ind IL
cry night. l know he is not dead, and shall
soon meet him."
MADE inquiry, hoping it might lead to
some explanation OF the pink dress and apDIe
seli1n2 mystery. She understood nv look
and tone of curiosity, and answered pleasant
ly;:,.
THAT will explain to you the romance of
my dress and occupation. When Emile and
played together in France, often wore a
iress very much like this one. If he should
zee me anywhere in this dress he would know
ne. might meet him and not know him,
1ut he would recognize me, and | would not
lress in any other style, for lear we might
Miss each othtT."
But why sell apples in the street p said I.
With a look OF admiration of her devotion,
which she could not well mistake: there is
ertalnIy no necessity that you should be so
. Yes, there is," she answered. naiveIy;"
must be where Emile could see me. if he
nould visit the city. 1 dare NOT be on the
ueet all the time, unless / am occupied, and
never thought there was any disgrace in
elling apples.n N5'"'' ia
rroy oteaniy ny not" exclaimed; IS hut all who
=, ,moS s; @ Sour history will honor YOU. Accent
ny s'ntenest s wishes that your devotion fo tke
over =, LII, u. yoar youth may be fully rewarded bv
u !. cary %hIn m a eetlns an and happy reunion