Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-11-05
come down and exhibit her. y

Agnes was pretty, and smart also. oh'
was very ignorant, but having been dress
ing-maid in several good families, she hae
picked up little smatteling of useful infor
nation As for the rest, she was full hand
some and nearly as graceful, when she chose
to be, as many lady of fashion.
i She entered-into the scheme with spirit
"You are not to buy anything you know, .
said Nelly, as she turned dressing maid
clasped oE the bracelets md aided her il
dressing, .'but ask for such aud such silks.
speak in an ordering. commanding way, you
know, and manage somehow to show your
money; o. I have it, carry ii in his purse
the gold will shine through the meshes beau
tifully."
"And what shall YOU wear p asked Ag-
nes. surveying herself in the long mirror,
! with pleasant face.
Il? o! "A plain mcrino, with closed
sleeves and linen cuffs /; nlamma's ov7>y day
straw lonuet with the flowers taken out.
common Lisls gloves, anu look just as plain
as pipe stem."
20, Gear. dear" cried the girl laugh
ing, why. people won't know you
81 don't mean they shall, said Nelly, de
murely proceeding to dress her hair low
upon her forehead. and otherwise alter her
appearance so that her mother wouli hardly
have recognized her Throwing on at last
a deep brown veil to shade her face she was
ready. Agnes had received her directions
10 keep near Nelly. both in the street AMI III
the store 1t was not long walk to Lloyd,
Sheldon & Co.'S There were three young
men the firm was new, and the partners
took an active part in the salesr room, thus
overseeing their business and economiziug
somewhat.
Agnes acted the great lady to perfection.
She shook out her silks, tossed her head a
little, as if with the feeling that everything
about her was entirely beneath her notice,
yet she could condescend perhaps to hny
Something, and sailing along the store, her
humble looking companion behind her. she
paused at a place where four clerks stood
with their eight hands ranged along togeth
er, ready to jump over the counter if need
be, to execute the lady's commands.
Nelly stood quietly back, her face shaded
by the brown veil. She saw Lloyd imme
diately leave a plain looking customer to the
cvilites of Sheldon, who was near him. and
making sign to the clerks, he was left
alone with the new customer.
II want to see some MORE antique" said
Agnes, with the air of one who has plenty Of
money.
''Certainly, madam" replied the polite
clerk Immediately taking out immense cases
of the splendid silks, and spreading them
before her.
Glow much do they come to a yard p
asked Agnes, cunningly showing her gold.
The young man informed her, with great
deal Of Difference. turning over and display
ing a great number of the goods.
They don't exactly please NE; they amt
costly enough" said Agnes, longing to look
over towards Nelly and laugh
We have very splendid embroidered
silks at almost any price, satd Lloyd, de-
lighted that be had fallen in with Il custom,
er who seemed to have no care how much
things cost. and with great trouble he took
down other cases, catching his coat sleeve
unfortunately On nail, and tearing 1t near
" from shoulder to elbow.
Nelly was ODli2CA W utIl away IuIil W
conceal a smile Meanwhile Sheldon had
got through with his customer, and the
young girl heard Lloyd say, in a muttering
voice. Just look out tor tina woman there,
goods are lying ai'oui loose"
The indignant blood rushed to her face
Isn't she customer asked Sheldon
in the same tone.
NO. servant, expect; carry home bun
dies" said Lloyd still in that suppressed
voice. But Sheldon did not seem To be sat
isGed he came forw I'd, saying in gentle
manly manner: ''Can [ wait upon you.
ma:lam I"
Instantly Nelly experienced glow Of
warmth about her heart that had felt the
risings of scorn before. She modestly re-
piled, ''Some fannels, if you please
BE kind enough to walk over to the OPP
posite counter, as ] see the clerk IL en-
gagged there, / will serve YOU" he said -
Nelly followed with {, beating heart How
different this treatment from the unkind sls-
picions Of the more elegant Lloyd, Very
cpurteously he waited upon her, forging no
goods to attention merely bowling il she
was not satisfied, taking down with alacriiy
whatever she asked for, SO that every mo-
ment, as she looked at his fine countenance,
her admiration grew stronger, -perlaps,
another sentiment increased also in depth
and intensity.
Suffice it to say that Nelly bought till her
fifty dollars were expended, leaving d;roc-
tons for the goods to be sent to a certain
place, to be paid on delivery. As she left
the store, Agnes threw the card OF rich lace
she vas examining, and saying hastily, 'sPil
call in again, by-and-by," she followed her
mistress.
"Well," said Lloyd, drawing a long breath,
''of all the infernal-"
"Have you done pretty good mornings
work 2" asked Sheldon, laying aside the pay
GELS he had Sold
';Good mornings work, u uttered the 9th
er Il haven't taken red cent, and look at
the counter
Truly enough the counter was sight to
be seen. Great heaps of silks, velvets,
shawls and laces strewed it from one end to
the other
hat did that girl buy of you p asked
Lioyu uirectlhg the clerk 10 put up the goo9s,
fnll hours work
Nothing to speak of-only fifty dollars"
returned Sheldon
Fifty dollars why I didn't think she
was worth fifty cents! p exclaimed Lloyd.
Cant always tell by the outside " said
Sheldon, smiling -''my customer was a real
lady," he added.
''Anl niue vas-O, dear me p'-and
Lloyd threw back his head and laughed-so
did his coat sleeve,
Il thought you were sure FOR hundred
dollars at least" said Sheldon.
80 did T.