National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-01-22
The Homeiy TaIisman.

the local column of a city pager. l
often purchased apples, nuts and
candies of a young girl who had a
stand near the junction of two bust.
ness avenues.
She was net handsome in the
common acception of this much
abused word, but there was au art
lessness and yet winning grace in
her manner which convinced me
that her station in life should be
above the one she then occupied.
Her dress was Invariably close fit-
ting pink calico one. l felt that her
parents must be very poor, and as /
saw her day after day in the same
attire, had suspicious that her
wardrobe could not be very exten-
siye; yet as she always appeared
neat and tidy, it was a mystery to
me how this striking neatness was
secured, aud why there was not ever
any variety in her apparel. / saw
that it was tasteful and becoming,
but ! knew that the ladies' are pro-
verbal for loye of variety in dress,
and had an irtewst in knowing
why this simple girl was So marked
an exception.
have always delighted to study
character, either in high or low life,
and took it upon me to investigate
the petty apple girls peculiar.ty.-
Her fruit was ever clean aud tempt
Ing. but | often made purchases
merely for the sake of forming an
acquaintance. At length, known
to her az liberal patron, she began
to have less reserve With me than
whea ! fist noticed her. aud finally
| was emboldened to make inquiries
in reference TO her family. 1t was
sometime before she conversed free
", but by dint of perseverance, l
learned that she lived with her moth
er IN pleasant cottage on a quiet
street in the suburbs Of the city. /
knew the spot---lts attractiyeneSs
had often interested me. and now
became more curious than ever to
hear the story Of the apple girl III
the pink calico dress:
| ventured to ask permission to
call on her mother and make her
acquaintance, under the plea of a
love OF birds and flowers, with both
Of which the cottage was surround.
ed. | did not receive the encourage.
ment | wished, hut still was left to
hope that my curiosity might some
day be sratliiei. As obstacles to
my purpose increased | became more
determined, aud | resolved to change
my tactics lcould not understand
the c's iisinclination 10 allow our
acquaintance to become, III any rc.
spcct, familiar. bat | knew that she
would not dare to treat me rudely,
and watching my opportunity one
Sunday afternoon, | addressed her
as she stood at the street gate of her
cottage, aud as | admired some
flowers which grew in bed near
the house. she could not escape,
politely, from the necessity OF invlt'
| inc me to walk through the Yard
Accidentally We met the N her.
had an invitation to enter the cot
tace. OF course | accepted witt
pleasure, and finding the mother in
clined to he more communlcativ,
than the daughter, ] managed Il
learn that they were Frcncl folks
although they both spoke En9liSl
remarkably we'll. The cottage par
lor WAS furnished plainly, but ele
gantly. There were upon the wal
several pictures, and upon the man
tel n number OF delicate works %
art. which was satisfied could nc
have been purchased hy the limitc'
earnings of an apple girl.
why . Young girl who lived IL
such cottage, with so much evl
dent taste and cultivation, shonl'
invariably wear pink calico dress
aud sell fruit, nuts and candies o.
til. street was to me n perplcXln
INQUIRY. There was web Of r.
nance weaving around the myster
I lsous apple girl, which became mon
/ aud more interesting, and every da
my resolution to unravel it becanl
stronger. There wins so much mo,
: esty in the girls bearing at her al
pie stand--shc seemed so muc
afraid of scandal, should any OF
converse with her longer than W.
necessary to make n purchase, thi
: there was no way left for me to sol'
: the mystery of her life but by visi
Il ing the cottage. Again went wit
). out an invitation, and boldly ma,
known the curiosity which led II
. to force myself uron their acquai
tance.
The daughter laughed hearth
J" and said gaily, I'VE have been in
so much nj fault TO understand yo
- curiosity as you have been to reco
cilc our circumstances with our el
l. ployment.'
Then we should be mutual con
dants,' / observed; Il have be-
ID very frank with you, and hope "
'' Will reciprocate.'
But our relations are not simila
she arclly replied. we are not
sponsible for your curiosity, but y
are for ours
why tof Icricd.
1T was forced upon u.s..
Indeed and was not mine fore
upon inc, In such q manner, too,
leit ine no choice but to seek {
tie tnxSiaryf put n trupa IN Al