The Van Buren press., 1869-11-16

telieve," said Nelly.
"weh, what about her' I'm all as'
tontion." 's3 eoj31f v7 ~
"But you haven't answered my ques-
ton, whether you thought she was pret-
ty," said Nelly.
'"Oh, yes, rather pretty her mother
answered
"W ell, I'm going to dress her up splen-
didly." t1s
"Nelly!" .f
81 am truly, in the new bonnet / or
dered Yesterday, and my best fiounced
silk. I'm Just going to load her with my
chains, rings, bracelets, and everything
handsome, and then shall go out shop
ping with her.
"7Nonsense " calculated the elder Bios
som. "Nelly, you're Graz"
Nowhere near il" said Molly, laugh,
ing again. "I am going to have real
fun. YOU may believe
II But what object have you in this
quite foolish scheme ?" asked the mother
80! you'll see," replied Nelly. I'm
going now, and when Agnes is dressed
| I'm come down and exhibit her" ..,iI
Agnes was pretty and smart, too she
was very Ignorant, but having been dress
inp maid In several good families, she
had picked up little smattering OF use
ful information. As for the rest, she was
full as handsome and nearly as graceful.
wheu she chose to be, as many lady OF
fashion. fass4
She entered into the scheme with spir.
it,
"You are not to buy anything you
know" said Nelly, as she turned dress
ing maid, clasped on the bracelets and
aided her In dressing, /" but ask for such
silks, speak in an ordering, commanding
way, YOU know, and manage in some way
to show your money. o, have it--car-
nv it in this purse; the gold will shine
through the meshes beautifully"
"And what shall you wearY' asked
Agnes, surveying herself in long mir
ror, with pleasant face.
al? o, a plain merino, with closed
sleeves, and linen cuffs, mammals every
day styaw bonnet. with the flowers taken
out, common Lisle gloves, and look just
as plain as a pipe stem"
:. oh, deaf, dear" cried the girl, laugh
ing, why, people won't know you"
II don't mean they shall" said Nelly,
demurely proceeding to dress her hair
low upon her forehead, and otherwise al.
ter her appearance so that her mother
would hardly have recognized her
Throwing on at last deep brown veil to
shade her face, she was ready. Agnes
had received her directions to keep near
Nelly. both in the street and in the store.
1t was not long walk to Lloyd, Sheldon
d Co.'S. There were three young men :
the firm was new, and the partners TOOK
an active part in the saic-room, thus
overseeing their business and economic
ing somewhat.
! Agnes acted the great lady to perfec..
ton. She shook out her silks, tossed
her head a little, as If with the iecling
that everything about her was entirely
beneath her notice, yet she could conde.
scend, perhaps, to buy something. and
sailing along the store, her humble-look.
ing companion behind her, she stepped
at place where four clerks stood with
their eight hands ranged along together
ready to jump over the coulter If needs
be, to execute the lady's commands. :.
Nelly stood quietly back, her face shad.
ed by the brown veil. She saw Lloyd
Immediately leave pluin looking Gus
toner to the cvilties Of Sheldon, who
was near him, and making a sign to the
clerks, he was left alonc with the new
customer. :,
j "I want TO see some moirc antique,
said Agnes, with the air OF Que who has
plenty of money.
Certainly, madam" replied the polite
clerk Immediately taking out immense
cases Of the splendid silks, and spread
ing them before her. -,
"How much dc they come to yard 2
asked Agnes, ,cupninsly showing her gold
The young man informed her, with a
great deal Of Difference, turning over and
displaying a great number Of the goods
"Those don't exactly please me; they
amt costly cnongh,' said Agnes, long
ing to look over towards Nelly and laugh.
"We have very splendid embroidered
silks at almost any price" said Lloyd,
delighted that he had fallen in with Gus
toner 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 nearly from shoulder to elbow
Nelly was obliged to turn away then tc
conceal smile. Meanwhile Sheldoi
had got through with his customer, and
tho young girl heard Lloyd say, in mur
murinc voice: Just look out for that
woman there-goods are lying around
loose
!, "Isnt she customer asked Shel
don in the same tone.
"No, servant, expect; carry home
bundles" )" said Lloyd. still in that sup
pressed voice. But Sheldon did not seen
to be satisfied he came forward, saying
in gentlemanly manner:
g Can l wait upon you, madam
Instantly Nelly experienced glow o
warmth about her heart that had felt th'
rising OF scorn before. She modest!
replied:
"Somc nanDels, IL you please"
"Be kind enough to walk over to th'
opposite counter. AS see tho clerk Il
engaged there will serve YOU" he said
, Nelly followed with beating heart
How different this treatment from thu
! unkind suspicious Of the moro elegan
Lloyd. Very courteously he waited up
on, forcing no goods to attention, merely
bowing If she was not satisfied, taking
down with alacrity whatever she aske,