The weekly standard., 1869-09-29

usual, repneo Neiiy, aiChy.l ssuf 1nA
"Were they both attentive r. b u. y
Gas two shadows. Henry never looked
more noble in his life"
"Last time it was Charles" said Mrs
Blossom.
Nelly blushed, and said, ,..,a,-,.s si
"Iknow I find it difficult to choose between
them"
@Henry is the handsomest, and the richest
Of the firm,n said her mother, looking out,
As mothers will do, for the main chance.
81 don't know about Henry's being the
handsomest,n said Nelly. "There is some
thing very superior about Charles Sheldon's
face. but he is very retiring: one has to give
him so much margin To be sure, Henry Is
more dashing, might be called more elegant,
and has certainly more brilliant eye and
color. Perhaps he dresses in rather better
taste; but although he pleases me more in
company, there is something in Charles
Sheldon's quiet way and deep eye that some
times seems more attractive"
"Both appear to have sterling qualities"
said the mother. 40.
"Yes. they appear to have; but I'm going
to test them to day."
"What do you mean, Nelly 2"
20, that's what I was laughing at up
stairs, :" replied Nelly, in merry way.
FYou see, 1 have such a capital plan! and
I'm the very one to carry it out. / think !
shall spend my fifty dollars on poor Mills
family" It1 .1.i rat
"What wild freak now Z" asked the ma
turer Blossom of the two, looking wonder
ingly at her daughter. '' E@
Dear little woman, Nelly had not much to
fear from any interference on her part. 1t
was well that the young girl naturally pos
sessed much discretion, good sense and good
Judgment, for her mother had never impos-
ed any restraint upon her inclinations, way
ward or otherwise.
"Dont you think Agnes rather pretty
looking girl, mother2" .@l4
"What, little Agnes, your dressing-maid 2"
rejoined her mother. '',l l..." =
'"Nor SO very little; about my size, I be-
lieve," said Nelly.
swell, what about herr am all atten-
ton" #.a.-.
"But you haven't answered my question,
whether you thought she was pretty" said
Nelly. ,-. 'a
"Oh yes, rather pretty" her mother an
swered
swell, I'm going to dress her up splen-
didly !"
"Nellyw
II am truly, in the new bonnet I ordered
yesterday, and my best founced silk. Pm
Just going to load her with my chains,
rings, bracelets and everything handsome :;
and then shall go out shopping with her"
"Nonsense !" calculated the elder Bios
som. "Nelly, you're crazy!"
"Nowhere near it," said Nelly, laughing
again I am going to have real fun, you
may believe"
But what object have you in this quite
foolish scheme 2" asked her mother.
40! you'll see," replied Nelly. "rm go
come down and exhibit her."
Agnes was pretty, and smart also. She
was very ignorant, but having been dress
ing maid in several good families, she had
picked up little smattering of useful infor
nation. As for the rest, she was full as
handsome and nearly as graceful, when she
chose to be, as many lady of fashion.
She entered into the scheme with spirit
"You are not to buy anything you know y
said Nelly, as she turned dressing maid
clasped on the bracelets, and aided her in
dressing. " but ask for such and such silks
speak in an ordering, commanding way.
you know, and manage somehow to show
your money; o! have it, carry it in this
purse; the gold will shine through the
meshes beautifully"
"And what shall you wear ?" asked Ag.
mes, surveying herself in long mirror, with
pleasant face.
al? o! plain merino, with c,o.ed
sleeves and linin cuffs mammals every day
straw bonnet with the flowers taken out
common Lisle gloves, and look just as plain
as pipe STEM" ..
80, dear, DEAR" cried the girl, laughing
"why, people won't know you"
AZ don't mean they shall," said Nelly, de
murely proceeding to dress her hair low up
on her forehea /, and other wise alter her ap
pearance so that her mother would hardly
have recognized her. Throwing on at las
deep brown veil to shade her face, sht
was ready. Agnes had received her direc
tions to keep near Nelly, both in the stree
and in the store. 1t was not long walk tt
| Lloyd, Sheldon & Co.'S. There were thrc'
young men; the firm was new, and til,
partners took an active part in the sales
room, thus overseeing their business ant
economizing somewhat.
| Agnes acted the great lady to perfection
She shook out her silks, tossed her head {
little, as if with the feeling that everythin!
about her was entirely beneath her notice
yet she could condescend perhaps to bu!
something, and sailing along the store, he
humble looking companion behind her, sb'
| paused at place where four clerks stoo(
with their eight hands ranged along to
gether, ready to jump over the counter i
need be, to execute the lady's commands.
| Nelly stood quietly back, her face shaded
by the brown veil. She saw Lloyd immedi
ately leave plain looking customer to tn
civilities of Sheldon, who was near him
and making sign to the clerks, he was lef
alone with the new customer.
| II want to see some moire antique" sais
Agnes, with the air of one who has plent..
of money.
| Certainly, madam" replied the polit
clerk; Immediately taking out immens
cases of the splendid silks, and spreadin!
them before her.
| "How much do they come to yard
asked Agnes, cunningly showing her gold.
The young man informed her, with grea
deal of Difference, turning over and display
ing great number of the goods.
"Those don't exactly please me; the
amt costly enough" said Agnes, longing t
look over towards Nelly and laugh.
ave have very splendid embroidered
silks at almost any price," said Lloyd, dc
lighted that he had fallen in with custo
mer who seemed to have no care how mucl
things cost, and with great trouble he too
down other cases, catching his cnat-sleev
unfortunately on nail, and tearing it near
ly from shoulder to elbow.
Nelly was obliged to turn away then
conceal smile. Meanwhile Sheldon ha
got through with his customer, and tn
young girl heard Lloyd say, in murmurin
voice, "Just look out for that woman thei
goods are lying about loose.
The indignant blood rushed to her face.
| "Isn't she customer 2" asked Sheldon j
the same tone. f-a
mo, servant, expect carry home bur
dies" said Lloyd, still in that suppresse
voice. But Sheldon did not seem to be sal
isfed he came forward, saying in gentl,
manly manner ia. ..l' 80
"Can wait upon you, madam" ?"
| Instantly Nelly experienced glow Q
warmth about her heart that had felt I'll
rising of scorn before. She modestly r.
piled,
"Some fannels, if you please"
| "Be kind enough to walk over to the o.
posite counter As see the clerk is eng
| ged there will serve YOU" he said. Nell
followed with a beating heart. How diffe
ent this treatment from the unkind susp
cions of the more elegant Lloyd. Vel
courteously he waited upon her, forcing L
goods to attention, merely bowling if sh
was not satisfied, taking down with alacrit
whatever she asked for, SO that every nj