Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-09-23
SELECTED STORY
SELLING STRAWBERRIES.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

I BY AMY RANDOLPH.
II tell you it's all nonsense" said Uncle
Peleg. "Charity- bencvolence- Its
all played out Your big fairs may be all
very nice, but people don't come there be-
cause they pity the poor; they como because
it's fashionablep
Horatia Mere shook her pretty head.
"You see, child" said Uncle Peleg, TAX
ing snuff, you're on the wrong . atform
ever to get peep behind the curtain:-
You're an heiress, and you're tolerably
good looking, and have way that people
like, and therefore the world puts it's best
foot forward, so far as you arc concerned
| If YOU were Mrs Skies, the washerwoman,
or Betty, the orangewoman,, you'd see quite
different aspect of things
"Nonsense, uncle, " said Horatia, still un-
convinced. 'sBe good, darling old Uncle
Peleg, and let me have the 7fimephe de
Grande strawberries in your south garden
border for my refreshment table: Remem-
Der, I'm to sell strawberries and cream, and
I want my table to look the best In the
| room"
WHO do you suppose will buy your
strawberries, at the outlanoish price you'll
put upon them 2" he demanded, sourly.
Everybody" Horatia answered, sauclly.
"Come, Unale Peleg, be generous and grace
full, and sayI shall have them p
J Uncle Peleg took snuff.
"On one condition you can have them
Horatia clapped her white, rosy hands
| "And that
"Just wait until you hear" said the old
man, dryly. "You can't have my fifty
quarts of 7riomphe de Gramdc strawberries,
each ono as big as pigeons egg, until you
have first sold dozen quarts from door te
door,"
Horatia opened her brown, wondering
eyes like twin wells Of hazel light
II, Uncle Peleg ?"
"You, niece Horata And am to specify
the houses where you are to 60"
''It will be fun" cried Horatia, with
gay laugh, cpd just as soon do it as not.
perhaps it will be fun, perhaps i
won't said Uncle Peleg. cat all events
I want you to get one glimpse, at least, o
life through strawberry woman's eyes.
"And I am to be disguised, Uncl'
Peleg %
J s.To be sure you are. Miss Horati'
Mere would have no difficulty in disposins
Of her wares a friendless strawberry cir
is different
"All the more delightful-a regula
tableau aiiyant P' cried Horatia, nerrily.-
"Well, uncle, where am [ to go?"
| sTll write down list Of namos for you
that shall be cullled out of your deares
friends-Mrs Montague, Mrs. Dysart.-
Miss Ferrars and the like"
ssThey will all buy p cried Hora'ia.
We'll see," Uncle Pcleg said. CAR
you willing to buy the Triomephe de Grand
at such price as this, Horatia 7"
! EAT any price," the girl answered, glee
fully.
';You don't know how disagreeable yo'
may find it." -, :.
1T will be perfect adventure r SAT-
Horatia, recklessly.
but mind, you're to kept secret
Gas the grave" his mischievous nice
answered, with mock solemnity.
Miss Horatia Mere would scarcely hav
been recognized by her nearest friends
} when she was dressed for the curious par
she was to play s'for one day only" as SD
declared A calico dress thick boots il
her tiny feet felt unwontedly clumsy,
} much-worn water proof cloak, borrowe
from Mary Ann, the cook, and q worsle
hood enveloped in faded black veil, and
basket hanging over her arm-these wer
the details Of her costume.
Strawberries I" she cried, raising he
sweet voice to G. above" ooh, Uncl
Peleg, it will be such ajoke::"
:, And she tripped away delighted at II
It prospect of playing at the realities of life
Uncle Peleg looked after her rattle
= douhtfullv. as he resorted mechanically
t his unfailing panacea for all human Ills
: perplexitieb, the snuff box.
"Tm almost sorry I sent her on such
uppalatable errand," he said to himself )
"blnt it's lust as we'll she should learn to sc
!. the world as it really is. Her life has bee et
all cou7eay de rose, and no wonder. lin
strawberries will be dear bargain ate
alp'
t While thsse eccentric reflections Wer
passing through the old mans brain, Horatl
Mere had already reached the first house Q
her list inhabited by Mrs. Montague LAD
whe had always the sweetest and most saln
!, like character, whose voice was soft ana 10"
and who spoke in six syllabiod words {
Websterian elegance. =,
!. Mrs Montague herself was IN the nall
Horatia rang the door-bell,
), eff ye please, ma'am," said br'dge', II
It a girrel scllin' strawberries-wlll we ouy
quart 2" .o an
door y shrilly cried Mrs. Montagus, in
voice that for an instant almost eompeli'
IT Horatia to doubt the lady's identity
7. "Don't you know, better, girl, than TO or !
U -. 4,,,n,nnru ,uaros to the front door Z