Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-11-15
What I Did With It.

oou lihe ulfSelI, al Olu DdCnelOr III
habits, if not in years, for though l
was not an old man, | had always led
a quiet, secluded life, among my books
and antiquarian curiosities, my only
recreation being now and then to at
tend scientific meetings or dinners.
1t was true | had not long passed
forty, but my youth seemed long ago !;
all fresh gaiety Of spirit had been
buried in the grave of my young
hopes. Ours was a small family, and
death had been busy among US; so |
had only two living relatives, married
cousins, who, with their wives and
children, resided near me at Dork-
hampton, a small spot twenty miles
distant from London. where | possess
ed much landed property.
These cousins were always vainly
trying to induce me to visit them, al
ways, shall l use the ugly word p
toadying me, for | was very rich, and
both families, fancy, had an eye on
my wealth.
The world called me misanthrope,
a wOman-hater. l never denied the
imputation; for since that heartless
girl-long ago-but | will not rake
up ancient stories and reopen old
wounds, now, Heaven be praised. so
sweetly healed. But | anticipate !;
and what l was speaking of first was
that bazaar. Well, l repeat, what
finally induced NE to 90 | cannot tell
| had no interest in its object, none
whatever; in fact, | rather disapproy
ed Of it than otherwise. | most Ger.
tainly did and do disapprove of ba,
zaars; | think they are just a medium
for ladies to indulge in their favorite
and least prepOssessing characteris-
tics. To say the least oft, it is Lot nice
for lady to stand behind a counter
endeayoring by dress, attitude, look
and manner to persuade people to buy
things that are OF no earthly use to
them.
Such are my opinions in theory, If
not in practice, for I undoubtedly did
go to that bazaar; partly, think, be.
cause | was tired of saying / would
not. l wanted to send them a soyer,
eign to get out of it, but thcy.would
not let me off. Ny two cousins, Mrs
Granville and Mrs. Moore, were to
have staIIs-countcrs, | call them
and their two eldest daughters were
to help. 1t would look so strange if
l had stayed away, they pleaded.
The day before the event they call
ed on HE. | always felt these occa
sional calls a terrible infiction.
You see, cousin James they said
"you are the principal person connect
cd with Us; and if your carriage i.
seen at the door, and you are a pur
chaser within, every one will com,
too. Besides, we have put on oul
bills, under the patronage of Jane.
Chester, Esq"
"And you would not wish peopl,
to say we took them in chimed il
another Of the girls.
Then they began to bother me, an,
use all kinds of stupid arguments
They were always so overpowerfuIl,
afectionate, too.
They would not have triumphed
but that, as | glanced from them to
young lady, whom Ada Moore had in
troduced as Miss Grahame, a frien(
of hers, | saw a smile of amusemen
on her very pretty face.
Don't YOU see, Ada she SAID
"Mr. Chester is proud Of his obstinacy
and does not care for US. whether w
are gratiGed or not, so long as he i
true to his prejudiced determination.
"You are hard on me, Miss Gra
hame," said [.
Not at all, Mr.. Chester" said tn
young lady. Al disapprove Of bazaar
as much as you do, besides disikin,
to assist at them, as they are very ia
tiguing; but rather than vex Ada,
am going to make d holocaust of m
dislike, and intend holding a stall 0
rocking horses, toys, dolls houses, ,et,
/ | shall expect you to be large pul
chaser thereat, for | know You wi
come, after all; men are so odd"
After this they left me in peace orc
more. Men are so add, are they,
| muttered. "Rocking horses, toy.
dolls-what rubbish and why shouI
buy them ?" Yet, when the nez
day came, | did gO-I wonder why,
suppose because was odd.
1t was not a disagreeable scene.-
The stalls were all freshly decorate
with flowers and lots of bright color
The ladies were dressed airiIy an
gayly, and they seemed very happ,
all of them. Ny cousins looked e
pecially so when ] came in. Howe
er, | did not 60 near them at first, fC
l must own tc feeling just a littI
bit ashamed of myself As | VIZ
, passing the corner of a stall il
headless. inatteutive manner,
, chanced to knock a box of tiny cuI
and saucers down. Such ridiculol
little things! When | stopped I
pick them up, | wondered any ma
could be such a fool as to waste h
time in making such trash.
l suppose l uttered these though
: out loud, for a voice at my elbo
said:
: "I dare say you enjoyed drinkir
l. out of such cups once, and thougI
the man who made them must be vel
clever"
1t was Miss Grahame who spok
: and it was her stall | had been tn
e disturbing.
!, perhaps" l answered, "but then
9 thought as a child, and spoke as
child, but now"
"Do not be irreverent, Mr.. Chester
she said; "and let me tell you that
am very glad to see you"
"Are you not more surprised th
glad" | said, ironically"
| always mistrusted those smoo
phrases which women so we'll knC
how to make use of.
n @No, am glad she replied; "gl
q that you have yielded, and glad
d cause you arc making me enjoy
s. small triumph.