Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1871-01-12
"Oh, Uncle Peleg, it will 1be
such, a jokeP go 7ga4

And she tripped away delighted
at the prospect Of playing at the
realities Of life. 49,, z,
Uncle Peleg looked after her
rather doubffully as he resorted
mechanically 10 his uniaiIing
panacea for alt human ills or per-
plexities, the. snuff box. ~
/ "l'm almost sorry / sent her
on such an unpalatable errand, >
he said to himself -'but lis Just
as we'll she should learn to see he
world as it really is. Her life
has been all couleur de r. 81, and
no wonder. The strawIerries will
be a dear bargain, after ali T
While these reflections were
passing the eccentric. old man :
brain, Horatia Mere had alread,
reached the first house on her list !.
inhabited by Mrs. Montague, "a
lady always protesting the sweet
est and most saint-like character,
whose voice was soft and low, and
who spoke in six-sy Ilabeled words
OF Websterian elegance.
! Mrs. Montague herself in the
hall as Horatia rang the door bell.
''lt Je please. ma'am, said
Bridget, ''it $ "a girrel sellip straw
berries-will you buy a quartz
Strawberries, indeed aud at
the upper door!" shriliy cried
Mrs. Montague, in a voice that
for al iGstan' almost COMPELLED
Horatia to poubt the lady 5 identi
! ty. ''DJa'i You know tettrr, gi1,
than 70 bEng your tmipel y
wares to the front doerI WHAT
do you s'pose basement hells
were made for2 Clear out this
minute! What are you standing
staring there for2 Don t you
hear what | say p
And she took hold Of Horatia's
arm, and assisted her prog, IS
with vigorous push
Mrs Dy ysarts' came next an
elegant widow, with allivory pure
complexion: curis like the ten
drils Of grape vine. whose obstl-
nate rings she was always lament
ing. This time our heroine new
better than TO go to the front
steps, and-made her way meekly
10 the area bell.
Strawberries, Is it?" said the
little girl who came to the door,
iii ask the mis,is.
Mrs. Dysart herself presently
came to the door, and Horalia
started to see the marvellous dis
similarity between the Mrs. Dy-
sart of society and. Mrs D, saFt AT
home. Her skin was sall6w,
wrinkled and blotched. .heie and
here, from the too. fI' qitnt us
,Of powerful cosmetics her hair
was screwed up into htrte- p5pTt
otes, secured by pins, making a
perfect chevaux de frise of her
cad; her beautiful figure was
Iathy and strai ght, like a pump
iraped in calicp!
"Strawberries! of course not,
at this season of the year." said
NJ $. D, sart snappisllly, I'm not
made of money!
And she slammed the door in
1oratia S face.
Miss F=rrars will buy them.
at ali events" said Horatia to her
self. Lucille Farrars was always
l.oble hearted and generous
"How much are they ?" said
the fair Lucille. coming TO the
head OF the basement stairs, in a
dishabille of greasy pink cash
mere aud solid white apron.
Eighteen ceuts basket"
"PsTaw y said Lucille snp'r-
ciliously. As if was going %
pay such a price as tl,al III
give you tent rt.
"fhey are Unusually fine"
said Hora;ia timid!y.
81 shan't give q cent over
eleven !"
Horatia turned away.
81 wonder you fruit girls have
the face to ask such a prize +
said Miss LucilIes Ferrars, finger
ing her purse-stripgs: Twelve.
There-and that's more thar
they are worth 70!
Il cannot sell-fham under the
price | have named, persisted
Horatia, shrinking from the sharp,
glttering eyes,, = (
go about your business,
then!" said Lucille. "l'Il See
the whole tribe of you starve,
before I'll be imposed npoe SO J
Horatia flt herself d'slear-
tened. Could il be possible that
this shrewish mi,ef was her soft.
voiced friend. Lucille Ferrars?
Perhaps Uncle Peiees views
Of human nature may not be So.
very much aniss. after all, SHE
said, with a halt-sish, after she