Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-08-20
NO. 81.

To market ~ echoed several voices. oh,
Nettiel how can you bear to 2"
tsVery easily" replied Nettie coolly-
"Much more easily than can sec my father
go without his dinner, or my mother go to
market when she has plenty else to do''
But where are your servants 2" enquired
Laura. 81 wouldn't be seen ON the street
with that basket, to save my father or mother
either, from starving. What will people say?
Suppose you meet Mr.. Stanton, or Mr.. Gin
ton, or any of your gentlemen acquaintances."
81 did meet Mr.. Stanton" laughed Nettie.
"aud he vanished down q side street when he
saw you coming. Perhaps you had better
follow his example," she added ssif YOU are
ashamed of me. AT any rate I have no time
to stand talking" and she passed on leaving
the girls regarding her with looks of pity.
slt seems to me Laura is half right" Net>
tie. soliloquised., Il didn't think all those.
girls would act SO, just because I,had basket;
and not very large one either, she added,
as she surveyed it.
81 wonder who else shall meet this morn
ing" she continued musingly. '"[ rather
hope it will not be Mr. Clinton He seems
go elegant and fastidious that perhaps he
would be more shocked than Mr.. Stanton;
and as | like him better, l should be more
sorry to forfeit his esteem. am not sure
however. that it would be worth having, If it
could be SO easily lost! We'll, here 1 am at
the market, and now for my purchases"
Arrived at the stand whore she usually
bought meat, she was uuspeakably astouished,
when instead OF the usual attendant, tho
identical Mr.. Clinton of her thoughts, came
forward to meet her
"Ah good morning, Miss Nettie," was his
SJoIr
morning 2"
"4Se0 me !" stammerod Nettio, "why Mr..
Clinton, how came you horo? surely YOU do
not usually attend here ~
ttWhy no." returned tie gentleman with
comical twinkle in his eyes; 81 have not
served a long apprenticeship, but still 1 think
shall succeed iu time."
Nettie was still bewildered, and Mr.. Clinton
perceivins it said moro seriously, s.Tho fact
is, Miss Nettie, tho proprietor Of this stand,
is an old acquaintance of mine, aud coming
in to speak to him this morning, found him
in great trouble. He had been summoned to
appear at court, aud could fiud no one to take
his business during his absence. He had
about concluded that he must shut up the
stand, and thus, not only lose to>day's sales,
which ho can i'll afford but run the risk of Of.
tending his customers, when | came in, and
offered my services, thinking that with the
boys assistance I could make out for one
morning. So now, il you will favor me with
your order, will do my best; or here comes
Harrison now,", he added, and Nettie looking
up saw tho butcher approaching.
Her purchases wcre soon made, and Mr..
Clinton laughingly announced his intention
of commencing his apprenticeship as errand
boy, appropriated the basket and seemed fully
determined to attend Nettie home.
"Do you know, Miss Nettie," he said, as
they walked on, II had supposed that the race
Of women who could go to market. or superin.
tend their household, were extinct NV
mother always done such things herself, and
educated my sisters accordingly. That is the
English custom you know. But here ladies
seem to think it disgrace I have made
several experiments in tho matter; called on
young ladies at various hours, hoping to find
them engaged in household duties but no.
from breakfast to supper it seems to me they
do nothing but crochet, or tatting, or worsted
work, or more frequently nothing at oil. 1t
is refreshing to find exception"
Nettie blushed under this praise, and felt
herself obliged to explain that she did not of,
ten go to market only when her father was
busy but mother thought it right she should
know how"
''Quite right" responded her escort; and
then they chatted on different subjects and
Nettic at length found herself telling of her
experience of the morning.
Nearing Mr.. Franklin's house they again
met Laura Simons and her friends. They
could not make up their minds to slight "Mr.
Clinton, the wealthy EneIishman,' go they
stopped and talked sweotly, and with many
airs and graces, quite ignering the obnoxious
basket.
Nettie was rather quiet. She could not fail
to see and despise their motives.
'tAre you not going to the matinee Mr.
Clinton Z" asked Laura, with glance that
showed plainly that she should not object to
his escort
"No think not, responded Dir Clinton.
81 am engaged this morning. Perhaps YOU
did not know that had turned market man?
'Market man !' exclaimed Laura in hor-
rihed tones, while her companions appeared
not much less shocked
Nettie and Mr.. Clinton bowed and left
them. OF course the news few fast and by
Dight II wos generally known that Mr. Clinton
had lost his fortune, aDd taken a stand in
the market, ara Nettie Franklin went there
every day to see him.
How much OF these stories were believed
after the brilliant wedding that soon followed,
VIC cannot say; but to this day Mrs. Clinton
superintends her own household and upon
occasion, would not object to going to market,
while she frequently remarks that she quite
agrees with her mothers opinion that 'sAny
man worth speaking to, thinks more of a
woman who understands such matters"
TEestern World.
AN old lady gave this as her idea of