Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-08-20
INSTANTANEOUS.
NETTIE's MARKETING.
BY ANNA MORRIS.

| D1 ANNA MOiRlS.
''Nettic, Nettie, y called Mrs. Franklin from
| the easement. ''Nettie Why, where is the
girl!' aud she toiled somewhat YEARLY IN
the stairs, and entered the parlors
"Not here" she said, after hasty survev
OF the vacant rooms, and she ascerded to the
| bed rooms, in one of which sat the object of
her search, so absorbed in sketching boouet
! Of wild flowers that stood before her in a vase
that she did not hear her mothers entrance.
1t was pretty sight. The fair artist bend
ing SO eagerly over her work. Her long curls
almost sweeping the paper. Her petit form
| 80 taste:ui!y arrayed in white cambric, with
delicate blue vine running over it; while
tho open window, almost covered by boney-
suckle in full bloom, formed a fitting back
ground.
Good Mrs. Franklin sighed at tho necessity
of disturbing the scene, and said softly,
''Nettie dear"
The young girl looked up quickly, and said
with bright smile, "Oh, mother, is that YOU?
Do see how we'll have succeeded with nv
sketch of these flowers that Mr.. Clinton
brought me last evening. I mean to paint it
to>day, while they are still quite fresh, that I
may get each shape and tint exact"
cit is beautifully done," said Mrs Frank
lin bending with much interest over the work,
land am very sorry to disturb you, but [
have no ono to go to market Your father
said this morning that he should be too busv
to go, and Noras head aches so badly that
she has to lie down. [ am helping Bridget
with the work, and suppose you must do the
marketing"
Nettie cast one fond lingering look at her
sketch. and then said-"Very woll, mother.
L will bo rendy in moment. What shall
order 2"
81 shall only havo steak. There are
vegetables enough in tho house. You NAV
get steak and somestrawherries ; but think
you must bring them, Nettio. 1t is quito
late, and your father must not be kept wait
ing. am afraid they would not send them
in time"
Nottic looked somewhat dismayod for a
moment, but then said with laugh, "What
shall do if meet all my fashionable friends?
How mortified Laura Simons would be to see
me bringing meat from the market ?"
Laura Simons' grandfather was butcher.
aud good honest man. My mother always
bought her meat of him, and he never seemed
any more ashamed to sell it, than she was to
buy. It is pity Laura is not equally sens
ible"
"She says gentlemen never pay anv atten-
tion to girls who do houscwork or indeed
any kind of work, " continued Nettie, as she
put on her hat. ''What do you think she
would say to see mo flying round making beds.
and sweeping and busting in the mornings ?''
am sure l don't know" answered her
mother, "but one thing do know, and that
is, that any man worth speaking to, respects
woman who knows how to make homo CONS
Portable. far more than one who can do noth-
ing but sing Italian songs, and drum on the
piano!
Nettie laughed again at her mothers earnest
ness; and with basket on her arm, set out
on her errand.
1t was lovely morning in early summer,
and ''ail the world and his wife" seemed to be
out enjoying it. ''Suppose should try how
far mother is right" thought Nettie with a
mlschievous smile, as she saw fashionably
attired young man approaching.
Good morning, Miss franklin - he COM
rnenced with a rather honrishing bow. ~
am charmed to meet you. May I have the
honor ct accompanying you in your prore~
made 7"
Before he reached the conclusion of his
sentence, Nettie saw that he had noticed her
basket, and looked somewhat Gisconcerted
! She therefore replied with more promptuess
than might otherwise have been the case, for
she was not very partial to the gentleman,
"Thank you, Mr.. Stanton shall be glad of
your company as far as - Market, which
is to be the extent of my walk this morning. -
"Ihe Market !" calculated Mr. Stanton.
Oh! All; certainly! Do you usually do
your Own marketing?" he enquired after a
few moments, during which Nettie observed
that he looked uneasily from side to side. as if
in fear of being seen.
Oh, no, not always" replied Nettie rather
wlckedly, enjoying his confusion, and omit>
ting to mention that this was but the third
time this season, "but then you know, we can
choose meat and vegetables better than an
Irish servant"
'Ah! yes-I suppose so," he returned,
twisting his mustache nervously. Then in
desperation he atammered, "Ah really Miss
Franklin quite forgot that 1 have most
important engagement. at this hour, and must
leave you;" and with hasty "Good morn
ing" he lodged down a side street, just in
time to oavoid gay party of girls, who stopped
as they met Nettie
foremost among them was Laura Simons
who exclaimed with hands and eyes uplifted:
"Why, Nettie Franklin! Where are YOU
| going with that immense basket?"
| ''To marketw replied Nettie, with eyes and
| ears wide open to note the effect of her words
| on the group.