The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1873-11-27
THE PRETTY MARKET GIRL.
A Thanksgiving Story.
BY Z. 8. GETCHELL.

Dear me N sure L don't know
what l shall do i; if ever any body
was in fix, Pm in one now."
"What is it, auntie? can't help
you out of your fix ?"
"Sakes alive no, Lutte dear, you
can't help me one bit.
"Now don't say that, auntie, / an
quite sure can be of service if yor
will only allow me. Why, l have
been here whole week. and have
done nothing but dress, read and
eat, and / am quite as useless as thu
stuffed owl that is perched above the
bookcase in the library, and a grea
deal more in the way"
"Why, child )" and good Mrs,
Bently stopped in her work of pre-.
pairing turkey for the market, and
looked, with loving earnestness up I
the beautiful features of her neice, 81
don't like to hear you talk that way
You in the way? Why, bless your
dear heart, the beloved child of my
dead sister can never be in the way.
swell, auntie, shall not feel like
coming out here to spend another
Thanksgiving with you, if you donr
allow me to be of service to you du
ring my stay" presisted Lutte
"Coms now, tell me all about your
fix as you term it, and see if l an
not worth something besides running
around amusing myself, while others
are making themselves useful"
"Oh Lutte, there's nothing you
can do, though I'll tell you about it
just to pacify you. You see, all this
poultry, and lot of butter and eggs
were to be delivered to-day in the
city, for the day after to morrow will
be thanksgiving day, and Jonas, oul
hired man, is sick with a cold and
sore throat, and can't leave his bed
your uncle is away, and won't b.
home till tomorrow night, and how
under the sun / am going to deliver
these things according to contract is
more than [ can tell"
To Mrs. Bently's surprise Lutte
clapped her hands together anG
danced about the room exclaiming
"Just the thing Capital, capital =
"What on earth do you NEAR
child ?" she managed to say at last
"Why, that l will 20 to marke
and deliver the things myself. Now
don't say one word, aunty," she con
tinued, as her good old aunt elevated
her hands, rolled up her eyes, and
opened her mouth as if to give ven,
to an emphatic 'Oh !-"dont say one
word, the idea just suits me, and
am determined to 60 if-you will lie,
me-" she added, demurely.
"What, you! the heiress and
daughter of Judge Haines ? You
the belle of the city, going to mark
ct with turkeys, butter and eggs-o
all things"
"Yes, aunty, and l can do it JUS
as well US Jonas would. Now don't
oppose me, will you, that's a dear
good aunty."
Mrs. Bsntly really felt distresse
to know how to fulfill her contract
and was truly thankful for the pros
pect of assistance, but she could
hardly reconcile herself to the ides
that her niece, the beauty and heir
ess of whom she was SO proud, should
perform the role of market girl.
However, Lutie's arguments rre
vailed, and she went to her room to
prepare for her expedition.
Borrowing shsrt dress from the
'help' she donned it, and then fold
ing shawl in the form of a mantle
she threw it about her shoulders, and
with her rich tresses hanging in
beautiful profusion over her necl
and shoulders, she looked indeed
like very lovely peasant girl.
Placing dainty hat upon hel
head, she mentally declared herself
ready, and tripped down to the
kitchen to present herself for hel
aunt's inspection.
] "Well, / do declare !" exclaimed
that worthy lady, "whoever would
know you? Why Lutte, if / had
met you face to face / never should
have guessed it was you if i hadn't
known"
81 am glad to hear you say SC
aunty, for l don't propose to be rec.
ognized by any one. Oh it will be
rare fun" and with gay laugh she
waltzed about the room.
care the things all ready ?" she
asked.
eyes, but the old horse must be
harnessed, can you do that?"
81 don't know, aunty, l think so
1 will try"
She skipped away to the stable
and after half hours patient toll
she led old Billy around to the door,
all harnessed and attached to the
market wagon.
In short time the said wagon
was filed with the important articles
for somebody's Thanksgiving, and
Lutte, climbing up into the high
seat, took the reins and whip with a
flourish that would have done credit
to . professional ooachman.
"Have you got some warm gloves,
my dear ." asked Mrs. Bently.
"NothiDg but kids: they are warm
enough"