Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1874-11-11

DEAR MILLY The strawber-
ries in the south meadow lot are
just ripe, where you used to pick
'em when you was leetle gal; so
Penelode picked lot and we made
bold TO send them to you, for the
sake of old times, as Aunt Aramin-
te is going to the city tomorrow.
We hope you will like them. Af.
fectionately your friend.
MARIA ANN PEABODY.
The tears sparkled in the brides
eyes. For an instant it seemed to
her as if she were a merry child
again, picking strawberries in the
golden rain of a July sunshine,
with the scent Of wild roses in the
air and the gurgle of tie little
trout stream close by. And as she
lifted the lid of the great basket of
crimson, luscious fruit, and inhaled
the delicious perfume, a sudden
idea darted into her head.
"Now | will have money of my
own" she cried out-''money that
/ will earn myself, and thus be in
dependent"
Half an hour later Mrs. Gates
came down stairs, to the infinite
amazement of Rachel, the chamber
maid, and Louisa, the parlor-maid,
in brown gingham dress, white
piquc sun bonnet, and a basket on
her arm.
"Won't you have a carriage,
ma'am?" asked the latter, as Mrs.
Gates beckoned to a passing omni-
bus.
"No, won't" said the bankers
lady.
And within the city limits she
alighted, and began work in good
earnest.
Strawberries who'll buy my
wild strawberries" 7" rang out her
clear, shrill voice, as she walked
along lightly balancing the weight
on her arm, and enjoying the inn
promptu manquerade as only a
spirited young woman can.
Mrs. Prowler bought four quarts
for presents, at twenty-five cents
per quart.
"Wild berries have such a flavor"
said the old lady rehectively; "and
'taint often you get 'em here in the
city. ] 'spose you don't come round
reg'lar, young woman p
"No, don't ma'am."
Because you might get some
good customers" said Mrs. Prov
Ter.
Miss Senintha Hall, who keeps
boarders, purchased two quarts;
Mrs. Captain Carbary took one
and then Millicent jumped on the
cars and rode wearily down town.
"I've got dollar and seventy-five
cents of my own at all events" said
Milly to herself.
Strawberries Nice, ripe, wild
strawberries Buy my strawber-
ries !"
Her sweet voice resounded
through the halls of the great mar
bic building on whose first floor
the great bank was situated.
1t chanced to be dull interval
of business just then and the cash
ier looked up with yawn.
81 say, Bill James," said he to
the youngest clerk, 81 have an idea
that few strawberries wouldn't
go badly. Call in the woman"
"Billy, nothing 10th, slipped of
his stool with a pen behind each
ear, and scampered out into the
hall.
So Milly sold another quart.
AS she was giving change for the
cashiers dollar bill the President
himself came in, bustling and
brisk as usual.
"Eh Whatl How?" barked
out Mr.. Radcliffe Gates, "Straw-
berries Well, / don't care If |
take a few myself. Here, young
woman, how do you sell them 7"
Milly pushed back her sun bon
net and executed sweeping
courtesy.
twenty-five cents quart, sir,
if you please" purred she with
much humility.
The President dropped his pa.
per of Strawberries on the floor.
"M-r-s.-G-a-t-e-s ~ he ejacula-
ted.
"Tbe same, sir said Millicent.
"May venture to enquire
"Oh, yes !" said Milly. "You may
;nouire as much as YOU please