The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-08-08

ShNeAA NAO'S
And as she lifted the lid of the great
basket Of crimson, luscious fruit, aud in
hailed the delicious perfume, sudden idea
darted into her head
"Now | will have money of my own r.
she cried out-'money that | will earn
myself, and thus be independent
Half an hour afterwards, Mrs. Gates
came down stairs, to the infinite amaze
ment Of Rachel, the chambormaid, and
Louisa, the parlor maid, in a brown ging-
ham dress, white pique suu.bonnet, and
basket on her arm.
Won't you have the carriage, ma'am,
asked the latter, as Mrs Gates bcckoned
to passing omnibus.
" 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?" rang out her clear, shrill
voice, as she walked along, lightly balan.
cling the weight on her arm, and enjoying
the impromptu masquerade as only spir-
tied young woman can.
Mrs. Fowler bought four quarts for
preserving, at twenty-five cents quart
Wild berries has such favor" said
the old lady, reAectively. "And faint
often you get 'em here in the city. /
s'pose you don't como round reglar, my
young woman" ?"
8" No, | don't, msam."
" Because you might get some good cns.
toners" said Mrs. Fowler.
Miss Sinthia Hall, who kept board.
ers, purchased two quarts; Mrs. Captain
Carbary took one and then Millicent got
on the cars and rode wearily down town.
"I'vc got dollar and senenty-fye cents
of my own now at all events" said she to
herself.
=" Strawberries I! Nice, ripe, wild straw.
berries? Buy my strawberries y
Her sweet voice resounded through the
halls of the great marble building on whose
first floor the bank was situated.
1t chanced to be dull interval of bu-
siness just then, and the cashier looked uT
with yawn.
al say, Bill James" said he to the
youngest clerk. II have an idea that Q
few strawberries wouldn't go badly. Call
in the woman y
Billy, nothing, 10th, slipped off his stool
with pen behind each ear, and scamper.
ed out into the hall.
SO Milly sold another quart.
As she was giving change for the cash
ier's dollar bill, the president himself came
IN, bustling and brisk as usual.
Eli? What2 How?" barked ouI
Mr.. Radcliffe Gates. Strawberries? Well
| don't care if | take few myself Here
young woman, how do you sell them p
Milly pushed back her sun-bonnet, and
executed sweeping courtesy.
Twenty-Five cents quart, sir, if you
please, purred she, with much humility
The president dropped his paper oI
strawberries on the marble floor
Mrs Gates y he calculated.
The same, sir" said Milliccnt."
:" May venture to inquire"
"Oh, yes" said Milly, "You may
inquire as much as you please. l needed
a little money, and am earning it. See
how much I've made already y and she
triumphantly displayed her roll of crumpl.
cd stamps. "The strawberries were all
my own, sent to me this morning by old
Mr. Peabody, and I'm selling them to get
an income of my own"
You, ma'am, hawking strawberries
through tho streets"
Milly made second courtesy.
" Extreme necessities justify extreme
measures, Mr.. Gates" said she, saucily.
u earned my own living before saw
you, and | can again"
Mr. Radcliffe Gates looked r5easily
around at the crowd of gaping clerks.
=" James, said he, ''call hack. NJ
dear, let me take you home"
"Not until | have sold the rest of my
strawberries" saucily retorted the young
wife.
"rll take 'em--at any price" impa-
tiently exclaimed the banker.
Z" Cash DOWN.
I" Yes anything, cverything--only come
out Of this crowd"
SO Mr. and Mrs. Gates went home
and that evening the banker agreed to
make his wife a regular allowance Of 50
much per week, to be paid every Monday
morning at the breakfast table.
!" But wen have no more selling straw.
berries" said Dir. Gates, neryously.
@To be sure not, said Milly. IAN |
wanted was a littlv money of my own"
And Mr. Radcliffe Gates respected his
wife all the more because she had con
quered him in fair battle.
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When rain falls, does il ever get upY