The Van Buren press., 1874-12-15

1
air, and the gurgle OF the little trout.
stream close by. And as she lifted the
lid of the great basket of crimson, lus-
cious fruit, she inhaled the delicious per-
fume, sudden idea darted into her mind.
"Now, | will have money of my wn."
she cried out, money that l will earn
myself, and thus be Independent.
Half an hour afterwards Mrs Gates
came down stairs, to the definite amaze
ment of Rachael, the chambermaid, and
Louisa, the parlor maid, 10 brown ging
ham dress, white pique sunbonnet, and
a basket on her arm.
Wont you have the curriage, mB am,
asked the latter, as Mrs Gates beckoned
TO passing omnibus.
mo, won'ts!" said the bankers lady.
And within the city limits she alighted
and began work in earnest
STRAW berries who'll buy my straw
berries ?" rang out her clear, shrill voice
as she walked along--lightly balancing
the weight on her arm, and enjoying the
| impromptu masquerade as only a spirit
ed young woman can.
Mrs prowler bought four quarts at
| twenty-five cents q quart.
Wild berries has such favor said
the old lady, rencctively; "and faint
often you get them here in the city. !
suppose you don't come around here
regularly, young womang Z"
+" No. ] don't, ma'am.'
Because you might get some good
customers" said Mrs Prowler
Mrs. Senntha Hall, who keeps board.
ers, purchased two quarts; Mrs. Captain
Carbary took one; and then Millicent
jumped on the cars, and rode wearily
down town
1--WE got dollar and seventy five
cents OF my own now, at all events, said
she to herself
Strawberries nice, ripe, wild straw.
berries Buy my Strawberries! u!
Her sweet voice rcsounded through the
halls of the great marble building, on the
first floor of which The great bank was
situated
1t chanced to be n dull interval in the
business of the bank, just then, and the
cashier looked up with yawn.
II say, Billy james" said he to the
Youngest clerk, Il have an idea that a
few Strawberries wouldn't go badly. Call
in the woman"
So Milly sold another quart.
As she was giving change for the cash
ier's dollar bill, the president himself
came in, husiling and brisk as usual.
"Ehy what? how? barked out Mr..
Gates. Strawberries Well, don't
care If take few myself. Here young
woman, how do you sell them =
Milly punched back her sunbonnet and
executed sweeping courtesy
Twenty five cents quart, sit, if you
please" purrcd she with great humility.
Mrs Gates ~ he calculated.
"Thc same, SIR said Milly
May venture to inquire"
"Oh, ycs,' said Mil!y. " You may
inquire as much as you please. | need
ed little money, and | am earning it.
See how much have already'' and she
triumphantly displayed her roll Of bills
" The berries were all my own, sent to
me this morning by old Mrs. Peabody,
and am selling them to get an income
Of my own"
You, ma am, selling strawberries
along the streets ~
Milly made a second courtesy.
Extreme necessity justifies extreme
measures, Mr. Gates she said saucily
81 canned my own living before l saw
you, and can again
Mr.. Radcliffe Gates looked uneasily
around at the crowd Of gaping clerks.
flames !" said he, call me hack.
Ny dear, let me take you home"
mot until have sold the rest of my
Strawberries" saucily retorted the younb
wife
"Ill take them at any price, impa-
tienty exclaimed the banker.
Cash down? ?"
"Yes, anything, everything n y
come out of this crowd "
SO Mr.. and Mrs. Gates went home.
and that evening the banker agreed to
make his wife regular allowance Of so
much per week, to be paid down every
Monday morning at the breakfast table.
But wen have no more selling straw
berries" said Mr. Gates. nervously.
"To be sure not" said Milly. All
| wanted was little money Of my own" :"
And Mr.. Radcliffe Gates respected his
wife all the more because she had con-
qucred him in q fair battle.
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