The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-10-14

1
litter. "She wouldn't come in, al
though / invited hers
Mrs. Gates opened the note. 1t
ran, in q stiff, old fashioned cali
graphy, US if the pen were an un-
wonted implement 10 the writers
hand:
Dear Milly:
The strawberries in
the south medder lot are just ripe,
where YOU used to pick 'em when
you were little gal; so Penelope
picked lot, and we make bold to
send them to you, for the sake of old
times, as aunt Araminta is going to
the city tomorrow. We hope you
will like them. Affectionately your
friend.
Nj. A. PEABODY.
The tears sparkled in the brides
ewes. For an instant it seemed to
her as if she were merry child
again, picking strawberries in the
golden rain of July sunshine, with
the scent of wild roses on the air,
and the gurgle of the little trout
stream close by. And as she lifted
the lid Of the great basket of crimson,
luscious fruit, and inhaled the de-
licious perfume, sudden idea darted
into her head
Now | will have money Of my
own 7" she cried out--"money that ]
will earn myself, and thus be inde-
pendent"
Half an hour afterN ards, Mrs
Gates came down stairs, to the inf
bite amazement OF Rachael, the cham
mermaid, and Louisa, the parlor maid,
in brown gingham dress, white
pique sun-bonnet, and basket on
ber arm.
Wont you have the carriage,
ma'am 2n asked the latter, as Mrs.
Gates beckoned to passing omnibus.
"No, won't!" said the bankers
lady"
And within the city limits she
aligbted, and began work in good
earnest.
"Strawb berries ln "who'll buy my
wild strawberries p rang out her,
clear, shrill voice, as she walked
along-lightiy balancing the weight
on her arm, and enjoying the masque-
rade as only spirited young woman
can.
Mrs. Fowler bought four quarts
for preserving, at twenty-five cent Q
quart.
wild berries 'as such fiavorl"
said the old lady, reaectively, "And
'taint often you get 'em here in the
city, s'pose you don't come round
regular young woman 2"
mo, don't mama"
Because you might get some good
customers, said Mrs. Fowler.
Miss Seninthia Hall, who keeps
boarders, purchased two quarts, Mrs.
Captain Carbery took one; and then
Millicent jumped on the cars and
rode wearily down town.
"I've got dollar and seventy-fve
cents of my own now, at all events,n
said she to herself.
Strawberries Nice ripe, wild
strawberries Buy my strawberries !"
Her sweet voice resounded through
the halls of the great marble building,
on whose first floor the great bank
was situated.
| 1t chanced to be dull interval of
business just then, and the cashier
looked up with yawn
II say, Bill James," said he to the
youngest clerk, Il have an idea that
a few strawberries wouldn't go bad
ly. Call in the woman !"
Billy, nothing 10th, slipped off his
stool with 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? What? How 2" barked out
Mr.. Radcliffe Gates. Strawberries
Well, / don't care if l take a few
myself Here young woman, how do
you sell them 7"
Milly pushed back her sunbonnet,
aad executed sweeping courtesy.
Twenty-Five cents quart, sir if
you please" purred she, with much
humility.
The president dropped his paper
of strawberries On the floor.
MRS. Gatesi" he calculated.
''The same. sir" said Millicent
May / venture to inquire
"Oh, yes !' said Milly. "You may
inquire as much as you please. I
needed a little money, and / am
earning it. See how much / have
already' and she triumphantly dis
played her roll of crumpled stamps.
THE strawberries were all my own,
sent to me this morning by old Mrs.
Peabody, and I'm selling them to get
an income of my own.n
You, mama, selling strawberries
through the streets?"
Milly made second courtesy.
Extreme necessities justify ex-
treme measures, Mr.. Gates" said she
saucily. Il earned my own living
before l saw you, and I can again. y
Mr.. Radcliff Gates looked uneasily
around at the crowd of gaping clerks.
James," said he, "call me hack.
My dear, let me take you home.n
Not until have sold the rest of
my straberries," saucily retorted the
young wife.
"Ill take 'em-at any price ~ i'm
patiently exclaimed the banker.
Cash down? ?"
"Yes; anything. everything-only
come out of this crowd.n
So Mr.. and Mrs Gates went home;
and that evening the banker agreed
to make his wife q regular allowance
of SO much per week, to be paid down
every Monday morning at the break
fast table.
'But we'll have no more selling
Strawberries said Mr.. Gates ner-
yously.
ITO be sure not," said Milly. "All
wanted was little money of my
own.n
And MIR. Radcliffe Gates respected
his wife all the more because she had