The Placer herald., 1874-12-19

"And now, Mrs. Gates" said the bank
er, after a moment or two Of overwhelming
silence, "if you'll be good enough TO stitch
that button on my glove, I'll 90 down town.
have already wasted too much time"
SO the verbal message at arms ended, and
Miily felt that, so far she was worsted.
She watched Mr.. Gates drive off in an
elegant open barouche, drawn by two long
tailed chestnut horses, all in "a glitter of
plated harness, and turned away, almost
wishing hat she was Milicent Haughton
once again, behind her desk in the little red
schoolhor
She looked around at the inad furniture,
Aubusson carpets, and satin window drape-
'ies. and thought with passionate rapg.
how little all this availed her.
"ll's SO provoking of Radcliffe" she mur-
INJURED. "ive half mind to 20 out to SER
vice, or dressmaking, or someihing-for
must have money Of my own, and will. "
just then servant knocked at the door
with basket and note.
can old lady in Shaker bonnet and a
one-horse wagon left it, said the girl, with
scarcely disguised litter. "She wouldn't
come in, although invited her."
Mrs. Gates opened the note. It ran in
stiff, old-fasIlioned caligraphy. as if the pen
were an unwonted implement in the writer $
hand:
DEAR MnLy:-The Strawberries in the
south medder lot are just ripe, where you
used to pick 'em when you were little
girl; so Penelope picked lot, and we made
bold to send them to you, for tie sake OF
old times, as aunt Arminta is going to the
city tomorrow. We hope you will ike
them. Affeclionatcy your friend,
MARIA ANN PEABODY"
The tears sparkled in The brides eyes.
For an instant it seemed to her as if she .fere
a merry child again picking strawb rics in
the golden rain Of July sunshine. with the
scent of wild roses in 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-
icious perfume, a sudden idea daried in her
head
CHOW | will have money of my own!'
she ciied out money that | will earn my
self, and us be independently
Half an hour afterwards Mrs. Gates came
down stairs, to the Infinite amazement OF
Rachel. the chambermaid; ard Louisa the
paror maid, in brown gingham dress, a
white pique sun-bonnet, and basket on
her arm.
"Won's you have the carriage, ma a'am?'
asked the latter, as Mrs. Gates beckoned to
II passing omn bus.
Ono | won't!' said the bankers lady.
When within tie city limits she al. hied
and set to work in good earnest.
"Srawberries who'll buy my wild straw
berries p rang out her clear, shrill voice, as
she walked along = lightly balancing the
weight on her arm, and enjoying the i'm
promptu masquerade as only spirited
young woman can do.
Mrs. Prowler bought four quarts for pre-
serving, at twenty-five cents per quart.
"Wd berries has such favor" said
the old lady, rehectively; 'and 'taiu't often
you get em in the city. 1s'pose you dom
came found reg'lar, young woman"
"Ne, don't ma am.
'Because you might get some good Gus
toners" said Mrs. Prowler.
Mss leninthia Hall, who keeps boarders,
purchased two quarts; Mrs. Captain Car
oury took one; ard then MiIlicent jumped OH
the cars and rode YEARLY down town.
"l've got dollar aud seveniy-hve cents
Of my own, at all events" she said to her
self
Strawberries! Nice. ripe, wild straw
berries! Buy my Strawberries"
Her sweet voice resounded through the
halls Of the great marble building, Oh whose
first floor the great bank was situated.
1t Glanced to be a dull interval of busi-
ness just then, and TIE cashier looked up
with yawn.
81 say, Bill James," said he, to the
youngest clerk, 81 have an idea that few
wouldn't go badly. Call III
the woman.
Billy, nothing 10th, slipped off his stool
with pen behind each ear, and scaDpered
off into the hall
SO Millv sold another quart
As she was giving change Tor the cashiers
dollar bill, the president himself came in,
buslling and brisk as usual.
"Eh? What? How?" barked out Mr.
Radcliffe Gates, Strawberries? We'll, |
don't care if | take a few my self. Here,
young woman, how do you sell them?"
Miily pushed Lack her sun-Lonnet, and
executed sweeping courtesy.
Twenty five cents quart, sir, if you
please, purred she, with much humility.
"Mrs. Gatesw he circulated.
"My name, sir " said Micent.
"May venture to inquire"
"Oh. yes!' said Milly. "You may in
quire as mnch as you please | needed a
little money, and am earning it, See how
much have already" and she triuIlph
antly displayed her roll of crumpled stamps.
1.-The o,rawberries were all my own, sent to
me this morning by old Mrs. Peabody, and