The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-12-19
" And your soul fror' on; that shadow


Shall be lincd--nCNcr morc!'
Is it any wonder that the town believed
, them and began to think of selecting buriu
, place?
Musing sadly over these gloomy thoughts
walked down town one blue Monday il
quest, if | remember rightly, of a spool o
thread had loved the old town and i
must have been because my heart was Sc
heavy, and my eyes so full, that with star
of surprise | thought of my GRAND, and woke
to find myself in front of a broad showcase
window. In that window stood form al
shrined in snow-wlite lace, and robed in rich
dainty, blue silk, and the smile on her face
showed very plainly that she was bride.
thought to myself, if they keep brides in here
will make an excuse Of my spool and go in
and see them; but when | had entered there
were no brides in view, but only a great
throng of people watching the motions of a
little army of clerks. Being small In statue
and the aforesaid clerks very much occupied
| remained for some time a quiet though
much interested spectator proceedings In
the attractions however, Of the varied scene
before me, | found abundant material for
entertainment, The enthusiasm Of Chicago
had reached even this quiet town, aud she
had succeeded in getting up Il lively and
creditable exposition of her own.
Now this exposition was an inviting thing.
Over my head hung gay shawls and bright
ribbons, Illuminating the room like rainbows
at my right a procession of warmth-sug.
costing beaver cloaks, trimmed in fanciful
designs of jet, and soft graceful dress fabrics
in subdued yet rich tints, lent CLEANS of ligh
and flashes of color to the scene. Moving Il
few steps could easily see, that the side of the
opposite room was arranged as Il compile
ment to this one and very attractive to the
eye, and tempting to the owner of awell.tilled
purse, where the elegant iestoons of Brus,
sells carpet formed its novel scroll-work.
Over the counter at my left hung bewilder-
ing succession of articles in lace and illu-
sion, designed to give illusion Of any ex
quisite grace to that portion Of the body, serv.
ing as means of communication between
the head and shoulders; also arrangements Of
silk and ribbon, which heavily fringed, or
sparkling with jet, alike served the purpose
of adding the seal of completeness to the
work of the maker; likewise folds of CLEAN
ing lace, whose dead, rich glow would send
thrill of admiration to the heart of any
woman; all these, and many other devices
don't get jealous dear reader, il you happen
TO be of the masculine persuasiOn) were in
tended to add new charms to the fairer part
of creation.
Miss S." said Mr. T., one of the pleasant
proprietors nurrying by US as if the demon Of
business was at his heels, and would allow
him to say only that one genial sentence,
Miss S, you must be getting tired. III
try to send some around to you soon
Thank YOU" answered, II am doing very
we'll" and so was.
Once more lett to my reflections and OBJ
servations, could not help sympathizing
with the distressed cash boys, who worried
with the constant cries Of
Cash to the right of them,
Cash to the left Of them,
Cash IN front of them
must surely have thought, THAT it was not
theirs to reason why" but just e. to do and die
And indeed there was some reason for the
persecution, for groups Of the ladies were
bending over the counter, examining with a.
keen, critical delight certain pieces Of velvet
which might have inspired the poet to write a
second time of
a thing of beauty and a joy forever
hanging wistfully over the pile Of cleaning
silks, fitting the immaculate kid to their
shapely fingers, or casting longing eye upon
the glossy satins, the delicate CASHMERE and
lustrous moAair. ltneeded not n prophets eye
to toresee that al night somebody would steal
up to somebody else, and say so coaXingly
" Pa, bought new dress today. knew it.
was a little extravaganza but really it is SO be-
coming. And the papa, thinking half rue
fully about his pocket book, and yet half
pleasant, would respond, Well, dear times
are a little hard, but then I 'spose you had to
have it,
DO not imagine that all the people were
butterflies, looking only at silks and velvets
by no means. Many were laying in stores of.
spoiless muslin, comfortable flannel and
dainty neat calico
Miss said a passing clerk, just at this
moment, can DO anything for you:"
Yes, SIR | responded with alacnty,
" You can give me a spool of thread
Our little business transaction was soon
and turned my steps homcward
However, just as l crossed the threshold, |.
turned, looked up, and read in great staring
letters, the words Scott Bros & Co very much
shook myself as from nightmare,
and walked homeward gaily rejecting that
while the town could boast OF such an estab-
lishment, and of others like ii which it shall
be my pleasure to visit at no distant day, we