The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-03-05

For an instant it seemed to her as i
she were merry child again picking
strawberries in the golden rain of (
July sunshine, with the scent of Wili
roses in the air and the gurgle of the
little trout stream close by. And al
she lifted the lid of the great basket Of
crimson, luscious fruit and inhaled the
delicious perfume, asudden idea started
into her head.
SNOW I will have money Of my own!'
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 chambermaid, and
Louisa, the parlor- maid, in a brown
gingham dress, white pique sun-bon-
net, and basket on her arm.
"Won't you have the carriage,
ma'am?' asked the latter, as Mrs.
Gates beckoned to passing omnibus.
"No, / won't p said the bankers
lady.
When within the city limits she
alighted and set to work in good earn
est.
Strawberries who'll buy my wild
Strawberries ?" rang out her clear,
shriIl voice, as she walked along
lightly balancing the weight on her
arm, and enjoying the impremptu
masquerade as only spirited young
woman can do.
Mrs. Prowler bought four quarts for
preserving, at twenty-five cents per
quart.
"Wild berries has such flavor, !"
said the old lady, refectively, "and
tain't often you get 'em in the city. /
s'pose you don't come round regular.
young woman ?"
No, / don't, ma'am."
because you might get some good
customers" said Mrs. Prowler.
Miss Seninthia Hall, who keeps
boarders, purchased two quarts Mrs.
Capt. Carhury took one, and then
Millicent jumped on the cars and rode
verify down town.
I've got dollar and seventy-fve
cents of my own, at all events" she
said to herself.
Strawberries Nice, ripe, wild
strawberries Buy my Strawberries r.
Her sweet voice resounded through
the halls of the great marble building,
on whose first floor the great bank was
situated.
It chanced to be a dull interval of
business just then, and the cashier
looked up with yawn.
say, Bill James," said he, to the
youngest clerk, have an idea that
few strawberries wouldn't go badly.
Gall in the woman"
Billy, nothing 10th, slipped of his
stool with q pen behind each ear, and
scampered off into the hall.
So Milly sold another quart.
AS she was giving change for the
cashiers dollar bill. the president him
self came in, bustling and brisk as
usual.
"EhP WhatP How ?" barked out
Mr.. Radcliffe Gates. Strawberries
Well, I don't care il I take few my
self. Here, young woman, how do Jou
sell them p
Milly pushed back her un-bonnet,
and executed sweeping courtesy.
Twenty-Five cents q quart, sir, if
you please" purred she, with much
humility.
Mrs. Gates |" he calculated.
s'My name, sir, Millicent.
"May venture to inquire"
90, yesl" said Miily. "You may
inquire as much as you please. /
needed a little money, and I am earning
it. See how much I have already |"
and she triumphantly displayed her
roll Of crumpled stamps. 'sThe straw
berries were all my own, sent to me
this morning by old Mrs. Peabody. and
I'm selling them to get an income of
my OWL.
You, ma'am, selling strawberries
through the streets r.
Milly made second courtesy. III
Extreme necessities justify extreme
measures, MIR. Gates. 2 said she, saucily.
earned my own living before saw
you, and can again.
Mr.. Radcliffe Gates looked uneaeily |
around at the crowd of gaping clerks.
I" James, said he, call me q hack.
My dear,.l me takeyou home. /"
!" Not until I have sold the rest of
my strawberries, = saucily retorted the
young wife.
"I'll { Ike all-at any price r. impa-
tiently exclaimed the banker.
"Cash down 2"
eyes anything, everything only |
come ont of this crowd.
So Mr.. and Mrs. Gates went home !;
and chat evening the banker agreed TO-
make his wife o. regular allowance Of
so much per week, to be paid down
every Monday morning at the break
fast table.
But wen have no more selling
strawberries" said Mr.. Gates, ner-
vously.
TO be sure not, = said Milly. aAll
wanted was q little money OF my
own"
And Mr.. Radcliffe Gates respected
his wife all the more because she had
him in fair battle.
PaWnbrokers.