Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-09-02
SELECTED Storp.
A Shopper by Proxy.

a shopper by Proxy.
They formerly lived in Madison Square,
and moved In the best of New York Soci.
ETY.. The father, a Wall street man, lost
his money. and the wife, and two sons and
two daughters. lived on the East side, an d
the best society knew them no more. Iso.
lena, the youngest OF the family, had nc.
cepted the situation with becoming forti
tude. She had three trunks laden with
the spoils OF Saratoga aud Newport They
would keep her in clothes for two wears.
and so long "a the spoons held out to burn
TO her boarding house fare she could re-
turn. Affer the crash the father did moth
ing In particular, ard the mother took to
her bed. The sons. never having done
anything during their prosperous days.
now kept sternly In that noble path. The
elder daughter in n iit OF esperation threw
herself away on book-kecper with eight
huudredia year. and was buried in Jersey
lsolena Van Rensselaer,, being person-of
sense, sold the silver and jeweIry, bit at
time, paid the family board bills, and so
kept the wolf away.
Weeks passed. and the store OF spoons
faded slowly. How much longer could
they live on siver-ware! The wolf had al
ready bayed the gas lamps In Third Aven-
ue, just around the corner, and the sound
kept her awake in the night.
One day there came letter inclosing a
check for one hundred dollars. Her hand
shook as she unfolded the crisp paper, aud
sudden tear, tears hlled hssE eyes. s.wsrs lbe
upon her that the sight of check shook
every nerve? And how had heaven raised
such friends in their hour OF need?
1t was only letter from Cousin Mary
Pelham. Cousin Kitty was TO be married
and Mary wished TO furnish one room in
the new home. Would Isolena be so kind
as to do some shopping in the city-get 4
nice chamber carpet and have II sent up by
express: Glad 10 find something TO d.
vert her mind. Isolena went shopping
among the carpet men, selected what she
thought would please and ht the prescrib-
ed measure. paid the bill and returned
tired out and minus fifteen cents for car
fare. Two days after came letter saying
that "the carpet was lovely, and we are
all SO much obliged"
The next day Isolena counted the spoons
and figured out their possessions. There
was just enough plate 10 pay the board
bill for exactly six weeks. She appealed
to her father. He, poor man, had trouble
enough on hand. The wife and mother
was dying. For time the lesser griefs
were lost 10 the greater; and then the
mother crept away to peace and her grave,
weary with the miserable disasters Of the
family.
The day after the funeral Isolena asked
her father for her portion, and he divided
his living among them all. Isolena's share
WAS the spoons and some diamond rings.
The family was broken up and ruined, and
each selfishly looked out for himself. The
men went TO the bad generally. The elder
daughter furnished her parlor with her
share of the wreck, and lsolena sold dia-
mond ring and put an advertisement in the
Tribune, Evening Post, Herald, and Am
erican Agriculturist. Then she found
another and cheaper boarding place, aud
Sat down to await results or starve.
Within week million people read this
advertisement
"Madenoiselle IsolenA, purchaser OF dres.
goods hosiery, and millinery. Persons at a dis
New York may address Mademelselle isoie ua
Every Kind Of under wear and small ware.
bought. goods and colors matched, and the bes
selections made at the lowest prices. Terms five
per cent. All orders must have the money In
closed Goods sent by express or mail at pur-
ehasers expense. ADDRESS ~ West Twenty,
fourth street, New York. References, Arnold
Taylor, and Co., stewart. Lord and kinsey - etc
Three days Mademoiselle Isolena waited
in heart-sick impatience, and then there
came three letters. One contained a dol.
lar. another six. another ten, each had 4
small order. Total profits, eighty-fiv,
cents-the first money she ever earned in
her life. She put on pretty hood and
| bright smile, and went out to do the shop
| ping. At the door her eyes fell on the
walk, and blush, half shame. half some.
| thing else, mounted to her face. He act
ually said good morning, and offered hi:
hand. She pu: out her left hand. Tha
was the least worn glove. She felt CRATE
ful that he should recognize her. So many
once friends had passed indifferently or
the street that the thought that Van Stu
pected happiness.
Awful clever idea. Mademoiselle Iso
| na''
| ''Oh. Mr.. Van Stupenl how did yO,
know? | never can forgive myself for 1t.
Cad We all thought it q bright idea
| Why. you're q broker-in trade, you know
same as am, and Pell and DennisOn, an,
all the old Set. Oh, by-the-way, Siste
| Patty is to be married, and 1 want to d,
the presenting business in good style. Yo
please step into TifYany's and buy some
thing pretty and suitable"
..Mr. Van Stupen, what do you mean
Biz, of course. Now you're offended.
beg pardon, Miss Van Rensselaer,. woul,
not hurt your feelings for the world. Yo
know would not. 1 thought could hel
you"
"Van!"
That's right. Iso-Miss Rensselaer,. ca
me Van if you like. l am your friend"
Let US speak Of this no more. l Al
poor now. Our paths divide. must ear
my living, and Patty would never forgiv
me. am truly glad to hear of her ma
riage. l."
Look you. Miss Van Rensselaer,, wal
some work done. I'll pay you ten ps
cent?
my terms are five, SIR"
"weil, five 1t is. Here's the none!
Spend Il all. and take out your c0mmi
siOn."
With that he thrust . roll OF bills inl
her hands, and disappeared into Unive
sity Place car just ss they reached Broa,
way. That night she slept peacefully 4
the first time for weeks. She had earns
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