The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-08-26
A SHOPPER BY PROXY.
A Practical Love Story.

A SHUPPEk BY IKOAl.
A Practical Love Story.
THEY formerly lived in Madison Square
and moved in the best New York society
The father, a Wall street man, lost his
money, and the wife, two sons and two
daughters lived on the East Side, and the
best society knew them no more. Isolena,
the youngest of the family, had accepted
the situation with becoming fortitude She
had three trunks laden with the spoils Of
Saratoga and Newport. They would keep
her in clothes for two years, and so long
as the spoons held out to burn, to her
boarding house fare she could return. Aft
er the crash the father did nothing in par
ticular. and 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 fit of desperation, threw
herself away on book-keeper with $500
year, and was buried in Jersey. Isolena
Van Rensselaer,, being person of sense,
sold the silver and jcwelry bit at a 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 silver-ware? The wolf had
already bayed the gas-lamps in Third av-
enue, just around the corner, and the sound
kept her awake in the night.
One day there came letter inclosing
check for one hundred dollars. Her hand
shook as she unfoided the crisp paper,
and sudden tears filled her eyes. Were
the family miseries and poverty so wear
ing 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 he so kind
as to do some shopping in the city-get
nice chamber carpet, and have it sent up
bv express? Glad to find something to
divert her mind, Isolena went shopping
among the carpet men, selected what she
thought would please and fit the pre-
scribed measure, paid the bill, and re-
turned home tired out and minus fifteen
cents paid for car-fare. Two days after
came a letter saying that the carpet
was lovely, and we are all SO much
obliged"
The next day Isolena counted teaspoons
and figured out their position. There
was just enough plate to pay the board
bills 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 in the greater; and then the moth
er 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 gen
erally. The elder daughter furnished her
parlor with her share of the wreck, and
Isolena sold a diamond ring and put an
advertisement in the Tribune, Eoentng
Post, Herald and american Agracultortst.
Then she found another and cheaper
boarding-p place. and sat down to await re-
suits, or starve.
Within week million people read
this advertisement:
MADEMOISELLE ISOLENA, purchaser
Nl of dress goods, gloves, hosiery and
millinery. Persons at a distance desiring 10
purchase dry goods, etc, in New York, may
address Mademoiselle Isolena. Every kind
of underwear and small wares bought,
goods and colors matched, and the best
selections made at the lowest prices.
Terms, ) per cent All orders must have
the money inclosed. Goods sent by ex-
press or mail at purchasers expense. Ad-
dress 1872 West Twenty fourth street, New
York. References-Arnold, Taylor Co.;
Stewart Lord & Kinsey, etc.
Three days Mdlle. Isolena waited
in heartsick impatience, and then
there came three letters One contained
dollar, another six, another ten, and each
had a small order Total profits, eighty
five cents-the first money she ever earned
in her life. She put on pretty hood and
| bright smile, and went out to do the
shopping. At the door her eyes fell on
the walk, and blush, half shame, half
something else, mounted to her face. lie
actually said good-mornIng, and offered
his hand She put out her lefthand. That
was the least-worn glove. She felt CRATE
full that he should recognize her. Somany
once friends had passed Indifferent on the
street that the thought that Van Stupen
should speak to her gave her unexpected
happiness.
awful clever idea, Mdlle. Isolena."
"Oh, Mr. Van Stupen! how did you
know? l never can forgive myself for
| it,"
"Gad! we all thought it bright idea.
| Why, you're broker-in trade, you
know; same as I am, and Pell and Den
nisen, and all the old set. Oh, by the
way, Sister Patty is to be married, and |
want to do the presenting business in
good style. You please step into Tiffa-
ny's and buy something pretty and suit
able"
"Mr. Van Stupen, what do you mean p
Biz, of course. Now you're offended.
I beg pardon, Miss Van Rensselaer,,
wnuld not hurt yo,lr faelinra for the world