Middletown transcript., 1877-06-30
Stlett Storp.
The Pretty Market Girl.

dear me! I'm sure L don't know
what to do; if ever anybody was in {
fix I'm in one now"
"What is it, auntie, cant 1 help yor
out Of your fix ?"
"Sakes alive! no, Lutte dear, you
can't help me one bit.
"Now, don't say that, auntie; I'm
certain can be Of service to yor i
you will only allow me. Why, I've
been here whole week, and I've done
nothing but dress, read, eat and sleep,
and I'm as useless as the stuffed owl
upon the bookcase in the library, and
more in the way.
"Why, childP' and good Mrs. Bently
stopped in her work Of preparing a
turkey for the market, and looked low
ingly upon her neice. II don't like to
hear you talk that way. Why, bless
your dear heart, the loved child of my
dead sister can never be in my way"
"Well, auntie, I shall not feel like
coming out here to spend another
Thanksgiving if you will not allow me
to be of some service during my stay.
Come. tell me all about your fix and
see if I am not worth something besides
running around and amusing myself
while other people are making them
selves useful"
"Oh, Lutte! there is nothing you
can do, although I'll tell you all about
it to pacify you. You see, all this
poultry and a lot Of butter and eggs
were to be delivered to-day in the city
for the day after tomorrow is Thanks
giving and Jones, our hired man, is
sick with a cold, and can't leave his
bed your uncle is away, and won't be
back till tomorrow night, and how un-
der the sun I am going to deliver these
things according to contract, is more
than I can tell"
To Mrs. Bently's surprise, Lutte
clapped her hands and danced around
the room crying
"Just the thingl capital capitalp
"What on earth do you mean, child?
she managed to say, at last.
@Why, that I will go to the market
and deliver the goods myself. Now
don't say one word, auntie," she con-
tinued as her aunt elevated her hands
and opened her mouth as if to give
vent to an "OhF' Don't say one
word; the idea just suits me, and l am
determined to go if you viii allow me"
she added.
"What, you the daughter and heir
ess of Judge Haines? You, the belle
Of the city, going to market with tur-
keys, butter and eggsp
Eyes, auntie, and I can do it just as
well as Jonas would. Now don't op-
pose me? That's good, dear soul"
Mrs. Bently really felt distressed to
know how to fulfil her contract, and
was thankful for the prospect Of assist
ance, but she could hardly reconcile
herself to the idea that her niece, the
beauty and heiress of whom she was
proud, should perform the role Of
market girl.
Lutie's arguments, however, pre-
vailed, and she went to her room to
prepare for her expedition. Borrow
ing short dress from the "help" she
donned it and then folded a shawl in
the shape Of mantle across her shoul-
ders, and with her rich tresses hanging
over her shoulders, she looked like
lovely country girl. Placing a dainty
hat upon her head, she tripped down
to the kitchen for her aunt's inspec-
ton.
"Well, / do declarep' exclaimed that
worthy lady whoever would know
you? Why, Lutte, if had met you
face to face l should never have guess
ed it was you if I hadn't known
Il am glad to hear you say 50 auntie
for don't propose to be recognized by
any one, Oh, twill be rare fun" and
with a gay laugh she waltzed out of
the room. "Are the things all ready /"
she asked, stopping to take breath.
eyes, but the old horse must be har-
messed; can you do it?"
81 don't know, auntie, l think so
at least l can try"
She skipped away to the stable, and
after half hours patient toll she led