The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-09-04

ing with the laws of Dido and Eneas. / wish
had couple OF yards of iaconet."
Cor a husband"-
COR husband, either; don't care which.
Come, my love, let's go a-shopping in this
The two ladies Immediately rose-it was
about noonday-put on their bonnets, took
their parasos and sailed forth.
For a husband or jaconet' you say2"
1.-TWO yards of jaconet, or husband"
The town OF Williamsburg, like every other
little town in Virginia, or even New York.
does not contain many stores A shopping
expedition is therefore, soon completed.
The two ladies sauntered into this shop,
then into that, sometimes making the poor
fellow of shopkeeper turn out his full
stock in trade, and reward hispains by the
purchase of sixpenny worth OF tape They
had proceeded for an hour in this lounging,
lazy style, when Louisa said, "0h! Mary Ann,
here is an old beau Of yours in that store
wi tn the red Bingham Tapping at the door
like a pirates flag; come, let us go and
plague him for 'auld lang syne,' as Mrs. Nc
Donald, the Scotch lady of Norfolk, says"
Certainly" said Mary Ann, "but which
of my old admirers is it2"
'Have you got your list in your pocketY
Not at all; have left 1t at nay grand
mothers at Richmond. What pityp'
The two wild creatures, bounding like a
couple of fawns over the forest glade, for
they were reckless of the public opinion
among the old dcwagers and staid maidens
of Williamsburg entered the store and asked
for sight of gloves, muslins and ribbons
Mary Ann did not seem to pay much atten-
ton to the fine articles shown her. She ever
and anon cast her eyes by stealth round and
round the store, endeavoring to discover If
she recognized any of the faces as that of an
old acquaintance She could see nothing to
repay the effort. Not face had she ever
seen before. She summoned up to her
recollection all her former admirers. They
passed through her mind like the ghosts in
Macbeth" for, notwithstanding her re-
lection of so many lovers, she ever retained
certain portion of regard for every poor
fellow who had fallen victim to her whim,
beauty, wi5chery and caprice.
This is an Arabian desert" said Mary
Ann, sighing, to Louisa, as she split a pair
of kid gloves in endeavoring to get
them on.
''Ohl no." said gay young shopman; Gin
deed, miss, they are the best French kid"
Pray" said Louisa, in low tone, don't
you see anything In the back room OF the
store?" h-HH
In a remote corner of the store there stood
at the desk plainly dressed gentleman,
leaning over the corner of wooden railing,
with his eyes firmly fixed upon the two
ladies now so actively engaged in tossing
over the counter all sorts of merchandise
and light French goods. -, -
'As / hve,' said Mary Ann, there is my
old Blue Ridge beau. OH how wet was"
whispered she, "drenched with a summer
shower, when first was thrown into his So
ciety. | believe the poor fellow loved me
sincerely. Come, let me spend upon him at
least $40 in jaconet; he spent 800 upon me
in balls, dancing. colds, cough drops and
drives, and got nothing for his pains but
neat billet doux declining his poor heart
and soft hand Poor fellowi"
With this sally the ladies bought several
articles, scarcely caring whether they suited
them or not. When they left the store Mary
Ann fell into reverie, was quite silent,
which for her was unusual and singular.
Louisa's spirits on the contrary, gathered
life and energy as thosr of her companion
sank away. She talked, she laughed she
ridiculed her beaus, she rallied Mary Ann,
and looking into her tor once melancholy
face said, $50, my love, you are caught at
last"
"Caught?' said Mary Ann. Indeed you
are much mistaken. / do not think-that is
to say, fancy should not like to marry
my Blue Ridge beau. Oh, louisa" said she
sfter pause, with tear in her eye, what
foolish creature 1 have been. Mr.. Colling-
wood for that Is his name, / am sure does not
think of me; butt can not remember atten-
tons he once paid me without feeling of
regret.p
why now, what's the matter With you?
After refusing so many, are you going to
throw yourself away on a shopkeeper? A
lilies in Virginia to marry shopkeeper"
ALAS! alasl Louisa, what is descent?
what is fashion? what is all the life l have
led2 Do you see that little white house
with green Venetian blinds across the street?
was one evening in that house, and saw
enough to satisfy me that have been pur
suing pleasure, not happiness Oh, If
could feel as that young wife does
You laugh. l ann sure / do not think of
Mr.. Collingwood; but there was time when
his soft, quiet, affectioDate manner did
touch me most sensitively."
Have you got the gloves you bought?'
asked Louisa.
Mary Ann looked She had forgotten
them on the counter or lost them.
eve must return, them" sand Louisa.
Never" said Mary Ann. 'I never dare
look at him. l am sure he despises me. Oh,
if he only knew what / feel--what pangs
pass through this hesrt-Pm sure he would
not"
Come, come" said Louisa; i've must re-
turn and get the gloves"
'0h, the jaconet or a husband, most as
suredly- You remember your resolution
Mary Ann smiled, while her eyes glistened
with tear They returned home, however,
and sent Cato, the colored servant, for the
| articles they had forgotten.
After this adventure it was observed that
a visible change came over the manners and
spirits of Mary Ann. Her gay, brilliant sal
lies of wit and ridicule were moderated
amazingly. She became quite pensive; sin
gularly thoughtful for a girl of her unusual
flow of spirits. When Louisa rallied her on
the shopping excursion she replied, Indeed,
Louisa, l do not think could marry Mr.
! Collingwood; besides, he has forgotten every
feeling he may have entertained toward
me-" In few days after this event party
was given one evening at neighboring
house. The family in which Mary Ann re-
sided were all invited. The moment of re-
union approached, and Mary Ann, dressed
| with great elegance but far less splendor
than usual, found herself at the head of a
cotillion, surrounded by several young gen.
tlemen, students OF William and Mary, pro.
fessors. planters and merchants They were
pressing forward in every direction, talking
ard catching word or look from so cele-
brsted belle. Mary Ann. however. did not
/ appear to enjoy the group that surrounded