The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-04-15
A SHOPPER BY PROXY.


They formerly lived in Madison
Square, and moved in the best New York
society. The father, 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. Isoiena, the youngest of the
family, had accepted the situation with
becoming fdtitude. She had three
trunks laden with the spoiis 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 board
ing-house fare she could return. After
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 to that noble path. The eldest
daughter, in fit of desperation, threw
hersslf away Oh a book-keeper, with
eight hundred year, and was buried
in Jersey. Isolena Van Rensselaer,.
being person of sense, sold silver and
Jewelry, bit at time, paid the family
board bills, and so kept the wolf away.
Weeks passed and the store of spoons
faded away. How much longer could
they live ON silverware The wolf had
already bayed the gas lamps in Third
avenue around the corner, and the
sound kept her awake in the night.
One day there came aletter inclosing
a check for one hundred dollars. Her
hand shook as she unfolded the crisp
paper, and sudden tears filed her eyes.
Were the family miseries and poverty
30 wearing upon her that the sight of a
check shook every nerve? And how
had heaven raised such friends in their
hour of need?
It was only letter from cousin Mary
Pelham. Cousin Kitty was to be mar
ried, aud Mary wished to furnish one
room in the new home. Would Isolena
be so kind as to do some shopping in the
city-get nice chamber carpet, and
have It sent up by expressf Glad to
find something to divert her mind, Iso-
lena went shopping among the carpet
men, selected what she thought would
please and fit the prescribed measure,
and paid the bill, and returned home
tired out, and minus fifteen cents fol
car fare. Two days later came a letter
saying "the carpet was lovely, and VIC
are so much obligedT'
D The next day Isolena counted the
spoors and figured out their position
There was just enough TO pay theil
board bills 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 in the greater; anc
then the mother crept away to peace ant
her grave, weary with the miserable dis
asters of the family. nffE4
The day after the funeral Isolen,
asked her father for her portion, and b,
divided his living among them all. Jso
lena's share was the silver spoons anc
rome diamond rings. The family wa
broken upand ruined, AID each selfshl,
looked out for himself. The men wen
to the bad generally. The eldest daugb
ter furnished her parlor with her shar,
OF the wreck, and Isolena sold diamond
ring, and put an advertisement in tn,
papers. Then she found another ant
cheaper boarding place, and sat down t
await results or starve.
Within q week a million people rea,
this advertisement: .-.
MADEMoIsELLE isoLENA, purchaser Of DIRE
goods, gloves, hosiery and millinery. Persons at
distance desiring 10 purchase dry goods, etc. in ne
York. may. address Mademoiselie Isolena. Ever
lind OF underwears and small wares bought, goos
and coiors matched. and the best selections made
the lowest prices. Terms 6ve per cent. All orde
must have ths money enclosed. Goods sent by ma
or exoress at purchasers expef Address Il
Wet Twenty- fourth Street, New York. Reference
Arnold, Tayor Co, Stewart, Lord & Kinsey.
Three days Mademoiselle Isolep
waited In heartsick impatience, and the
there came three letters. One containe
dollar, another six, another ten, an
each had small order. Tstal profit
eighty-fve cents-the first money eve
earned in her life. She put on a prett
hood and bright smile, and went ou
TO do the shopping. At the door he
eyes fell on the walk, and a blush hal
shame, half something else mounted
her face. He actually said good NOR,
ing, and offered his hand. She put OF
her left hand. That was the least wor
glove. She felt grateful that he shoul
recognize her. So many once frieu,
had passed indiferently on the sire
that the thought that Van Stupe
should speak to her gave her unexpecte
"Awful clever idea Mademoiselle Is
lena" -
oh, Mr.. Van Stupen how did VI
knowl can never forgive myself 4
"Gadl we all thought Il ! briv,
idea. Why you're a broker-in M
you ow; same as am, aud PeII a.
Denn on. and all the old ct. on. n
thew y, Sister Patty is 10 be marie
and want to do the presentinp bu
ness in good style. You please step in
Tiffany and buy something pretty a
suitable" E|
"Mr. Van stupeD, what do y
mean 2"
BIZ Of course. Now you're offend,
beg parden, Miss Van Renssela
You know ! would not. l though,
could help you"
"Vanp .Ht.I .rn.
That's right, Iso-Miss Renssela
call me Van, If you like. am yo
friend"
Let US speak of this no more. 1,
poor now. Our paths divide. / mi
earn my living and Patty would ne,
forgive me. I am glad To hear Of ]
n@frisse. l." 80 - ~