The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-11-03
AUNT ES.

Esther, l never quite remember which
She was somewhere near 60 years of age,
though only her perfectly white hair be-
trayed the fact Her skin was delicate
and unwrinkled, her eyes sparkling and
bright, and her teeth so firm, white and
regular that one could not but pardon
her the almost apologize coquettishness
with which she frequently displayed
them.
She must have been very pretty in her
youth-indeed, may say she was pretty
still-and furthermore, with these de-
sirable characteristics was combined
restless activity very unusual in one of
her years. The lively eyes, the versatile
speech, the abrupt but significant move
ments, the sprightly walk, all led to the
supposition that the brisk go year old
little woman had behind her life of
toll and persistent effort.
Such was the fact, for Aunt Els for
many years had kept little shop. Had
kept? Nay, she still kept it and was as
tireless at her post as ever when any profit
was to be gained by it. That the profit
was meager enough her long life of pow
erty attested, but she had been indie
pendent, never had besought O favor
from any one and felt, to use her own
words, that fair proportion Of good
had been hers through life.
To induce her to dine with us once
fortnight required the most pressing in
vitation. She came then in her gray
wooden gown Summer and winter it
was always the same), with little founces
on the skirt and snowy crimped ruffles
at wrist and throat. She brought sweets
usually for the children to nibble, at
table was animated and gay, and when
one inquired how the business prospered
answered cheerfully 'she believed it
went right we'll"
And this business" of Aunt Esl
Twas conducted in IL cellar-one of
those damp, unhealthy Amsterdam cell
lars, where to your amaZement you will
find tolerably clean stalls, and in the
windows of which you will see dis
played fruits, shoes, fishing tackle
cooperage materials and various COM
modltles too numerous to mention
In such cellar lived Aunt Els and mt
the same time conducted little station
cry shop. In order to reach this sumptu-
GUS abode, which was about the size of
q blrdcage, one must descend 20 steps.
Then you saw small-a very small
table, which answered the purpose of n
counter, on which was displayed three
or four prints, about as many letter pa-
per pads of different shades, an old glove
case containing steel pens, goose uuills
and cheap lead pencils, six bottles of ink
and four tape measures. That was all.
at the end Of the year the inventory of
receipts showed nothing to waste, but in
good months Aunt Els sometimes gained
profit of 10 to 10 gulden.
This shop in the evening was turned
into dining room; at night it became
bedchamber The counter was her
dining table, and OH the broad surface
of a chest, upon which mattress was
laid, she slept.
In this subterranean chamber she had
lived 40 or more years quite decently
and free from care, boarding her little
savings like a miser and looking hone
fully forward to the time when she and
the chosen of her heart should marry.
When IS years of age, Aunt Els an
nounced to the members of her family
that she had met the man of her choice.
Like herself, he was small merchant
smaller, i'll fact, for whereas she DOS
sessed shop, table and an old glove.
case with steel pens, he possessed no
shop at all, unless that could be called a
shop which would close up and be con-
veniently carried under the arm.
Karl-that was his name-was q cigar
merchant, though not one of the whole
sale sort who draw their wares direct
from the plantations in Havana. His
"walking" shop consisted of box or
case in which once reposed superfine Re
galias, but i'll which, not without inward
shame, he now packed for sale his three
penny cigars. His general stock amount
ed from 100 to 200, was sold to the work
ing or lower classes, and it required two
weeks for their disposal
IT'S customary in Holland, when the
engagement is sanctioned by the families
of both parties, for the engagement TO
continue from one to two years. Dur
ing that time the couple are free to come
and go as they will-unchaperoned un-
protected, save by the good God who
smiles upon innocent love.
Though Karl's business, reflected Aunt
Els, was not as profitable as her own, vet
they would marry. The marriage would
be one of inclination" for they loved
each other. A marriage of convenience.
for their commercial and social posi-
TONS were equal. And better than all
1t would be marriage founded on rea-
son, for not until they had conjointly
laid by a sum sufficient to establish
themselves and their children in com
Portable home would they ma: y.
Two thousand gulden! That was the
very least, She resolved, with which she
would venture into taking a larger shnn.