Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, the country people for miles around
drove into Charlottetown, bringing with them whatever farm produce they had
to dispose of. Great carts bearing vegetables, eggs, butter, berries and
"garden truck" beyond mentioning, might be seen wending their way along the
roads leading to the city in the early mornings on market days, and the
products of the field, garden, poultry yard, etc., were offered for sale
in and around the large market-house that was situated in the centre of the
city. Here the people of the city came by hundreds to purchase whatever
fancy dictated or needs demanded, making a scene that was worth coming far
to see.
To educate her daughters into the difficult part of household management,
Mrs. Fremont had given over to them the task of buying the supplies for the
family. A sum, ample for a week, was given them, and at the end of the week
the accounts were made up under the mother's supervision. If the daughters
had planned wisely there was always a surplus, which was added to their
pocket-money.
When Dexie learned of this, and realized the responsibility which these
young girls took upon themselves as a part of their education, she was
anxious to acquire the same accomplishment, and it became quite amusing to
hear the prices of different articles discussed in such business-like
tones, for Dexie and Elsie were often drawn into these discussions before
they were aware of it.
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