Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-06-12
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the buried cardmaker.

olD'tS " iN'l WV ~ Nv ''iNlh''J W u
maid of-all-work, For myself was in
despair. felt til knew it was
carried onward to be stained, lost for ever,
wdowhood had passed sentence upon me;
Twas to be dyed Iput tito the reader
proud, it may be, of the clearness OF
his complexion, what would be his agony
if he knew that tomorrow morning he
must inevitably rise bIaekamoor! | put
it to you, madam; you, with your milky
cheek, camation.tincd; would you not
break your glass when it showed you a
Ho,cutot?
Still Becky tripped along, inhuman'y
humming, think Nancy Dawson when
MN, crossing The way, stood before her.
Becky Immediately drew herself up; and
| could feel that her heart began to
hlttcr and beat, precisely as every wo-
mans heart has been since the first rup-
a-dub in Paradise. Becky knew not
whether the monster was about to com
pliment or insult her; she was equally
prepared for either incident.
MY pretty maid, began the stranger.
None O. your nonsense broke in
Becky, and could feel her jerk, and ]
have no doubt she sneered.
Don't be cruel, child said the man,
in a soft, gentle voice.
Never was cruel in my life, said
Becky, the mans musical words melting
in her bosom.
well, then, my dear, and the strang-
er laid his hand upon the maid.
None o your nonsense, cried Becky,
starting back; you'd better not; | wears
p2ttens,'
You have the advantage Of me- re-
Piled the man, with bow; but am sure
YOU arc too much lady Of honor to use
it,
I've two hands ofmy own, and they're
quite enough upon me at a time, that's
ALL said Becky; so what you've got to
say, you can say with your hands in
your pockets.
Becky's reproof evidently struck upon
the fine sense of the man, for he imme-
diatcly pulled ont his purse, and offering
the maid, as it appeared to me, a piece
Of gold, asked if she would make him
happy by accepting it,
Becky received the coin, merely OBJ
serving, 'Thoro could be no harm III
that
And nov. my dear, one word is youl
sweet mistress wthin?' asked the donor
In course; crying her dear eyes ou
for poor Mr. Cramp.'
That's a pity said the stranger.
She's numbering hersolC!' answered
Becky.
She must be saved, cried the man.
'Bul it's just like US, answered the
maid; I'VE are all fools alike. | wo'del
if he'd ha' gone on so about her: Not
be; men are hnts-not made as me arc,
And Mrs Cramp is at home' Alone,
too, no doubt said the stranger.
alone, said Becky, and she said nc
more. Her manner warrented the soil
tu0o of her mistress,
you must tell her that a gentleman
wishes particularly to see her. said the
man.
And her husband not been buried a
week" criod the maid, who, however,
suffered the stranger to pass his hand
under her elbow, turning her towards the
widows house. 1 wouldn't do it for Il
thousand pounds said Becky, as she
stood at the late Mr. Cramps door.
''Twill be worth more than that til
your dear MISTRESS said the stranger
Come, I've no doubt you've the key
We'll, what a man you are!' cried
Becky, Immediately producing that do
nestle instrument. Shouldn't wonder
if get turned away for it, Who shall |
say"
Say, Edward-that's enough said the
man.
Hush! stop a minute, while I see il
missus is alone; neighbor may be with
her., said Becky, softly turning the key,
aud entering the house with caution, the
stranger following her. Becky mmedi-
ately entered the parlor. you are alone
mem'
'Oh, yes!' answered Mrs Cramp, and
again she burst into laughter. I've made
such fool Of the man. He thinks
Hush, mem; there's a gentlemen in
10 the passage wants to see you. His