Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-06-12
Whole Number 2Gj.


old cardmaker, and had begun TO think
myself forgotten by his widow, when she
took me from drawer, and carried me
down stairs might narrate much gossip
of which was an ear-witness, respecting
the solemnty of the funeral, with the tea
and very hospitable supper given on the
Iamentable occasion. All this pass over.
Mrs Cramp-I must own as much-wore
her widows weeds as though she was proud
Of them; many of her female friends assur-
ed her that she never looked better, whilst
to one or two she confessed that, to her
surprise, she never felt So
When Mrs Cramp had deceuded to the
parlour, | trembled, for there was Becky,
plainly prepared tor some mission. After
all, thought, are they going to dye met
'And now, Becky, you will take the ieath-
err
A peremtory knock at the street-door
mutilated Mrs Cramps sentence. Becky
Immediately answered the summons, and
as quick Y returned
'Oh, mem! IT'S that monster OF man,
Mr.
Becky was quick speaker, but ere she
had uttered the word due, Mr. Uriah Cloudy
personally introduced himself Now wo-
men have peculiar dexterty in hiding
things; with almost more than femenine ra-
pidi,y, Mrs Cramp threw me at the back of
her chair, and prepared herself for her
visitor.
Girl, you're not wanted, said Mr. Cloudy
10 Becky. 60 into the kitchen
The Muggletonian having been the spir-
itual adviser Of the late cardmaker, for the
once installed himseIfthe master of his
widows maid, Becky seemed resolved to
question the usurpaton, but look from
her mistress sent her grumbling from the
room.
You're quite happy Mrs Crampr ask.
ed Cloudy.
Happy as can be expected, answered
the widow.
It's blessed thing Pm left executor
said the Muggleton'an. Mrs Cramp aaid
nothing. And now Mrs Cramp, I'm como
upon solemn business, come to bring
YOU the words of The deadv
Mr. Cloudy cried the widow, anxlously;
as though interpreting some unpleasant.
communication from her buried husband.
you knew my Rebeccal Well, wasn't
she woman! A wedding-ring WASH.
lost upon her, was III Well, she knew she
was dying. Dear creature! She knew ev-
erything. twas strange that she should
go only month before your poor man;bu,
she knew he'd follow her; she knew it,
MAN, she kew it ma'am she knew it,
And so she called me TO her, and said, ~
ria, will you take my last words to that dear
angel o! woman, Mrs Cramp?' Dear an.
gel we're her very aords, or I'm the worst
of sinners. Rebecca says |, make your
mind quite easy, III tell her every syllable.
Then she takes hold fmy hand--just as I
take hold of yours, Mrs Cramp-and says,
'Uriah, Pm a-going, and Mr. Cramp is COM
ing after me. You and Mrs. Cramp will be
left alone in the world. She's dear wo-
man, and
4 don't know what you mean, Mr.
Cloudy cried the widow, never divining
human meaning better in all her life.
IT'S only my respect for the dead, Mrs
Cramp, that makes me offend you; but
Rebccca promised to haunt meIif I didn't
do as she begged me. She's dear wo-
man, she said, and as | think, has al
ways had an honest regard for you.-
When I'm gone, Uriah, you'll be left
poor unprotected creature in the world
Nobody to look to your wants. to take
care ofyour darning your linen, and your
nice little hot suppers, Oh, Uriah! l
couldn't rest in my grave if | thought it;
and so, in decent time, 60 to that dear
Mrs Cramp when she's a widow, and give
her my love and my compliments, and say,
if she'd be really happy in this life, she'll
much oblige me by marrying YOU
With these words, Uriah Cloudy
dropt upon his knees, and Mrs Cramp
suddenly jumping from her seat, the
chair fell back TO the floor. Becky, start
led by the noise, ran into the room, and
picking me up, hid me under her cloak.
What's the matter me'm' she cried
Mrs Crrmp could give no answer, but
burst into violent fit of laughter.
It's nothing, Becky, nothing, said the
Muggletonian; only taking on about