Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-06-12
Fr ON the London Punch.
THE STORY OF
A r H. A n Hi IL IL.
by DOUGLAS JERRoLD.
CHAPTER XVIII.
| AM REMOVED TO CRAMPS HoUsE.-DEATH
OF THE OLD CARDMAKER.

| OF THE OLD CARDMAKER.
Now, sir said Hardmouth, putting his
head into the room, Now, if you please.
You'll never take her to the round
house, sobbed Mrs Crumpet, forcing past
him. You haven't the heart, | know
you haven't; and the landlady raised her
voice TO a scream, and wrung her hands.
BE patient, good woman, sad Lin'ley.
He then turned to the officer. This mis-
take will soon be cleared up. Let one Of
your men call coach; we will where you
please. Come, Patty, and the apothecary,
with comforting smile, gave his arm to
the girl, and led her, pale and trembling,
from the room. In few minutes coach
drove to the door, and again whired away,
The neighbors departed, and Mrs Crum-
pet was left solitary in her silent house.
She came into the room; looked wander
ingly about her; cred-'If l should hang
her! Oh, shall never know what sleep
is again. And then she went to bed,
and lay till late next morning.
In the afternoon, Bcckey, Mrs Cramps
m.id arrived with speed in her looks, and
| was taken from the mantel-piece, and
placed in bundle of clothes to be carried
from the house. 'And the cardmake s
very bad this ,imel' asked Mrs Crumpet
Quite in earnest, now, said Becky, Miss
us says it's moral impossible he can live,
Well, say nothing, Mrs Crumpet, but if
she should have bit ofluck, she won't be
long wdder.' Mrs Crumpet nodded as
sent to this belief, and Becky, strengthen
ed in her opinion, departed; the landlady
ultering not syllable on the events of the
past night.
was soon in the house of the old card
maker; soon heard the chirruping voice Of
his young wife. You've got all the things,
hope, Becky
Every thread, me'em, aud do you
know, mem, think we're in luck to get
'em. That's wicked old woman, that
Mrs Crumpel, mem, said Becky
Perhaps she is, Becky answered the
charitable mistress, 'but whilst the worlds
what it is. wicked people are sometimes
nseful.'
Pretty goings on in her house, mem,
said Becky with a knowing look; for it
seems she had heard very imaginative
version of the affair of the highwayman
and Patty from Mrs Crumpet's commun.
calye neighbors. Perhaps, mem, you
didn't know that she lodges hghwaymen
and their wives, or worse than that, for
what | know; me'm?'
'Highwaymen, Becky cried Mrs Cramp
with shudder, and then she added, with
deeper disgust, and their wivesP
The mans got of-just like 'em, me M;
and left his wife, or whatever she may be,
to be hanged in his place, said Becky
But that's like the whole sect, me IN. =
The truth is, Becky, in the most unhand-
some way, revenged her own inimitable
uginess upon the characters of mem gen.
orally: they had never said, they never
could say, civil word 10 her, and it was
her especial pleasure TO malign them
Yes, mem crept out at the chimney, and
left the poor girl, mem, with the watch
under her bolster; such q Teller as that,
me'm,-why, I'd hang, elm, by the toes,
me- m
Mrs Cramp, with an exquisite sense
of thanksgiving, merely observed, ITS a
blessing I've got back my satin and this
dear feather.
Quite right me inland as master can'i
las, much longer, why should you go on
to dress when you want to go to church
or to RaneIagh-whenyo you can make your
self comfortable at l.ome!'
You're quite right, Becky, l wont be
the poor trod on thing have been-1'I
.. show woman's spirit.
'To be sure mem; ard as master ha
made his will as he ought to do, why
mem, twill be your own fault if you lie
= any other nasty lawyer come near hin
again, mem
= 1t was very evident that Mrs Cram
: was suddenly become very Independent
of the ire of her husband; for in tn
% course of the day she carried her forbid
den hnery, ofwhich | was no small part
into the sick mans bedroom The pa
tient was fast asleep. Mrs Cramp soft
approached the bedside, peeping bt
- tween the curtains; and thus, as she sti
:, held me in her hand had full view
= the old cardmaker. His face was shat
tw and withered; and mis- nightcap, half RI
i r l.