The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-06-14
Vol. LII.

ever they might be. Ills true, Miss
Norris herself would often complain Of
the badness Of the times, but as this
observation happened usually to be ad-
dressed to some frequenter of the rea-
ding room rather in arrear with his sub
scrlptlon, it was supposed to be utter
ed as hint than complaint. Indt ed,
some persons who proIessed TO know
the worldly circumstances Of every
one IN the town. roundlv declared that
Miss Norris had no ground for grumb-
ling about pecuniary matters, seeing
that Tor many years she had drawn a
very pretty income from her business,
which income was somewhat sweIled
by small patrimony that she inherited.
II was matter of Wonderment to many
that the knowledge Of these circuin-
stances had not induced one individual
amongst the many, many needy bach
elors in the town to make Miss N. an
offer; but the aforementioned persons
uncharitably hinted that Miss N. at
tached herself so much to business, and
paid such close attention to money mat
ters, that she was slipping into the state
which we have been talking about,
without thinking Of aught except those
things which fell within the scope of
her daily avocatons-viz: sorting and
doubling newspapers, directing maga-
zines aud periodicals, and serving pens,
ink, paper and waters to numerous Gus
toners.
BE the reason what it may, Miss Nor
rIs, at the time we are speaking of, had
not any one to whom she could look as
future husband; and, indeed, she ap-
peared so careless of the matter that.
as we have shown, she could, even when
not engaged in business, talk and Joke
about 1t quite unconcernedIy. The
young man to whom she addressed the
words, had been just engaged with her
IN discussion upon matrimonv, to
which they had been led by the peru
sal Of flaming marriage in the pages
of the Morning Posi-. The gentleman
had descanted rather warmly and
gIowingly upon the happiness of the
marriage state, but had had some diff
Guilty in making the lady as believing
as himself. She had expressed herself
skepticaIly upon The point, and had at
last told him round,y that she thought
a woman much happier in ceibacy than
amid the caresand the troubles. the dis.
cords and the jars of welded life; and
when the gentleman talked Of connu-
bial bliss she only laughed and muttered
and said that she had never
seen any fit, although she knew hun
ireds of married couples. It was in
vain for Mr.. Denison to combat her,and
he therefore brought the conversation
to Il close by very warmly asserting
that he would get wife himself soon,
10 which the lady replied in the words
we have quoted.
Now some of the gossips IN S.
would 90 out Of their way to discuss
he fitness Of Mr. Dennison as a matri-
nonial partner for Miss Norris; and all
agreed that he was vastly fit and pro-
Der person. First, he was so good
ookIng, and then he was so ahable ;his
was so polished that he
'ould sustain his part in any company,
md yet so simple that the most mean
y educated could understand it; his
,ai;, his manner, his dress, were all so
5entemanly, that really it was a Won
Ter what Miss Norris was about that
he did not set her cap at him, especi-
lily as Mr.. Denlson was even more af.
able and attentive when in Miss Nor
is company than in that OF any one
lse.
So reasoned these good folks, while,
n the meantime, the two parties imme-
iately concerned might, for aught that l
hey exhibited, be the only persons un- {
onscious of the matter. Truth, how
yer, will compel US to state-.especial- S
Y since we have let the reader into |
be gossip affecting Mr.. Uenison- truth {
ompeIs US to state, that an accurate {
bservance might have detected a lit {
e emotion in the countenance Of the |
,dy, whenever Mr.. Denison entered |
er shop-that there was little more S
ordiality in his reception--a little '
nore hearty shake OF the hand; though |
was so lille that few except those s
'ho were watching forsuch indications ,
you'd have remarked them. Indeed, '
lere was also little more animation
her really pretty dark eyes, and oc- ,
asionalIy, when alone, there was an E
bstractedness about her the likes of Z
'hich she had never before exhibited; t
ct. as this might have been connected a
nth matters of business, it is, perhaps, f
nrdly fair to introduce it here. How C