The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-04-04

may say W lne contrary. Anu tnlS |
happened, unfortunately for our shoe.
maker, to be the case with his pretty |
daughter Lucy--who, just passed her
seventeenth year--the sweet period in
woman's life, when the artless graces
and beauties Of girlhOod have ripened
into full maturity--considered herself
fully competent to choose a partner for
life; and her selection, from host of
village admirers, was young Joe Ed
wards, the handsome village tinker.
Now, of all occupations, in the eyes of
old Drayton, that of tinker was held
the most odious and abominable. "Not
worth tinker's curse,' was his favor
ite oath--and he uttered it apparently
with a fervent appreciation of the ut
ter Specification of its import. But eve
ry body was not OF old Drayton's mind;
for young Joe had many warm and
steadfast friends in the village--among
those, too, who could hold up their heads
as high as the old shoemaker himself on
the score OF wealth-who greatly es-
teemed Joe for his industry, persever-
ance, and many other good qualities.
| Lucy Drayton and Joe Edwards
no matter how it came about--were
now sworn lovers, and had been such
for some time. But the old gentleman,
aware OF their mutual passion, had in
terdicted their intercourse--and the
better to cure his daughter of what he
called foolish whim, had locked her
up in his house, and positively forbid
den Joe to cross the threshold.
But as ''Cupid laughs at locksmiths,'
Joe determined that the sly rogue
should also laugh at lapstones. He
therefore forthwith formed his plans
to enter the old mans domicil--and, if
possible, 10 carry off his imprisoned
| Ducinea.
| Accordingly. one fine morning, Joe
Edwards suddenly made his isappearance
in the shop of old Drayton. so thor
oughly disguised with false whiskers
and black patch across his left cheek;
the usual means of disguise, in all such
cases made and provided--th that the old
fellow never suspected he was con
fronted with the over of his daughter
Immediately upon Joe's entrance, the
following technical dialogue commenc
ed:
aMan's man or woman's man" in
quired Drayton, the usual preliminary
interrogation.
"Woman's man," replied Joe, readi
ly, in feigned voice.
SCOT your kitF' said the old shoema
ker.
"Ay!" returned Joe, as he removed {
bundle of dirty clothes, tied up in !
dirty cotton handkerchief, from hi
a shoulder, and slipping forth a cudge
r from the tied corners, placed the ''kit'
e upon the counter--for Joe had all tn
!; trappings of an itinerate-cobbler, Of
l. a foot-tramp.
e "Wages?" inquired Joe, laconically
s. "One dollar week and find ye," re
is piled old Drayton.
IS "One dollar week and find me,
2, muttered Joe, thoughtfnlly-tben, ar
d parently, after little consideration, h
% cried, ''Good."
,r The bargain closed, Joe immediatel
r. donned leather apron, rolled up hi
IS sleeves, and went to work las he ha
Id engaged as a "woman's man'') stitchin
is one Of those neat receptacles of pre-
n: ty foot-a lady's gaiter. But som
lie how or other, Joe's ideas seemed di
III posed to wander almost upon any thin
v else than upon the exactness or evel
IS ness Of his stitches--for, with just sin
IN ilitude, they might we'll have been cor
al pared to giants causway in miniatur
Id or worm.fence in Mysteries. Th
st luckily escaped the old mans eye, wi
to appeared, on the contrary, might
is; pleased at the expertness of J oe's fin
lid ers, and inwardly congratulated hims,
k; in having made good bargain by e
Sc, gaging the services ofso brisk a wor
on man.
id, In due time Joe was called to Dime
,m and his heart almost leaped into |
'se throat at the thought Of again beholdi
,e- his charming Lucy. They, you m!
I'm know, had been separated some weel
his and if 1t is true, as ayerred, that d
in is an age to lovers SO suited, Joe a
at Lucy must almost have grown gr
ra- since their last meeting.
ne Seated at the table, it was 10
ve-1 good fortune to be placed almost Cpl
AN site his devoted Lucy; and she, bel
utterly ignorant other lovers presen
MS was at a loss to account for the 81
md dry sly winks cast at her by her ia
len er's new journeyman especially
ow she observed that they were Civ
- whenever the old mans head was tu
un- ed in another direction; and when ]