Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-12-25

But she. who had heard what passed. and who.
besides the relief of so suddenly considering her.
self safe. and at her journeys end, felt re-assur
ed beyond all measure by his lively Youthful face
and manner, ran eagerly up to him. leaving one
ofthc slipshod shoes upon the ground, and caught
his hand in both of hers.
q am 10 It. if You please = said Florence.
Lost! cried the boy.
'les. | was lost this morning. a long way from
hcre-and have had my clothes taken away.
since-and am not dressed in my own now
and my name is Florence Dombey. my little
brothers only sister-and, oh dear. dear. take
care ofme ifyou pleasc!' sobbed Florence, giv-
ing full vent to the childish feelings she had so
long suppressed, AMI bursting into tears. At the
same time her miserable bonnet falling of, her
hair came tumbling down about her face; NOV
ing to specchloss admiration and commiscration
young Walter. nephew of Solomon ellis, Ships
instrument maker in general.
Mr.. Clark stood ra Enhancement )b,ervirr
under his breath. Inever saw such start on has
wharf before. Walter picked up the shoe and
put it on the little foot as the Prince in the story
might have fitted Cinderclla's slipper on. He
hung the rabbit-skin over his left arm gave the
right to Florence; and felt, not to say like Rich
ard Wbittngton-that is tame comparison-but
like Saint George of England, with the dragon
lying dead before him.
'Dont't cry. Miss Dombcy.' said Walter. in a
transport of enthusiasm. 'What wonderful
thing for me that am here. You are AS safe
now as if You were guarded by whole boats
crew of picked men from man-ot-war. Oh don't
cry
4 won't cry any more said Florence. lam
only CRYING for 10y
Crying for JOY : thought Walter, 'and I'm
the cause of it. Come. along. Miss Dombev.--
There's the other shoe off now Take mine.
Mis- Dombey'
NO, no. no said Florence, checking him in
the act of impetuously pulling oil his own.
These do better. These do very WELL
why to be sure said Walter, glancing at
her loot, mine are mile too large. What am |
thinking about You never could walk in mine !,
Cone along, Miss Dombay. Let me see the
villain who will dare to modest you now
So Walter, looking immensely fierce, led off
Florence, looking very happy ;and they went
arm in arm along the streets, perfectly ndile-
rent to any establishment that their appearance
might or did excite by the way.
1t was growing dark and foggy. and begin
ming to rain too but they cared nothing for this
being both wholly absorbed in the late adven-
lures of Florence. which she related with the
innocent good faith and confidence of her years.
while Walter listened rs if. far from the mud
and grease of Thamcs-street, they were rambling
alone among the broad leaves and tall trees OF
some desert Island in the tropics-as he very
likely iancled, Tor the time, they were.
Have you tar to go !! asked Florence at last,
liitlng her eyes 10 her companion iacc.
All! By the by, said Walter, stopping 'lct
me see where are we IN ] know. But the
offices are shut up now, Miss Dombey. There
nobody there. Mr.. Dombey has gone home long
age suppose we must 90 nome o, or. stay.
Suppose ltake you to my uncle :, where
!, = coach to toll fhem Won are safe. and brine
ynu NIX some clothes. Won't that he hest y
.Ithink So answered Florence. Don't Won
What do Won tbinI; }?
A. they stood delibcratinr in the street. man
pls.ed Them. who Glanced quickly at Walter a,
he wen. nv. as if lie RECOGNIZED him; bat seem.
inpto correct that first impression. he passcd on
without stopnino.
.\Vbv I link it's Mr. Corkor' said W,lfer.-
! .Carkcr in orr House. Not Carker orr mana.
Ger. Miss Dombov-tho other Carkcr: the in
Soior-IJ,lloo Mr. c,rLor,,
i. that Walter Cav p said the other. stonpine
and returning. i couldn't believe it. with sucl
strange comnanion.'
As he stood near lamp, listening with sur.
prise to Walters hurried explanation, he pre-
fu figures arm-n-arm before him. lie was no
old. but his hair was white: his body was bent
or bowed n if by the weight of some great trou
bic and there were deep lines in his worn an
melancholy face. The fire of his eyes the cX
preston OF his features. the very voice in whicl
: he spoke. were all subiuai and quenched. as
tn, spirit within him lly in ashas.-IIe was res
pcc,ably. though very plainly dressed, in black
but his clothes. moulded to the general charactc
of his figure. seemed to shrink ana abasc them
selves upon him. and to Join in the sorrowiu 50
i, licitation which the whole man from head to foo
, expressed. to be left unnoticed and alone in hi
: humility.
, And yet his interest in youth and hopcinnes
was not eXingaishcd with the other embers c
his soul, for he watched the boys earnest conn
! tenance as he spoke with unusual sympathy
though with an inexp'icable show OF trouble an
compassion; which escaped in'o ms 'ooN'; n"N
D., ever hard he stroye to hold it rscner. =" he
Walter in conclusion, put to nm me qncsuo
he had put TO Florence, he still stood giAnclng
him with the same expression as II he read som
r fate upon his face, mourntuy at variance wit
G its present brightness
= What do Won advise, Mr. Carker ?? said Wa
V ter. smiling. 'You always give me good "a,
i vice. YOU know. when YOU do speak to IN
n That's not often. though
I'll i think YOUR own idea is the bost,' he AZ
n swered. looking from Florence to Waiter, an
d back again.
k MIR. Carker.' said Walter, frightening with
generous thought. come here's chance {,
. Won Go Won IN Mr. Dombey's and he the me