Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-01-15
miscellaneous.
Isbel Lucas--A Heroine of Humble
Lie.

About fifteen years ago, a woman of the name
of Isbel Lucas kept small lodging house in
the southern suburbs OF Edinburgh She was
the daughter of respectable teacher in the city
who, at his death had bequeathed to her, as his
sole surviving relation, about three hundred
pounds, toge her with the furniture of house.
The latter part of the Legacy suggested to her
the PToprlety OF endeavoring TO supper, herself
by keeping lodgings, while the part which con-
sisted in money promised to stand efftctuay
between her and all the mischances that could
be expected to beiall her in such walk Of life.
She accordingly, for several years, let one or two
rooms to students and other persons, and thus
contrived 70 live very decently without trench
ing upon her little capital, till at length, she
had attained the discreet age of two and forty
years.
Isbel had at no period of life been beauty.
She had an iron gray complexion, and cast of
features bespeaking rather strength Of character
than feminine grace She was now less a beau
ty than ever, and for years had tactly acknowl-
|
edged her sense Of the fact, by abandoning all
those modes and materials of dress which women
wear so long as they have any thoughts of mat
rlmony. Where, however, is the woman at that,
or any more juvenile period Of life, in whose
bosom the spark of love lies dead beyond recall?
If any such there he, Isbel was not of the num-
Der.
Among her dodgers was an individual of the
name of Fordyne, who kept a grocer's shop Of
an inferior order in the neighborhood. This
person gave himself out for q native of the Isle
of Man, and stated that he had made little
money as mess-man to a militia regiment, by
which he had been enabled to set up in bust
ness. lie was a large, dark, coarse man, oI
about five and thirty, with somewhat unprom
lsing cast Of face, and a slight twist IN his lef
eye. Fordyne seemed to be man of great in
dustry and application, and used to speak of his
circumstances as agreeable in every respect, ex
cept that he wanted wife. This, he sad wa!
u great want. There were many things abou
Ills blOlI hIllIH llO DuI u lCululC IOulu pIOp
ery attend to. Without such helpmate thing
were continually going wrong; but with her,al
would 90 right. One point, however, he mus
be clear about: she who should be his wifi
would require TO bring something with her, Il
add to his stock, and buy the necessary house
furniture. He cared little about good looks,
there was good sense and, indeed, woman Q
some experience in the world would answer hi
purpose best.
Honest Tsbel began in little while to turn a
these things in her mind. She one day took
steady look at Fordyne, and discovered that h
had good upright carriage of body, and thai
though his mouth was Of the largest, yet hi
, teeth were among the best she had ever seen.-
4 Next time she visited his shop,she took glaBc
j at the room behind, and found that il had mic
outlook upon Salisbury Crags, Fordyne, obse1
wing that she glanced into his back shopinvlte
). her to come in and see what fine house he ha
--~or such in reality it was, though unfurnishe
lsbe very quickly saw that there was one cap
tai bed room, parlor, a kitchen, and a vast Va
rety OF closets, where things could be put q
rs ono'a hand" One press, Mr.. Fordyne showed
$ was already furnished being tenanted by hug
al dram bottle, and server full of short breo,
ny winch he said, had been lately required to ire
'r MS customers, on account of the new year. {
e' this he made lsbe portaker, drinking in h
'k- turn to her good health, and good man to h
before the next recurrence of the season. III
nd exchange of compliments did not take MIA
ity without some effect Isbel ascended the sta
to in kind of reyere, and found herself enteri
to the next door above, instead of her own, beft
she was aware. In month thereafter the t
- were married.