The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-11-03

my conduct must appear inexplicable.
Will you be kind enough TO ring the bell,
and my servant shall see you down stairs.
| am unfit for company; but do not be Of
fended. 1t is enough to drive me mad to
hear the bliss that might be mine, but one
dreadful affliction, brought on by com.
bination OF diseases arising from the very
cause, which now removed, invites me to
happiness" .,,@
Mr.. Hippslsy strobe across the room,
his eyes raised to the ceiling, and arms
extended; till the palms Of his hands. com.
ing in contact with the door Of his bed.
room, it opened at the rude assault, and
he disappeared from The sight Of the alarm.
ed Mrs. Martha Meddler. Ringing the
bell, under the comfortable impression that
her cousin was lunaiic, and wanted a
servants care more than she required
Patrick's attendance to the hall, the good
lady made tho best Of her way out Of the
house. Reconstructing shattered reso.
luton, which had often been made on the
failure Of her kind endeavors in behalf Of
others, never to interfere in matters that
did not Immediately concern her; Mrs.
Martha, in the first integrity Of her resolve,
had very nearly got to her own house,
when an omnibus obstructed her in effect.
ing a crossing which would have taken her
directly TO the street where she resided.
Alas, for the mutability Of human designs!
the omnibus was marked Knightsbridge.
i If Mrs. Meddler had a weakness it was
an inordinate desire to be Of service to
| her friends. In a moment the kind heart.
ed lady made fourteenth passenger in the
"Accommod dation," vehicle proceeding
at tho rate of four miles an hour. includ.
ing fifty stoppages, from the Bank to Chel.
sea. When our traveller reached Miss
Thornton's habitation, she had como TO
the determination Of making report Of
her visit to Mr.. Hippsley; and in justice to
her young friend, assure her Of his in.
sanity.
The worthy maiden lady had penetrated
the secret OF the fair GATHERINGS attach
ment to her whimsical lover, and had in
consequence lost no time in "bringing
| matters to bear"-her favorite phrase in
such little arrangement-but as she had
acted completely without authority. she
found it difficult to explain the part she
had gratuitously performed.
"My dear Miss Thornton, how happy
am to see you looking SO well, exclaimed
Mrs. Martha, seizing the hand other young
friend with affectionate earnestness; 81
have great trial for you; and am glad
to perceive you will have strength to bear
! it; poor Mr.. Hippsley!"
"Mr. Hippsley, ma'am; let me beg you
10 tell mo what has happened to him''
said the agitated girl, losing in moment
that hue of health, the appearance Of which
had been so satisfactory to her visitor.
"There! | knew it! ! told him so?
told him that | was certain you loved
him!' continued the busy-body, so de.
lighted at the confirmation Of her suspi
cions as to be hardly conscious Of the dis.
tress she was ocoasoning the object o.
them.
"You told Mr.. Hippsley that ! loved
him, and by what authority ma'am!" de.
manded the indignan Catherine, the blood
returning to her cheeks. "And what righ
have you to suppose this?-or have you
wan,only induced me to believe that harm
has come to an old and esteemed friend
on purpose to draw ungenerous conclu'
sions from my agitation?"
Miss Thornton wept. and her tormenter
who was really kind.hearted creature
ielt proportionately distressed
"My dear young lady forgive me.
did i, for the best, and really believe the
poor gsntleman's fightiness is all occa'
stoned by his attachment to you; only
hope he is not actually deranged; and ther
| if you are favorable to his suit. all will b
WE'LL" Here Mrs. Martha busted hersel
in soothing her friend, who, having fount
relief in tears, was easily persuaded tina
however much mischief might have beer
don 4. Il was ssall with the best intsntlon II
aMiss Thornton's guardian, with whom
she resided, was Mr.. Hippsley's physician
so her lovers peculiar temperament wa
not know wn to her; nor was Martha's pow
/ er in coloring facts, talent Of which he
acquaintancss were ignorant; thus wher
this invaluable friend was hastened in he
departure by the announcement Of Mr.
IIippsley, Catharine was prepared to re
ceive an eccentric, but not alarmed at th'
probability Of encountering q maniac.
| "Dont let him como up till 90 into
another room,l beg. ] can get from ther'
i - H. ets;rcascl can't Il nv daar1v aai(