Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-11-15
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, WEDNESDAY,

that relative. and was now at home, upon
visit. An ordinary child would have hurried
away from circumstances 50 unpleasant
But Cecilia prolonged her sisis that she
might do good.
Pettifogg hoped that 80 Sheriff's visit
would terrify Martin Meeker into propositions
for an adjustment; but as, hanks to Cecilia's
encouragement, no such proposition came,
the uneasy rogue wrote very smooth con-
ciIiatorv note expressive oi bis unwilhngness
to proceed to extremities, and all the rest
of it Martin offered ths document to bis
wife and eldest daughter feis.leir counsel.
o. said his wite, go difecfiY 10 him and
give him all /! Don't let l'A be near 10 in
terrupt your business agas But he can't
get my THIRD of The realealI Z, without my
consent. 51Th:ss S my coftica;Sl. :
"A Sheriff's title does not need the wife's
signature, said Martin. stung to bitterness.
And that's your comfort, said Mrs.
Meeker, rising and fiouncing away. Ydn'll
beggar US all if you can, 1 have no doubt
Martin mechanically walked to the side
board. He had forgotten that few days
before he had consented that Cecilia should
take the seal off the bottle imp, and let him
escape wnere he could do no mischief
Nevertheless and trembling, he turned to
take up his hat. Cecilia placed her hand
upon his arm. Ride over to my aunt, ia
ther, and consult her before you make any
reply to this man.
Martin hesitated-but though his pride
revolted, he saw his daughters advice was
good and followed it. The result was very
spirited correspondence between Pettigrew
Pettifogg, Esq, and an honest lawyer to
, whom Martin was recommended. Our
, friend P. P, who was disposed at first to
ride a very high horse came down to his feet,
and at last to his knees, under an awkward
intimation Of proceedings against him for
barratry. Pettgrew denounced his brother
lawyers proceedings as entirely unfraternal
and unprofessional. He made a written
] appeal to Martin to resume his own business
with an old friend to which Martin Of course
made no reply, while his attorney pressed
the subject earnestly upon Petigrew's atten-
i tion The term of court at which certain
; awkward revelations might transpire was
: close at hand. Pettifogg made wisdom of
! necessity and the end of the vexatious af-
fair was, that Tumble Down Farm was cleared
: from the clutches of Pettigrew Pettifogg,
$ Esq, Counsellor and Attorney at law
q Some idea of that worthy gentlemau's hon.
g esty may be gathered from the fact that a
! sum amounting to only one half his demand,
g redeemed the estate, and paid all expenses
!. This sum was advanced by Martins sister.
r. Tumble Down Farm looked up again
% The terrible If took to itself wings. The
re whole place IN It's Ornamental and its practi
N cal features resumed its original beauty
,s Cecilia was frequent visitor, and alway.
- brought sunshine with her. More than that
~ she won the family over to better fashions
: The pew in the old church in which Mar
at tin father sat before him, is now never un
T. filed; and Martin Meeker, as bis father wa
l. One or two incidents must be related
os and then our sketch is finished It came t.
no pass a few months after the settlement ofth
bo difficulties as above narrated, that Cecil
.s was at home on visit of some weeks durs
ho ton. And during that same visit the wo
~ thy young gentleman who had successful
- conducted Martin Meeker's business, mad
~ the family call, and was not unwilling
= have his horse taken out and put in the st;
- BILE. Mrs Meeker kept vigilant eyes upo
nd him, but as she saw no papers producet
mt she had no opportunity to repeat the gre
,P ,po event of her life-to wit, scattering LAY
o~ yer with his own treacherous tools. Poop
~ ~ seldom do have an opportunity to be gre
~ twice in the same line. To do Mrs. Nee
T. er justice, she did on that occasion rend
bo her husband great service, but we agr
with him in the opinion that she did not j
d, crease the obligation by harping upon it
ok, AK long as she lived The young man was
seu seu pleased with Martins hospitality, that
'"n came again-after what seemed to Nj
up Meeker an unreasonable short interval, al
,.u ~" to Mr.. Meeker as indicating rather wal
''o' friendship. At this second call the myst
o'e - ry was unravelled. fOho! Miss Prudenc
! az he said to Cecilia after private consul
oe ton with his guest, had at the request oft
" latter Il understand now how you becal
ara learned in law?' There was neither cat
n, nor inclination to interrupt any oejectic
"0 Even Mrs. Meeker could find none past
present-so with proper forecast Of trc
a BILE she looked into the future Be su
luo' Martin Meeker. you don't let Cecilia's b
pos. band make your will. The rest of us W.
0"' some chance for fair play
We must not forget to say that in {
r,o time Pettigrew Petfifogg, Esq, called t
ne' The interview was rather constrained
ula- Pettifogg hoped little dispute was not
are break an old friendship. He was ready
~ forgive, though he had been distrusted :
i,S'l i wronged. Martin told him that each wo,
la'- of course have his own opinion in refere
me, - ;,;rr;oe o,,d eoror;,,oro9a n
nSP' sire to reopen the past. Pettigrew said
would be obliged for glass of water,
and when it appeared, intimated gently
'olce there had been time when Martin offe
es 1t him something better.
to all Mr. Pettifogg,' said Martin, the
glass of spirits ever drank was with yo
celia your expense, when I was an orphan
ased with an estate under guardianship
said last ever drank was with you, or thro
n SO your visit, at my own expense, in this :
Her room. said just now that have no
leth- sire to open the past, and the love of lio
Tarm. is one of the things | have forgotten.
phere you were poor and hungry, would ask
Ieek- to wait till dinner; as you are neither
illness shall not spoil your family repast, or put
eges to that Inconvenience
f the The hostler at the next public house
pres ted it as remarkable event that for
$ sad first time since his residence there, So
1 Dzkks L.