The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-05-23

her old friend approved OF her following the
course to which inclination led her.
Catherine Smith was indeed well entitled
to pay respect to the counsels Of Hannah
The latter had never married, and had spent
the greater part Of her life in the service oil
wealthy family at Morpeth. When she
was there, the widowed mother of Catherine
had died at Newcastle and on learning oil
the circumstance, Hannah, though friend
merely, and no relation, had sent for the or
phan girl, then about ten years OF age, ana
had taken care of her till she grew tit to
maintain herself by service. On finding
herself unable to continue working LIE
longer, Hannah had retired to Newcastle,
her native place, where she lived in hum
BILE comfort on the earnings Of her long ca.
rccr of servitude. Catherine came back
with her to Newcastle, and immediatel! en-
tered into service there. Hannah and Cath
crime had been two years in these respective
situations, when the dialogue which has
been recorded took place.
On the day succeeding the expiration Other
term Of service, Catherine was married to
the young man whose name has been stated rs
being William Hutton. He wasa joiner by
trade, and bore as Hannah had said, an ex-
celleut character. The first visit paid by
the new married pair was to the cottage OF
the old woman, who gazed on them with a
truly maternal pride, thinking she had nev-
er seen so handsome couple. The few
years spent by Hutton in the army had Civ
en- to his naturally good figure an erect man
illness, which looked as well in one Of his
sex, as the light, graceful figure, and fair,
ingenious countenance Of Catherine, was cal
culated to adorn one ofwoman kind. Some
hing of thiskind, at least, was in the tho'ts
of Hannah, when Catherine and her hus-
band visited the danes dwelling.
Many future visit was paid by the same
parties to Hannah, and on each successive
occasion the old woman looked narrowly,
though as unobtrusively as possible into the
state Of the wife's feelings with motherly
anxiety to know if she was happy. For,
though Hannah, seeing GATHERINGS affec-
tions deeply engaged, had made light of her
own early remarks upon the strange and
most unpleasing gloom occasionally, if not
frequently observable in the look and man
ner Of William Hutton, the old woman was
never able to rid her own mind altogether Of
missivings upon the subject. For many
months after GATHERINGS marriage, however,
Hannah could discover nothing but open,
unalloyed happiness in the air and conver-
sation of the youthful wife. But at length
Hannah's anxious eye did perceive change.
Catherine seemed sometimes to fall, when
visiting the cottage, into fits of abstraction
not unlike those which had been observed in
her husband. The aged dame felt greatly
distressed at the thought Of her dear Cath
crimes being unhappy, but for long time
held her place upon the subject, trusting
that the cloud might be temporary one,
and would disappear.
II was not so, unfortunately. Though
in their manner to each other when togeth-
cr, nothing but the most cordial affection
was observable, Catherine, when she came
alone to see Hannah, always seemed prey
to some uneasiness, which all her efforts
could not conceal from'her old friend. Even
when she became for the first time mother,
and with all the beautiful pride of q young
mothers love, presented her babe to Han
nah, the latter could see signs of secret
grief imprinted on GATHERINGS brow. Hop
ing by her counsels to bring relief, Hannah
at last took an opportunity to tell the young
wife what she had observed, and besought
her confidence. ...-.ss....
At first, Catherine stammered forth n
hurried assurance that she was perfectly
happy, and in few seconds, belied her
word by bursting into tears, and owning
that she was very unhappy. "But / can
not Hannah" she exclaimed, 4" cannot tell
the cause-not even to you ~
"Don't say so, my poor Catherine" ro-
piled Hannah it is not curiosity that
bids me to Interfere
"Oh, no, Hannah" replied the young
wife: al know you speak from love to
me-"
"Well, then," continued the dame,
open your heart to me. Age is good
adviser" Catherine was silent. SIS your
husband harsh?" asked Hannah.
"No, no." cried the wife; "man could
not be kinder to woman than he is to
me-"
"Perhaps he indulges in drink, in pri-
mte-"
Hannah, you mistake altogether" was
GATHERINGS reply; "my husband is as free
from all such faults as ever man was"
My dear child" said the old woman,
almost smiling as the idea entered her head
"you are not suspicious-not jealous
- have never had q moments cause,
Hannah" answered Catherine. No, my
gries are not Of that nature. lie is one Of
the best and dearest Of husbands"
Old Hannah was puzzled at these replies,
as much Us she was distressed by the open
avowal Of GATHERINGS having somc cause Of
sorrow; but seeing that her young friend
could not make up her mind to disclosure
at the time, the aged dame gave up her in
quiries. and told Catherine to think serious
ly Of the propriety of confding all to her.
Hannah conceived that on mature consid-
eation, Catherine would come to the reso-
luton Of seeking counsel at the cottage.-
1 II Il. a. "a .--o,- l.. caxv doyp