The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-11-18

not The staid young woman, who did
plain sewing, and made herself generally
useful in Mr.. Smiths family, was quite a
different person fre.l the light hearted
Lizzie Lake whom he had known. Nor
did I wish to be recognized. Fate had
Egiyen me a full measure of harsh expert.
ence. No sparing hand meted to me my
portion of the worlds rough usage In
childhood parental love planted roses in
my path, but they wilhered long ago.
Not d fresh leaf or blossom remained
-thorns only for my bleeding feet; but
did not faint by the way-side. Resolute.
| ly | went on my allotted pilgrimage, look.
ing neither to the right hand nor the left
Yet if Glanced to encounter those whom
had known ia more hopeful times, in.
stinctisely covered my face, saying, 1--WE
go on life's journey by diverse ways there
fore / know you not" Thus it was
that l wished for no recognition on the
part of my old play-fellow. To see him,
to know that he vas prosperous, happy
and distinguished, would give me pleasure
but l wished not to be known in return.
One morning, some three days after
Mr. Graham came, 1 was engaged in
clear-starching Miss Lizzie's muslins.
when Mrs. Smith camc to the door.
Betsy, you will have to leave those
things she said, and carry Mr.. Graham's
valise down to the crossroads. He is
going to the north village, and left word
to have Tom take his valise across the
meadow in season to meet tho morning
COACH
why does not Tom go, as drected?'
He il away somewhere with Mr.. Smith
and Mr.. Graham has gone round by the
post. Office, expecting to find his luggage
at the crossroads when the stage comes
along @
Can't Jane go?' a2 g 3s}a
No. She says she hurt her ankle yes
.erday, and it pains her this morning.
There is nobody 70 send but you Bet
sy. 49, 81
Very well, l viii co. 3
Is a few minutes / was son nv way
across the field. i rather liked the nov
city Of the expedition, which would afford
a chance of seeing Mr.. Graham. As
yet had not spoken with him, nor hard
" seen him., SO constantly was / enga-
ged in sharing the housemaid's labors.
On reaching the cross-road. sat down
on arock by the roadside, placing the
'valise before me on the grass. In short
time ! heard the coach coming, but no
Mr.. Graham was in sight 1t, the coach
soon came up. The driver called to me.
'Geing in the stage, ma'am?' shook
my head, and the numbering vehicle sped
on its way, leaving me half smothered in.
a cloud of dust
So Mr. Graham had missed the coach.
And what was 1 to do with the yalise?
Return withit? Not j, indeed 1t was
uInch pleasanter idling away the forenoon
in. the fresh air than working with Jane,
in hot, dingy kitchen. l raised the
the valise, and retreated with il to the
shade Of friendly birch There was a
roll of half-fnished embroidery, and a
copy of the Lady Of the Lake. and q
much.worE drawing pencil in the pocket
of my dress
Having made this inventory of my pres
eat available property. 1 selected the pen
| ell, and amused myself in sketching the
passers-by on the smooth, white bark OF
the birch. The body of the tree was
quite covered with oddly contrasted, fig
ures when put mp the pencil and turned
to look across the meadow Mr.. Gra-
ham stood near, regarding my rough
Idraughts with an amused look.
Pardon me if l have disturbed you'll!
he said ~ 81
Having worked up my materials. can
afford to be disturbed. You are an hour
too late for the coach, aIr, Graham
Yes. l was misinformed as to the
time of its arrival. l see my valise is
here, but not the person who brought
| it,,
| I brought it over before the stage came
talong. and have been keeping faithful
watch and ward over it since.'
You brought it over! extremely re-
gret it-nor can | understand, why the
task was imposed upon you! | left direc-
tions for Mr.. Smiths man, Tom, to come
on with my valise,
iMr. Smiths man. Tom, was otherwise
engaged. Therefore it deyolved on Mrs.
Smiths woman Betsy; TO ful6ll your CON,
! mission 49,. "a
That a-young lady should have done
lme: . menials service s4fy
Need occasion no nneasiness, Mr.
!; l;Graham.i belong, literally, to that
E.class ofindividuals who are shewers Of
wood and drawers of yater' : We're L to
sketch myself it ,woald'h 'he asbprden OH, nv
lsheulders, ,cumbersoms as that which Chris
Itianl bore, in the illustrations that grace
the ancient editions Of his pilgrimage.
But if JON please I would like my shii-
ling, my porter'sehife, Sirs
I Thank you for reminding me, he said. Il !.
laughing, rs he4held forth 1 bright gold
ieagie.s as ~ q Eiea
Keep your gold, Mfr. Graham. + shall
take not penny more tfIaf, I have earn.