Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-12-23
d Story Of thseanic Times.
Written for the syit of the Age.
KITCHEN ANDSKINEM
THE PINCHPENNY lOKERs.
BY WILL: WILL0NLL.
TooNTrNUED FROM LAST WI.
cRoCUs vIsITETH RHoDA.


A few evenings after what has jtbeen the
recorded, Crocus felt constrained ,isit int
Rhoda up at Kctchem's mansion, fche day
purpose of speaking to her upon a subt is |
that had lono weighed heavily upon ! Gus
mind. Now, it had better be told that tive
same Croeus had courted Rhoda for som 7es
months, | believe c0urted Is the word, al s
least il is some such, the which my falr
readers will understand. IA
Crocus was admitted by Eaton on his
arrival. and he went to the kitchen. Rho
da was not there just then, she beng en-
gagged in some household duties, but Eaton
left him with an assurance that khoda
would soon be with him. Rhoda did not
come so soon though, and Crocus sat by
the kitchen fire and gave way to his refec-
tions -
"Weu! this beats all! 1t makes me
feel like speaking. Two hundred dollars
out Of a lame duck Who would have
tbouoht that Crocus would ever have any
thinG 70 do with a lame duck! hate
ducks. And then this new clerk; can't
understand him he is a riddle-a menag-
arie-a microcosm. He seems to have all
the business in his own hands. lie makes
money where there is no money. lie winds
my.two masters around his thumb at will
Ha! ha ha! do believe am turnina 9
fool-Crocus are you a cracked croaker
Hal ha! haw
Rhoda glides into the kitchen up behinC
her lover.
"Why, Misther Crocus, an shure it can
be you-you laugh, misther Crocus."
"Did laugh, Rhoda" said Crocus sol
emnly. 81 didn't laugh, did | Rhoda p
Don't say laughed; for if l laughed, cry
ing comes next"
"An faith now ye did laugh, Mr.. Crocus
an so that is flat"
"Wel if | did laugh | am flat, that's
fact, Rhoda But Rhoda2
"Mr. Crocus, my darlint"
"Rhoda, have yoH noticed anythin,
strange about Mr.. Ketchem lately ?"
"Shure an would ye be afther thinking
was bliudw
"No."
"Or dafe y
"No, Rhoda'
"Well, have an wondered, the blesse
mother defend me, | could ma help tn
like o it."
"And what did you think"
"Think, is it, Mr.. Crocusl" Faith an
never thinks; always acts"
"Oh you act how do you act abor
that, ell ",zGr
"Acts stiistcned at the kcy-hole b
times, my darlint.'
"And you hear"
"Faith, yer honor, Mr.. Crocus, | hea
such strange sights as would make old Fl
toms or any other naiger's hair stick Il
straight as the staple on ST. Pathrick
howly church, an that, Mr. Crocus, m
darlint, would be fe-nom--nun, shure."
"Well But since Mr. Colbert has bee
here as clerk, havn'tyou seen some change
"Divil the BIZ. nivcr sees any chang
bat what goes out o mornin's to the mil
man and for brick-dust to clane the brass
"You don't understand me, Rhoda; /;
mean Mr.. Ketchem's manner-his ways
his conduct
"Och plain as the blink o day, an
iabers, knows the reason"
"Speak, Rhoda."
"Wel let me sit closer, Mr. Crocus N
darlint; I'd be afther whisperin that
yeSe year l4lSItl, my pHuie-Ills Sdl
Colbert is q woman" ="
"a what y
'Hush-be aisy--a woman
a woman Jesu but she must be
riantess. What do you mean, Rhoda Z
why a woman Shure | hearn throu
the key-hole Mr.. Ketchem say someth
about marryin' the craythur, and oc
hone, at the money
"A woman! Pshaw nonsense! A
vet the change-the face feminine
alteration-thc cautiousspeech--by the L.
Harry, who knows
Il do, Mr.. Crocus, shure he is a wom
Did YOU niver read of such things 7
well, you ought to know, Rhoda.
never mind. RhodaP
Dear Crocus'
That little affair Of ours, eh ?
och Mr.. Crocus, you bees so funn
Funny! There is no fun in me-
Ia! Mr.. Crocus, there bees nothin !
tween rs that | knows on
.Your nose on : The good Lord fol
there should be anybody between us W
out a nose Twas alluding Rhoda, to