Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1857-06-26
NJ | 5 G. T. LII A n Y .
THE BROKEN SHILLING.

back parlor.
Mr.. smith was reading package Of let
tcrs. Mrs Smith dozed in corner Of the
soIa, lullcd to rest, | suppose, by the cease
less drumming Of Miss Lizzie on the piano
In corncr by herself, with single lamp
beside her, Betsy Lake 81, sewing. Know
that answer TO the anti.cuphonious name
Of Betsy. was chris,ened Elizabeth, and
up to the time Of my coming to live with
the smiths | had been called Lizzie Lake.
Hut Mrs. Smith said it was inconyenient to
10 have two of the same name in the family,
and sho would have me called Bescy, or
" Batsy," to give her smooth drawing pro-
nuncation. | did not like tho change.
Tho namo seemed old-hshioncd, homcly,
and quite unsuiiol to my fourteen years.
However, custom had rendered the migrate
ful appcllation familiar, and now, after the
lapse oC six years, ! had almost ceased 10
remember aud regret the name given me at
my christening.
" Hero is limo from Graham, aid Mr.
Smith, stating that ho is coming TO N
on busincs, aud that he intends to stop a
few days with u.s."
This announcement caused a scna,ion in
our quie, family party. Mrs. Smith sud
denly at bolt upright, lookinewido awake.
Miss Lizzie lcf, the piano, and ran to look
over her fathers shoulder at the letter.
Even Bct~y Lake was guilty Of little
silly start Of surprise, whereby her needle
glanced from the cAmbric, and penetrated
,hc fore finger Of her LEFT hand
Fog three successive seasons. tho Smiths
had met with Weld Graham and hi, mother
at Saratoga. Tho acquaintance thus com.
mcncrd had riprncd into intimacy, and for
some months the two families had corrc..
poni,I.
IN animated discussion followed the
reading of the letter, the debated point bring
whether party should b, got up on Mr.
Graham. account. Orcour.e had neither
interest nor yoicc in the question. But |
had my own busy thoughts fJr company,
and they lei me tack 70 certain rcminisccn-
ccs, in my eleventh summer, when my dear
father had lcit mc a mothcrlcss child, in tho
charge Of friend, while he went South, in
the vain hope that change OF climate
would restore his falling health. Weld
Graham was then a lad OF sixteen, preparing
lur college, and bjhrlar in the family with
myself Every incident or that bright aud
brtsf summer was chrouiccd in my mcmory.
Our manifold quarrels and rccOncilh,ions ,
th, garden where We made some astonishing
experiment. m horticulture, the swing put
up Tor my especial pleasure AMI our cNcr-
els, IN drawing, in which | was tutor
Weld my pupil. hai a decided talent for
drawing. | .ay il with pride, because it
was my one, sole gift, When a child, |
delighted ia skctehins carica,urcs, and a,
the instisltion VI Weld Graham, | executed
numberlcss rough but graphic sketches OF
individuals whom we both knew, and who
possessed peculiarities ofphysiosnomy, upon
which my pencil could s,ilo and enlarge.
some Of ihcs, skcichc, had b'cn claimed by
Weld frr kccpakcs, and a few Of them |
still retained.
On the whole was glad Weld Graham
was coming. remembered him as a spir.
tied, active, and ambitious lad, aud lwi'hci
to know in what degree his manhood fulfilled
the promise Of his youth.
Would he recognize mo? thought not.
Tho s,aiI youus woman, who did plain
sowing and made herself generally useful in
Mr. Smiths family, was quite different
person from the lisht.hcartei Lizzie Lake
whom ho had known. Nor did wish to
be recognized. Fate had given mc full
measure VI harsh experience. No sparins
hand meted to me my portion Of the world $
rough usage. In childhood, parental love
planted roses in my path, but they withered
long ago. Not fresh leaf nor blossom re-
mained-thorns only Tor my bleeding feet
but did not faint by the waysiic. Reso'
lutaly went on my allotted pilgrimage,
looki-v neither to the right hand nor to the
lclt. Yet il chanccd to encounter those
whom | had known in more hopeful times,
| instinctiyyly covered my face. saying,
e" We 20 on lile's journey by diverse ways,
therefore know you not" Thus 1t wa'
that wished r,r no recognition on the part
Of my old playiellow. To see him, to know
tina, he was prosperous, happy and dI'tin'
guisheJ, would give me pleasure but
wished not to be known in return.
/ One morning, some three days after Mr.
Graham came, was engaged in clear
starching Miss Lillio's muslins, when Mrs
Smith came TO the door.
e" Betsey, you will have to leave thos'
things" she said, "and carry Mr.. Gra
hams valise down to the cross roads. II,
/ lie is going to the North village, and lcf
word 70 have Tom take his valse across III,
meadow in season to meet the morning
coach"
why does not Tom 60, as directed ?"
"lIc Is away some where with Mr.. Smith
and Mr.. Graham has gone round by th'
post Office, expecting to find his luggage at
the cross roads when the stage comes
along"
Can't Jane go ?"
"No. She saws she hurt her ankle yes