Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-01-05

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you not like to sit at my table and eat good
things, such as you have never set eyes on
Ila what do you say to being my little
daughter ~
In answer to all this, little Mary only
eyed her suspiciously, hung down her head
and moved off towards the door, 1t was
very evident the little girl had no mind to
accept the fine lady's offer.
"Upon my word, Little Mink" exclaimed
Mrs Woodbyman, "ind so you scorn my
offer p surprise and indignation flashing
from her eyes. "Begone, them" said the
offended lady emphaticaliy-"ard never
dare enter this door again"
Nancy hastily put the shilling due for
work into little Mary's hand, while her
mistress uttered those Yords, and the child
hastened out Of the door without looking
behind her.
"Your acquaintance is impertinent, Nam
cy" said her mistress. "She does not
seem to know in whose presence she stands"
''lt is not impertinence, ma'am," Nancy
replied, "but only shame-facedness. Mrs.
Wrightway is her Sunday school tracher,
and she is as mannerly lady as lives. A
nice lady is Mrs. Wrightway."
30. yes, nice enough" )" replied Mrs.
Woodbyman, "but rather of the canting
school. | know somewhat of her; she is
weak woman. Lacks character-enter-
prise. VIII never tthe river on fire."
La i! no, ma'am," said Nancy in con-
sternation, "she would never do such
wicked thing"
Mrs. Woodbyman laughed out right.
"You need not laugh, ma'am," said Nan
cy offended, "for Mrs. Wrightway is really
one Of the most pious, innocent mind-her-
business ladies you ever see in your life.-
I've often wondered, ma'am, she never
comes to see you"
Again Mrs. Woodbyman laughed.
"Ha! ha! ha Nancy, you are a real
innocent, yourself. Do you think l would
condescend to associate with a woman of
that caste? A poor, tame-spirited creature,
who refuses to support the dignity Of her
sex; and publicly acknowledges inferiority
to man. Out upon such creatures She
has forfeited her right to the name of wo-
man,"
"She does mighty heap Of good, for
all that" replied Nancy in a quiet but firm
tone of voice
'.Yos, suoh good as she is capable. of.
with her limited knowledge. A knowledge
impaired 10y pulling priests, who have bin
ded mankind for their own selfish ends"
replied her mistress.
'Don't they get their knowledge from
the good Book, the Bible!" asked Nancy.
"Yes, surely" said her mistress, g and that
is the very reason our sex is not more
advanced in the scale of being. Woman
is there made to believe herself the cause
of her present degradation. 1t was an
old doting man who wrote that book, and
the fall Of man through the instrumentality
of woman. Had woman written the book,
it would have been widely different. We
philosophers put no faith in that account,
at all. We take philosophy, nature, and
our own reason for our guides; and scorn
superstition"
Then, Madam" retorted Nancy, II sup
pose Won think if woman had written the
Bible, she would have been right to make
it all ont in her own favor, whether true
or false"
Then her mistress bridled up and said
"You must not be impertinent, Nancy, be.
cause have condescended to instruct yol
in tie truths of our exalted philosophy"
Il did not mean to be impertinent
ma'am," replied the maid, 81 asked for in
formation. And if you will not be often
ded, | should like to ask another ques
ton"
"WelI," said her mistress, "and what il
that p
"Where did You philosophers get you
knowledge from, since you think it high
cr authority than the Word of God!"
at is not possible" replied Mrs. Wood
byman, "to explain this to amind as uncul
Q tivated as yours, Nancy, in one or tw
conversations, but If yeu really desir
y knowledge, and will attend our lectures, i
. time your mind may expand sufficiently t
take in our sublime truths"
: Nancy paused as in deep thought for
moment, and then said-"Thank yol
i ma'am, but should be afraid to attend
. meeting in which Gods word is levileC
# and its truths denied have not yet mad
w.. up my mind to sell my soul to the dew
~ | am besides obliged to believe religion
d which makes people do as much good, an
teaches them to live such useful lives,
n the ladies of the sunday school,
of There, you see, Nancy5is your love
n sclf-and for the pleasure of self. Becau
- this Mrs. Wrightway provides food al
le clothing for the perishing body, you exa
nt her above that benefactress of her kin
- who would strive to elevate you to Il
a ranks of intellectual excellence, placing W
at side by side with the proud lords of ere
rd ton, as they call themselves. But truI
it. Nancyyyour ignorance is pitiable. c
tx not waste words with you now /; but atte,
our lectures if you are wise. Now tell II
PC do You think little Mary is really wortl
ne of my favor!"
n "Indeed, ma'am, do y said Nancy.
70 ''She was only abashed, as | said, ma'a
900 at being spoken to by sofne lady. S
N is good child, and clever one"
,y "Wel," returned Mrs. Woodbyman,
cn -! do not think, after all, shall meet w
is one to suit my purpose better, and so
var shall take her, Notwithstanding her Ii
impertinencc for her independence"
trs CHAPTER II.
ext Mrs. Woodbyman was a tall, rat
al l., -,