The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-29
From Dickens Short Stories.
" Births. Mrs. Meek of a Son."

ped the paper. had put it in, myself, and
paid for it, but it looked SO noble that it
overpowered me.
As soon as / could compose my feelings, /
took the paper up to Mrs. Meeks bedside
"Maria Jane" said l, q allude to Mrs. Meek,
you are now a public character" We read
the review of our child, several times, with
feelings of the strongest emotion; and ] sent
the boy who cleans the boots and shoes, to
the Office for fifteen copies. No reduction
was made on taking that quantity.
1t is scarcely necessary for me TO say that
our child had been expected. In fact, it had
been expected, with comparative confidence,
for some months. Mrs. Meeks mother, who
resided with us-of the name of Bigbee-
had made every preparation for its admission
TO our circle.
hope and believe ] am quiet man. /
will 90 farther. ! knov l am quiet man.
My constitution is tremulous, my voice was
never loud, and, in point Of statue, l have
been from infancy, small. have the great
est respect for Maria James Mamma She is
most remarkable woman. honor Maria
James Mamma; In my opinion she could storm
a town, single-handed, with hearth-broom,
and carry it. / have never known her to
yield any point whatever to mortal man.
She is calculated TO terrify the stOutcst heart.
Still-but will not anticipate.
The first intimation ! had, of any prepare
tons being in progress, on the part of Maria
James Mmsma was one afternoon, several
months sgo. came home earlier than usu-
al from the Office, and, proceeded into the
diuingroom found an obstruction behind the
door, which prevented it from opening free
". 1t was an obstruction Of soft nature
On looking in, found it TO be female.
The female in question, stood in the cor
ner behind the door, consuming Sherry Wine.
From the nutty smell of that beverage per-
vading the apartment, have no doubt she
was consuming the second glassful. She
wore black bonnet of large dimensions, and
was copious in figure. The expression of
her countenance was severe and discomfort
cd. The words TO which she gave uttersnce
on seeing me, were these, "0h git along with
you, Sir, if you please; me and Mrs. Bgby
don't want any male parties"
The female WAS Mrs. Prodgit.
] Immediately withdrew, of course. Twas
rather hurt, but made no remark. Wheth-
er it was that ! showed lowness of spirit
after dinner, in consequence Of feeling that /
seemed TO intrude, ] cannot say. But, Ma
ria James Mamma said to Inc on her retiring
for the night: in low distinct voice, and
with look of reproach that completely sub
dued me: George Meek, Mrs. Prodgit is
your wife's nursew
bear no ill-will towards Mrs. Prodgit.-
Is it likely that /, writing this with tears in
my eyes, should be capable of deliberate an
imosity towards female, so essential to the
welfare of Maria Jane am willing to admit
that Fate may have been to blame, and not
Mrs. Prodgit; but, it is undenisbly true, that
the latter female brought desolation and de-
vastation into my lowly dwelling.
We we're happy after her first appearance;
we were sometimes exceedingly so. But,
whenever the parlor door was opened, and
"Mrs. ProdgitT announced (and she was
very often announced, } misery ensucd. could
not bear Mrs. Prodgit's look. ] felt that |
was far from wanted, and had no business to
exist in Mrs. Prodgt's presence. Between
Maria James Mamma, and Mrs. Prodgit, there
was dreadful, secret, ,understanding-ad dark
mystery and conspiracy, pointing me out as
a being to be Stunned. appeared to have
done something that was evil. Whenever
Mrs. Prodgit called, after dinner, / retired to
my dressing-room-where the temperature is
very low, indeed, in the wintry time of the
year-and sat looking at my frosty breath as
il rose before me, and at my rack of boots /:
a servicable article of furniture, but never, in
my opinion, an exhilerating object The
length of the councils that were held with |
Mrs. Prodgit, under these circumstances /
will not attempt to describe. will merely |
remark, that Mrs. Prodgit always consumed
Sherry Wine while the deliberations were in |
progress; that they always ended in Maria
James being in wretched spirits on the sofa {;
and that Maria James Mamma always received |
me when was recalled, with look Of desc
late triumph that too plainly said, Non,
George Meek! You see my child, Maria Jane,
a ruin, and hope you are satisfied y
pass, generally, over the period that in
between the day when Mrs. Prodgit .
entered her protest against male parties, and
the ever memorable midnight when brought
her to my .obtrusive home in a cab, with an
large box on the roof, and bundle,
a bandbox and Lasket, between the drivers
legs. have no objection to Mrs. Prodgit |
(aided and abetted by Mrs. Bigby, who | can
never forget is the parent Of Maria Jane) Ia
king entire possession Of my unassuming es-
In the recess Ofmy own breast,
the thought NAV linper that a man in pos