Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-09-26

gazed fondly upon Fannie as she passed, and
often the crimson tide of modesty flushed her
temples as she heard the low, heartfelt ejac-
ulation of "God bless herl' Miss Charity,
with sad and very woeful couptenance, trip
ped slowly along behind the fair Fannie,
while ever and anon, her hand within little
glove-for she did have small hand-would
clasp in desperation her little yelvet-colored
prayer-book, so as to cause the said prayer
book to be pressed too hard, thereby making
It matter of necessity that it should be clasp
ed in another manner. Miss Charity was
and there wasn't the least bit of a
doubt about it. Everybody, except Fannie
Blow, put it down that she was very ILL
Fannie guessed right, that she was deeply in
love. Arm in arm, with great dignity and
hizh.lsa-Ssa fosts- entered Messrs, Fitzpoo-
die and Fitzmoodle into the church. TneY
were strangers and for being so, paid the for
felt which every stranger must when he goes
into country church-being intently stared
at for at least half an hour, if not throughout
the whole service, until he becomes SO fid-
getty that he becomes irritated, crosses hislegs
every two minutes, puts the prayer-book on
this side and the Bible on that side of him,
then changes their places, puts his feet on
the pew stool and then on the floor, sits side
wise, frontwise and detected, looks at the
preacher, then at the roof, then at the floor,
and then at the little boy in front of him, and
then be compelled to "grin and bear it"
These gentlemen from London felt this.
There was little girl in a crimson pinafore,
with her yellow hair plated in two long pig
tails, hanging down her back, who sat in
front of them, but whose face was continually
in the place which Dame Nature and the car
penter assigned for her back; then there was
little boy in a scarlet jacket and brown
trousers, sitting next to the little girl with
the crimson pinafore and yellow pigtails, also
intently ogling the strangers then there
was an old lady, with brass plated spectacles,
in the same pew, looking sidewise at them
all the time, and little withered old gentle
man, who looked for all the world like Jew
| pawn-broker who sat in the pew behind,
lost all the sermon for his well meant trouble
| in endeavoring to read the names of the stran-
| gers on the back of their heads. Mr.. Fitz-
| poodle oged the little boy with the scarlet
jacket and brown trowers and the little girl
with the pinafore and pigtails Mr.. Fitzmoo-
die tragically frowned at the old lady with
the brass-plated spectacles; but poor Mr..
Fitzdoodle alternately hung his head and
caught visions of Fannie Blows charming
figure. Miss Charity, fortunately, had fair
view of her adored one and the blessed par.
son might have blown his brains out with
the Bible, and Miss Charity could not have
been aroused by this supernatural wonder.
Service was over, church was out, and the
congregation were preparing to follow the
example of the church. Miss Charity by
skillful n1an9uure, obtained position by the
side of Mr.. Fitzdoodle, which she bravely
maintained. On reaching the porch, either
by accident or design, on the part of the little
boy with the scarlet jacket and brown trow-
/ @arf, -sl .ourSe-Jr BY tlte nervous fiutterfRg
OF her poor innocent heart, the velvet co}ored
prayer-book deserted it's place in her hand
and rolled over on to the floor. But whether
it was by accident, design, or what not we
might infer that there was good will about
it, for the prayer-book fell directly at the
feet of Mr.. Fitzdoodle, and for a few seconds
she waited for him to pick it up-but he
, didn't, and Miss Charity actually bent down,
replaced the velvet-clasped prayer.book in
her hand and at the same time CALCULATED, in
not very audible tone, NASTY beast -
f Whether she meant Mr.. Fitzpoodle, or the
boy, the reader may infer as he pleases.
! When Miss Charity reached home, she
5 fell, at once, into a chair and fit of weep
: ing.
} "Oh! dear-law' 's-sakes-a-mew she moan
: GU, dI Cue Sdtue Cllle TOChlIlS upon Tue cat
4; tail would that he qoouId love me. ! an
: desolate, without a friend, or a-a-a-husband
/; or anything in the shape of protector
l., don't know what's the matter, but feel S
S about the heart. On, dear Oh, dear! Oh
/ dear Jane, make me some tea, that's
o dear. How shall win him, how indeed P
Oh! l have it, if l win him not, it shall NO
e be said, Il have not triedP will give
|, party, S0iree, ta6IeauG, ball-anythin
d that may throw me into his company, an
n with whom | shall only be happy! Dea
= Fannie Blow shall assist and comfort me.
:, will have the tete this week, for fear that the
Z, shall so away. Yes, It's my turn, too. LIE
d me see, I'll invite Mr.. and Mrs. Scroggin.
e Betsy Scroggins and Ann Caulihower, an
n Lord Mutonhed and Miss Phool, and Sir EC
r ward Mock emdowne and Lady Fidget and
r. why bless me it's Sunday Jane Jane, ha,
you got that tea ready?'
10 The cat squaled again as the chair darte
ID backwards on the paw of the delicate anima
"What ever has go. into missus?" though
Is Jane and well she might think so, for tn
a. aforesaid Jane was scolded and the cat seal,
& ed, the dogs paw crushed, and crocker
W smashed-and having finished this overtur
O. Miss Charity sat down, and pondering ov'
lie her very charitable idea for captivating al
k capturing butterfy-ate her dinner.
IN (To BE CoNTINUED.)