Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-07-10
THE HUSBANDS SECRET.

One day, good many years ago, young wO-
man knocked at the door of little cottage, in
the suburbs of little town of Newcastle upon
Tyne. The knock was Immediately responded
to by tue opening of the door within. An aged
woman, neatly dressed, and who had evidently
risen from her wheel, was the sole inmate of the
little cot.
* Bless your heart, girl" said the dame, as she
entered with her visitor, and sat down to the
wheel again, g there must surely be something
particular about you to-day, for you did not
to knock -
q was afraid some one might be with you,
moshe-,'' said the girl, who had taken sea.
opposite the spinner.
And though neighbor had been here" re
piled the dame, % this, surely, would not have
fri ghtened you away. But the truth is, you
have something to say to me, Catharine,'' con
tnued the speaker, kindly - out with it, my
dear, and depend on the best counsel old Hannah
can give"
The young woman blushel d-eply, and did not
speak.
g Has William Hutton asked you to become
his wife, Catharine % said the dame, who easily
and rightly anticipated the matter that was in
the thoughts of her youthful visitor.
81 He has. mother" was the reply.
'sWell my DEAR said she after short pause,
sis not this what you have long expected, aye,
and wished He has your heart, and, I sup
pose, it needs no witch to tell what will be the
/ end on't''
/ This might all be very true, but there was
something on Catharine's mind which struggled
/ to be out. and out 1t came.
! Dear Hannah" said she, seating herself close
( by the dame, and taking hold of her hand, 'fyou
have been kind friend-a parent-+o me since
my poor mother died, and have no one to look
to for advice but yourself. have not given vii
liam an answer, and l would not until haC
spoken to you more especially as something
as you said"
What did | say, Catharine ?" interrupted
| the old woman ''nothing against the man yol
love- surely. He is, from all 1 have seen ant
heard, kind-hearted, industrious, and every way
well-behave9."
"Yes, Hannah" replied the woman ''but yol
once said, after had brought him once or twic
to see you, that you did not like those-thos
sort of low fits that sometimes fall upon him. evel
while in your company. / have often noticed
them since, Hannah" ;" Continued Catharine. wit
a sigh.
"PIague on my thoughtless tongue for sayi ne
such thing to vex you, my dear child Il
was soldier, you know, good many years agc
before he was twenty-and fought for his cour
try. Perhaps he may have sights then tha
; made him grieve to think upon, without blamin
himself But, whatever it may be, l mean
not Catharine, that you should take such
passing word to heart. If he has some littl
cares, YOU will easily soothe him and make hil
happy"
As the worthy dame spoke, her visitors bro
gradually cleared, and, after some further conve
> sation she left the cottage, ightened at hear
with the thought that her old friend approved {
her following the course to which her inclinatio
3 led her.
< Catharine Smith was indeed well entitled
pay respect to the ccunsels of Hannah. The la
ter had never married, and had spent the great,
j, part of her life in the service of a wealthy fam
8 ly at Morpeth. When size was there, the widow
4 ed mother of Catharine had died at Newcastle
i, and, on learning of the circumstances, Hannal
though friend merely, and no relation, had SCI
for the orphan girl, then ten years of age and ha
taken care of her until she grew fit to mainta
S herself by service. On finding herself unable
0 continue working life longer, Hannah retire
TO Newcastle, and Catharine Immediately entere