The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-06-08

been married, and spent the greater part
of her life in the service of wealthy fam
lily of Morpeth. When she was there,
the widowed mother of Catharine had
died iu Newcastle, and, on learning of the
circumstance, Hannah, though friend
merely, aud no relation, had sent for the
orphan girl, then about ten years of age,
and had taken care of her till she grew
lit to maintain herself by service. On
fiuding herself unable to continue work
ing life longer, Hannah had retired to
Newcastle, her native place, where she
lived in humble comfort, on the earnings
of her long career of servitude. Catha-
rine came back with her to Newcastle,
and immediately entered into service
there. Hannah and Catharine had been
two years ia their respective situations,
when the dialogue which has been re-
corded took place
On the succeeding expiry Of her term
of service, Catharine was married to the
young man whose name has been stated
as being William Hutton. He was join
er by trade, and bore, as Hannah had said,
au excellent character. The first visit
paid by the newly married pair was TO the
cottage of the old woman, who gazed on
them with a truly maternal pride, think
ing she had never seen SO handsome a
couple. The few years spent by Hutton
ia the army had given to his naturally
good figure an erect mauliness, which
looked as well in one of bis sex, as the
Slight, graceful figure, and fair, ingenu-
Gus countenauce of Catharlne was calcu
lat cd to adorn one of womaukind. Some
thing Of this kind, at least, was 10 the
thoughts of old Hannah when Catharlne
and her husband visited the danes little
cottage.
Many future visit was paid by these
same parties to Hannah, and on each sue
cessive occasion the old woman looked
narrowly, though as unobtrusively as pos
sible, into the state of the young wife S
feelings-with motherly anxiety to
know if she was happy. For, though
Hannah-seeing Catharlne's affections to
be deeply engaged-had made light of
her own early remarks upon the strange
aud most unpleasant gloom occasionally
it not frequently observable in the look
aud manner Of William Hutton, the old
woman had never been able to rid her
own mind altogether of misgivings upon
the subject. For many months after
Cathariue's marriage, however, Hannah
could discover nothing but open, unalIoy
ed happiness in the air and conversation
Of the youthful wife. But at length
Haunah's anxious eye did perceive some
thing like change. Catharine seemed
sometimes to fall, when visiting the cot
tage, into fits of abstraction lot unlike
those which had been observed in her
husband The aged dame felt greatly
distressed at the thought of her dear
Catharlne being unhappy, but for a long
time held her peace upon the subject,
trusting that the cloud might be ten.
porary Que, and would disappear.
1t was not so, unfortunately. Though
in their manner to each other when to-
gether nothing but the most cordial affec-
tion was observable Catharine, when
she came alone to see Haunah, always
seemed "a prey to sone uneasiness which
all her efforts could not conceal frOm her
old friend Even when she became for
the first time mother, and, with all the
beautiful pride Of young mothers love,
presented her babe to Hannah, the latter
could see signs Of a secret grief imprinted
on Calhariue's brow Hoping by her
couu>els to bring relief, Hannah at last
took an opportunity to tell the young
wife what she had observed, and besought
her confidence Al first, she stammered
forth hurried assurance that she was
perfectly happy, and in few seconds,
belied her words by bursting Into tears
and owning that she was very unhappy
but | caunol, Hannah she excaim,
ed Il cannot telkthe cause-not even to
you!'
"Don't say so, my poor Catharine, re-
piled Hannah sit is no curiosity that
bids me interfere
20, no, Hannah" replied the young
wife, know you speak from love of me!'
We'll, then" coutinued the dame,
"open your heart to me. Age is good
adviser
"Is your husband harsh 2" asked Han.
nah.
mo, nc" cried the wife "man could
not be kinder To woman than he is to me "
perhaps he iudulges in driuk-in
private"
Hannah, you mistake altogether" was
Catharine's reply "my husband is as free
from all such faults as ever man was"
"My dear child,' said the old woman,
almost smiling as the idea entered her
head, you are not suspiclous-not jeal