The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-06-08
NOT GUILTY..

One day, good many years ago, a
Young woman Knocked at the door of a
little cottage in the suburbs of the town
of Newcastle-upon-T -Tyue The knock was
immediately responded to by the opening
uf The door from within. An aged woman.
ncat y dressed, ard who had evidently
rlSen from her wheel, was the sole lnuate
nt the little cot
BLESS your heart, GIRL" said the dame,
is she entered with her visitor, and sal
down to her wheel again there must
~urely be something particular about you
to day, for you did not use to knock "
Il was afraid some one might be with
you, mother" said the girl, who had taken
ii seat opposite the spinner.
And though a neighbor had beeu
hele," replied the dame, this surely
wouldn't have frightened You away. But
the truth is, you have got something to
say to me, Cat"ariue, continued the
speaker, kindly; ''out with it my dear,
and depend upon the best counsel that
I'D Hannah can give"
The young woman blushed and did not
Immediately speak
HAS William Hutton asked YOU to be
his wife, Cathariue 2" said the dame, who
easily and rightly anticipated the matter
that was IL the mind of her youthful
visitor.
"He has, mother" was the reply.
The old woman began to birr earnestly
at the wheel
"Well, my DEAR" said she after short
pause, lis not this but what you have
long pected-aAe, and wished He
has your heart and SOL suppose, it needs
no witch TO tell what will be the end out"
This may all be very true but there
was something upon Catharine's mind
which struggled to be cut, and out it
eame "Dear Hannah" said she, seating
herself close oy the dame aud taking hold
of her hand, you have been kind friend
a Parent-to Tue, since my own poor
mother died, aud have no one else to
look to for advice but yourself | have
not given William an answer, and would
not till had spoken to you, especially as
something's you once said"
wv hat did | say, Catharine p inter
rupted the old woman "uothing against
the man you love, surely. He is, from all
that have seen and heard, kind hearted,
industrious and every way well behaved"
"1es. HANNAH" replied the young wo-
man but you once said. after | had
brought him once or twce to see YOU.
that yuu did not like those-tause sort of
low fits that sometimes fall upon him
even in company. | have often noticed
them since, Hannah" continued Catha.
rine, with a sigh.
plague on my old thouehtless tongue
for saying any such thing to vex you, my
dear child. Heed not so careless speech,
Catharue He was a soldier, you know.
a good many vea's ago-before he was
twenty-and fought for his country He
may have seen sights then that make hun
grave to think upon, without the least
cause for blaming himself But, what
ever 1t may be, | mean not, Catharine,
that you should take such passing word
to heart IT he has some lit,ls cares,
YOU will easily soothe then. and make him
happy"
Asthe worthy dame spcke, her visitors
brow gradually cleared, and, after some
further conversation, Catharine left the
cottage lightened at heart with the tho't
that her old friend approved of her follow.
Ing the course TO which her inclinarions
led her. Catharine Smith was indeed
well entitled to pay respect to the coun-
sells Of Hannah The latter had never