Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-01-09

fit of the poorer classes; or, as they phrased
1t, his endeavors to raise the church and
poor rates. Through him Lucy found employ
ment for her needle, and the schoolmaster,
with generosity his small income would
scarcely permit, took Johnnie off their
hands; delicately wording the offer as if the
services of the boy, amongst bis junior pu-
| pills, would be invaluable.
Martin Of Martins Holt came also, but his
| ill-disguised motive--the pleasure of looking
at Lucy, and whispering in her ear the
coarse fattery which others had found so
delightful, availed him nothing now. AL
ways surrounded with the children, en-
crossed with her work and her father, Lucy
was unapproachable. He might lounge
against the window opposite her chair, and
gossip as long as he would with Mrs. Pear
son, who was pleased to tell her grievances
to any one; but from busy Lucy Ae could
never win more than a civil monosyllable.
Still he came, and the neighbors Uttered and
wondered whether the flaunty woman who
called herself his housekeeper knew of these
frequent visits and the young schoolmaster
meeting him sometimes at the door, would
flash at him glance that revealed his an
noyance at finding him there SO often. But
he never advanced step with the object of
his attentions, and, after the first pang of
mortified vanity, Martin of Martins Holt
began to feel sensation of respect towards
the reserved and modest maiden, and to CO.
lor beneath the steady glance of her eye,
whenever it fell upon him. One day, max
| ing detour to the cottage as he rode home
from market, he found Lucy for the first
time in tears. She started up to leave the
room as he entered, but he stood before her.
"What is it, Mrs. Pearson ~ he asked,
and the woman, weeping loudly, told how
the doctor had, in a few kindly words, warn
ed them that Pearson's end was drawing
very near. They had not been able to dis
guise from themselves that he was worse,
much worse that the few hours in the day
he was able to come down and sit in the
easy-chair the schoolmaster had lent him,
we're becoming fewer; but still, prepare our
/ pCifCo ao Nv wan wv fOiSO thnt COY o
"there is no hope" thrills US with indie
scribable anguish. They had asked if moth
ing could be done to save him and the an
swer was, that under other circumstances,
recovery would have been possible. That
is-with plenty of nourishment, healthier
dwelling, and mind and ease, John Pear
son might rally; but how were these essen
tials to be procuredp
"There's nothing before u.s., Mr.. Pearson
concluded, s'nothing before me and my little
ones but the workhouse; for poor Lucy
there can't keep us all. I'm well night daz-
ed with the sorrow!"
By a powerful effort her daughter had
checked her own sobs, and resumed her
work, on which the large drops kept falling
from her downcast eyes.
Hush, mother, she softly whispered; /;
"dont be SO desponding."
\ Martin sat down beside her. SITS the
first time I've seen you lose heart"
81 have not done SO now," was the grave
answer.
'But what do you propose doing?" he
asked.
Lucy opened her eyes little at the seri-
GUS tone of the question. 'Doing my best,
and leaving the rest to God. He'll not for
sake us |"
II do believe you're right" cried Martin,
in burst of open appreciation of her forti-
tude. sTm sure there's something in reli-
gion when it makes women as brave-spirited
as you are! Lucy, I've never seen any one
like you, never! wish"
He paused, but perhaps the unspoken
thought was just one. Had he known
such one az Lucy in the first years of his
manhood, his course had been different
one.
Her needle began to move rapidly through
the work on her knee, and her head was
turned away, as if the man who kept his
place beside her was already forgotten. But
Martin changed his position from the chair
to the table, on which he leaned SO as to be
able to look down into the face he thought
so beautiful 1t was Mrs. Pearson, how
ever that he addressed. Mistress, don't
fret; there's no knowing whether we may
not scheme way yet to put Pearson on his
feet again"
One questioning glance, and Lucy's work
went on again.
I'm not clever Fellow at making
speeches. ne resumed except When wer
all merry togetner at ainner; tneh' l sup
pose can chalter as iast as the festi put u
IKE 10 say WORD OF Two 10 Lucy here' II
she IL ilsteA.
MRS. fearson rose from her seat' put al
ner aangnters "Dont go away motner' she
STOOD still' hesitating between a ieeiing that
Lucy was right IN detaining nor ana 2 lear
Oh dlsopnslng rich neigHoer Dy remaining.
But Martin hlmso1 treasured her.
NO. you need not Co. mistress. can
say my say peiore you. IL won take many
WORDS Ii Lucy wiz agree TO nave me 'ior
better Tor worse, as the parsons say, there's
cottage near tne mouse that you can nave
and PEARSON Will make q COED Dallitf. want