The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1868-11-06
SELECT STORY.
From Chambers Miscellany.
The HUSBANDS SECRET.


One day a good many years ago, 6
young woman knocked at the door oI
a little cottage, in the suburbs OF the
little town of Newcastle-upon- Tyne
The knock was Immediately respond.
ed to by the opening OF the door from
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,
"there must te something particular
about you to-day, for you did not use
to knock.''
81 was afraid some one might be
with you, mother,'' said the girl, who
had taken a seat opposite the spin
ner.
"And though neighbor had been
here,' replied the dame, "this surely
wouldn't nave frightened you away.
But the truth is, you have something
to say to me, Catharine," continued
the speaker, kindly; "out with it, my
dear, and depend upon the best coun-
sci old Hannah can give"
The young woman blushed deeply,
and did not speak.
"Has William Hutton asked you
to become his wife, Cathariner p
said the dame, who easily and rightly
anticipated the matter that was In
the thoughts of her youthful visi-
tor.
s'He has, mother,' was the reply.
"Well, my DEAR" said she, after a
short pause, sis not this what you
lhave long expected, aye, and wished?
He has your heart and so l suppose
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 it came.
"Dear Hannah" ssid she, seating
herself close by the dame, and taking
hold of her hand, "you have been a
kind friend-a parent-to me since
my poor mother died, and l have no
one to look to for advice but your
self. I have not given William any
answer, and | would not until / had
spoken to you; more especially as
something's you once said"
"What did / say, Catharine 20 in
terrupted the old woman "nothing
against the man you love, surely
He is, from all have seen and heard,
Ikind-hearted, Industrious and every
way well behaved.'
"Yes, Hannah,' replied the wo-
man; 'but you once said, after 1 had
brought him once or twice to see
you, that you did not like those
those sort of low fits that sometimes
fall upon him even while in your
company. / have often noticed them
since, Hannah" continued Catharine
with sigh.
"PIague on my thoughtless tongue,
for saying such thing to vex you,
nv dear child! He was a soldier,
You know, a good many years ago
before he was twenty-and fought
for his country. Perhaps he may
have seen sights then that make him
grieve to think upon, without blaming
himself. But whatever it may be, 1
meant not, Catharine, that you should
take such a passing word to heart.
If he has some little cares, you will
easily soothe him and make him hap
py.'
AS the worthy dame spoke, her
visitors brow gradually cleared, and
after some further conversation Cath
arine left the cottage lightened at
heart with the thought that her old
friend approved of her following the
icourse to which her inclination led
her.
Catharine Smith was indeed we'll
entitled to pay respect to the coun-
sells of Hannah. The latter had new
er married, and had spent the great
er part of her life in the service of a
wealthy family at Morpeth. When
she was there the widowed mother OF
lcathaEins died at Newcastle, and On