Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-05-06
Stlrtt storp.
THE HUSBANDS SECRET.

One day, good many years ago, q
Young woman knocked at the door OF a
little cottage in the suburbs Of the town
Of New castlc-upon-Tyrc. The knock
was Immediately responded TO ty the
opening of the door within. I'm aged
woman. neatly dressed, and who had rv-
identity 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
surely be something particular about yon
To day, for YOU did no; use 10 knock.
Il was afraid some one might DC with
YOU. mother, said the girl, who had tax
en- seat opposite the spinner
And though'a neighhor has been here,
replied the dame. This surely wouldn't
have frightened YOU away. But the truth
is. you have got something to say to me,
Catherine" continued the speaker. kind
Is; "out with it, my dear, depend upon
the best counsel old Hannah can give
The young woman bluShed deeply, and
did not speak
HAS William Hutton asked you TO be
come his wife, Catherine" said the dame
who easily and rightly anticipated the
matter that was in the thoughts of her
youthful visitor
.'He has mother" was the reply.
The woman began to birr earnestly nj
her wheel
"He ell. my dear" said She after 4 short
pause. lis not this what You have long
expected-aye and wished He has your
heart; and So | suppose. 1t needs no
witch to tell what will be The end ont
/ This might be all very true, but there
was something on Catharine's mind which
struggled 10 be out, and out it came.
Dear Hannah" said she, seating her.
self close by the dame, and taking her by
the hand, you have been Kind friend
n parent--to me since my poor mother
/ died. and have no one % look ~ for ad-
vice but yourself have not given vii
/ liam an answer. and would not until had
spoken to YOU; more especially 5 some
things YOU once said
What did say. Catherine ?" interrupt
ed the old woman; nothing against the
man YOU love. surely. He is, from al
that have seen and heard, kind. hearted
Industrious, and every way we'll behaved
Yes, Hannah" replied the woman
"but YOU once said, after had brought
him once or twice TO see YOU, that YOU
did not like thOse-those SOFT OF low fiji:
that sometimes fall upon him. even while
in your company. | have noticed them
since, Hannah" continued Catherine
with Il sigh.
Plague on my thoughtless tongue fol
saying such things TO vex You, my deal
child lie was Il soldier, You know, 6
good many years ago--before he was
twenty-and fought for his country, Per,
haps he may have seen sights that made
him grave TO think upon, without blam
ing himself.-But whatever il may be,
meant not. Catherine. that You should
take such passing words to heart If he
has some little cares, you viii easily sooll
them, and make him happy"
As the worthy dame poke her visitor:
brow cleared. and after some further con
versation. Catherine left The cottage,
lighted of heart by the thought that hel
old friend approved Of her following the
course 10 which her inclination led her.
Catherine Smith was well entitled tC
pay respect TO the counsel OF Hanuah.-
The latter had never married, aud ha(
spent tho greater part OF her lie in tn,
service of wealthy family at Morpeth
When she was there. the idowed moth
er of Catherine had died at Newcastle. an(
on learning OF the circumstances. Han
nah though friend merely, and no rela
ton. had sent for the orphan girl, thcr
about ten years of age, and had taker
care of her until she grew TO maintain
herself by service. On finding hersel
unable TO continue working-lite longer
Hannah had returned TO Newcastle, he
native place, where she lived in humble
comfort on the earnings of her long ca
reer OF servitude. Catharine came bacl
with her TO Newcastle, and immediatel,
entered into service there. Hannah anC
Catherine had been two years in these re
spectiye situations. when the dialogue
which has just been recorded took place
On the succeeding expiry of her tern
of service, Catherine was married TO tht