Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-06-09

A TRUE STORY.


as his large family of daughters. We
will not set down how many he had ;
but in process of time he got rid of them
all, except the youngest-Margaret by
name. This damsel appeared resolute
to comfort his old age-for he was
widower-much to the annoyance of her
father, who was disposed to seek diff
erent kind of solace-and, in short, to
marry again. But he was judicious
man, and one that did not care to risk
his peace by having divided authority
in his house. He therefore frankly in
formed the object of his choice that he
would not marry her till his daughter
had home of her own.
1.-The dell be in my feet, then, quoth
his Mistress blithe widow of forty,
without incumbrance-"if [ dinna mar
ry her within a month, or ken, what for
no."
The reason was somewhat difficult to
find for the lady was comely, and had
no lack of suitors. But the widow went
cunningly to work. She got herself in
troduced into John Bowes' family-os-
tensibly to help his daughter with her
household work, but in reality to help
herself.
Now there lived not far from the
Bowes' "a young man named Alexander
Carrick, a carpenter to trade, who was
highly thought of in the neighborhood,
and was considered to have but one fault
worth speaking about-that of being
most immoderately bashful. This, to be
brief, was the cause of Miss Bowes' in
difference to her wooers. She was as
much in love with the bashful carpenter
as he was with her, though they had
never spoken word to each other
Their only communication was when AL
exander passed John Bowes' dwelling on
and his way to and from his work.
John had small shop, in which his
daughter presided, and as Alexander
passed the window he never failed to
send side-glance to where Miss Peggy
was sure to be standing. The result of
|
these stolen looks was that she had made
up her mind to marry no man but Alex
ander Carrick.
The widow Lawrie had not been above
week in the house when she took a
thought that Miss Bowes needed some
assistance in the shop (save the mark y
and who but Mrs. Lawrie was to give it.
So into the shop she came, and, being a
woman Of experience, she soon noticed
the lovers peeping.
One day John Bowes himself chanced
to step into his little warehouse, and
was surprised to find Mrs. Lawrie alone,
apparently testing the strength of the
woodwork by pressing upon the shelves
placed around the walls, or suspending
herself from them by the hands, accord.
ing to their height AS she was no con.
temptible weight, John asked, in some
displeasure, if she wanted to break the
shelves
To his astonishment, she informed him
with co mplacent nod, that such was
her intention. Before he had recovered
she went on, pursuing her lips into a de.
mure smile, and looking at him sideways
very mystcriously.
'1'm thinking that the shelves are ne
that strong, and they MIGHT be the bet
ter of twa or three nails"
"And weel ye may say sac, and it.
you that kens that" cried John. Doe
the woman-'
His daughter at this moment entered
81 was saying, Peggy" continued Mrs
Lawrie, ''that we'll be needing the join
er lads tae scrt thae shelves-they' r.
very frail. Dye ken ony ane that y,
could recommend ?''
Peggy made no answer except by
| vivid blush and Mrs. Lawrie, who de
: sired no more, went on:
"Alick Carrick is a very decent chiel
. What dye think o US getting him ?''
c John had too high an opinion of hi
' mistress sagacity to contradict her i
4 such a matter and Peggy murmure
: that ''onybody wud dae''
q Mrs. Lawric smiled. Run rounc
S then, Peggy, there's lass said th
e good woman, "and tell him tae come th
. morn's morning"
8 To this, however, Miss Margaret d,
t INJURED, and Mrs. Lawrie had to do ht
d errand herself.
At an early hour next morning job
k Bowes household was astlr. Punctu
IS to minute Alexander Carrick tappt
= at the door. Mrs Lawrie flew to opt
: it and give him hearty good mornin
;, Were a in deshabille, ye see. Ye
~ have tae work wi wheen women fol-
|" runnin' among your feet, Alick; but
;" will no be minding thae,'' said she, wi
re a fascinating smile.
Alick smiled nervously in return, al
in in bashfully saluted the inmates, and tn
,at set to work. He hammered short tir
e. in silence, and coughed desperately.
to "Micht | trouble you for cand
I'm Mrs Lawrie p said he politely; Il
L.