The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-05-23

either necessary or desirable. Nancy had
been fair, prim and somewhat quiet girl
when she came to live in Greenwich street.
She was still fair, somewhat prim woman
Of thirty-hvc, with pretty, soft brown hair,
eyes, and pure, soft, some
what changeful complexion. She was not
in the least like modern young ladys
heroine. She had no particular aspirations
beyond the limited and old-fashipncd one of
doing her duty in that state of fife to which
il pleased God to call her She did not con-
slider herself a martyr TO uncongenial crcum
stances because she made Uncle Mcl'ar-
lanes shirts and mcndCd his stockings, and |
even the fact Of going down into the kitCh-
en-, to do up his immaculate rulllcs, when |
old Mrs Browns hands were too lame, and |
the chambcmaid's too unskillful to be |
trusted with them, did not awaken in her |
mind any desire TO rush out into the world |
in search of career. No such fancy had
ever entered Nancy Towards head. She
was absolutely ''COntented with her present
condition, willing to go ON making Uncle
McFaranes shirts, keeping his house spoil
ing his child, ''making il pleasant for him
as she simply said. Her great pleasure con
sisted in doing muslin embroidery, visiting
the poor, going to church, and reading the
English classics with now and then Il nov
cl If she had any trials she kept them to
herself, conliding them to no spiritual di-
rector. newspaper editor or spiritual friend.
She was Nancy Howard at liyc-and-thrty.
My Uncle McFarlanc was fine gentle
tlcman in the true sense of the phrase. lie
was unimpeachablc i'm integrity, unspotted
in morals, III manners absolutely perfect
little set in his way, and possibly some
what particular in eating and drinking. He
was also given to amusing himself in
! Lao rit #
about him. But he never willingly hurt or
neglected any one, and he had n certain
genial graciousness of manner, which made
| all his employees, from Mr.. Saunders, his
confidential clerk, down to Black sam, the
carman, and Davy the crrand boy, fcl the
better when he spoke them.
Miss Nancy is a little late this morn
ing" observed Unclc McFarlanc, as Brown,
his man, brought him the paper.
eyes, sir. She was ont till after twelve
last night at Sans, SIR
"lndccd! How was that y
''Wcll, you see, sir, Sans girl was took
with a quick consumption last spring, and
his wife anti very rugged either Miss
Nancy, she's been there a good IDEAL, and
when Snsy was struck with death last eve
ming, she sends for her. So Miss Nancy
went and stayed till it was all over. 1t was
great comfort to them. sir You see. sil
| II y,
too, and altogether it comes hard -
Il should say so. indeed. We must sec
that everything is done, Brown. Find out
when the funeral is to be, and let me know.
and tell your wife to send them something
comfortable when she goes to market. But
here comes Miss Nancy. Send up break
fast, Brown
Breakfast was usually somewhat silent
meal, save for Alexis chatter with his
aunt; for Mr.. McFarlane always read the
paper, invariably asking Miss Nancy's per-
mission.
"Why do you look at me so closely.
Alck ?" asked Miss Nancy as she caught
her nephew's gaze fixed upon her
Il was thinking how pretty you are ~
answered Alick, with his usual franlness.
Il think you are hundred times prettier
than Miss Regina Schuyler, that they make
so much fuss about. And don't want her
for stepmother. So there"
''What is that about Miss Schuyler Z"
asked my uncle. laying down his paper
1T strikes me that you are taking rather a
liberty with that young lady-to say moth
ing of myself"
at wasn't me, father: it was Mr. Bon
SAIL" answered Alick. Mr. Bonsal asked
me if | wouldn't like pretty young lady
like Miss Regina Schuyler to come into the
house; and | told him mo- didn't want
any one but Aunt Nancy. Then he said
| Aunt Nancy was an old maid and | said
| if she was forty old maids she was a hun
dred times prctticr than Miss Rcgina-and
so she is !"
1--WE won't discuss that matter" said
my uncle, annoyed, but REFRESHING his an
noyance, as usual. "You need not mind
Mr.. Bonsall, We all know his ways"
There was something in his fathers tone
which made Alick aware that he had bet
ter drop the subject. Uncle McFarlane
went on with his paper, but now and then
glanced over it with an expression of some
interest. 'Nancy is pretty ~ he said to
himself. There is something in her face
which reminds me of my mother"
Breakfast being over, my uncle put on
his overcoat, asking, as he did so his inva-
riable question, "llaye you any commands
ler the city,"
.'Aed, by the way, please see that every
thlng Is os.He for Sans family. The poor
woman VIII perlaps be the better for some
port WINE, or ale, and let everything he
nice about the funeral. | will take the cX
pense on myself. sam is = good faithful
fellow"
''Really Nancy is very pretty :" said my
uncle, as he walked out of the house. II
never thought much about it before, but
she is decidedly pretty. Miss Regina Schuy-
Ter, indeed, Really Bonsall is too bad to
put such notions in the boys head And
Mr.. McFarlane pursued his way to the of
flee, unconscious of the fate awaiting him
there.
"Any letters, Saunders 2" he asked as he
passed to the clerks desk. IL see the pac-
ket is in"
''Yes, sir They are on your desk, and
Mr.. Bonsall is waiting to speak to you in
your room, What ails Mr.. McFarlane ?"
said the clerk to himself, as his principal
passed on. II don't believe he ever before
forgot to ask for my wife. hope nothing
is wrong" Mr.. Saunders had an invalid
wife, who was indebted to Mr.. McFarlane
for many little comforts.
Mr.. Bonsall was waiting in the office. lie
was a stout man with red hairand whiskers
and bluff, uncompromising manner. He
had habit, on which he prided himself, of
always speaking his mind-that is, of say
ing everything and anything that came in
to his head-a habit which did not cause
him to be beloved by his acquaintance He
and Uncle McFarlane had once been part
ners, and they still kept up kind of init
macy, at which many people wondered.
''Well, Bonsall, how goes the world
with you p asked my uncle, leisurcly TAX
ing off his coat and ovcrshoes.
''Oh well enough If it don't go to suit
me, make il, that's all, answered Bonsall
"But see here, McFarlane, | didn't come
here to handy compliments. | want to talk
to you about serious matter.
"Well, what is il ?" asked my uncle, pre-
pairing to listen, not without a longing
glance at his foreign letters and papers.
81 am going to speak my mind as | al
ways do !" said Mr.. Bonsall. IL want to
know what you mean to do about Nancy?"
"About Nancy" repeated my uncle
with little start. "What about Nancy ?"