The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-11-22

|
| Over all is thrown memorial hue,
! A glory ideal the real ne er knew;
For memory Sits from the past it's pain,
And suffers its beauty alone to remain.
| ssLIZ.''
! "What are you up to, Liz ?" And
| Dick Sanders, the tin peddler, stalked into
the large wel-ordered country kitchen,
and, with only this salutation, drew off his
grey yarn mittens, and proceeded to warm
his almost benumbed fingers by the roar
ing fire that sputtered and cracked under
LIS large boiler of clothes.
"Im up to my eyes in the wash tub"
replied the individual thus addressed, not
over politely.
"That's what 1 was thinking" said he
"The boiler holds out good, don't it now?
The last time it sot to leaking, thought
twas all day with the patriarch-buttered
if didn't. No wonder that folks blow on
my ware"'
81 was telling Miss Avery t'other day."
interrupted Liz, "that when she needed
any more tin things hoped she'd send to
town after 'em. Your stuff has listened
to your CAB and brang SO long, that some
| how it's got a bad edication. Now them
pans never behaved like the pans Tim
Bucklin used to bring round. They're
always bending and springing a leak.
To speak little palmer, I'm always afeard
to trust 'em, specially when it's unusually
important that they should hold in
"What in natur' are you drivin' at,
Liz" inquired poor Dick, a genuine look
of wonder overspreading his face. But
before his companion could have time to
reply, the door of the sitting room softly
opened, and young lady, apparently very
deep in thought and very much troubled in
spirit, for her eyes were red and heavy with
weeping, appeared on the threshold.
"What is it, Flory - said Liz, scooping
the white suds from her strong, red arms,
and with such little thrill of tenderness
in her voice, that the peddler involuntarily
turned to see what it could mean, and then,
remembering his manners, said hastily:
GOOD morning, Miss Avery. Hope
you're well''
The young lady gave a little start of
surprise, and then recovering herself, said
with considerable annoyance in her tone:
"1'm quite we'll, thank you, Dick.
thought you were alone, Liz" and i'm
mediately left the kitchen.
"Now what's the matter with her?' in
quired the tin merchant. "Golly amt
she been bawling, though! 1 tell what
tits, Liz, if Teller wants to know the
secrets of families, all he's got to do is to
turn tin peddler."
"And lie," added Liz, punching the
clothes in the boiler with such force as to
send the scalding suds in Dick S immediate
neighborhood, causing said gentleman to
change his quarters without loss of time.
"Say, now what is it that ails the gal,
Liz: l won't say word about it to no.
body. If do, shoot me -
GLOW long did you say you'd been
travelling round this country?" asked Liz,
with comical twinkle of her comical
eyes.
Nigh about twelve years.. Why?
because it seems to me pretty near
time that you should learnt that wimmin
folks is wimmn folks; and when you'll
find me woman that don't have her cry
ing spells, I'll find you tin peddler that
minds his own business"
THANK marm," replied Dick, dryly.
Have queer sort of an idee, somehow,
that last remark is intended for me. All
day, Liz. Hope the next time I'm around
you'll be better natured."
Not a word answered Liz The peddler
jumped into his cart and drove away; and
in and out Of the suds went those stalwart
arms, the muscular and ungainly form
keeping time to the quick and defiant
music of the rubbing board.
ooh, he's gone l am so glad And
now the graceful figure came softly out
again, and crept close to the side of the
busy woman.
81 want you to read my letter, Liz-the
one have just written to him."
"Well, who's him? There are two on
'em you know replied Liz, quietly, and
with great self possession.
Yes, Liz and now the beautiful
brown eyes again overlooked, and the Sob
bling child drew still nearer as she whisper
ed:
But there is only one l could write to,
of course, even if knew where he was,"
with accent on the personal pronoun that
told its own story.
"Then what you mean to tell me is that
you have just written letter to Hiram
Scoville?''
EYES, Liz
Wal, go on
"Don't look at me, Liz. while read it,
1t just said this. You know how father
and mother have been taking on lately
calling me undutiful, and headstrong, and
obstinate, and saying that meant to break
their hearts,
SIS this in the letter % queried Liz.
No; | am saying this to you. You
know, deary, how hard my life has been
for the last six months-well, ever since
Yes, Flory, ! know all about it. Now
read the letter before anybody comes in."
"Dear friend Hiram" came TREMENDOUSLY
from the sweet lips.
"Hnmph ~ grunted Liz.
"What else could | say" said poor
Fiory, despairingly. He is my friend,
isn't hc?'
"That depends pretty much on your
idea of friend. My friend don't torment
me. He saves me from suffering if he can;
and if he can't bears it with me, carrying
as much of the burden as God will let him.
No friend will ever ask woman to marry !