Timothy Crump's Ward: A Story of American Life

the last day of the year. A few ho

stiff ridges, making it uncomfortable to walk upon. The sun had been out al

limits their means and opportunities of earning. The winter of 1836-37 was far from being an ex

e stands on the spot, lived Timothy Crump, an industrious cooper. His family consisted of a wife and one ch

if she were not introduced, in due form, to the reader. This was Miss

rets of that virgin heart, it might be, perchance, that we should find a hidden cause, far back in the days when thy cheeks were rounder and thine eyes brighter, and thine aspect not quite so frosty. Ah, faithless Harry Fletcher! thou hadst some hand in that peevishness and repining which make Rachel Crump

had accepted the hearty invitation of her brother, and become an inmate of his family, where she paid her board by little services about the house, and obtained sufficient needle-work to replenish her wardrobe as often as there was occasion. For

view she took of life. Had her temper been different, it is very easy to see that she would have been continually quarrelling with Rachel; but, happily, she was one of those women with whom it is

ew years back had kept such even pace with his income, that he had no reserved fund to fall back upon in such a time as this. That was no fault of his. Both he and his wife had been economical enough, but there are a great m

ertible into cash,-being wanted by a neighbor,-besides being about the only article of luxury, if it could be called such, in possession of the family. As such it had been hardly used, being rese

in the house when a body's sick. But there, it's gone, and if I happen to get down, as most likely I shall, for I've got a bad feeling

as sick last, you didn't want to use the sofa-you said it didn't lay comfortable

hook her head

. "Timothy's got so much behindhand that he wo

s to get steady w

There won't be any work before s

desponding,

had only taken my advice, we

at advice you re

You didn't pay no attentio

e can profit by it yet," said Mrs.

iny day. But that's always the way. Folks think when times

have been more economical,

expect to have meat so often. It's frightful to think wha

dinner, and said she couldn't live without it. Mrs. Crump might have reminded her of this, but the good woman

om experience till it's too late to be of any use. I don't see what the world was made for, for my part. Every

by and by, Rachel. Hark,

had marked her conversation hitherto. "He always comes stomping along as if he was paid for

rance of Jack, who, in his eagerness, slammed the door behind h

he, displaying a

get it?" aske

orses," an

er. I warrant you'll

I had no money to buy any. Before you take off your boots, Jack,

orgotten us," remarked his mothe

said Rachel, gloomily. "Will i

and perhaps Timothy will have work