Page:Peterson's Magazine 1842, Volume I.pdf/332

. bar-room of the little public house had many loungers that day ; and Mrs. Thomas many calls to answer enquiries and make speculations as to all the incidents, events and circumstances, past, present and future, of the Smithe family, became both her's, and her worthy husband's business and pleasure.

But the sun did not stand still-neither did old Father Time stop in Laurelville to see the " English folks," for the days flew past with the quickened speed which an object of interest always lends to them--each morning bringing to light some circumstance in the Smithe movements, and each evening bearing full testimony that they had done something that day. If they staid at home people wondered what they could be about, and thought they must be proud to keep so private-if they sallied out, the boys stopped in their game of leap-frog on the green, made their awkward bows, and were then at liberty to stare- girls dropped their little acts of courtesies, with blushing faces, and ran home to say that they had seen the ladies-labor was suspended while they were in sight-the wood-choppers axe fell and was not raised again-the incessant hammering at the tinmans' ceased--the grocer did not watch the scales and catch the precise moment when the sugar balanced the weight -the merchants' clerks threw themselves into attitudes -and little cracks in window-shutters, and curtains slightly drawn, testified to female curiosity. But the week passed on, and the inquiry arose " where would the Smithe's go to meeting ?" Neither their host or hostess could tell-they had not the trouble of asking, for the Englishman himself came to the bar on Saturday evening to make the proper inquiries.

He heard that the white church was Congregational -that the Baptist had a meeting in the school-housethat the Academy was used by the Methodists, and that once in a month a Catholic priest came from Canada to preach at Mrs. Burbanks, who was a Catholic. " No Established church then, sir ? another glass of your excellent brandy, Mr. Thomas." .. Well, we think the Congregational is pretty well established, sir. Mr. Lovegood has been here nigh upon twenty years," was the reply Mr. Smithe received.

" Mr. Smithe means no Episcopal Church, Mr. Thomas, no, sir ! we have none as yet, but with your efficient aid, I trust, we may have one ' before long," chimed in the obsequious lawyer, who was standing near-he was educated at a college, and by common consent was the standard of elegance and knowledge of the village. " I shall be happy to seat yourself and family, sir," he continued, " and to have you call at my office at any time, sir," and out came a little fillagree card-case, and in less than no time was a card, with "John Brown, Esq." upon it, thrust in Mr. Smithe's face. The Englishman had not concluded his bows and other demonstrations of thankfulness, when Squire Brown, taking the little card from his hand, bent three of the corners slightly down, and returning it, said, " my compliments to the ladies, sir, I shall be happy to wait upon them, and show them our town, and its public buildings." "Thank you, sir, thank you," was the reply of Mr. Smithe, as he made as rapid a retreat as if that Englishman's horror, a Frenchman, had been at his heels. His departing footsteps had hardly ceased to be heard as he crossed the yellow painted floor of the entry-when a coarse, good-humored, red faced man, turning to Mr. Brown, said, " Well, now, Squire, I spose you've done just about the completest thing-but I want to ask, what in nater you intended by spoiling your paste-board, and breaking most off them little cat-e-corner pieces ?" 66 Mr. Colonel Grimes- do you ask what I meant ? Why, sir, in polite society, a card so bent, signifies that it is intended for more than one person. Mr. Smithe knew if you did not !' "Now I like that, Squire," was the reply, "for it must be a great saving of your cards" -and the laugh went round at the lawyers expense, for with all his elegance, the lawyer was one of the scrimping and saving sort of men. Mr. Thomas, ever well disposed, tried to turn the conversation by asking him what buildings he would show the ladies ? But Mr. Brown was sulky, and Colonel Grimes again volunteered his opinion. "He'll show them the meeting-us, Mr. Thomas, the court-us- the school-us-the big hole old Andrus dug for gold-the grave-yard, and Jenkins big dog !" and then the laugh became so general that the discomfited man of law made his exit unobserved. It being ascertained that he was gone, his character was the next subject of discussion, and Colonel Grimes's animosity was explained, by his allusion to Mr. Brown having unmercifully cheated him, in a business transaction-an account of which he gave in full-and added to his remarks, "that Squire Brown would get bit himself some day or nuther, for every body wasn't so goodnatured and forgetible as he was." "John Brown, Esq.," went to the Congregational Church, and was greatly envied as he marched up the aisle, the next morning, with Mrs. Smithe leaning on his arm, the Misses Smithe following-Mr. Smithe and the little girl bringing her doll, still farther behind, and Mr. Smithe, Jun., in the rear. All eyes were levelled at them, all necks were stretched and heads turned. Some little delay was occasioned by Mrs. Smithe in her haste to perform the formula of devotion, so appropriately and beautifully prescribed in the ritual of the Episcopal Church. She dropped on her knees so near the door that those following were obliged to wait the termination of her private supplication- a termination speedily effected by John Brown's efforts to raise her, supposing