Mary Barton

; nor bird, no

afy home and

ecked the rock, n

me and qualit

li

familiar with either the Linn?an or the Natural system, who know the name and habitat of every plant within a day's walk from their dwellings; who steal the holiday of a day or two when any particular plant should be in flower, and tying up their simple food in their pocket-handkerchiefs, set off with single purpose to fetch home the humble-looking weed. There are entomologists, who may be seen with a rude-looking net, ready to catch any winged insect, or a kind of dredge, with which they rake the green and slimy pools; practical, shrewd, hard-working men, who pore over every new specimen with real scientific delight. Nor is it the common and more obvious divisions of Entomology and Botany that alone attract these earnest seekers after knowledge. Perhaps it may be owing to the great annual town-holiday of Whitsun-week so often falling in May or June that the two great, beautifu

ion, it turned out, that both the porter, and his friend the weaver, were skilful

some of the thoughtful, little und

so large it seemed to overbalance the rest of his face, which had indeed lost its natural contour by the absence of all the teeth. The eyes absolutely gleamed with intelligence; so keen, so observant, you felt as if they were almost wizard-like. Indeed, the whole room lo

gave Mary a short, kind welcome. But Margaret he caressed as a mother caresses her fir

ngs she had never seen at home, and which

ortune-teller?" whispere

e not the first as has taken him for such. He is only

now aught abo

randfather is fond on; just because he's

h the weird looking creatures that sprawled ar

ear, on which they fell like hail on a skylight; and the strange language only bewi

a druggist's physic-bottle; and says grandfather, 'What have ye gotten there?' So the sailor holds it up, and grandfather knew it was a rare kind o' scorpion, not common even in the East Indies where the man came from; and says he, 'How did ye catch this fine fellow, for he wouldn't be taken for nothing I'm thinking?' And the man said as how when they were unlo

upted Job Legh, "and a

. I left off ironing, and stooped down over him, to look at him better, and grandfather got a book, and began to read how this very kind were the most poisonous and vicious species, how their bite were often fatal, and then went on to read how people who were bitten got swelled, and screamed w

you do?" a

hings I'd been ironing on the dresser, and I screamed for

, who'd ha' caught the creat

as if he were sore afraid, for all he begged me not to injure it. At last he goes to th' kettle, and lifts up the lid, and peeps in. What on earth is he doing that for, thinks I; he'll never drink his tea with a

at kill him

nd again. I ran to the public-house for some gin, and grandfather filled the bottle, and then we poured off the

m to life at fir

only torpid-that is, dead asleep with the

es not care for suc

n search of more, whenever he's a spare day. Look at him now! he's gone back to his books, and he'll be as happy as a king, working away till I make him go to bed. It keeps him silent, to be sure; but s

ent home with the feeling that she had that night made the acquaintance of two of the strangest people she ever saw in her life. Margaret, so quiet, so common place, until her singing powers were called forth; so

winter Mary looked upon Margaret almost as an old friend. The latter would bring her work when Mary was likely to be at home in the evenings and sit with her; and Job Legh would put a book and his pipe in his pocket and just step round the co

perceive how involuntarily this is valued? It is so pleasant to have a friend who possesses the power of setting a difficult question in a clear light; whose judgment can tell what is best to be done; and who is so convinced of wha

re was one cherished weakness still concealed from every one. It concerned a lover, not beloved, but favoured by fancy. A gallant, handsome young man; but-not beloved. Yet Mary hoped to meet him every day in

on, ever more fondly; he hoped against hope; he would not give up, for it seemed like giving up life to give up thought of Mary. He did not dare to loo

was enough to daunt any man; and it made Jem more despairin

pening the door saw Margaret sitting asleep before the fire. She had come in to speak to M

es came into Jem's mind, and stepping gently

ng the thing, she said, "For shame o

id, lightl

d. Would Mary care? Would she care in the very least? They seemed to call for an answer by night, and by day; and Jem f

at any time, however distant. But he welcomed Jem at his house, as he would have done his father's son, whatever were his motives for coming; and now and then admitted the thought, that Mary might do worse when her time came, than marry Jem Wilson,

if a gigantic brush had washed them all over with a dark shade of Indian ink. There was some reason for this grimy appearance on human beings, whatever there might be for the dun looks of the landscape; for soft water had become an article not even to be purchased; and the poor washerwomen might be seen vainly trying to procure a little by breaking the th

hawl held up to her mouth, and her head bent as if in deprecation of the meeting wind. So s

! is that you? Wher

work to finish to-night; mourning, as must be in time for the funeral to-morro

. I'll help you if you're ba

behindhand. I've the skirts all to make. I kept that work till candlelight; and the sleeves, to say nothing of little bits to the bodies; for the missis is very particular, and I could scarce keep from smiling

d I'll sit down and help you with pleasure, though I

of the table, while her friend hurried over her tea at the other. The things were then lifted en masse to the dresser; and d

for if you told m

husband drank himself to death, and though she cried over him and his wa

Mary, examining the texture of the dress.

ttle, and there's several young chil

like them would ha' made th

as one of the little ones told me; the little thing seemed to like the fuss, and I do believe it comforted poor Mrs. Ogden to make all the piece o' work. Such a smell of

tno

ire for "than." "They had lever

et

d she was but badl

a common mark of respect, and that every body has t'other thing, till the poor woman has no will o' her own. I dare say, too, her heart strikes her (it always does when a person's gone) for many a word and many a slighting

a deal of money just when people can spare it least; and if what the Bible tells us be true, we ought not to be sorry when a friend, who's bee

tno

t,"

et

row and feels themselves unable to settle to any thing but crying) something to do. Why now I told you how they were grieving; for, perhaps, he was a kind husband and father, in his thoughtless way, when he wasn't in liquor. But

e would grieve a that w

ld say it were sent, and fall to trying to find out what good it were to do. Every sorrow in her mind is s

t were you fretting

just now; perhap

he

Well, I was fretting about this fear, and Alice comes in for something, and finds me crying. I would not tell her no more than I would you, Mary; so she says, 'Well, dear, you mu

tno

lord was twenty yere of age."

et

s the only sound heard for a li

to get paid for

o like to do it as my bit towards comforting them. I don't think they can pay, and yet they're just the sort of folk to h

sigh, and shaded her eyes. Then sh

ue. Mary! do you know I sometimes think I'm growing a little blind, and th

d to comfort her; but, like an inexperienced person, striving rather to deny th

mewhat the matter; and, oh! it will grieve him sore whenever he's told, so the later the better; and besides, Mary, we've sometimes little enough to go upon, and what I earn is a great help. For grandfather takes a day here, and a day there, for botanising or going after insects, and he'll think little enough of four or five shillings for a specimen; dear grandfather! and I'm so loath to think he should be stinted of what gives him such

e pretty well w

rest is quite clear but just where I want to see. I've been to both doctors again, and now they're both o' the same story; and I suppose I'm going dark as fast a

g on taking it in; that's what

I think I should go blind any way, and I darn't tell gra

f backward and forward

ng weaver? Well, I know'd him a bit, so I went to him, and said how I wished he'd teach me the right way o' singing; and he says I've a rare fine voice, and I go once a week, and take a lesson fra' him. He's been a grand singer in his day. He's led th' chorusses at the Festiv

note

ow the Cathedra

et

r eyes were rested now, and for s

he little paved court; person after

the door and stopping the first person sh

ght? Carsons' mill is blazing away l

to see Carsons' mill; it's afire, and they say a b

earful sight. Besides I

e caresses, promising to help with the gowns all night

ity to comfort; besides, she wanted to change the current of Margaret's thoughts; and in addition t

he threshold of the house they met John

e's not a drop o' water to be got. And much Carsons will care, for they're well insured, and the machines are a' th' ou

than by any exact knowledge of the streets that led to the mill, they scampe

which faced into a wide dingy-looking street, consisting principally of public-houses, pawn-brokers' shops, rag and bone warehouses, and dirty provision shops. The other, the east end of the factory, fronted into a very narrow back street, not twenty feet wide, and miserably lighted and paved. Right against this end of the factory were the gable ends of the last house in the principal street-a h

ed the crowd assembled to witness the fire. There was a murmur of many voices whenever the roar

hbour in the crowd, as she caught a few words

sea of upward-turned faces moved with one accord to the eastern end,

lack walls with amorous fierceness; it was swayed or fell before the mighty gale, only to rise higher and yet higher, to ravage and roar yet more wildly. This part of the roof fell in with an astound

of smoke cleared partially away for an instant, the imploring figures of two men. They had remained after the rest of the workmen for some reason or other, and, owing to the wind having driven the fire in the opposite direction, had perceived no sight or sound of alarm, till long after (if any thing

nes?" asked Margare

t's bare ten minutes since we first found out th' fi

s the men were perceptibly, though not audibl

ll nigh five minute agone. But th' masons, and slaters, an

rge Wilson? Mary sickened with terror. She knew he worked for Carsons; but at first she had had no idea any lives were in danger; and since she

home, Margaret;

in by folks. Poor Mary! ye won't hank

he mill, and filling up Dunham Street, might be heard the r

rgaret's neighbour,

ugs were stiff, and w

back on those behind, till the girls were sick with the close ramm

a ladder," said Margaret's neighbour,

what you see?

not given way there. God!" said he, bringing his eye lower down, "th' ladder's too short! It's a' over wi' them, poor chaps. Th' fire's comi

the former! Mary clung to Margaret's arm with a pinching grasp, and longed to faint, an

Temple of Apollor. Can't press back

lace, nearly opposite to the doorway where the men had been seen. Those in the crowd nearest the factory, and consequently best able to see up to the garret window, said that seve

hough scarce two minutes had elapsed-the ladder was fixed,

lled in suspense. The men were nowhere to be seen, but the wind appeared, for th

tread, and unmoving head, passed from one side to the other. The multitude did not even whisper while he crossed the perilous bridge, which quivered under him; but when he was across, safe comparatively in the fa

ay, standing as if for an instant to breathe a mouthful of the fresher air, b

ather," whispered Margaret

was fixed, by the position of the head, which never wavered; the ladder shook under the double weight; but still he never moved his head-he dared not lo

the blowing of the mighty wind, arose that tremendous burst of applause at

an alive, and

hushed crowd below. "He's coming round fi

eard-but for an instant though. In far less time than even that in which I have endeavoured briefly to describe the pause of ev

ecollection of peril past, or that he looked below, in the breathing moment before returning with the remaining person (a slight little man) slung across his shoulders, but Jem Wilson's step was less steady, his tread more uncertain; he seemed to feel with his foot for the next round of the ladder, to waver, and finally to stop half-way. By this time the crowd was still enough; in the awful instant that intervened no one durst speak, even to encourage. Many turned sick with terror, and shut their e

he sinking heart, the dizzy head. Once more Jem stepped onwards. He was not hurried by any jerk or pull. Slowly and gradually the rope was hauled in, slowly and gradually did he make the four or five paces between him and safety. The window was gained, and all were saved. The multitude in the street absolutely danced with triumph, and huzzaed and yelled till you would have fancied the

of Mary's body, which she had preserved in an upright position by keeping her arms

nge of posture, and the difference in temperature, now that the people had wi

where she was. Her cold, hard bed felt strange; the murky glare i

fearful bridge had been withd

safe," sai

safe, Margaret

ll you more about it than I ca

ily corroborated

em Wilson go twice

Jem were off like a shot; only saying he knowed better nor us where to find t'other man. We'd all ha' gone, if

well as ever. He loitered a minute or two alongside of them, giving an account of his detention in the mill; he then hastily wished good-night, saying he must go home and tell his missis

ht, give him a kind word or two for my s

nswered not a word, and

argaret went over the whole story, and it was amusing to watch his gradually increasing interest and excitement. First, the regular puffing abated, then c

him) that if Jem Wilson wanted Mary he should have

was now recovered from her agi

ng to the fire, the two younger Miss Ogdens were in such grief for the loss of their excellent father, that they were unable t