Wee Wifie

there was the

hadow of an i

ro

orrow no

n C. Sw

wn by the name of the Elysian Fields; but how it had ever acquired this sing

ythological meadows could not possibly be conceived, even by the most sanguine temperament. True, there was a market garden or two, and odors

genteel, but in most cases to be defined by the three degrees of comparison-dingy, dingier, most dingy; and i

in a general air of retirement and obscurity, owing to a "No Thoroughfare" placarded up on the bla

name-for here again the satirists had sharpened their wits, and B

, that its houses were garnished with imposing flights of steps and a rai

front and back parlors to single gentlemen or widows; and looked over its wire blind

ettered inscription, which had been put up over the door in the days of her predecessor, and had remained there ever since. But it was in reality an all-sorts shop, where

ds in the grocery line; but enter the dark low door-way, and get an odorous whiff

s, and candles, with a suspicion of matches and tarred wood, which to the uninitiated was singul

y carters had a partiality for the shop, and would lurch in about twelve o'clock, with their pipes and

her source of profit that was at once lu

ntrance in Beulah Place, and a double door that exclu

ws and clean white curtains, between which in summer time bloomed the loveliest flowers, and the earliest snow-drops and croc

homes; and Mrs. Watkins herself, fortified with strong tea and much buttered toast, was entering her profits on a small greasy slate, and casting furtive glanc

chin; but she had two peculiarities-she always wore the stiffest and cleanest and most cracklin

hem out again, when the green baize swing-door leading to the passage was pushed back, an

d a worn, sad expression, the face bore the trace of uncommon beauty, tho

proud droop of the lips which gave an impression of hardness and inflexibility; but the dar

"no, do not let me interrupt you. I was only going to say that one of the young ladies at Miss Martingale's seems very poorly, and Miss

h an evening, and all the streets swept as clean as if with a new broom; and you with your cough, and the fog, and not to mention the rawness which su

r by this time; have you ever remembered that either frost, or rain, or fog have kept me in-doors a sing

ill tempting Providence, for 'the wind and the sea obey Him.' I had a son myself some fourteen years next Michaelmas," continued the simple creature, "as brave and bonny a lad as ever blessed a

ped as though seized by a sudden impulse, an

very softly; "and was this

g more pathetic than that white face from which the gray hair was so tightly strained

Elsie, as she drew her hand across her

e in their infancy. 'He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow,'" she continued to herself; then aloud, and with a strange flickering smile that scarcely lighted up the pale face, "Good-night to you-h

ld head with a puzzled look on her wrinkled face; "a fine,

man than my lodger, Mrs. Trafford, never breathed, though folks do say she has had a deal of trouble in her life-but there, it is none of my business; I neve