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Theirs was a long courtship; and it might have been longer, but that Miss Shauney began to die of love for Lawyer Tools, considering herself the object of a reasonable share of his attentions to warrant that course of action. Now Miss Flush could not endure this in Miss Shauney, and she made up her mind that Miss Shauney should for once in her life be disappointed. So when Lawyer Tools came round again, as he did every day, she gave him a most cordial welcome, and put so much personal regard into her manners, that if Mr. Tools had ever for a moment wavered in his attachment and devotion, there was an end to it now and forever. Accordingly, when she gave him permission to kiss her hand again, (this was now the second permission of this sort,) as he stooped down to do it, she dexterously so interposed her cheek that Mr. Tools (who was altogether taken by surprise) could not help substituting it for her hand, to the heightening of her color and his own. Indeed, they were both compelled to sit down on the sofa side by side; and Mr. Tools declared he was almost perfectly happy, and Miss Flush rewarded him with a long side glance, that spoke more than any words could.

From this time Miss E. Flush consented to regard herself as actually under an engagement of marriage to Lawyer John Tools; and such was the understanding some time ago, and such is it even now -- the parties not yet feeling at liberty to consummate the act of matrimony, on account of the high rates of living and the dangers of a poor-house!

Miss Flush is also the same earnestly-engaged member and president of the Ladies' Sewing Society, and advocates doing more than ever to fill out missionary boxes, and to earn money by fairs, lottery sales, fortune-telling, and so forth, to repair churches, and to build up religion! This is Miss Flush's great, clear idea of Christian progress. She is opposed to almost all other kinds of benevolence -- not perhaps from principle, but because it introduces confusion. She can't see things as clearly. The idea of a town farm-house and all its appendages to elevate the poor, and to relieve the sick and feeble ones, she does not consider as lying within the direct sphere of her woman's influence or effort. She thinks it a matter that should be left to the action of the town authorities; but she tells James Sherman that her "mind is open to conviction."

"Then go with me and one or two of our ladies to the poor-house. Go to Mr. Siddleton's and see the poor creatures there for yourself."

"I don't know but I may," said she. "I should like to see if they really come within the sphere of our ladies' benevolence. Should it prove so -- should I perceive that they are really a forsaken and deserving class, most assuredly I should labor for their elevation and comfort."

"You cannot fail to make this discovery, especially if degradation and misery, squalid poverty and misfortune have any claim to your regard and patronage. They are a conglomerate of good, bad, and indifferent characters, yet every one of them has a sensitive nature, a human intellect, more or less sound, and an immortal soul."

"Are they not vicious and ill mannered?"

"They are not particularly offensive in these respects to strangers. They frequently utter oaths in their conversations, and drop remarks on the spur of occasions you may not relish; but generally they speak a very earnest and sincere language. And you should remember that they are far the greater part native citizens of Crampton."

"Born here!"

"Born here!" Of course they were, and they have been in some instances persons of influence, refinement and piety."

"I should doubt their 'piety' I think, Mr. Sherman."

"On what account -- why may they not have piety?"

"Simply on Bible grounds I should place it. Do we not read in the Psalms, (23) 'I have been young and now I am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread?'"

"And do you quote this as showing that true Christians may never become so poor as to want for bread?"

"I do; I think the language is absolute."

"It may be as to David's experience."

"And that was a long life, Mr. Sherman."

"True, it was; yet he himself once begged bread of Ahimelech the priest, you remember."

"Yes, he did; but was not that a peculiar exception?"

"The same that every rare case presents -- nothing further. He was then seeking to escape the search of Saul. Exceptions to absolute and general statements of Scripture even, frequently arise."

"Do you find them in this case of which the Psalmist so confidently speaks?"

"To be sure. Has not the Saviour taught us this?"

"In what manner, pray?"

"Oh! well: in the case of persecution for righteousness' sake. 'Ye shall be hated of all men for my sake, persecuted and driven from city to city, subsisting with the utmost difficulty in hunger, cold and nakedness. He that killeth you will think that he doeth God service.' Does not this imply poverty and great want?"