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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Untitled Article
self at the influence that bad dumped the sound of the Hoariest footstep and loudest voice inTJenuany , while the Dutch-built maiden , helping to arrange the supper-table , ' waited on the eye of her mistress / with a sagacious alacrity , that , compared
with her usual clumsy heaviness , seemed absolute inspiration . The voice of complaining was not heard ; the very keys at Martha ' s waist seemed afraid to jingle ; and the stiff hinges of the doors hardly creaked , so gently were they moved by tfoe ' red richt hand * of mistress and maid * All was ready : the
repast plainly told that they had been ' cumbered with much serving . ' There was profusion , but not luxury ; the absence of taste was infinitely supplied by order . With an anxious look and careful hand the dishes were patted and glanced into perfect symmetry . * I marvel / said Martha , * how folks can forget their mercies "; —Martin Luther ever needs to be called to his meals !
* Father Francis , * said the maiden , ' always called thrice for his ere they were ready / * Ah ! ' replied the mistress , ' his appetite was ever as regular as the town-clock , good man ! Methinks I see him now V ' You could not see him at a better time , ' said the maid ,
glancing at the roast beef ; but the mistress , who by no means sanctioned this sarcasm on her favourite preacher , desired her to - ' run in , and tell them supper waited . But no , ' she added , * Mrs , Catherine is there : I will go myself ; 'twill look more attentive and respectful . ' Smoothing down the smoothest of aprons , and giving one side-look at an oval black-framed mirror , which reflected a neat cap and most comely face , Martha hastened to perform the honours of her house .
Kind greetings past between the parties , as she led the way to tfre Jittle parlour . ' Ye need refreshment , Martin , ' she mid ? * ye have scarcely broken your fast to-day ; and rnetkinks Mite . Catherine is a-weary ? ' ' Nay / said the bustling lady , who w ^ s a great stickler for etiquette , and felt shocked to see that
Luther was about to place himself by the side of Catherine , 4 this must not be . It were a sin , and a shame , and a scandal , to allow the betrothed to sit together ! That will do > * she said , wedging in her portly person between their chairs , und p oiatittg the other lady to a seat . AU yielded to her bustirag importance , while the handmaiden slunk down on a thveefeggec } 8 tool , with her back to the company and the viand * . Tb « r supper ' went off * with much spirit , and the humble ittendfcnt managed to help herself orer her shoulders , nnd to
<* t £ an twple portion from the plate which she held upon her knee ** I 9 * rtiu was in excellent temper , and taited of tkek 0 * mf fflaftr ' tbe mocaing , ' said he , ' -Wfey * . d * wu * gi y * t mmwA * ay xejoiee m tfee promise it briagecf a ^ towne iwtdl
Untitled Article
0 § S The Marriage ( fLuAer .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1836, page 622, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2662/page/34/
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