Part 13 (1/2)
”Stop a moment, then,” she replied. ”I have some superfluous articles of dress that I may dispose of.”
The whole mother rushed into her heart at the thought; the tender and loving wife forgot everything but the means of obtaining food for her husband and children. She went to her dressing-room, and in a few minutes returned, accompanied by Lilly Stewart, her own servant-maid previous to ker marriage, to whom their recent distresses had been no secret, and who was deeply and deservedly in the confidence of the family.
Whilst she was, absent in her dressing-room the pedlar resumed his song, as was his custom when alone--a circ.u.mstance which caused Mrs. Temple to remark, as she and Lilly went down to, the parlor--”Alas! dear Lilly, what a mistaken estimate does one portion of mankind form of another.
This poor pedlar now envies us the happiness of rank and wealth which we do not feel, and I--yes, even I--what would I not give to be able to carol so light-hearted a song as that which he is singing! Who is this man, Lilly, do you know him?”
”Why, ma'am, if all they say is true, every one knows him, and n.o.body knows him. He's known as the _Cannie Soogah_, or jolly pedlar. They say, that although he prefers this kind of life, he's very wealthy.
One person will tell you that he's a great rogue, and would cheat Satan himself, and others say he's generous and charitable. In other respects,” continued. Lilly, blus.h.i.+ng, ”he's not very well spoken of, but it may be false. I have always found him myself very civil; and them that spoke harshly of him were people that he kept at a distance.”
The pedlar ceased his song as soon as they made their appearance in the parlor, into which Lilly admitted him for the sake of mutual convenience.
”Here's a shawl--a beautiful shawl, Mr. ---- what's this your name is?”
”The name that I have for set days and bonfire nights,” he replied, ”is one I seldom tell,” and at the same time there was a dry air of surprise about him on hearing her ask the question; ”but the name I am generally known by is the _Cannie Soogah_, which manes, ma'am,” he added, addressing himself in a respectful manner to Mrs. Temple, ”the jolly merchant or pedlar.”
”Well, Cannie,” said Lilly, p.r.o.nouncing the word with more familiarity than could have been expected from their apparent unaquaintance with each other, ”here's a beautiful shawl that my mistress made me a present of.”
”No, Lilly,” said her mistress, with severity--for she neither could nor would sanction the falsehood, however delicately and well intended--”no, do not mislead the man, nor state anything but the truth. The shawl is mine, my good man, and I wish to dispose of it.”
The pedlar looked at it, and replied, in a tone of disappointment, ”Yes, ma'am, but I'm afeard it's beyant my manes; I know the value of it right well, and it's seldom ever the likes of it was in my pack. What are you axin', ma'am? it's as good as new.”
”I think it cost twelve or thirteen guineas, as well as I can remember,”
she replied; ”but it is not what it cost, but what you are now disposed to give for it, that I am anxious to know.”
”Well, ma'am, you know I must look upon it as--hem--as a second--ha--at all events,” he proceeded, checking himself with more delicacy than could be expected from him--”you must admit that it isn't new.”
”Certainly,” said she, ”it has been more than eight years in my possession, although, at the same time, I believe I have not worn it more than half a dozen times.”
”Well, ma'am,” replied the pedlar, ”I know the value of the shawl something betther even than yourself. If you will take six guineas for it, we will deal; more I cannot afford, for I must at once tell, you the truth, that I may carry it about these twelve months before I find any one that knows its value.”
Mrs. Temple was by no means prepared, any more than her servant, for such a liberal offer; and without any further hesitation she accepted it, and desired Lilly to place the shawl in his hands, and in the meantime, with equal consideration and good feeling, he handed Lilly six guineas, adding, ”Give that to your mistress, but in troth, ma'am,” he proceeded, respectfully addressing her; ”it is just robbing you I am, but I can only say, that if I dispose of it at its proper-value you'll hear from me again. Troth, if I wasn't a great rogue, ma'am, I'd give you more for it; but bad cess to the one o' me--ever could be honest, even if I wasped for it.”
”I do not think you dishonest, my good, man,” replied Mrs. Temple; ”on the contrary, I am not displeased with your, plain blunt manner. Lilly give him some----”
She checked herself at once, and pa.s.sed, a significant but sorrowful glance at Lilly; as she went up to the drawing-room.
She had no sooner gone, than the peddler, with a shrug of satisfaction, exclaimed, in a subdued but triumphant voice: ”Oh! by the hokey I've done her, and for that you must suffer, Lilly darlin'. Come now, you jumpin' jewel you, that was born wid a honey-comb somewhere between, that purty chin and beautiful nose of yours--throth it must have a taste, for who the d.i.c.kens could, refuse the _Cannie Soogah_, and before Lilly, who, by the way, was nothing, loath, could put herself in an att.i.tude of defense, he had inflicted several smacks upon as pretty a pair of lips as ever were pressed.
”Upon my word; now, Mr. Magrath, you're very impudent,” she replied, ”I wonder you're not ashamed, you great strong man you, to be kissing girls in this manner, whether they will or not. Look at the state you have my hair in; you're very rude, Mr. Magrath, and I'm really angry with you; you've broken one of my side-combs, too; you're a great rude man, so you are.”
”Broke your side-comb, did I? Well, then, you couldn't be in better hands, darlin', here's a pair I make you a present of, and maybe they won't set you all off to pieces; here, darlin', wear these for my sake.”
”But are you making me a present of these beauties, Cannie?”
”Troth an' I am, Lilly darlin', and wish they were betther for your sake--what's that I said? a present! oh the sorrow bit, I must have my payment--aisy now, darlin', my own sweet Lilly; there now, we're clear.”
”Upon my word, Mr. Magrath, I don't know what to say to you, but you're such a great strong fellow, that a poor weak girl like me is but a child in your arms; are these real tortoise-sh.e.l.l though?”
”You may swear it; do you think I'd offer you anything else? But now listen, my darlin' girl, take this shawl, it's 'worth five-and-twenty guineas at least, troth, poor thing! it wasn't since their marriage it was bought; take it, I say, and go up widout sayin' a word, and lay it just where it was before, and if she seems surprised on findin' it there, tell her you suppose I forgot it, or if she won't believe you, and that all fails you, say that the _Cannie Soogah_, although she knows nothing about him, is a man that's undher great obligations to her family, and that he only tuck that method of payin' back a debt to her that he honestly owed to them, for, afther all, isn't she one of them?”