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SKETCHES. 303
at all, we ought not to wonder that in the course of time they
become bad-tempered, gouty, morose, quarrelsome, and —
which is the case with several of them — ultimately take
to the brandy bottle, to help them to keep up their spirits,
and keep themselves warm. Discomfort is the mother of
vice. Not exactly that the market-women here should
necessarily be driven to it. An energetic and God-fearing
soul can keep the body in spirits and dry, even in the worst
weather. There is, for instance, amongst the market-
women, one whom I wish you could know — yonder sub-
stantial, good-looking woman, looking so stately in her
butcher’s stall. She said one day to a young wife, who was
crying for the loss of her husband, who had died and left
her alone with five children totally unprovided for : —
“ Hearken to me, my good Mistress H Do not go
about in this manner, lamenting and crying, but go home;
take off your cloak and put on a proper working dress; get
a table, come here, and sell some article. So I did five and
twenty years ago, when my husband deserted me. All I
then possessed in the world was three children and three
shillings. But some kind people advanced me the nioney
to buy a pig. I carried it home myself, cut it up, and came
here the next day to sell it. And here I stood until I
could afford to get my own stall. I have now portioned off
and married my three children; I have three servants, and
am the owner of a stone-house in the north part of the
town, and the Lord’s hand is over me all my days. Do as
I did, exert yourself to the utmost, work and trust in God,
and all will go well. I shall myself give you the first
handsel !”
She to whom this advice was given, did follow it; she is
now standing in the market every day, in high spirits, at her
pork-table, and has already verified the words of her coun-
selor.
But in order to be able to withstand the rough weather
and discomfort of a market life, it requires not only a soul
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