"I heard of a porter, once, who
had a great box fall upon him and crush him; and another, who
committed suicide."
The cooper laughed.
"So, Rachel, you conclude that one or the other is the inevitable
lot of all who are engaged in this business."
"It is always well to be prepared for the worst," said Rachel,
oracularly.
"But not to be always looking for it," said her brother.
"It'll come, whether you look for it or not," returned her sister,
sententiously.
"Then, suppose we spend no thoughts upon it, since, according to
your admission, it's sure to come either way."
Rachel pursued her knitting, in severe melancholy.
"Won't you have another piece of pudding, Timothy?" asked Mrs.
Crump.
"I don't care if I do, Mary, it's so good," said the cooper, passing
his plate. "Seems to me it's the best pudding you ever made."
"You've got a good appetite, that is all," said Mrs. Crump,
modestly.
"By the way, Mary," said the cooper, with a sudden thought, "I quite
forgot that I have something for you."
"For me?"
"Yes, from Mr. Merriam."
"But he don't know me," said Mrs. Crump, in surprise.
"At any rate, he asked me if I were married, and then handed me this
envelope for you. I am not quite sure whether I ought to allow
gentlemen to write letters to my wife."
Mrs. Crump opened the envelope with considerable curiosity, and
uttered an exclamation of surprise, as a bank-note fluttered to the
carpet.
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