CHAPTER VII.

A HAPPY man was Abel Snobbins, a proud and a happy man was he on the day that -the banns having been duly published three several times in his parish churchhe was married to Madge Hitcham, and took her home to his little dark, close, unhealthy oil and tallow shop, in Budge Row. Happy was she too good, artless, affectionate as she was a comely young woman, abounding in proverbs, the oral wisdom which she had garnered up in her

simple, unlettered education :-frugal, active, self-denying, cheerful, modest, and industrious. Abel Snobbins was a proud man, when the village maiden, whom he had at first accidentally met, during a week's visit to a country cousin's, for change of air after sickness, absolutely dismissed the farrier, who had such a flourishing business, and looked cool on the baker's man, who had such a handsome face and such a winning tongue, and moreover wore such beautiful nosegays every Sunday-all for love of her, as she well knew. And when all competitors were irrevocably distanced, and Abel bore his bride to his own home, he thought, not of her beauty, for it was by no means remarkable, nor of her fortune, for she was penniless, but of her untarnished character, her excellent conduct, her kind, cheerful, affectionate temper.

"A virtuous woman," said Abel to himself, "is a crown to her husband-her price is far above rubies."

Abel read his bible regularly every Sunday, especially the books of Proverbs, Wisdom, and Ecclesiasticus, and the Acts of the Apostles: and he amused his thoughts, during parts of his journey home, when, from the noise of the wheels, conversation was impossible, with picturing his beloved new wife in the beautiful words of Holy Writ.

"The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her ;

"She will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life

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She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

"Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her."

Every word of which was justified by the future conduct of Madge Hitcham, now Snobbins.

At first even her stout and healthy constitution was influenced by the change from the pure, fresh air, to the close, unwholesome atmosphere of Budge Row, and Abel looked with dismay on her paleing cheek.

"Never mind, Abel dear, never mind

every path hath a puddle,' you know. It's the thick air, but I shall soon be used to it."

"But if you shouldn't get used to it, and if you should be really ill?”

"Patience is a plaister for all sores," replied she.

"If you would only rest yourself more, Madge ?"

"Think of ease, but work on,'" was her quiet rejoinder, as she left her husband to attend to her domestic concerns.

Whilst he took an active personal and practical share in the dipping of the sixteens, she applied herself, heart and hand, to assist her maid-of-all-work in the house. A little snuggery to the back of the shop,

the second floor and attics were reserved for their own domestic use; the first floor was let to a family at eighteen shillings a-week, including cooking, kitchen fire, and attendance.

In all the labours of the household, whether in her own behoof or that of her lodgers, Mrs. Snobbins took an active and engrossing share. Her whole domain was a model of neatness, order, and cleanliness ; Herculean as that task must seem to those who are acquainted with the localities of Budge Row; but not the brightest copper on her shelves could look brighter than her own affectionate face, nor could any idle lady in the land look a more perfect pattern of neatness and propriety in dress than did Mrs. Snobbins when daily, after the active labours of the morning, she seated herself for the remainder of the day at her needlework in the little back room leading from the shop. Here her husband would often and often pop in, and a corner of the curtain being turned which