RANGE OF APPRENTICESHIP. 163 



journey. On surveying with the utmost attention all around, we thought we 

 had descried trees at a considerable distance, and out of our course. We 

 nevertheless made towards them. It commenced raining very fast, and when 

 we had reached the much-desired spot, it proved to be only a thin orchard, 

 with a few scattered apple-trees. We still kept walking on, being well 

 assured there was no shelter for us in our rear, at least close at hand. We 

 soon discovered a small village in the very direction we were going, and 

 near it appeared a small wood. We advanced tolerably fast ; poor Essel a 

 great way behind. Met an old peasant ; enquired the name of the village 

 (Petit Essigny). He told us there was a path-way on the right of it, if we 

 wished to avoid passing through. We were, he said, five leagues from St. 

 Quentin. This old man's remarks appeared to us very singular : he took his 

 leave, and we parted. Raining incessantly, and the morning advancing, now 

 nearly eight o'clock. What we imagined to be a wood, adjacent to the village, 

 proved upon approaching to be only a few shrubs. Arrived at these shrubs, 

 we found they were pretty thick, and the grass very high, surrounded by a 

 quick-set hedge. We instantly got through the hedge, and lay close down. 

 Our situation was very unpleasant ; the grass excessively wet, added to our 

 having been wet nearly to the skin before we entered it. The rain coming 

 literally upon our poor bodies in sluices off the bushes ; poor Essel hardly 

 able to move or speak. However, this was preferable, we thought, to running 

 the risk of going into the village, where we suspected that gens d'armes might 

 be lurking, being so near a large town. 



To he continv£d. 



RANGE OF APPRENTICESHIP. 



Continued from page 80. 



In a little bit after the end, it may not be amiss to give the 

 information received from Mr. Crumplehorn, touching the exit 

 of Mrs. Provolvus; and a little will suffice. 



This good woman, feeling herself daily growing too weak for 

 the continuation of her business, was prevailed upon by a female 

 friend of old acquaintaneeship, to dispose of her stock in trade 

 and other property, and live upon the proceeds of the sale. 

 These she must have known were abundant — too much so for 

 any wants which either her years or her infirmities could require. 

 Becoming therefore an easy convert to her friend's persuasive 

 creed, she hastened her removal. It was however of short du- 

 ration ; for severe indisposition soon closed her useful career, and 

 put her sagacious friend into easy and full possession of all her 

 property ! 



At this recital I felt much uneasiness — not from any personal 

 disappointment in the loss of some treasured 6/flc/c-/e^<er promised 

 me, and which, to her, had been dead letter from the period of 

 the demise of its proprietor ; but from an acute feeling of s\ir- 



