Dr. Lacey Appears Upon the Scene

But Mr. Middleton brought her to a decision by saying, "what the deuce you
waiting for? Is it because I've got on cowhide stogies and a home-made
coat? Thunder and lightning! Don't you know I'm old Middleton, worth at
least two hundred thousand?"

This announcement changed the current of Mrs. Crane's ideas. The daughters
were not rough, if the father was, so she decided to take them, and for
the very moderate sum of seven dollars per week, promised to give them all
the privileges of her house. The first day of June was fixed on for them
to leave home and at sunrise Mr. Middleton's carriage stood at the door,
waiting for the young ladies to make their appearance. Julia had long been
ready and was waiting impatiently for Fanny, who was bidding the servants
an affectionate good-bye. Each one had received from her some little token
of love, and now they all stood in one corner of the yard, to look at
their darling as long as possible.

"Lor' bless her," said one; "Kentuck hain't many like her, nor never will
have."

"No, nor Frankfort nuther," said a second. While a third added, "No, and I
reckon heaven hadn't nuther!"

To which a fourth responded, "Amen."

Here old Aunt Katy, who had nursed Mr. Middieton and his children after
him, hobbled up to Fanny, and laying her hard, shriveled black hand on her
young mistress' bright locks, said, "The Lord who makes the wind blow easy
like on the sheared lamb, take keer of my sweet child and bring her back
agin to poor old Aunt Katy, who'll be all dark and lonesome, when
Sunshine's done gone."