Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-08-18
MISCEEL Any.
The QUAKER.

In beautiful village on the banks oi
the rive, Avon, not far distant from STRAIT
ford, the birth place Of the immortal
Shakespeare, there lived benevolent
Quaker, named Steady; he was rich
and his utmost delight was TO see the
villagers happy. Being great admir-
or OF learning, he was sorry to see any
Of his fellow men, however lowly thei,
station, stepped in ignorance; he wa.
therefore at tho expense Of supporting a
free school, at which all the poor child.
rcn Of the neighborhood we're educated
and every May-day, rewards were given
to those who succeeded best in their va
rious studies. Questions were also pro-
posed, and he who was skilful enough
to cXpound these questions received a
sum Of money as marriage portion with
the girl he loved, provided he had, or
was likely to obtain her parents consent !;
and it very seldom occurred that any
father or mother refused their consent,
if good Mr. Steady asked it; he was, in
short, tho blessing of his tenantry, and
every body loved him.
In this village there lived farmer
whose name was Easy, and it seemed as
if his name was part Of himself; he
was good-natured, quiet man, and so
careless in his disposition, that if his
corn did but grow, and his hay was got
in well, he was as merry rs the day was
long. If there came an Indifferent sea-
son, he contentcd himself with hoping
the next would be better. So long as
he had mug Of ale, and nap in the
corner after dinner, he cared little how
the world went on; whether tho nation
was rich or poor, at peace or at war;
whether times were good or bad, all
was the same to farmer Easy. Hc
took every thing in good heart, whilst
his wife, Dame Cicely, ruled the roast
to whatever she proposed, the farmer
replied, eyes, sure, it thee likest,
damc."
Farmer Easy had one daughter called
Gillian, a very pretty girl, admired by
the whole village. Mr.. Steady had Of
ten noticed her modest, artless manner
and proposed to her father and mother
that she should become his wife; they
we're both highly delighted at this pro-
posal. Dame Cicely was almost out of
her wits with JOY, TO have her daughter
the mistress Of the great house, ride ir
her own coach, ,and to be herself drossct
out in fine clothes; oh, how charming
She looked in the glass to see what col
ors were the most becoming to he
complexion, and determined that he
dress on the day of her daughters wed
ding should be the gayest that had evcl
been seen in the village Of Maybury:-
she would wear pink silk petticoat ,ant
a blue silk gown, with yellow trimming!
scarlet ribbon on her cap, and greer
bows on her shoes; and she could no
help thinking, if she were only twent,
years younger, and unmarried, ho,
many sweethearts she should get.
Dame Easy had all the JOY to herself
for poor Gillian was wrctchcd; bcin
attached to Lubin, an honest lad, VIII
had been brought up in a neighborin
village with his uncle. He had aske
the consent Of farmer and dame Easy t
marry Gillian, who had agreed to it,
and he was now gone TO the wester
country to ask his fathers consent an
on his return, the wedding was to tax
place directly. Gillian could not bca
The thoughts Of giving up Lubin, VIII
was young and handsome, for old Stead
who was ugly and formal. She did NJ
care for riches; she would rather mil
the cows and feed the poultry, with l.,
bin for her husband, than be the grea
est lady Of the land without him; but h,
mother told her she must marry M
Steady. Gillian believed that no youn
woman ever dared TO disobey her pa
ents; and she knew her mother won
he obeyed, for her father did evcl
thing she bid him, and never said ma
Gillian was taken 10 live in The gre