The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-10-22
THE MYSTERIOUS PACK.

In the year 1923 Colonel Ridley returned from
India, with what in those days, accounted an
immense fortune, aud retired TO a country seat
the banks of the North Tyne, in Northumberland.
lie went to London annually with his family, during
few of the winter months, and at these times there
were but few left at his country house. At the time
we treat Of there were only three domescs remain
cd there; maid servant, whose name was Alice,
kept the house and there were besides, old man
ana a hoy, the one threshcd the corn, and the other
took care OF some cattle.
One afternoon Alice was sitting spinning some
yarn for pair of stockings for herself peder en-
tered the hall with conical pack on his back. Al
ice had seen as long pack and as broad pack; ;
but pack equally long, broad, and thick, she de-
clared she never saw. II was about the middle of
winter, when the days were short, and the nights
cold, long, and wearlsome. The pedar n
hauds somo well dressed man, and very likely to be
very agreeable companion for such maid Al
ice, euc, night that; yet Alice declared that
from the very first she did not like him greatly and
thoug gh he introduced himself with little ribaldry,
and great deal of flntery nterlarjed, yet when he
came TO ask nights lodging, he met with per-
enptory refusal he jes;ed the subject, said he
believed she in the right, for that would
" be safe to trust him under the same roof with
such beautiful young creature.-Alice old
maid, and any thing but beautiful.-He then took
her or his knee, caressed and kissed her, but AL
staying there But you really going 60 put me
away 10 nghtr Yes 'indecd my dear girl
. you must hot be unreasonable; | am come
s.ra gh from Newcastle, where have been pur-
chasing fresh stock Of gaods, which arc so heavy
that cannot travel far whl HEM and as the people
around are all ofthe poorer sort, will rather make
you present of the finest shawl in my pack befor,
60 further! At the mentioning of the shawl the
picture of deberation portrayed in lively colors
on Aoe's face for amoment, but her prudence over
came. NO, she was but servant, and had the or
ders to harbor no person about the house but such
as came on business, nor these either, unless she
was well acquainted with them What the worse
can YOU, or your master, any else be- for sul-
fcrng me to tarry until the morningl u cntrear
you do not insist, for here you cannot be- 'Ru, in
deed, am not able to carry the goods farther to
night. s.'--sThen you must leave them or get horse
to carry them away OF all the sweet infexiblc
beings that ever were made, you certainly arc
The chief Blu; cannot blame YOU your resolution
il Just and right. We'll, WELL since no better ma,
be- / must leave them, and 20 search for lodainf
myself somewhere esc for, faligued as am, it /
as much as my life is worth to eadeayor carrying
them further. Alice was rather taken at her word
she wanted nothing TO do with his goods: the mar
was dispeascd at her, and mght accuse her of steal
| ing some ofthem: but it alternative she has
proposed, and against which lac could start no plau.
sible objection she consented, though with muci
reluctance. Blu: the pack will be better out of IN,
wsy, said he 'and safer, you would be so kind al