Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-11-28
III 7 S 6 Il T. T. a ~ x.
THE STRANGER.
IIIE
AN INTERESTING TALE OF REAL LIFE.

AN INTERESTING TALE OF REAL LIFE.
On the road between Shrewsbury and Market
Drayton. in Shropshire, England, lies the beautiful
/ and picturesque village of Hoduct; 1t consists OF
but one street on the declivity of the sunny side oil
a hill; the principal, or rather the oniy Inn IN the
place, is the Blue Bear: it is situated nearly oPpo-
site the public market hall, or place in which all
sorts of meetings are held; being alternately con-
yerted into a dancing school, a theatre, a methodist
chanel, a ball room, &c, as occasion may require.
The church is a little farther of, and the parsonage
is. as usual, a white house surrounded with trees,
at one END Of the village. A stage coach passes
through the village three times a week and one
evening in the month Of February 1t stopped as
usual at the door of the Inn, and a strange gentle
man wrapped in a blue travelling cloak alIghted;
the driver handed him a portmanteau, and the
coach drove on. The stranger entered the Blue
Bear, was shown into a parlor, and desired the
landlord to bring him a pint of wine. The order
was quickly obeyed; the wine was set upon the
table. and the host proceeded to arouse the slum-
boring embers of the fire, remarkins al The same
time that it was a cold, raw night. His guest as
scented with a nod-then said inquiringly, You
call this village Hoduct, do you not T. "fes, SIR,
said the host, "and a prettier little place is not 70
be found in all England" $50 | have heard, "
said the stranger, "and as you are net upon any
of the great roads, | believe you have the reputa-
ton of being a primitive and unsophisticaied set OF
people" fWhy, as to that, sir" said the host,
% cannot exactly speak: but If there's no harm in
it, | dare say we are. But you see, sir, I'm only q
vintner, and don't trouble my head about these mat
ters." $50 much the better" said the stranger
smiling. "You and / shall become better friends
may stay with you some weeks, perhaps months.
In the meantime, let me have something for supper,
and desire your wife to prepare for me a clean good
bed" q will, sir" said the host, and making
one Of his profoundest bows, retired TO give the re-
quisite orders, inspired with the deepest respect
for his unexpected guest.
The next day was Sunday. The bells of the viii
lage church had just finished ringing, when the
stranger walked up the aisle, and entered at ram
dom, a pew which happened to be vacant. Instant
" every eve was turned towards him, for a new
face was too important an object in Hoduct to be
left unnoticed. "Who is he 2" "When did he
comet" with whom does he stay :" "How
long will he be here ~ "Do you think he is hand
sonnet" These and a thousand other questions
flew about in whispers from one to another, whilst
the unconscious object of all this interest cast his
eyes calmly, yet penetratingly, around upon the
congregations. Nor was il at all to be wondered at
that his appearance had caused a sensation among
the good people of Hoduct, for he was not that
kind Of a person whom one meets with every day.
There was something in his face and figure that
distinguished him from the crowd. You could not
look upon him once and turn away with indiiier-
ence. When the service was over, the stranger
walked out of the church alone, and remained sea-
ted in the parlor of the Blue Bear the remainder OF
she day. AS may be supposed, speculation was
busy at work, at more than one tea table, at Ito,
duct, that morning, and coniectures were poured
out with the tea, aud swallowed with the toast.
A few days elapsed, and the stranger was almost
forgotten, for there was to be a subscription assem-
bly, at Hoduct, which entirely eugrossed the aiten-
tlon OF the villagers; so important an event not ha-
wing taken place for near half a century before
Great preparations were made, and at length the
important night arrived; and at nine O'Clock, which
was considered a fashionable hour, the ball was
nearly full, and the first country dance (ior quad
niles Were not then known to the villagers OF Ho-
duct) was led off by the oldest son ct the squire OF
The village, who conducted the chosen divinity OF
his heart gracefully through its mazes. Enjoyment
was at its height, when suddenly the rserriment
was checked, and more than usual hustle Pervaded
the room. The stranger had entered Il; and there
was something SO difcreHt in his looks and manner
from any of the other male creatures present, that
every body surveyed him wilh-renewed curiosity
which was at first tinctured with awe. Who can
ne bef' was the question that instantly started UP
10 many a maiden's throbbing bosom. " lie knows
nobody, and nobody knows him; surely he never
"ll think of asking any body to dance"
For long time the stranger stood alooi IRON the