The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-05
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE STRANGER.
AN INTERESTING TALE OF REAL LIFE.

AN INTERESTING TALE OF REAL LIFE.
On the road between Shrewsbury and Mar
ket Drayton in Shropshire, England, lies the
beautiful and picturesque village of Hoduct !;
il consists of but one street on the declivity Of
the sunny side Of hill; the principal, or ra-
Their the only Inn in the place, is the Blue
Boar: it is situated nearly opposite to the pub
lie market hall, or place in which all sorts of
meetings are held being alternately convert
ed into dancing school, a theatre, method
ist chapel, ball room, &c. as occasion may
require. The church is little farther of, and
the parsonage is, as usual, white house sur
rounded with trees, at one end Of the village.
A stage coach passes through the village three
times week and one evening in the month
Of February il stopped as usual at the door Of
the Inn, and a strange gentleman wrapped in
blue travelling cloak aghted the driver hand
ed him portmanteau, and the coach drove
on. The stranger entered the Blue Boar, was
shown into paror, and desired the landlord
to bring him pint Of wine. The order was
quickly obeyed; the wine set upon the table,
and the host proceeded to rouse the slumber-
ing embers Of the fire, remarking at the same
time that it was a cold, raw night. His guest
assented with a nod--then said inquiringly,
You call this village Hoduct, do you not 2
Yes, sir said the host, and pretter little
place IS not to be found in all England SO
have heard said the stranger, and as you
are not upon any Of the great roads, believe
you have the reputation Of being primitive
and unsophisticated set Of people, Why, as
to that, Sir said the host, Il cannot exactly
speak: but if there's no harm in il, dare say
we are. But you see, Sir, I'm only vintner,
and don't trouble my head about these mat
ters.' SO much the BETTER said the stran-
ger, smiling. You and shall become better
friends; ] may stay with you some weeks,
perhaps months. In the meantime, let me
have something comfortable for supper, and
desire your wife TO prepare me clean good
bed Il will, Sir, said the host, and maki.,g
one Of his profoundest bows, retired to give
the requisite orders, inspired with the deepest
respect for his unexpected guest.
The next day was Sunday. The bells Of
the village church had just finished ringing,
when the stranger walked up the aisle, and
entered at random, pew which happened to
be vacant. Instantly every eye was turned
towards him, for new face was too import
ant an object in Hoduct to be left unnoticed.
who is he 2 When did he Gomez with
whom does he stay!' How long will he be
here y DO you think he is handsome p
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 pcnctratingly, around up
on the congregation. Nor was it 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 person whom one
meets with every day. There was something
both in his face and figure that distinguished
him from the crowd. You could not look upon
him once, and turn away with indifference
When the service was over, the stranger
walked out Of the church alone, and remained
seated in his parlor at the Blue Boar the re-
mander of the day As may be supposed,
speculation was busily at work, at more than