Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-04-18
From Chambers Edinburgh Journal.
THE FORTUNES OF A COUNTRY y
GIRL.
A STORY FOUNDED on FACT.

Wv fhNis
One day, will not say how many years
ago-for intend to be very mysterious for a
time with my reuders--a young woman step
ped from a country Wagon that had just ar
rived at the yard gate of the famous Chelsea
InD, the Goat and Compasses, a name formed
by corrupting time out OF the pious original
"God encompasseth u.s." The young woman
seemed about the age of Ia, and was decent
ly dressed, though in the plaincst rustic fash
ion Of the times. She was well formed and
well looking, both form and looks giving in
dications Of the ruddy health consequent up
on exposure to sun and air in the county,
Amer stepping from the Wagon, which the
driver Immediately led in the court yard, the
girl stood for a moment in apparent unccr-
tainiy whittier to go, when the mistress of the
Inn, who had come to the door, observed her
hesitation, and asked her to enter and take
rest. The young woman readily obeyed the
invitation, and soon by the kindness Of the
landlady found herself by the fire side of q
Dicely sundcd parlor, wherewithal to refresl
herself after long and tedious journey.
"And 81, my poor girl, !" said the landady
after having heard in return for her kindness,
the whole particulars of the young woInan's
situation aud history, so thou hast come all
this way to seek service, and hast no friend
but John Hodge the waggoner? True, he is
like to give thee but small help, wench, to-
wards getting place."
"Is service, then, difficult 10 be had ?" ask
cd the young woman sadly.
"Ah, marry, good situations, at least, are
hard to find. But have good heart, child"
said the landady, and, as she continued, she
looked around her with an air Of pride and
dignity: "thou secst what ! have come to
myself; and left the country young thing
like myself, with as little to look to. But
'tisn't every for certain, that must look for
such fortune, and in any case it must be
sought for. ! showed myself good SER
want, before my poor old Jacob, heaven rest
his soul, made me mistress of the Goat and
Compasses. So mind thee, girl, -"
The andlady's speech might have gone on
long way; for the dame loved well the sound
of her own tongue, but for the interruption
occasioned by the entrance of gentleman,
when the landiady rose and welcomed him
heartily.
Aha dame," said the new conner, who was
stout, respectfully attired person of middle
age, "how sells the good ale ?-Scarcely
drop left in the cellars, hope?"
"Enough left to give your worshipa draught
after your long walk" as she rose to fulfil the
promise i'm Piled in her words.
81 walked not" was the gcntleman's re-
turn, but took pair Of oars dame, down the
river. Thou knowest always come to Chcl.
sea myself to see if thou ackest any thing"
'Ah, SIR replied the landlady, 'and it is by
that way of doing business that you have
made yourself as all the city says, the richest
man in the Brewers Corporation, if not in
London ITSELF
swell, dame, the better for me if il is so,"
said the Brewer, with a smile; but let us
have the mug, and this quite pretty friend Of
thine shall pleasure us, nayhap, by tasting
with u.s."
The landlady was not long in producing a
stoop Of ale, knowing that her visitor never
set an example hurtful to his own interests
by countenancing the consumption OF foreign
spirits.
Right, hostess said the brewer, when he
had tasted il, well made aud well kept, and
that is giving both thee and me our dues.'-
NOW, pretty one,' said he, filing one of the
measures Of glasses which had been placed
beside the stoop, wilt thou drink this to my
swcethcsrt's heaIth?
The poor country girl to whom this was
addressed, declined tho proffercd civity, and
with a blush, but the landlady exclaimed,
Come, silly wcncb, drink his worship's
health he is more likely to get thee SER
vice it i, so pleased him, than John Hodge,
the woggoncr.'
This girl has come many mile contin-
ucd the hostess, to seek place in town, that
she mny burden her family no more at home.
ITO seek service = exclaimed the brewer /;
why then perhaps II is well met with u.s.
Has she brought character with her, or can
You speak for her, dame =
She has never yet been from home, sir,
but her face is her character said the kind
hearted landlady;' u warrant she will be
dIlIeent and lrusty onc.'
Upon thy prnphccy. hostess, will I take
her into my own service for but yesterday
was my housckcePer complaining N tho wan,
Of help, since this dcputyship brought me
more into the way OF entertaining the people
of the ward
Ere the wealthy brewer aud deputy lef, the
Goat aud C"mp.ss"s, arrangements were
made for sending The county gal To- his
A.. H.. ,.tfu ,n fl,.s l,.llaW tuo fluN