Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-06-06
SELECT TALE.


80 from a lady, whom shall call Mrs.
C.acour. TO accompany her to the quiet
mi picturesque bathing place Of W;
IN invitation which was doubly pleasing
= ma not only because | had great re-
.-d Gor Mrs. Estcourt, bu; because, with
p Eve miles Of w, there resided a
cm;Iv with whom had formerly passed
,c,nv hapDy weeks, and whose long tried
ir;endship made this prospect Of being SO
near them most delightful. Mrs. Est
court had been a widow about five years;
and At the period Of which | speak, she
vas little more than thirty. At an early
are she had been married to man con-
siderably her senior, yet her marriage had
been a most happy one, and although she
was not disconsolaie on her husbands
death, she truly mourned his loss. Smiles,
betokening perfect contentment, at length
denoted that the widows grief was over.
when accompanied her to W. She
was very beautiful in person, and fascinat-
ing in manner. Perhaps strangers might
think her little too merry hearted, con-
sidering her position; but |, who well knew
her innate goodness and sound sense,
thought her clear, pleasant laugh the most
exhilaratng sound in the world. She had
already received more than one offer OF
marriage during her widowhood; nor is
this surprising, considering her attractions,
not to mention the fact, that her late hus-
band had left her one thousand pounds a
wear. But Mrs. Estcourt turned deaf
ear to the voice Of the charmer, charmed
she ever so wisely, and in the full enjoy
mcnt Of her hobby-for she had one, and
that singular one perhaps for lady
her days flowed peacefully on; and it was
partly for the further indulgence Of this
hobby that she selected W as the
place Of sojourn for the summer, it being
Z fayoritc resort Of the conchologist and
mineralogist
Mrs. Estcourt had studied conchology
enthusiastically for some years, and she
had very pretty collection Of shells. An
indcfatigable shell galhercr she proved at
W; and on my mentioning that the
son Of those old friends, whose residence
was within few miles, was learned in
like lore, and had an extensive museum
Of natural curiositics, she became eager
for an Introduction, and speedily drove
me over 10 the Warren in her low pony
phaeton After iraversing dreary hills
and waste tracts Of land, while listening
to the sullen booming of the ocean, it was
cheering to arrive at this low, rambling.
but substantial dwelling. Inhabited by Mr.
and Mrs Bowel, and their son Mr. Mat
thew. The traveller had need to arrive
NJ an early hour Of the evening. for soon
after the curfew bell tolled. all the lights
in the mansion were extingushed, and the
family retired to rest; while long before
daylight in winter, and with sunrise in
summer. were the household again astr.
This consisted Of farm and household
domcstics; the husbandmcn strictly fulfill
ing their appointed duties. according TO
the most approved rules and regulations
Of past centuries. no newfaugled systems
being listened to or tolerated by Mr.. Bowel:
while the maidcns assembled round their
industrious mistress with spinning wheels.
or other thrifty employments, each day af
ter morning hustle aud the noon meal was
over. At this meal the master, mistress.
their son. and all the servants. out door
and in. dncd at the same table, the only
distinction being, that a lower place was
occupied bv the subordinates Nor was
this usage ever dcviaied from or omitted,
let who might be the guest. In capacious
hall. with low raiters. and wainscoting
black from age, the table was daily spread
for dinner, at an hour when some of us.
calling ourselves busy folks. too, are sit
ting down to brcaktast.-Thcrc was a
yawning chimney in this old hall. with
cosy hooks beside it; and. protected by a
folding screen. Mr.. Bovell's own little tea
table stood ensconced here each afternoon
But when any lady visitor came TO the
Warren. there was fire lit in the parlor
whose bay window looked on the CAV
flower garden. In this room. fitted up
with snowy dimity, bound with green silk
en- fringe, and decorated with antique en-
cravings. the subjects taken from passages
in the Sacred Writings. it was very plea.
SAINT TO drink tea at three o'clock. when
the cream and The butter, the home made
bread. hot and cold. plumcake and con-
serves. and last, though not least. the
finest Tyson. brewed in the quaintest of
tcapots-filagreed and profusely orna-
mented was this silver hcirloom-render.
cd that meal. after long walk or windy
ride. singuiarly novel and refreshing.
The tea-tahlc was presided over by the
kindest and dearest Of busy, cheerful.
talkative old ladies, in the person Of Dame
Bowel. alfred in brocade and ruiles, high
heelcd shoes. and a couture with powder
ed roll surrounding her high forehead
Then in marched Squire Bowel. clad in
russell gray Of ample cut. with ponderous
silver buckles in his shoes, and well
ourled wig on his fine old pate. lie, in
deed protested to declaim against tea:
nevertheless. two or three tiny china cups
uor the best blue and gold was always
used IN the Parlor) had to be replenished
one after another. as the contents disao.
pearcd in his hands: but it was to kee,,
Son Matthew company. said the squire.
for Matthew was an invetera,e tea drinker
twelve and fourteen Of these fairy bowls
being his 'parlor allowance
Mr. Matthew Bowel was an only child.
and AT the time alluded TO. a bachelor of
forty years Of age. He took some par, in
inc farming operations with which the
yeoman squire amused himself: for farm.
ing was rather an amusement, TO SQUIRE
Bowel than pursued as a mode Of oa;n.