Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-08-23
The Fortunes of a Country Girl.
A SELECTED STORY.

One day, Will not say how many years ago
for intend TO be very mysterious for time
with my readers-a young woman stepped
from country wagon that had just arrived al
the yard gate of the famous Chelsea inn, the
Goat and Compasses, a name formed by cot
rupting time out of the pious original, :" God
encompesselh u.s." The young woman seemed
abou, the age Of eighteen, and was decently
dressed, though in the very plainest rustic fash
ion of the times. She was well formed and
we'll looking, both form and looks giving indi-
cations of the ruddy health cons equen. upon
the exposure 10 the sun and air of the country.
After stepping from the wagon, which the dri-
yer Immediately led into the courtyard, the
girl stood for moment III apparent uncertainty
whittier to 60, when the mistress of The inn,
who had come TO the door, observed her hesi-
lailon, and asked her 10 enter and lake rest.
The young woman readily obeyed the invita-
tion, and soon, by the kindness Of the landlady,
found herself by the fireside Of nicely y-sanded
parlour, with wherewithal TO refresh herself
after her long and tedious journey
Sand so, my poor girl" said the landlydy,
after having heard, in return for her kindness,
the whole particulars of the young womans
situation and history" so thou hast come all
this way to seek service, and hast no friend
but John Hodge, the waggoner! Truly, he
is likely to give thee but small help, wench,
towards getting place." /" Is service then
difficult to be had I" asked the young woman,
sadly. All, marry, good situations, at least,
are somewhat hard to find But have good
heart, child" said the landlady, and, as she
continued, she looked around her with an air
Of pride and dignity thou seest what have
come TO, myself and left the country young
thing. just like thyself, with little TO look TO.
Blu, 'tisnt every one, for certain, that must look
for such a fortune, and, in any case, it mus,
first be wrough, for. | showed myself good
servant, before my poor old Jacob, heaven rest
his SOUL made me mistress of the Goat and
Compass. So mind thee, girl -" The
landlady's speech might have gone on long
way, for the dame loved well the sound of her
own tongue, bu, for the interruption occasion
ed by the entrance Of gentleman. whom the
landady rose and welcomed heartily. " Ha
dame," said the new conner, who was stout
respectfully at,ired person of middle age, show
sells the good ale +? Scarcely drop left in
Thy cellar, / hope I" Enough left to give
your worship draogh, after your long walk" !"
said the landlady, as she rose TO fulfil the prom
ise implied in her words. 81 walked not, y
was The gentleman's return, +" bu, took pair
of oars. dame, down the river. Thou know 81
always come 10 Chelsea myself to see if thou
lackest anything" Gay, sir" replied the land.
lady. and 1t is by that way doing business
,ha, you have made yourself, as all the city
says, the richest man in the Brewers Corpor-
alton, if no, in all London ITSELF" g Well,
dame, the better for me if it is So" said the
brewer with a smile +" but let us have thy
mug, and this quiet pretty friend Of thine shall
pleasure US, may-hap, by tasting with US"
The Iandady was no, long in producing a
s,oup of ale, knowing that her visitor never set
an example hur,ful TO his own interests by
coun.snancing the consumption Of foreign spir-
its. fright, hostess" said the brewer, when
he had lasted it, " we'll made and we'll kept,
and lhjt Is giving both thee and me our dues.
Now, pretty one," said he, filing one of the
measures or glasses which had been placed
beside the stoup, /" wilt thou drink this to thy
swee.heart's health :" The poor country girl
to whom this was addressed declined the prof
fer civilly, and with blush but the la2dlady
exclaimed, Come, silly wench, drink his
worship's health he is more likely TO do thee
service, if il SO please him. than John the
waggoner. The girl has come many mile y
continued the hostess, ITO seek place in
town, that she may burden her family no more
a, home" "To seek service ~ exclaimed the
brewer "why then, i. is perhaps well ME,
with u.s. Has she brough. 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 land
lady :" warrant me. she will be dligent
and trus,y one." "Upon thy prophecy, hos
tess, will take her into my own service ; for
but yesterday was my house-keeper complain
ing of the wan, of help. since this dePulyship
brought me more into the way Of entertaining
the people of the ward"
Ere the wealthy brewer and deputy lef. the
Goat and Compasses, arrangements were made
for sending the country girl to his house in the
city on the following day. Proud of having
done kind action, the gauulous hostess took
advantage Of the circumstance 10 deliver an
immensely long harangue TO the young woman
on her new duties, and on the dangers 10 which
youth is exposed in large cities. The g'rl
heard her benefaclor with modest lhankulness
but more minute observer han the good land
lady nigh, have seen in the eye and conn'e-