Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1851-12-09

thought of meeting the eye Of
stranger was fearful. She imagined
that very one must read in her face
the vain; foolish hope that had taken
possession of her heart, and which
She now so bitterly regretted.
Having gathered from his journey
man the address ofthe young Scotch
man, who lived In common lodging
house, the baker took his way thIther,
but stepped into a little ale-house
opposite, and made inquiries as to
the inmates Of the lodging-house-
The landlord, whose principal pleas
ure consisted in watching his neigh
bors, related faithfully what he knew
of the house; and, alter lie had at
tached more or less blemishes 10 each
person who came under his notice,
he went on to say, that, amongst the
rest, a Scotehman lived there, with
a-yes, a lady. Everybody TOOK
her for such, and probably she was a
lady, though no one could speak from
personal observation. She came in
a hackney-coach, but was so envel-
oped in eloaks sand wells, that no.
body could tell whether she was
young or old, handsome or ugly.
For breakfast, she always took coffee
and a French roll, which the young
man fetched himself. During break
fast, she sat in the front room, while
the servant made the bed. He (the
host) had more than once said to the
stupid girl, that he wondered she
could not contrive to get sight OF
her, but she assured him that the
young man watched the lady like a
dog. She had often tried to surprise
them at breakfast; but no sooner had
she knocked at the door, which was
bolted inside, than the young man
bounced out, and fastened it behind
him. Whenever egoes out, con-
tinued the host, 'he locks the poor
woman in, and takes the key in his
pocket. Tnere must be something
wrong going forwards Behind 50
much mystery, there can be nothing
good
The baker paid for IL le glass of
porter, which he had not drank, and
went slowly home repeating to him
self the words of the landlord BE
hind SO much mystery there can
be nothing good!' Ney erthcless, a
voice within kept speaki ng in favor
of the young artist; for, though ap-
pearances were so strongly against
him, he could not get rid Of his pre-
poss ession for him.
Absorbed in thought, the worthy
man arrived at home, but here a
scene was enacting which made him
almost doubt that he stood at his own
door. A crowd Of people obstructed
the entrance, some pushing and stri-
wing to enter, while other called for
the police An officer soon made bis
appearances strong, important look
ing man and as he forced an ell
trance, the baker followed him.
What met his eyes on entering
the shop required little explanation.
The young painter sat upon chair,
bis face buried in his hands, leaning
on the counter. James stood behind,
tmumphahtly 1ourishing French
ron, which he maintained the Scotch
man had stolen, and was carrying off
The bakers entrance changed the
scene. He told the policeman that
the whole affair was mistake, begged
him to disperse the ctowd outside,
and requested the young man, who
was bathed in tears, to follow him
into the c5unting-house. He did so,
and deeply touched by the baker S
kindness, related to him his history.
1t was briefly this: that his moth
er, the daughter Of Scottish earl,
married below her station, her
husband, in order to make the change
in her condition less apparent, had
lived beyond his means, and, at his
death, had left to her little more than
her only son. Cast of by her fami-
ly, and too proud to beg for assist
ance in her necessity, the widow came
to London with her son, where he
might seek for employment. Their
hopes were alternately excited and
depressed; the mother fell ill from
protracted anxiety and want.and the
son was lriven by desperation to take
a step, which, but for the interposi-