The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-06-02
Sturles tut tge Yullng,
From the Churchman's Companion
VILLAGE TALES. MOI.


ed few years ago, in one of the prettiest
villagesi in the middle counties of England.
1t is within short distance from a fash
ionable watering place, and is favorite
drive for visiters. The church, always the
first attraction, is built on a slight emin-
ence, overlooking quiet river, the sides
of which are grown with sedgy weeds,
rushes, and all sorts of beautiful flowers,
the forget me-not fourishing with the grea-
test luxuriance. The building itself can
be described by comparing it with the
generality of village churches in England.
There is the same grey tower, venerable in
antiquity, overgrown with moss and Itch
ems; the long, low chancel, covered with
ivy windows peeping out here and there
without much regard to order. The church.
yard cross may be seen, standing on its
three stone steps, and ever facing the glo-
rious East; leading our thoughts to Him
Who shall come from thence, and all His
hoiy Angels WIN him.
1t was during a very severe winter a
few years since, when the greatest distress
prevailed throughout England-when the
poor man was barely able to buy loaf
of bread, and when he could still less afford
the necessary fire and clothing to keep up
life within--that our tale commences.
had been my rounds, and while wait
ing for my cousin, the Rector, leant over
a gate, looking at the thin, grey smoke
issuing from cottage chimney opposite,
and curling up into the air. Two boys
came down the lane. AS they approach
ed their conversation became distinctly
audible, and I discovered that one was
describing to the other, with great glee,
the sight he had seen that morning, while
accompanying his father into L -,
namely, the hounds in full chase after some
unhappy fox.
40, Willie" said the eldest, "bearnt
it fine sight-the huntmen with their
grand red coats as well, any day, as the
soldiers as now I seed pass through to
l."
Willie sighed, and thought to himself
whether he should ever have the opportu-
nifty of witnessing some of the grand sights
that George thought quite common.
"Yes, George" he replied, "Td ha' Civ
en- a sight Of money to be there, but Mark
Davies told me as how there'd be another
meet at-Park next week, and I've a
mind to catch sight ont. May be you'd
go too?"
Well, "oll," roPliod George, I'll go ;
but we must be off betimes that day.-
But don't ye go Dragging ont to faith
er or mother, or may be they'll end it."
The boys now said farewell; George
entered the cottage, and Willie proceeded
down the lane.
l soon forget the conversation which I
had heard, little thinking how soon it
would be brought to my mind. And vet,
as pursued my way down the hill to-
wards the parsonage, pondered on the
last words uttered by George" Don't We
60 Dragging ont to father or mother,
or may be they'll end it"-and the follow
ing sentence rushed into my mind: at is
a great matter to live in obedience, and
not to be at our own disposing."
"stir ye, Willie, my bry," said James
Davies to his son, the morning of the hunt,
"stir ye, my boy, and 60 your way to
work. Be the hedge mended YETI"
Not yet, father" said the boy; al
am to go and help finish it to-day"
1t was little he could do; in fact, he
went more to keep more out of harms
way than anything else. But to-day he
had very different employment, and as his
father Quilted the house, he went to look
for George, who was waiting for him, and
they were of. Leaving the village, they
passed up lane, and across two or three
fields, and at last came in sight of wood,
which extended for a considerable distance
around as far as the eye can reach. It
was lovely morning, about the middle
OF January. The air wa5 clear, and the
hoar frost glittered like thousands of dia-
monds on each branch and spray; every
blade Of grass was encrusted in silver
sheen, and the webs of insects were as the
most fairy-like lacework. The boys did
not stop to examine the beauty of the
scene; they never thought of turning
round before they entered the wood, to
look at the lovely prospect that lay be-
meath. II they had done so, they might
have reflected as to the propriety of thus
forming plans without their parents leave.
They dashed madly onwards and s,II