Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-06-30

CumStauce, to denver an immensely Ions
hatrangue to the young woman, on her new
duties. and to the dangers to which yout
is exposed IN large cities The grl hearc
her benefactreSs With modest thank(ulness
but more minute observer than the good
landady might have seen in the eye and
countenance of the girl quiet frmness Of
expression. and such as might have induc-
ed the cutting short ofthe lecture. How.
ever. the landlady's lecture had an end, and
towards the evening of the day folowihg
her arrival at the Goat and Compasses, the
youthful rustic found herself installed as
housemaid in The dwelling of rich brew
er.
The fortunes of this girl il is our purpose
to follow. The first change which took
place in her condition subsequent to that re-
lated, was her elevation to the vacant post
of house keeper IN the brewers family
In this situation, she was brought more han
formerly in contact with her master, who
had ample means of admiring her propriety
of conduct as we'll as her skillful economy
and management, By degrees he began tc
find her presence necessary to his happi
ness, and being a man Of both honorable
and independent mind, he at length offered
her his hand. 1t was accepted, and she
who but four or five years before left hel
home barefooted, became the wife ofone ol
the richest citizens of London.
For many years Mr.. Aylesbury, for such
was the name of the brewer, and his wife
lived in happiness and comfort together
He was man of good family and connec-
tions, and consequently of higher breeding
than his wife could boast, but on no occa-
sion had he to blush for the partner he had
chosen. Her calm Unborn strength, if moi
dignity, of character, ,conjoined with an ex-
treme quickness Of perception, made hel
fill her place at her husbands table with
as much grace and credit as il she had been
born to the station. And as time ran on
the respectability OF Mr.. Aylesbury's posi-
ton received gradual increase. He be-
came an alderman and subsequently she.
ri IF of the city, and in consequence Of the
latter elevation was knighted Afterwards,
and now part OF the mystery projected at
the commencement of this story must be
broken in upon as far as time is. concerned
-afterward the important place which the
brewer held in the city, called upon him
the attention and favor Of the King, Charles
the First, then anxious to concilate the
good will of the citizens, and the knight re-
ceived the further honor of baronetcy.
Lady Aylesbury, in the first year of her
married life, gave birth to daughter, who
proved to be an only child, and around
whom, as was natural, all the hopes and
wishes of her parents entwined themselves.
This daughter had only reached the age OF
seventeen when her father died leaving an
immense fortune behind him. 1t was first
thought that Il e widow and her daughter
would become the inhentors of this with
out the shadow of dispute. But it proved
otherwise. Certain relatives of the deeeas-
ed brewer set up plea upon the founda-
ton of a will made in their favor before
the deceased became married. With her
wonted firmness, Lady Aylesbury immed-
atev took steps for the vindicatinn of her
own and her daughters rights. A young
lawyer who had been a frequent guest at
her husbands table, and of whose ability
she had formed high opinion. she fixed
UPON, as a legal assertnr of her cause. Ed
ward Hyde was indeed youth of great a.
bility Though only twenty -four years of
age at the period referred to, and though
he had spent much of his youthful time in
the society Of the gay and the fashionable
Of the day be had not neglected the pursuit
TO which his family's wish, as well as his
own tastes had devoted him. But it wa;
with considerable hesitation, and feeling
Of anxious Giflidence that he consented to
undertake the charge of Lady Aylesbury's
case, TOR certain strong though unseen and
acknowledged sensations, were at work in
his bosom, to make him fearful about the
responsibility and anxious about the result.
The young lawyer, however, became
counsel for the brewers widow and daugh-
ter, land by striking exertion of eloquence,
and display Of legal ability gained the suit.
Two days after, the successful pleader was
seated beside his two clients.
Lady Aylesbury $ manner was quiet and
composed, but she now spoke warmly Of
her gra ltude to the p,eserver of her daugh-
ter from want, and also rendered fee-a
payment munifcent indeed for the occa-
sion. The young barrister did not seem at
ease during Lady Aylesbury's expression
of her feelings. He shifted upon his chair,
changed color, looked at Miss Aylesbury
played with the purse before him, tried to
speak, but stopped short and changed COL
or again. Thinking only OF best expressing
her gratitude, Lady Aylesbury appeared
not to notice her visitors confusion, but a.
rose, saying, "In token that | holu your
services above compensation in the way of
money, wish to give you memorial Of
my gratitude in another shape. As she
spoke thus she drew bunch of keys from
her pocket, which every lady carried in
those days, and left the room.
What passed during her absence between
the parties whom she left together will be
best known by the result. When Lady
Aylesbury returned, she found her daugh-
ter standing with averted eyes, but her hand
within that of Edward Hyde, who knelt on
the mothers entrance, and besoueht her
consent to their union. Explanations of
the feelings which the parties entertained
for each other ensued, and Lady Aylesbury
was not long in giving the desired consent.
"Give me leave, however," said she TO the
lover, ''to place around your neck the me-
mortal which | intended for you. This
chain (Which was superb gold one) was a
token Of gratitude from the ward in which
he lived 10 my dear husband" Lady Ayes-
burys calm, serious eyes were filled with
tears, as she threw the chain around Ed
wards neck saying, ''these links were borne
OH the neck of the worthy and honored
man. May thou, my son, attain to still
higher honors."