Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1852-09-09
NUMBER l3
SELECTED TALE.
Fortunes of a, Country Girl
a HISTORICAL ROMANCE.


Fortunes of a, Country Girl.
"A HISTORICAL ROMANCE.
One day, I will not say how many years ago, for
1 intend to be very mysterious for time with my
readers-a. young woman stepped from country
wagon which had just arrived ntthe yard gate of
the famous Chelsea Inn, the, Goat and Compasses,
name formed by corupting the pious original,
Good encompasseth us'' The young woman
seemed about the age of eighteen, and was decent
~ dressed, though in the painest rustic fashion of
the times. She was well formed and well look
ing, both form and look giving indications of the
ruddy health consequent upon exposure to sun and
ar IN the country. After stepping from the wagon
which the driver Immediately led into court yard
the girl stopped for a moment in apparent uncer-
talnty whittier to go, when the mistress of the inn,
who had come to the door, observed her hesitation
and asked her to enter and take rest.EThe young
woman readily obeyed the invitation, and soon, by
the kindness of the landlady, found herself bytle
freside ola nicely sanded parlor, wherewithaft ftos
refresh herself aftera long and tedious lonrpe
''hnu so my poor girl" said the landlady, alter
having, in return for her kindness, the whole par
ticulars OF the young woman's situation and histo
ry $50 thou hast come all this way to seek service
and hast thou no friend but John Hodge, the wag-
oner! True, he is like to give thee but small help
towards getting place. -
rtIs service, them difficult to be had2" asked the
| young woman sadly. . s55 "a
"Ah, marry, good situations, at least, are hardto
|
landlady, and as she continued, she looked around
with air of pride and dignity; "thou seest what
l come to myself IL left the country young thing
like thyself with as little to look to-. But It isn't
every one for certain, that must look for such
fortune, and in amy case it must be wrought for
! | showed myself good servant before my poor old
Jacob, Heaven rest his soul, made me mistress of
the Goat and CompasseS. So mind thee girl
The landlady' speech might have gone on long
way, for the dame loved well the sound of her own
tongue; but for the interruption occasoned by the
entrance Of gentleman, when the landlady rose
| and welcomed hlm heartily.
r"Ah, dame!' said the new conner, who was
stout, respectable attred person of middle age,
Chow sells the good ale? Scarcely drop left in
the cellar, 1'hope!''' -.'t. ,EhDp12s 2''--
,,"Enough left t9 give your rworshipia dTanght
after your long walk, and she Ios rose to to fulfil the
II 81 walked not, was the gentlemen reply; "but
took pair of oars, dame, down the river. Thou
knowest always come to Chelsea myself to see if
thou lackest anything.f' as i.sha az ~
"Ah, sr,' said the landlady, and it is by that
way of doing business that you have made your
self, all the city says, the richest imam i'll the
Brewers Corporation, if not in all London ITSELF,
ssWell, dame, the better for me ifit be So" said
the brewer with smile; "but let us have the mug,
and this quiet pretty friend Of thine shall pleasure
us, mayhap, by tasting with us.t' ''''.'''
| The landlpdy,was not long in procuring stoop
of ale, knowing that her visitor never set an ex-
ample hrtful to his own Interests by counenancing
the consumption of foreign SPIRITS -7E 5. 9s
"Right, hostess,' said the brewer when he had
tasted it, "well made and we'll kept, and that is
giving both thee and me our dues Now, pretty
one said he, filling one ofthe measures or glasses
which had been placed beside the stop, ''wilt thou
drink thy sweethearRs health'naXiilo iasgi
The poor country girl to whom this was address
ed declined the proered ciSility, and with blush;
but the landlndy exclaimed, tConie, silly weich,
drink his worship's health; be is more likely to get
theea service, if tso pfeaschinI than John Hodge
the wagoner.fli,9 asiiuljIGiiT ash - .5#is
"T The girl has come many mile continued the
hostess, "to seek a place in town, that she may
| BURDEN her family no more it, home."
.To seek seryiceH' exclaimed the brewer,
''why then, perhaps, it is well met with us. Has
she brought a character with her or can you spake
for her dame % ", ,fly-,,{y .rt5 ans
'AseShe has never yet been from home, sir but her
fnces her character, said the kind-heart lady;
cpl warrant she will be diligent and trusty'
"Upon thy prophesy, hostess, will take her into
my service for but yesterday my keeper was
complaining of the want of help, since this deputy
ship brought Inc more in the way OF entertaining
the people of the ward."' .&sa aid hll a-46
Ere the wealthy brewer and deputy left the Goat
and CompaSSeS, arrangements were made Tor send
ing the country girl to his house in the city on the
| following day. Proud of having done good ac-
ton the garrulous hostess took advantage of the
circumstance, to deliver an immensely long ha
rangue to the Young woman on her new duties, and
on the dangers to which youth is exposed in large
cities. The girl heard her benefac treSS with mod
est thankfulness, but more minute observer than
the good landlady might have seen in the eye and
countennnce of the girl quietfrnness of express
sion, such as might have induced the cutting short
Of the lecture However, the landlady's Lecture
had an end and towards the evening ofthe day fol-
lowing her arrival at the Goat and Compasses, the
youthful ulrustic found herself installed as housemad
in the dwelling OF the rich brewer. Oh ~
The fortunes of this girl it is our purpose to fol-
low. The first change which took place in her
Econdition subsequentto that related, was her ele
vation to the vacated post of houSekeeper in the
Ebrewer's family. In this situation she was brought
more than formerly in contactwith her MASTER who
found ample means of admiring her propriety of
conduct, as well as her skillful economy and man
agement. By degrees he began to find her pres
ence necessary to his happiness, and being man
of both honorable and independent mind, he at
length offered her his haIid twas accepted, and
she who but four or FIVE years before, left her coun
try home bare footed, became the wife of one OF
the richest citizens of London!of- ~ t--'s ".
For many years Mr.. ,Ayesbury, for such was the
name of the brewer, and his wife lived In happi-
ness and comfort together He was man of good
familyand connections, and consequently of higher
breeding than his wife could boast but on no oc-
casion had heto blushfor the partner he had cho-
sen. "a. Her calm Unborn strength, if not dignity Of
character, conjoined with an extreme QuickneSs OF
perception, made her fill her place at her husbands
table with as much grace and credit, as if she had
been born to the station, And, as time ran on,
the irespectabity of Mr. Aylesbury's position re-
ceiyed a gradual increase He became an alder
man, and subsequently sheriff of the city, and in
consequence of the latter elevation was knighted.
Afterw apls-and now part of the mystery project-
ed at the commencement of this story, must be bro
ken IN upon, as far as time is concerned-after-
wards the important lace,whichithe, brewer held
in this CITY, called upon.him the attention and IA
vor Of the King, Charles the First then anxious to
conciliate the good will of the citizens, and the
knight received the further honor of baronetcy.
's'o- 4"' (coNC1.UDED roMoRRow. ~
lsgf5iHig IL u ar
usPThe following curious inscription appears iI
the church yard at Pewsey, in Dorsetshire, Eng