Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-12-23


Of traffic. and never approached those
small towns and scattered villages
where our merchants customers -four
ished.
Mr.. Fairhold's journey. like his bus
Iiness. was quiet but regular. He was
a peaceable man. and had always
travelled safely, though there were bold
lhighwaymen in those days, and the
police system was far from its present
completeness. His customers were
mostly steady, methodical men, given
70 clear accounts and punctual pay
ments. With many of them Mr.. Fair
hold was an old acquaintance, joyfully
entertained at their houses in memory
Of similar Inequalities received in their
great journeys 10 London. The land
lords OF all the respectable inns on his
way waited for our merchants coming
year by year, as that of an important
guest; and he rode on from one country
town to another. through narrow rutty
roads. familiar only with cart and
wagon, at pace varying from fifteen
TO twenty miles day; attending to his
horses comfort as we'll as his own, set
Ting old accounts, opening new ones,
and depositng his receipts in a dimin-
utiye strong box constructed for that
purpose in his valise. There may be
readers OF our tale who have never seen
a specimen Of that antiquated convent
ency; but the valise played an impor-
tant part in the travelling Of Francis
Fairhold's times. IL was species of
lcalhern portmanteau, much about the
size and shape Of those ponderous folios
in which laborious scholars then stud
led Law and divinity, and was fastened
70 the back Of the saddle by straps and
buckles too numerous for the patience
of our hurrying days. In the valise
respectable travellers were accustomed
to pack all their requisites, including
money; and Mr.. Fairhold had seven.
teen hundred pounds. the entire re-
turns OF his country business. besides
bills and bonds, In thebefore. mention.
ed stronghold. when at the end Of a
seven weeks circuit, he arrived at an
old and iryored inn known rs the Col.
den Lion, and standing on the ancient
road between Farnham and Guildford.
The country is now studded with
hamlets and farmhouses, but at the
time Of our tale wild heath extended
for miles along the base Of the chalk
hills, through which the road, little
better than a modern sheep-path,
wound with many curve and angle.
AT one OF these turns stood the Gold
en- Lion, one Of the oldest hotels IN the
county of Surrey. Travellers had re-
sorted to that house before the civil
war. It's quaint chimneys, low win
dows, and wide porch were wreathed
with ivy; but its thick walls Of timber.
hewn from the famous oaks Of Sussex,
its roofs deeply matched with reeds and
oaten straw, were still proof against
time and weather. The sanded space
in front still contained the horse block
and the draw-well. Sounds Of pig
cons and pouitey came from the yard
behind, cattle browscd and corn rustic
in fields scarcely separated from the
surrounding heath. and, half inn, half
farmhouse, the old hotel greeted all
wsyfarers with the creak Of its swing
ing sign. on which the forest king was
represented in rather indefinite gliding.
For twenty years Mr.. Fairhold had
rested there on his homeward way; but
rs he now approached the house, late
In aclose. cloudy afternoon. with great
drops of heavy rain, announcing wet
evening. he could not help observing
that something of neglect and careless.
ness bad grown about the Golden Lion.
It's eaves were less trim, It's porch less
carefully swept and scourcc; and in
the best kitchen. which had always
served for tap.room and parlor. things
were by no means in the order he had
seen them. The pewter on the shelves
was dim. the once white walls were
dingy: thcre wasa smouldoring FIRE on
the wide hearth. and by IL three SLOW
emily; Unlocking men sat, each with .
pipe aud tankard. The landlord him.
self doxed IN his elbow-ehair In the
chimney. corner, and no ostler was 10
be seen. Mr.. Fairhold made these dis.
eovcries before his arrival was pcrcciv-
ed. lie had thrown his bride over the
staple In the porch, and stepped quiet.
| ly in. 10 the great surprise OF tho three
who saluled him with keen: suspicious
looks; and still more 70 tho astonish-
ment oftho hosl, who woke up NJ the
sound OF bis entrunee. l0l ,li1T0l
! Changes bad come over the old
house since lasl the merchant saw it,
Mrs. Hobbies. tho honest active landla.
dy, had been summoned from her do
nestle cares 20 the house appointed for
all living. Mr. Hobbies had married
the maid. and latterly taken strongly
10 old October. OF which, like many a
country innkeeperin his day, he was q
notable brewer. Things in conse-
quenco were not rs they had been al
| the Golden Lion; but Hobbies wclcom.
cd Mr.. Fairhold with all the noisc and
hustle he deemed requisite forsuch m
i old and distinguished customer. shout
|, ed Tor the ostler and stablo.boy 10 lool
|, after his horse. summoned Mrs. Hobbies
. the second To provide for his entertain
mont: and, with muttered apologies fol
} the company In his best kitchen, mar
. shaded him and his yalise TO the parlor
! That room OF pride, Tor such Il hat
, been to the former hostess. contained
!, the chief treasures OF the Golden Lion
|. There were the glazed cupboard iillct
/. with china. the eight day clock, and the
I. best bed hung with dimity. Mr.. Fair
: hold thought theround table and oakeI
! annr lad In The LnrL Loli.h ihnu .aana