New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-05-19
DAILY CRESCENT.
7 TITT Ut u =
AND TIL

hamlet Of Ambermea1 was an old gentleman Of
unobtrusive and orderly habits, whose peculiar
taciturhity hal obtained for him the familiar
cognomen Of Two Wor,l- Mr.. Canute, nlias
Two Words, dwelt on the outskirts If the vii
lage, tended by an ancient house. keeper, hl-
most as chary Of speech as her worthy master.
It was surrnsed that Mr. Canute had seen bet
ter days; but though his means were straitene1,
lis heart was large, and his countenance ex-
pressed great benevolence Notwithstanding
the brief mole Of speech which Characterized
him on all occasions, the advice Of Mr. Canute
Was easily souTht on every subject wherein II
was presumed advice could be profitable and
the simple rustcs Of Ambermead perhaps valued
it the more, because, though delivered without
particle Of pomposity, the terseness and deci-
sion Of the words expended, left an indelible i'm
preston, which long sermons often failed 10 con-
vey. Mr. Canute lived on terms of intimacy
with the family Mt the old Italian intimacy
cemented by early associations for Mr.. IIargell
and Nh Canute had been schoolfellows and
when painful AMI lingering illness attacked
the squire, his ancient friend and crony felt
deep anxiety as TO the ultimate fate Of Mr. iIar-
wells only child-the good and lovely Clara
liarwe!l. The disease was IN incurable one:
though the suffering might be protractel, there
Was no hepc Of ultimate recovery, and an air Of
gloom Teignel over the village Of Ambermead,
where once the sweet spring and summer tide
noted for profuson Of rich red roses, exhaling
delicious fragrance; and for the song Of innu-
merable nightingales, whose harmonious con-
certs resounded amid the outrageous groves,
sheltcring the hamlet on every side, and ex-
tending beyond the oil Hall Of Ambermeal.
| Bat now, although the roses bloomed and the
| birds sang, serious faces looked from the cot
tage doors; and while the younger villagers
forgot their usual pastimes, the elders conversod
apart in whispers, Away directing their glances
towards the hail. as if the sufferer within those
thick walls could be disturbed BY their couver-
sGtun This sympathy was called forth not
only by the circumstance Of Mr.. Harwell be-
ing their ancestral landlord, the last Of an inn
lpOyerished race, but from his always having
lived among them as a friend anl neighbor-
respected as a superior and beloved as an equal.
Their knowledge also Of the squires decayed
fortunes and that ou his death the fine Cd
place must become the property Of stranger,
l'whom rumor did not report tayorably Of, great
ly enhanced the concern Of these hereditary
cultiyators Of the soil; and many bright eyes
grew dim thinking Of poor Miss Clara, who
would 80 soon be fatherless and almost penni-
less The estate Of Ambermead was strictly
cntailed in the male line, and the next heir was
Of distant kin to the Harwells A combination
Of misiortunes, and no doubt Of imprudence, in
years long-by- gone, had reduced the present
proprietor to the verge Of ruin, from which ht
was to find refuge only in the grave. The Har-
well flmly had lived for centuries in Amber
mead. They seem so much to belong to their
, poor ncighbors who always sympathized mosi
fully in all the joys and sorrows Of the g Hall
tolk," that now, when there was certain pros.
pect Of losing them forever as it seemed, the
parting became more than common one be-
tween landlord and tenant-between rich anC
poor-it was the parting of endeared friends
The watched and waited for Mr.. Canute pass
ing to and fro, as he did every day, and NOR
than once day; and on his two words the,
hung, as il life or death were involved in tina
- snort bulletin.
How is the Squire to-day shid one
No better" replied Mr. Canute mildly
without stopping.
= ''And hows Miss Clara :" inquired anothe
with deep pity in his looks.
Very patient, responded the old maj
still moving slowly on with the aid of his stou
staff
Patient" repeated several voices when
was out of hearing. 8 es, yes, patient enough
and Master Canute means deal whom he say
patient. Bless her young sweet face there
patience in it ifever there was in mortals"
Mr.. Canutes patience was sorely taxed b.
questioning at all hours; he was waylaid frs
;, by one, then by another, on his way from hi
own cottage to the Hall, but with unfailing goo
nature and prompttude, he invariably satisfe
the aiiectionate solicitude of his humble neigh
hors-in his own quaint way, ceTtainly ly-neye
wasting words, yet perfectly understood
= The summer-tide was waning into autumn
and the Squire of Ambermead faded more gra
dually than autumn leaves, when late one even
ing a wayfarer stopped At Mr. Canute's cottag,
which was on the roadside, and requested per
mission to rest, asking for draught of waite
from the we'll before the porch
" Most welcome" said Two Words, scannin
the stranger, and pleased with his appearance
for youth and an agreeable countenanee n,
l' sure passports perhaps, too, Mr.. CanUte ii,
cerned gentle breeding in his guest, dcspit
10 travel soiled habiliments, and dash of habtul
recklessness in his air. At any rate, the we
r come was heartily given, and as heartily II
sponled to; and when Mr. Canute left h
dwelling, in order to pay his usual evening Wis
at the Hall, lie merely said, addressing h
young visitor, . Soon back and turning
Martha, the careful housekceper, added, sc,
supper, while on stepping over the threshol'
second thoughts urged him to return, and So
to the young man, $ Don't go
= No, that | wont, replied lie, frankly, for
like my quarters too well I'll wait till yo
II come back, Governor and hope you won't |
= long, for my mouth waters for the supper yt
spoke Of
Mr. Canutc smiled, and walked away mo
brskly than usual and after sitting for son
time beside the sick mans bed, and biddil
goodnight and " bless you, to Clara Ha
we'll, he retraced his steps homewards, al
found supper ready, and the handsome strang
so obviously ready to do justice to the frug
= fare, that Mr. Ganute jocularly remarke
~ Keen air; to which the stranger replied
the same strain, " Fine scenery : ON which t
host added, " an artist :" when the youth laug
ing outright, sail, 6 an Indifferent one indeeC
After pause and suffering his mirth to su
side, he continued, " Are you always SO e,
nomical in words sir Don't you sometiu
find it difficult to carry on conversation in t
strain !"
i, :, You don't replied Mr.. Canute, smilil
"a, and impertmbably good-natured
Not L. cried the youth :" and | want
ask you a half hundred questions. VIII J
answer me Y
LII try replied Mr.. Canutc.
. I've not long to stay, for I'm on walk
tour with friend but | diyerged to Amb
- mead, as | was anxious to see it. I've had
ne curiosity to see it for q long while; but
/. friend is waiting for me at the market toN
=, eight miles off. think, and l shall strike acr
y - the country when the moon is up, if you'll c
= me n rest till then"
rs Most welcome" said Mr., Canute cour
e. ousy.
ra All, ah:' quoth the stranger, III th'
HN the way you pursue your discourse, | dc
t think | shall learn much from you | he
* however, that l may get a wife who will fol