Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-06-03
From Chambers Edinburgh Journal
AND THEN?


tie hamlet of Ambermead, was an old gentle
man of unobstrusive and orderly habits
whose peculiar taciturnity had obtained for
him the familiar cognomen of Two Words
Mr.. Canute, alias Two Words, dwelt on the
outskirts of the village, tended by an ancient
housekeeper, almost as chary of speech as hen
worthy master. 1t was surmised that Mr..
Canute had seen better days; but though his
means were straitened his heart was large, and
his countenance expressed great beneyolence
Notwithstanding the brief mode of speech
which characterized him on all occasions, the
advice of Mr.. Canute was eagerly sought on
every subject wherein it was presumed advice
could be profitable; and the simple rustics Of
Ambermead perhaps valued it the more, be-
cause, though delivered without particle Of
ponposity, the terseness and decision of tho
words expended, left an indeible impression
which long sermons often failed to convey
Mr.. Canute lived on terms of intimacy witt
the family at the old Hall-an intimacy ce
mented by early associations, for Mr. Harwel
and Mr.. Canute had been school-fellows; ant
when painful and lingering illness attacked
the squire, his ancient friend and crony fell
deep anxiety as to the ultimate fate of Mr.
Harwell's only chlld,-the good and lovely
| Clara Harwell. The disease was an incura
BILE one: though the suffering might be pro
| tracted, there was no hope of ultimate recov
cry, and an air of gloom reigned over the
village of Ambermead, where once the sweet
spring and summer tide brought only sport
and glee. Ambermead was noted for pro-
fusion ofrich red roses, exhaling delicious fra
GRANGE; and for the song of innumerable
nightingales, whose harmonious concerts re-
sounded amid the outrageous groves shell
tcring, the hamlet on every side, and extend
ing beyond the old Hall of Ambermead. But
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 elder convers-
ed apart in whispers, always directing their
chances towards the hall, as ifthe sufferer with
in those thick walls could be disturbed by
their conversation. This sympathy was call
ed forth not only by the circumstance OF
Mr.. Harwell being their ancestral landlord, the
last of the impoverished race, but from his
always having lived among them as friend
and ncighbor-respeteda as superior, and be-
loved as an equal. Their knowledge also Of
the squire's decayed fortunes; and that, on his
death, the fine old place must become the
property of a stranger, whom rumor did not
report favorably of-greatly enhanced the
concern of those hereditary cultivators of the
soil; and many bright eyes grew dim think
ing of poor Miss Clara, who would so soon
be fatherlesS, and almost penniless. The es-
tate of Ambermead was strictly entailed in the
male line and the next heir was of distant kin
to the HarwellS A combination of misfor-
tunes, and no doubt of imprudence in years
long by-gone, had reduced the present pro
prietor to the verge of ruin, from which he
was to find refuge only in the grave. The
Harwell family had lived for centuries in Am
bermead. They seem so much TO belong to
their poor neighbor, who always sympathized
most fully in all the joys and sorrows of the
Hall folk, that now, when there was a certain
prospect of losing them forever as it seemed
the parting became more than a common one
between landlord and tenant-between rich
and poor-it was the parting of endeared
friends. a
IHeN NolCueu anu waited lol Mr.. Sduute
passing to and fro as he did every day, and
more than once day and on his two words
they hung as if life or death were involved in
that short bulletin. -s.r
How is the squire to-day 2 said one.
No better replied Mr.. Canute mildly,
without stopping.
And how's Miss Clara Inquired another,
with deep pity in his looks.
Very patient, responded the old man, still
moving slowly ON with the aid of his stout
staff
'Patientr repeated several voices when he
was out ofhearing. Yes, yes patient enough
and Master Canute means deal when he
SAYS patient Bless her young sweet face
there's patience in Il if ever therewas in NOR
tails t~a
Mr.. Canute's patience was sorely taxed by
questioning at all hours; he was waylaid by
one, then by another, on his way from his
| own cottage to the Hall, but with unfailing
good-nature and promptitude, he invariably
satisfied the atfectiouate solicitude of his hum.
bic neighbons--in his own quaint way, Ger
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