The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-04-30
THE DAILY DISPATCH
YAs A CowARDIN. Proprietor.
uucHR. PLEASANTS. Editor.
Fr,.E Chambers Edinburgh Journal.
AND THENf

- nnobirusive and orderly habits, whose Pc
culisr ,aclturnlty had ,biained Tor hiin the
F'n.:I,,r cognomen of Two Words. MIR. Ca
~. aIi4s Two Words, dwelt on the outskirts
nj The village, tended by an ancient mousse
keeper, almost as chary OF speech as her worthy
master. II was surmised that Dir. Canute had
seen better DAYS; but though his means we've
s,,.igh,aned h,s heart was large, and his
coun'enance expressed great benevoience.-
Notwithstanding the brief mode OF speech
which characterised him on all occasions the
s6ylce of llT. CanuIe was eagerly sought on
eyety sutject whereOn II was presumed advice
could be profilable and the simple rustics of
Ap,bermead perhaps valued II the more, be-
cause, though delivered without particle of
pompcsiiy, the terseness and decision ot the
words expended, left an indelIble impression,
which long sermons often failed TO convey
Nr Canute lived on terms of intimacy with the
family Mt the old Uall-an intimacy cemenled
by early assoc catiOn, for Mr.. Harwell and Mr..
Canute had been school-teiows; and when a
nsiplui and ling gerng illness attacked the squire
his ancient friend and crony felt deep anxiety
as TO the ultimate fate OF Mr.. Harweils only
child, the good and lovely Clara Hsrwell.-
The disease was an iucuTable one; though the
suffering might be protracted, there was no
hope Of ultimate recovery, and an air of gloom
Teigned over the village of Ambermead, where
once the sweet spring and summer tide broug ht
only sport aud giee. Ambermead was noted
for a prollsion Of rich red roses, exhaling de-
icoUs fragrance, aud for the song oi Innu'
merabie nghtingales, whose harmonious con-
certs resounded amid the outrageous groves,
shelIering the hamlet on every side, and ex.
tending beyond The old Hall OF Ambermead.-
But now, although the roses bloOmed and The
birds sang, serious faces looked from the cot
tage doors; anu while the younger villagers
forgot their usual pastimes, the elders conversed
apart 10 whispers, always directing their CLAN.
ces towards the Hall, as it toe sufferer within
those thick walls could be disturbed by their
conversation.
This sympathy was called forth, not only by
the circumstance of Dir. Harwell being their
ancestral landlord. the last of an impoverished
race, buGirom his always having lived among
them 5 fricsd and neig ghbor-Tespected as
superior, and beloved an equal. Their
knowledge also Of the squire's decayed for
tunes; aud that, on his death, the fine old place
must become ths property OF a stranger, whom
Tum0r did not rep 1Tt tavorably of-greatly en-
HANGED the concern OF these hereditary cuItiva-
tors of the soil and many bright eyes grew
dim thinking Of poor Miss Clara, who would
so soon be iutheFless, anu almost pennlless.-
the estate Of Ambermead was strictly entailed
10 the male line, and The next heir was of dis
tunt kin TO the Harwells. A combination of
mistOrtunes, and no doubt OF inprudence in
years by-gone, bad reduced the present pro.
prietor 10 the verge of ruin, from which he was
10 fad refuge only in the grave. The Harwell
family had lived for centuries in Ambermead.
They seemed so much 10 belOng TO their poor
Deighb0rs, who always sy synpathised most fully
IN all the Joys and sorrows OF the Hall iolk,
that now, when there was certain prospect
OF losing them forever ss 1t seemed, the parting
became more than a common one between
landlord and tenant, between nch and poor-It
was The parting of endeayed friends.
They watched and waited for Mr.. Canute
passing to and fro, as he did every day, and
more than once a day /: and on his two words
they hang, as if life or death were involved in
that short bulletin.
Glow is The squire, to day?' said one.
mo beuer,' replied Dir. Canule mildly, with
out stopping.
'And how's Miss CIara?' 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.
Pat 'ent = repeated several voices when he
was out of hearing. 'Yes, yes, patient enough
and Master Canute means a deal when he says
patient. Bless her young sweet face! there's
patience in IL it ever there was in mortaPs.
Dir. Canute's patience wes sOrely taxed by
Questio ming at all hours he was way laid first
by one, then by another, on his way from his
own cottage 10 the Hall, but with unialing
good nature and promptitude, he invariably
satisfied the 6ffectionaIe sOlicitude OF his hum
bic nrlghbors-In his own quaint way, Ger
aInIy-Heyer wasting words, yet perfectly un.
dersIood.
The summer.tide was waning into autumn,
and the squire OF Anbermead faded more gra-
duslly than autumn leaves, when late one eve-
ming waytarer stopped at Mr. Canu,e's cot
tage. which was on the roadside, and request
ed permission TO rest, asking for draught Of
water from The well before the porch.
Most welcome, said Two Words scanning
the stranger, aud .eased with his appearance,
for youth and an agreeable counenance are
sure passports; perhaps too, MIR. Canute dis
cerned gentle breeding in his guest, despite
travel soied habiliments, and dash oil haoi-
Luai fockieSsness in his air. Al anyrdte, the
welcome was heartily given, aud he artily
responded To; and when Mr.. Canute left his
dwelling, IN order TO pay his usual evening
visit at the Hail, he merely said, addressing
his young visitor: soon back ! and turning
TO Martha, the careful housekeeper, added:
&et supper while On stepping over the
threshold, second thoughts urged HIM to re-
turn and say to the young man: Don't co.
No, that won't replied he frankly, Tor l
like my quarters too we'll. I'll wait I'LL you
come back, governor and | hope you won't
be hong, tor my mouth waters for the supper
you spoke OF
mir. Canute smiled, and walked away more
briskly than usual; and after sitting for some
time beside the sick mans bed, and BID ling
good .Eight und bless you 10 sweet Clara
Harwell, he reIraced his steps homewards,
and found supper ready, and the handsome
stranger obviously ready TO do justice to
the frugal fare, that Mr.. Canuie jocularly re-.
marked: Keen air. to which the stranger re-
piled in the same strain: Fine scenery on
which the host added: An artisll' when the
youth, laughing outright, said: An ind different
one indeed Afler pause, and suffering his
.mirlh 10 suhside, he continued: Are you al
ways so economicai in words, sr7 Don't you
sometimes find il difficult TO carry conver-
salon in this sual'if
You dou'I' replied Mr. Canute smiling, and
inpenurbably good naIured.
Not l. cried the youth; 'and want 10 ask
you half hundred questions. VIII you an
meI'
'ril uy,' replied Mr. CaHute!
I've not long 10 stay,' for I'm on walking
tour with flied; buI diyerged TO Amber
meed, is was anxious TO see il. I've had q
curiosity 10 see il for long while; but M
friend is waiting for me at the market town
eight miles of, think, and | shall stfik'