The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-02-03
GOV. WENTWORTH AND HIS LADY

Some thirty miles north Of Dover, n. II
between Wakefield and Wolf borough, the
road 10 the White Mountains passes by the
old farm Of Gov. Wentworth, the last OF the
Colonial Governors of New Hampshire. j
was here, in the midst OF what was then al
almost unbroken forest, on the banks OF q
lovely lake, whose sides ascend gradual,
10 the base Of the high mountains around
that gay and polished cour,ier of England
established his residence. Clearing enough
around the lake 10 open It's beauties, he elec
ted magnificent dwelling, in one OF the
loyeliest spots in New England. Roads were
made, fences were brilt trees were trans
planted, flowers and foreign shrubs were
introduced, and the solitary place became
indeed garden. II was here that OF old the
haunch smoked and the ila.on ioamed. Ii
was here, in the inclcmeni season, that the
wayiarer took his place nj the festive board, 4
welcome though uninyi,ed guest Here,
while the storm howled without, the iaggol
bazed on the capacious hearth, aud reflect
ed back the light OF smiling faces, while
tho Jest and the song went round, and the
old roof rang 10 the root tree. The old man
was a rigid observer of the customs Of the
Church; aud the inhabitants OF the town will
tell you the ,radi,ioEary tales Of Christmas
holydays at the hall. For the twelve merry
days, the roast beef and the turkey smoked
on the board, and 10 cold refusal was given,
even TO the beggar at the door, who nigh,
ask for aims. These were Christmas days
oil the olden times, wearing their livery Of
goodly green, and lacking not the holly car
land, with its glowing berries when the
oit-,old tale cheered the face, aud hospital
iiy frightened the heart, Of the ioiling
poor.
The first alarm Of the revolt of the Colo
nists came in the midst OF the Governor
improvements; and the outbreaks in Mass.
achuseiis decided him 10 flee 10 a safer ref.
uge. He lef his paradise, never to return
TO IL; and at the close OF the war il was con
Gscaied and sold. Though the house is nov
burned TO the ground, We; many OF the i'm
provemenis in the fields and gardens still
.qremain; and as we wandered around the
ttLensifsiul lake, we tancied we could almos
hear the loud sounds Of mirih resoundin:
from the high.bred ladies' and gentlemen o
England, who resor,ed here in the days o
its grandeur.
The aged people in the neighborhood sill
relate many stories Of the worthy old Gov
ernor. He had, il seems, married very
pretty little girl, some thirty years his junior
who, like mos, young wives, was fond Of
gaye,y, and liked better 10 pass the eve
ming in sirolling through the woods b,
moonlight, or in dancing ut some merry
making, than in the arms other gray-haired
husband. Nevertheless, although she KEEP
late hours, she was in every other respec
an exemplary wife. The Governor, VIII
was quiet. sober parsonage, and careful
Of his health, preferred going 10 bed early
and rising beIoTe the sun, TO inhale the COO
breeze OF tho morning; aud rs the lady sci
dom came homo till past midnight, he wa.
not very well pleased at being disturbed b,
her late hours. A, length, AFTER repeated
representations, his patience was completed,
exhausted, and he frankly told her that he
could endure i, no longer, and ,ha, IL she
did not return home in future before twelve
o'clock, she could no, be admitted 10 III,
house.
The lady laughed a, her spouse, as pre-,
~ ladies are wont 10 do in such cases; an,
on the very next occasion ola mcuymakins
abe did no, return till pas, two in tho morn
ing. The Governor heard the carriag
drive to tho door, and the ponderous knocke
rang for admiitanee; but he did not STIR