Eastern times., 1855-05-10


village gossip. What is certain is, that she
wishes TO take it, and is willing to give two
pounds year more rent than now give or
can afford to give. If our old landlord, Mr..
Godfrey, had stayed, he and Lady Elizabeth
had promised should remain but the hall,
and the village, and the whole estate are
sold, and the new lord of the manor is
coming this evening. Hark! you may hear
the bells ringing even now. Mr.. Godfrey and
Lady Elizabeth intend staying few days at
the rectory you saw them ride by with their
dogs; they have promised TO speak in my IA
vor TO the new landlord they mentioned it
even now, and the good rector and his ex-
cellent lady will second my petition; still
Be of good cheer, Magaret Even if you
should leave your pretty cottage, would wa
ger Something The old man checked
himself, and resumed, in an Indifferent tone,
Who is the new lord of the manor! what is
his name!'
The property was purchased by Mr.. Price;
but he is understood to be an agent, and have
not heard the name of the real proprietor, who
is said TO be an elderly gentleman, and so rich
that he will hardly be tempted to turn an old
tenant from her cottage for so trifing an addi-
tion of rent. Nevertheless
Once again, Margaret, be of good heart
reiterated her uncle.
The tenants are to meet him in The avenue
tha far ii IL - Il.
cottagers, women and children on foot
Ought to join iheml | have no shame in
honest labor, but do shrink from meeting the
scorn of those purse-proud kindred who
and poor Margaret's tears fell fast Ought |
to be there, dear uncle will go or stay, as
you direct
Go, Margaret. Go, and fear nothing.
Gather up your treasures the jug, whose
generous draught was The sweetest I ever
quaffed the wheat ears, and the cradle with
the Growing babe-blessings on its dear face
Go boldly; will not shame you by these I'M
seemly rags, but will rest awhile under the
friendly shade of the hazel, while you return
home and prepare for the procession. Be sure
that you fail not. We shall meet again soon,
dear ones! For the present, farewell
There was something about the old man,
ragged, sick and lame as he was, that Marga-
ret found it impossible to disobey. So heart
enng up, she knew not why, (for many have
felt, without being able to give the feeling its
true name, the mingled power of sympathy
and appreciation to comfort and cheer,) she
called about her her blooming children and
departed, Annie and herself bearing the cradle
between them, and the boy laden with the
gleanings of the day.
The setting sun CLEANED brightly between
the noble elms that formed The beautiful avenue
to Cors,on Hall, gliding the rugged branches
and turning into pendant emeralds the leaves
Of the branches which met across the wide car
riage road met and iniereaved in heightened
archway that might well have suggested the
rich intrcacies of cathedral aisle in the pruod-
est days of Gothic architecture. The village
bells pealed amain, horses pranced, flags
waved, the children Of the parish schools
strewed The gaudy flowers of the early an.nrnn.
and as the carriage of the new lord of the ma.
nor rolled between The ivied lodge 10 the gray
old Hall, quaint, irregular structure of Eliza
beth's or James day, with tame peacock sun
ming himself on the stone balusirade, large
old English spaniel basking on the steps and
the tenants in their holiday apparel grouped
around tho pnrch rt,s rb
poet, might have envied the accident which
produced an arrangement so felicitously pictur-
esque.
Something of this feeling, however, upper
ceved and unguessed by herself, mingled with
the natural emotions Of curiosity and interest
in our friend Margaret's BOSOM as, standing
humbly apart between her two elder children,
with her infant in her arms under large syca-
more, she gazed around upon the scene, and
perceived, gaily adorned, in the extreme conn
try fashion, the rival candidate for her beloved
cottage-the buxom laudlajy.of the Red Lion,
surrounded by the unfriendly kindred of her late
husband Neither Margaret, nor her William,
had ever applied for assistance 10 these people;
yet she knew, instinctively, that some from
p.lde and some from shame, felt the silent re-
proach OF her unassisled poverty and her
blameess life-ihat all wished her absence
and would contribute, as far as in them Law, TO
turn her from her home; and, in spite of The en-
cuuraging influence Of her late known kins-
mans cheering forebodings, her heart sank
within her as the door of the carriage was
throne open. An elderly gentleman, very
neatly dressed, but pallid, emaciated, and lame,
was assisted by his servants up the two low
steps that led 10 the porch Having ascended
them with some difficulty, he turned around,
took off his hat, bowed with gracious smile
to the assembly; and then paused. as if in
search Of some one whom he expected to see.
The effect of this apparation was start Of
surprise and horror from the porlly landIady,
seldom equalled on the stage or off: her brother,
the haberdasher, who had just fiourshed his
hat preparatory to leading the general cheer,
let it fall in dismay, looking the curses which
his habitual hypocrisy scarce repressed; cousin
Anthony. the rich, miserable niser, smothered
groan; and Nicholas Hume, in spite of his