Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1855-08-09
(From Sharpe's London Magazine.l
JANET GORDON.
BY sILvERPEN.

the wooded glades round Chauncy Manor; still lie
its Swallowed pools; unrufied rests the fern above
the harebell and the violet; and far away, across
the open stretches of the ancient park, the gold
en- sun falls golden on the buttercups of June.
1t is about eight o'clock. Lady Chauncey has
not yet breakfasted, for it is with her a meal of
great pomp and state; but Tidd, the housekeeper,
has; and so has Tippins, the steward. Indeed,
the latter may be strongly suspected OF having
anticipated certain portion of his dinner or sup
per, as his eyes little hazy, his voice little
muffled and the end of his nose as red as any au-
tumn mulberry. But Miss Tidd is in particular
~ frosty state-at all times icy, her blood and
temper are at zero on this hot June morning
The truth is that both steward and housekecper
are in desperately bad humor. Lady Chauncy,
their mistress, finding her eye-sight failing, her
steps growing feeble, her days a little long and
wearisome, has resolved upon taking "a young
person. as companion-to escort whom from tow II
to Chauncy Manor, is their errand to-day. Hence
the vicfousness of their tempers-tho' the morn
ing breathes divipeness and peace around.
But tho Miss Tidd is thus exquisitely frigid,
her morning potations have not been wholly con-
fined tothe best Pekoe-already has she had some
four glasses of the very choicest Sherry; whilst,
in the small basket she carries, nestes pint bot
tie of the same, together with well roasted fowl,
bread, acream-cheese, 81 some appetizing grapes,
which Mellow, the gardener, has contributed
The little refreshments are by way of lunch; for
the steward and housekeeper intend to dine IN
London; put the cost under the head of expenses,
to my lady's account'-and further, Miss Tidd
has resolved to invest some pound or two IN real
'Vaenciennes lace and new gown, and let the
cost work itself out of some of her weekly bills.
She is conscious of being wise in her own gene
ration.
When for the twentieth time, she has made sure
that 'the key which locks up the keys, is SAFE and
the fat old cook win be not likely to get little
extra jam or Beech, the thirty years butler, a
little arrow root or other delicacv for his sick dame
the pair leave the hall by door in one of the
ivied gables and pursue their way along the mile
long avenue of magnificent old chestnut trees to
the village, whence they to take the coach to
ST Adams, and thence by railway to London.
Any hearts but theirs would be alive to the en-
chanting beauty of the morning-to the rustic
loneliness of the scene around-to the sequcstered
stiffness of old paths and glades which steal out
here and there. But they are dead, and bind,
and deaf to all they see and hear, and proceed
onward moodily, talking of my lady and her
affairs, and of the folly of an old woman like
her taking young girl as a companion
I'm sure, Tippins,' says Miss Tidd, that tho
amt edcated, read quite well enough for her.
To be sure, | sometimes put h in when l
shouldn't, and leave enc out when / oughtnt,
and didn't spell well as she said-but got on
we'll enough for all that threaded her needles
| for her endless humdrum worsted work, and did
just every thing she wished, whimsical and tire
some as she is. But, howsumever, she shall soon
be wearied Of a companion or my name ain t
! Matilda Tidd.'
'Thatll be the only way reioned Tippins, as
he brushed his mulberry nose sagaciously, cor
you don't know what may become of If. She
a perverse old woman when she takes5it in her
head, as we've reason to know better than most
folks
Then, after a pause, Ay, it is monstrous vex-
atious Just as the bit in the funds is getting up
to such a nice figure, and our tackle for the
'Chauncv Arms almost nigh took But you
must manage her, my dear; you're an uncommon
sagacious woman, and much don't stand amiss
to YOU when you likes
Here Mr.. Tippins feels particularly thirsty, and
would like to have the Sherry uncorked II tasted
but he is conscious Of Miss Tidd's icy humor,
and RETAINED
| Just at this iuncture, they met little village
child, going with a pitcher towards the hall. She
drops a courtesy of great humility, but is not suf-
/ ferered to pass
What are you going up to the hall forl'
Some butternlilll ma'am.'
There is none
please ma am, dairymaid said there'd be plen-
| ty this morning
Il saw there is none I'm Miss Tidd, the house
keeper, and must surely know best Go back, |
say and my lady shall hear of your impertnence.
! The child needs no second dismissal-she glides
back from their p9lll as a worm from the IOOI JHdt
would crush it.
That's Dodd the thatchcr's GIRL says mulber-
nv nose, and it's just like the impertinence on
'em Ever since the father cot fall from Jones s
barn. they think one has nothing to do but to
keep open house for em.
just So replied Tidd, but Amt going to let
Martha curry favor for the buttermilk. It'll help
them to get two porkers into flesh, and so turn a
! penny by 'em.
The steward mods complaisant assent. AT this
bend of the avenue they meet woodman going
to his work He touches his foreock with great
apparent humility-then plods onward. But by
and-bv he turns, looks after them, and shakes his
head. Then he strikes into woodland path and
whistles as he goes. He is Cuiltless of gathering
corrupt riches and so can feel delight in the fresh
ness of the morning, clodhopper though he be.
At the lodge, just within the park gates, the
steward stops to grumbc at an old man working
in the little garden, and from thence, proceeding
to the adjacent village the pair make their way
TO the 'Chauncy Arms, the landlord giving them
kindly welcome; he being entirely ignorant OF
the tackle already referred to. The coach arrives
Miss Tdd gets within; Mr.. Tippins mounts the
boX-and, as it passes through the village, great
| is the gossip concerning the steward and house
/ keepers mission. 1t is known that they will
bring home, this evening, my ladys companion,
and some, signing, say, Poor thing -! and others
shake their head.
! An hours ride by picturesque Old woods, Wor-
thy of leafy Hertfordshire brings them TO ST. Al
bans. BY noon, Tdd and Tippins are in town;
and a short while after at the Office of Mrs,
who supplies the world with 'governesses and
! companions just as the green-grocer supplies
potatoes or cabbage. Expecting to be treated with
the Difference due to my lady's steward and my
lady's housekceper, Tidd and Tippins are vastly
i Disguised at being ushered into more digrit
ed place than a dirty waitng-room, already ten
antcd by some score of shabby genteel people o
either sex, combined with small sprinkling o
deliberately attred pushes. Butterflies amids
iugubrious moths! Presently the housekeeper /:
informed that Lady Chauncy's business Is at tina
time under considcIation-that selection of ell
igible candidates having been already made, anC
their references inquired after, Miss Atkinson
Lady Chauncy's friend, is closeted with Mrs
in relation 10 the final decison-this to be effect
ed as soon as one or two tagging candidates ar
rive Such being the state OF affairs, there is no
thing for the pair but patience; this necessary viz
tue Of human life being, in their case, by no means
augmented by Tidd's non-sumnions to the con
suitation and selection, and by Tippin non-abii
ity to slightly refresh himself ON the well-roastee
: fowl and delicate Sherry.
To amuse themselves, they observe everything
and everybody with true funky supercihousness
They observe the line of carriages before the win
dows, and arrive at the knowledge that their mis-
tress's friend does not keep one, bat only Jobs 8
private cab;' next they watch all corners and GO
ers, and have convictions of their own concern