Eastern times., 1856-04-17
q 6oob Storp.
From the Philadelphia Courier.
THE RICH SQUIRE;
OR, SPECULATION AND FAMINE
BY REV. J. H. 1NeRAHAME.


were laid across several empty sacks. The
man wore the homespun garb of New Eng
land yeoman; but his face was haggard and
his eyes sunken and restless.
The other was tall, spare man, and with a
countenance sad and gloomy. Behind him
stretched his dry and withered fields, the har-
vest of which had not been worth the cleaning.
The whole country side, indeed, was suffering
for corn, for long summers drought had de-
stroyed the corn and wheat ere it got TO the
ear; and men and cattle were suffering from
that unusual want, in New England, for food.
The two men talked together.
1t will be hard and wicked in the Squire if
he refuse you,' said the farmer on the inside
of the gate; but you will hardly get it,
Il have here the money-two prices, all in
silver answered the other, who was called
Thomas Farr, small farmer who lived near.
Il must have corn
They say that the Squire has refused ev-
erybody l have not tried him yet; but shall
have to very soon, as | have not fifty bushels
left, and winter is coming on and what with
five horses, six yoke, and score of cows, the
cattle must eat.
They say he has twenty thousand sacks of
corn, and a loft of fodder and hay as big as the
Westinghouse, full as it can be-
Yes; the Squire is shrewd, long g-headed,
money-making man. He saw how it would
turn out by harvest, if we didn't get rain, and
sent to the West and South, and bought up
four sloop loads; and now he has it all in
store
He ought now TO sell at fair profit and let
everybody have;' answered Thomas Farr.
Hes got the only corn and hay in the coun-
try. If | had seen how it would be, would
have bought too, if had had the money
That is it. The money was wanting
among US ALL The Squire always has ready
money, and so he could buy at what price he
chose
well, I'll try him. He may sell 10 me for
the cash.
Try him. hope he will, neighbor. But
say he bought at 60 cents the busheI, and hay
at 50 bale. He asked yesterday, for corn,
50 so busheI, and for hay, So bale, or
three cents pound. Now he knows that the
worst time is yet TO come and if he can get,
(as he can,) SI2 bale six weeks hence,
when, with snow on the ground, we have to
stall our cattle, he wi II not sell il to-day at So
But you can try him, and hope you will sue
ceed'
I can but try, answered Farr, as he moved
on up the road, leading his famished horse.
After walking along the highway, which
wound pleasantly along the bank of pretty
river, the trees of which were withered rather
by drought than frost, and the fields upon its
banks brown with sun-burned and unga;hered
crops, he came in sight, at bend of the
stream, of the broad roof and high chimneys
peering above proud oaks and poplars, of
stately mansion. 1t crowned a hill, overlook
ing the river, and at the base of which, on the
shore, stood large water-mill for grinding
corn. 1t was romantic spot, and the water
rushed over fall with wild foaming and roar
ing. Beyond, on the opposite bank, sweled
noble upands, mile away, diversified with
wheat aud corn fields, and pasture land. In
one of these fields, near the river, stood very
large old barn, and beyond it rose the top of a
new and much greater one, and these were
both filled with corn to the roef, and with bales
of hay. A wharf was opposite these huge
buildings, at which lay small sloop. one of
the vessels which had brought the corn 10 the
owner of the barns; aud even now the sailors
were rolling out bales of hay. or carrying from
the deck, upon their shoulders, sacks of grain
Like Joseph in Egypt, the rich proprietor
OF the mansion on the hill, was storing up
corn against the famine; but not like Joseph,
in the fear OF God and for the food of the land.
The road along which the farmer had led
his tottering horse, wound over the slope of
the hill and passed by the rich mans gate.
1t was noble, great gateway, with large,
globe-like balls on the top of each post, and it
was painted white, and led into graveled car
riage-way, which circled away among fine
trees. towards the steps of the house, which
was large and imposing, with two-story
front, and the signs of wealth that loves 10
show its dignity in architectural display
There were statues, and fountain, and sum-
warehouses, and on the house-top was 'bel-
videre' OF cupola, in which the rich man could
stand, and from which survey, at glance, all
his fields and possessions, and say in his
heart Are not these mine Are not these
the houses have builded, the vineyards have
planted Got l not this wealth with mine
own handsl'
As Thomas Farr passed by the noble gate
way, he saw the rich man just opening it, anc
coming forth. He had gold-headed cane
which he rather fourished than walked with
new broadcloth apparel, costly hat. and .
great watch seal, Of gold. He was a largt
man, and looked like proud rich man, VIII.
valued men only for their degrees of wealth.
So, my man, whittier along my private
road, with your bags and bag OF bones 2 aske'
the rich man, patronizingly and facetiously.
Thomas stopped and bowed verv civilly. an,