The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-08-22
THE PEASANTS COT.
A Thrilling Story.


of the ship took passage with me. The
whole cargo belong ID to them, and they not
only wished to do some business in England,
but th.y also had desire to travel some.
Besides the three owners, l had four pas
sengers in the cabin. The passage from
New York to Eng Land on that occasion was
the most severe one l ever made. l have
experienced heavier storms, but never such
continued hard weather. The old ship
was on a strain the whole of the time, and
though | run her into the Avon without
losing life or IN important spar, yet she
had received much damage. Her mainmast
was sprung, her rudder damaged, her TIM
bers strained, and for the last week the
pumps had to be kept gong all the time,
owners, passengers, officers and all dong
their share of work at the brakes.
As soon as We could get the cargo out,
the ship was hauled into the dock for re-
pairs, and we found, upon examination,
that it would be Il week before she could be
ready for sea, and If she had all the repairs
which was absolutely needed, it would ake
nearer two weeks. A contract was made
for the job, and one Of the owners agreed
to stay by and superintend the work. This
left me at liberty, and 1 began to look
around for some place to visit. had heard
much of Salisbury plain. The famous
Stone Hedge was there, and so were three
other relics of Roman and British anti
quities. Accordingly, to Salisbury PLAIN |
resolved to 60. When went on board
the ship to make arrangements with the
owner who had remained there, found one
of the passengers just leaving. His name
was Nathan Leeman. He was young
man, not more than thirty years OF age,
and supposed him, from his features and
idiom, to be an Engllshman. told him |
was going to Salisbury, and he informed
me that he was going the same way.
Leeman had been intending to take the
stage to Devices, and thence to some of the
cross coaches; but had resolved to take
horse and travel where, and how, and when
l pleased, and he liked the plan so well that
he went Immediately and bought good
horse and saddle.
1t was about the middle of the forenoon
when We set out, and found that Leeman
intended to visit the curioslties with me, and
then keep on towards London, by the way
of Andover and Chertsey, he having sent
his baggage On ahead to Salisbury by the
great mail route, which ran many miles out
of the way. | found my companion excel
lent company, and on the way he told me
some passages from his own life. He was
borne in England, but this was the FIRST time
he had been in the kingdom since he was
fourteen years uf age, and was ledto infer
that at that time he ran away from his pa
rents. During the last six years of his res
idence in the United States, he had been
engaged in western land speculations, and
he was now independently rich.
We took dinner at Bradford, a large man
ufacturng town six miles south east of
Bath, and as soon as our horses were rested
we cut out again. Towards the middle Of
the afternoon the sky began to be overcast,
and We had promise Of storm. By five
O'Clock the great black clouds were piled
up in heavy masses, and it began to thun-
der. At Warminister we had the direct
road to Amesbury, distance of fourteen
miles, and when this storm had closed upon
us, we were about half way between the
two places. was in no particular hurry;
and as had no desire to get wet, propo-
sed that We should stop at the first place we
came to: In a few moments more we came
to point where a small cross road turned
off to the right, and where guide board
said it was FIVE miles to Deptford Inn.
proposed that we should turn into this
byway and make for Deptford Inn as fast
as possible, and my companion readily con-
sented. We had gone but mile when the
great drops of rain began to fall; but as
good fortune would have it, we espied .
small cottage, not more than furlong
ahead, through clump Of poplars. We
made for this place, and reached it before
we got wet. There was good sized barn
on the premises, and long sheep shed con-
nected ii with the house. Beneath this shed
we drove, and just as we alighted, an old
man came out. We told him that we had
got caught in storm, and asked if he
could accommodate Us over night. He told
us that We should have the best his humble
place could afford, and that if we put up
with that, we should be welcome.
As soon as the horses were taken care Of
we followed the old man into the house,
He was grey-headed man, certainly on the
down hill side Of three score, and his form
was bent by hard work. His countepance
was naturally kind and benevolent, but
there were other marks upon his brow than
those of old age. The moment saw him
knew he had seen much suffering. 1t was a
neat room to which we were led, living
room, but yet free from dirt and clutter
An old woman was just building fire for
supper, and as we entered she arose from
her work.
Some travellers, wife, caught in a show
er, said the old man.
Surely, gentlemen, you're welcome,' the
: "onnan !, said, in tone SO mild and free that
: anew she spoke only the feelings of her
soui; ITS poor fare we can give We, but
tae tae near hears Of the giver must e'en make up
, ron'a ! thanked the goodpeople, and told them
!. ! "oo'o pay them ven for all they did for
Speak not Of pay,' said the woman. IA.
.lng ner tea-kettle from the hob, and hang.
ing it upon the crane. ''' '
Stop, wife, uttered the old man. tremu.
lously. Let not your heart mn. nav avav y Nth
ye; # the good gentlemen have to snare out out
O. their abundance, it becomes not ,uch
sufferers As We to refuse the bounty,
l saw the woman place her .pron n h.-
eyes, but she made no reply. The door
close BY the Fireplace stood partly Oman.
AyA -