Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-07-06
NO. XXX.
From tie PAiladelpAia .Prsss.

al From tie PHILADELPHIA Press.
True Story From the sSLord of Buriefgh."
: Henry Cecil, 10th Earl Of Exeter, with landed
estates to the yearly value of 100000, srd the
partial residence of Burghley, with its statues,
paintings, and articles of sirtu said to be worth
f500, 900, married Miss Vernon, from whom,
lowing to her violation of the marriage vows he
was divorced in 1871. Almost heart-broken by
his disgrace and misfortune, he resolved to retire
from high life and Immediately after the divorce,
betook himself to retired country village, In
! ISbropshire, named Bolas about 100 miles from
his own beautiful Burghley. Of that place
However. he was not Lord then, nor uLtl the
death of his uncle, the 9th Earl In l7sS. but
he was beir-presumptive to the title ana estste,
his pecuniary allowance was Cd very ample
scale, suited to his furure position. at tbs time
too, he was only plain Mr.. Henry Cecil. !.
| At Bolas, he actually became q farm'servant
to rather rough diamond, one Thomas Hog
gins, Who besides his farm, had mill, in pretty,
full employ. Cecil's chief work was in this mill,
and be labored like any other servant, fairly 70
earn his wages Part of bis business was 10
leave full bags of -four at various farm houses ID
| the parish. and take back the empty ones. de
had frequently to call at the Rev. Mr.. Dickin-
sons. the clergyman Of Bolas, where according to
the custom of the time and place be was always
invited to rest in the kitchen, and take "a mug
of ale." He seldom was tempted to enter into
conversation. but spoke so well, when be did
converse. that Mr.. Dickinsons household gave
him the name of "Gentleman Harry" 1t was
not long before this so6riquet and its cause, be.
came known to Mr.. Dickinson, put who himself
in the way of meeting this strange miller's man,
| and became 80 much interested In him that, IN
stead of being asked TO rest and refresh in the
kitchen, s.Gentleman Harry" was regularly in
yited into the study, where the good pastor used
to ioin him in draught of home-brewed and
pipe of the Nicotian weed.
Ere long, Mr.. Dickinson, who had freely lent
him various books, limited his suspicion that
|"Gentlemsn Harry" belonged to q higher posi-
ton than he then occupied. This was confessed,
with an assurance that there was no disgrace
connected with his ineognito, and promise to
reveal the particulars OF the secret at no distant
day. y :,
Thomas Hoggins, the miller, had one daughter,
named Sarah, known far and wide, as the "besu-
.ty of Bolas.n About this time she was scarcely
twenty, and through the intervention OF mon
eyed aunt, had received what we have heard
described lin her native Shropshire) as "a bet
termost education" That is, sheread and wrote
correctly, had some slight acquaintance with
French, and played tolerably well upon the
harpsichord. 1t came to pass that MISS hog
gins turned favorable pair of bright blue eyes
upon "Gentleman Harry" Alas, for the ro-
nance of the story, his premier 5eunesse was
gone-for he was in his thirty. eighth year, 1t
happened, also, that he became interested IN Her;
SO much SO; that he called at the Parsonage,
one evening to consult with Mr.. Dickinsoh-.ln
word, to entreat him to marry them privately;
and then, making clean breast OF it "Gentie-
man Harry" confessed that he was Mr.. Henry
Cecil. next heir to the earldom and estates OF
Exeter. BE bound over the clergyman tosecresy,
not allowing him to disclose his personal secret
to Mr.. Hoggins, nor even to Ssrab. 1t was
a difficult matter for the clergyman to obtain
the miller's consent to the marriage, which was
celebrated on the 30th of October 1791. The hap
py couple lived upon small farm during the fol.
lowing two years-until Mr.. Cecil casually learnt
from a Shrewsbury paper that the death of his
uncle had placed coronet upon his brow, and
immense wealth at his disposal.
Still ooneealing the secret of his rank from his
wife, Cecil told her that he had determined upon
change of residence. She prepared to accom-
pany him, leaving her native Bolas with regret,
for she had bsen happy there, as maid, wife and
mother. She accompanied her husband, and
they came at last, to Burghley, the beauty OF
which greatly struck her, as they rode byit In
their humble conveyance.
Her husband told her that it was show-place,
and she gladly assented to his invitation to a.
light and see it. They entered the demesne,
walked up the broad avenue with its double
fringe of stately oaks went through the garden
and conseryatories, and finally made tour
Of the mansion. At last, returning down the
grand staircases, into the stately hall, around
which were ranged figures in antique armor,
and family portraits, from the days of HoIbei1
and Vandyke down to Reynolds, her husband
asked her how she liked the place2 "Beauti-
full" she exclaimed. "Oh, Henry, what Par.
adise to live and die mp BY this time small
crowd OF relatives and attendants had made
circle around them. Sarah" said lie, as ne
kissed her white brow, "This place is yours
I am Earl Of Exeter" Then turning to the
company he said, This is the Countess of Exc
ter"