Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-11-24

IContmuedl
May 22d-The Gentlemen all dine at Cottis-
wood to Day, there being meeting of
the landed Gentry there to advise con-
corning the farther drainage of the Fens, his
M'ty's Council not being minded to continue
the work, causing thercbye, much dissatisfac-
ton in this region. One Mr.. Oliver Cromwell
of Huntingdon, cousin of Mr.. Hampden and,
like him, violent Puritan, it is said, hath be-
stirred himself greatlie in this affair
Went down to the bleaching Ground to see
the maids put out the new webs. The Ground
was soon spread over with long brown strips of
CLOTH which Bridget did aver pretty sight,
but the green sward, with the Beck flowing by,
was deal prettier to my mind, as told her,
but she said, with laugh ;-"Maidens did new
er know their mind-I wouldn't think SO when
the Weddinge Daye was at hand, and the house
hold plenishing wantedp
said that was long way ff;-long enough
if aunte be among the Prophets, for she says,
no one will ever take such thoughtless silly
body. But l could not help thinking about it
on the way to the House, and, meeting old
gypsey Poll by the stile, l was strongly minded
to ask her to tell my fortune, only l, luckily,
remembered that like proceeding would go
far to the proving Of aunte's words.
was right glad l did not, for Guy came
running to me, saying he had coaxed his mother
to let us ride over to the Lines to ask after
Mistress Haughton's lameness, and the ponies
were waiting. The horses back is a sovereign
remedy for all troubles and forgot all about
the Gypsey and marriage, cantering along the
green lanes. We were just in time for dinner
and had great sirloin of beef with vegetables
and wheaton pudding which did relish well
after our ride.
Sarah Haughton took me to her room to see
her new pink tqfeta, and open her budget of
gossip more at her ease. Mr.. Westcott and
Ann Latimer, she said, are to be married soon,
and AIMS aunte, Madame Tween and her
daughter Alice are to come down from London
to the wedding-then, she paused and putting
on very wise look asked me-"Had heard
Mr.. Sharswoode speak of the Liveens 2"
7 said, "no, truly Why 2"
Upon which she pursed her lips and
replied 30, nothing" which l did well
know, meant 90, something" and some
thing disagreeable to boot but would not
ask, so, after little space, she said :-"Noth-
ing, only the Liyeens know him, and Alice
has writ in letter about him to Ann, telling
what sad rake he is, for all he seemeth so
quiet winning the hearts of all the pretty
women of his acquaintance and f1inging them
away as easily as one would an old glove and
we thought Peggy you ought to know, for,
they say, it is quite certain he will not marry
NOT even the Queene herself"
"And what are Mr.. Sharswoode and his
marrying to me, more than any one else only
vexed at the thought that they had been Cos
slipping over me. But it were better if had
bitten my tongue in silence, for looking in my
flushed face, she burst out laughing, and said !:
80, nothing-nothing, Peggy, only l don't
mind as l ever knew Betty Newberry get
angry when one spoke of her guardian, Esq
Gould, though the wizzened little body has been
wife-hunting for years, and he is no older than
Mr.. Sharswoode !"
Truly envy is a mighty sharpener of the
wits of some people, but l said nothing and
only fell to praising the Tafieta which is of
such lovely colour that am minded to have
one like it.
Madame Haughton asked me after aunt's
recipe for Hungary Water, which she thinks
better than her own, and while | sought to
remember it, she asked,-"How aunte did
manage to put up with the Purtanic notions
of young Mr.. Lake :"
| made answer that he held none snch to our
knowledge, at which she looked very wise and
said others were not so blind that the Citrate
johnson affirmed him to be not only one of
that Sect but an agent of the Lords Say and
Brooke and others whose disatfections to the
Church and King were well known.
| said, johnson was better than the "Perfect
Diu1ndN," for what he did not know he could
make out of the whole cloth "at which the
dame shook her head - telling me l must
not speak evil of the Church"
| have all reverence for the Church, for
surely, the collective wisdom of the ages is
better than the vain conceits or the fantastic
vagaries of the individual mind, but twenty
surplices will never make me reverence the
man who presumeth on his position to put un-
Seemly constructions on the words of his
scholars lessons, or who seeketh to curry
favor by telling tales of his betters.
The gentlemen have come, bringing news
that his Majesty will tarry awhile in York, on
his return from the North, that the Mobiles and
Gentry may take the Oath to put down all
rebels that may conspire against the peace of
the Realm. Squire Haughton and some others
being with them, Uncle has ordered wines
from the cellar, and there is much noisy mer-
riment and drinking of the Kings health be-
low. l was glad to escape to the quiet of my
own room, but | can hear now the voices OF
Squire Haughton and a brother Magistrate
trolling the chorus Of noisy song. If Mas
ter Philip Lake be indeed puritan, do
wonder how he will like such doings?
ITO be continued]