The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-01-06

"Most welcome, said Two Words, scan
ming the stranger, and pleased with his APP
peaances, for youth and agreeable counte-
nance are sure passports! perhaps, too, Mr..
Canute discerned gentle breeding in his
guest, despite traveled-soiled habiliments,
and dash of habitual recklessness in his
air. AT any rate, the welcome was heartily
given, and as heartily responded to; and
when Mr.. Canute left his dwelling, in order
to pay his usual evening visit at the Hall,
he merely said, addressing his young Wis
tor; "Soon back J" and turning TO Martha,
the careful housekeeper, added: "Get sup
per-" while, on stepping over the threshold,
second thought urged him to return and say
to the youngman. Don't CO." Is.
'No, that I WON'T" replied he frankly,
''for like my quarters too well. III wait
till you come back, governor; and ! hope you
won't be long, for my mouth waters for the
supper You spoke Of aa sr tlaa"
Mr.. Canute, smiled, and. walked away
more briskly than usual; and after sitting
1or some time beside the sick mans bed,
and bidding good night and ''bless YOU
to sweet Clara Harwell, heiretraced his steps
homeward, and found supper ready, to do
justice to the frugal fare, that Mr.. Canute
jocularly remarked: "Keen air." to which
the stranger replied in the same strain !;
Slime scenery" on which the host added:
'sAn artists' when the youth, laughing out
right, said IAN Indifferent one, indeed
| After pause, and suffering his mirth to sub
side, he continued: "Are you always so
economical in words, sir? Don't you some
times find it difficult to carry on conversa-
ton in this strain?' +. s.a h.sa zr.s4F
"You DON'T" replied Mr.. Canute, smiling,
and imperturbably good-natured. a.E 20,
"Not T." cried the youth, sand I want to
ask you half hundred questions. VIII
you answer me % ..r.rr.,.r,..'
'I'l try," replied Mr.. Canute. r~7
'Tve not long to stay, for I'm on walk
ing tour with friend but diverged to Am
bermead, as was anxious to seeit. I've had
curiosity to see it for a long while; but my
friend is waiting for me at the market-town,
eight miles off, think, and shall strike
across the country when the moon is up, if
you'll give me rest till then"
Most welcome, said Mr.. Canute, courte-
o;lsv.
"Ah, har' quoth the stranger, eff that's
the way you pursue your discourse, don't
think shall learn much from you. / hope,
however, that may get wife who will fol-
low your example, woman Of two words,
in short; she'll be rare specimen of her
sexm - .s-... , ..r.a..
"Ah, ha :" calculated Mr. Canute. .
"But come, tell me, for time presses,
said the young man, suddenly becoming
grave-'tell me all about Ambermead, and
the squire-how long he's likely to last
For. in fact, the friend mentioned, who is
with me during his walking tour, is vastly
interested in all that concerns the place and
property" ...............,. ....r...
'The heir?' whispered Mr.. Canute, mys.
teriously." ..e...
"Well, well, suppose we say he is; he's
not altogether a bad fellow, though he is
considered a bit reckless and wild. But he
has heard of Clara Harwelrs beauty and
goodness from his cousin, Lady Ponsonby
(she's Clara's cousin, too, you know and
he is really quite sorry to think that such a
lovely creature should be turned out of the
old Hall to make room for him. He wants
to know what will become of her when old
Harwell dies, for all the world knows he's
ruined. It's pretty place, this old Amber
mead-a paradise, should say. | know
what I'd do, if was ever lucky enough to
call it mine" The youth rubbed his hands
gleefully. 81 should be happy dog, thenr'
/ "And then?" said Mr.. Canute smiling
"Why, then, I'd pull down the rickety old
house up there, and build palace fit for a
prince; I'd have lots prime fellows to stay
with me; and should sport the finest horses
and dogs in the country~ The speaker
paused out of breath.
"And then?" said Mr.. Canute, quietly.
"Why, then, I'd hunt, and shoot, and ride,
and drink, and smoke, and dance, and keep
open house, and enjoy life to the full-feasting
from years end to years end-the feast Of
reason and the flow Of soul, you know, in
old Ambemead?'
"And then?''
"Why, then, Isuppose thatin time should
grow old, like other people, and ceaset to care
for all these things so much as did when
strength and youth were mine."
"And then?" said Mr. Canute, more slow
| ly.
j "Why, then"-and the stranger hesitated
-" then, / suppose, like other people, in the
course of nature, should have to leave all
the pleasures Of this life, and, like other peo-
ple--die.'
"And then 2" said Mr.. Canute, fixing his
eyes, glittering like diamonds, on the young
mans face, which flushed up, as he exclaim-
ed, with some irritation:-
ooh, hang your and thensr But the