The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-05-11
for TIE Dome Girflt.
The squire's Story.

The Squire's Story.
In the year seventeen hundred and sixty
nine the little town of Barford was thrown
into state of great excitement by the intel-
genee that gentleman (and 'qnite the gen.
tleman,' said the landlord of the George Inn)
had been looking at Mr.. Claverings old house.
This house was neither in the town nor in the
country. 1t stood on the outskirts of Barford,
on the road side leading to Derby. The last
occupant had been Mr.. Caverng-a North
umberland gentleman of good family-who
had come to live in Barford when he was but
younger son; but when some elder branches
of the family died. be had returned to take
possession OF the family estate. The house of
which l speak called { he White House,
from its being covered with greyish kind of
stucco. 1t had a good garden to the back,
and Mr.. CIavering had built capital stables,
with what were then considered the latest i'm.
provements The point of good stabling was
ing connty; otherwise it had few recommend,
ations There were many bed rooms; some
entered through others even to the number of
five, leading one beyond the other; several
sitting rooms of the small and poky kind,
wanseotted rouad with wood, and then paint.
ed heavy slate color; one good dining room
and drawing room over it, both looking into
the garden, with pleasant bow windows.
/ Such was the accommodation offered BY the
White Honse It did not seem to- be very
tempting to strangers, though the good people
Of Barford rather piqued themselves on it, as
the largest house in the town; and as house
in which townspeople' and county people,
had often met at MIR. Caverings friendly din
ners. To appreciate this circumstance Of
pleasant recollection, you should have lived
some years in little country town, surround
ed by gentlemen's seats. You would then
underst aud how bow or a courtesy from a
/ member of county family elevates the
individuals who receive it almost as much
4 in their own eyes, as the pair of blue
garters fringed with silver did Mr.. Bickerstaffs
!, ward. They trip lightly on air for whole day
afterwards. Now Mr.. Claveriug was gone,
| where could town and county mingle
Il | mention these things that you may have
an idea of the desirabilty of the letting of the
!, White House in the Barfordites' imagination;
and to make the mixture thick and slab, you
mnst add for yourselves the hustle, the myste.
Il ry and the import ance which every little event
t. either causes or assumes in a small town; and
tlo -
twenty ragged little urchins accompanied 'the
8 gentleman aforesaid to the door of the White
b House; and, although be was above an hour
e inspecting thunder the auspices of Mr.. Jones,
e the agents cleik. thirty more had joined hem
IS selves to the wondering crowd before his exit,
D. and awaited such crumbs of intelligence as
g. they could gather before they were threatened
le or whipped out of hearing distance. Presently
n out came the gentleman and the lawyers
is clerk. The latter was speaking as he followed
D. the former over the threshold. The gentleman
4. was tall, we'll dressed, handsome; but there
=. was sinister. cold look in his quick glancing
is light blue eye, which keen observer might
,g not have liked. There were no keen observers
III among the boys and i'll conditioned gaping
re girls. But they stood too near, inconvenient
e. ly close; and the gentleman, lifting up his righ
I hand, in which he carried a short riding whip
a dealtrone or two sharp blows TO thern nearest
TX with look of savage enjoyment on his face a
he they moved away whimpering and crying Al
'ln instant AFTER his expression of countenance ha
a changed. s1 eaaT
siHere I said he drawing out handful o
az money, partly silver, partly copper and throw
ing it into the midst of them. = Scramble 70
Jus it fight it out, my lads come this afternoon
'el- at three, to the George, and I'll throw 20
old out some more So the boys hurrahed fo
he him as he walked off with the agents clerk
ast He chuckled to himself as with pleasar
'ce' thought. I'll have some fun with those lad
not he said; I'll teach EN- to come prowling an
he prying about me. LII tell yor what Ill
AXE I'll make the money so hot on the f1reshoy
wo- that it shall burn their fingers. You con
- and see the faces and the bowling. shall
1er very glad if you will due With me at two; al
'.-- by that time [ may have made up my mir
ID about the house.
NPEI NIL OouOop tuO oSCuso SiOinJ uSfccu u COE
the to the George at two, but. somehow, he h
1t a distaste for his entertainer. Mr. Jon
hat would not like to have said, even to himse
adj. that man with purse full of money, W
n it kept many horses, and spoke familiarly of n
the. blemen-above all who thought of taking t
fthe White House-could be anything but ge
man tleman; but still the uneasy wonder rs to W
the this Mr. Robinson could be, filed the cer
evil mind long after Mr.. Higgins. Mr.. Higgi
has servants, and Mr.. Higgins stud had taken p
a,a session of the White House. A y ''''-
a., The White House was re-stuccoed (this I'll
= a pale, yellow color, and put n thorough
= air by the accommodating and delight
'uu' lanG."rdi while bis tenant seemed inclined
rest spend any amount of money on internal de-