Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-08-28
STAUNTON VIRGINIA. TUESDAY, AUGUST 49, 1860.


praised everything.
-"Yes," replied he, ''she is a very good cook ;
she unites solidty of the English with the deli
cacy of the French fare, and altogether, think
it decided Improvement. Jane is quite
treasure"
After dinner he observed, "Of course you
know have sold Belem Castle, and reduced my
establishment The Government has not treated
me fairly, but am at the mercy of Commls-
sioners, and body of men will do that, which,
as individuals, they would be ashamed of. The
fact is, the odium is borne by no one in partic-
ular, and it is only the sense Of shame which
keeps us honest, l am afraid.
"However, here you see my friends, especially
my school-fellows. Will you take Port or Ola
ret the Port is fine, so is the Claret. By the
by, do you know-I'll let you into family Sc
cret Louisa is to be married to Col. Willer-an
excellent match; it will make us all happy
The next day we drove out in an open carri-
age as before, bu. in chariot, and with q pair
of horses. These are handsome horses, observ-
/. EYES," replied he, Il am fond of good hor-
ses; and as I only keep pair, have the best.
There is certain degree of pretention in four
horses do not much like; it appears as if you
wished to overtop your neighbors."
spent few very pleasant days. and then
quilted his hospitable roof. A severe cold,
caught that Winter, induced me to take the ad-
vice of the physician, and proceed to the South
Of France, where remained two years. On my
return was informed that Willemot had spec
ulated, and had been unucky on the stock ex-
change; that he had leA Richmond, and was
him near the Exchange "Reynolds, am happy
to see you. Thompson told me that you had
come back; if not engaged come down to see
me; l will drive you down at four o'clock, if
that will suit"
1t suited me very well, and at four o'clock
met him according to the appointment, at liv-
cry stable over the iron bridge. His vehicle
was ordered out it was ph@ton, drawn by
TWO long tailed ponies-altogether very neat
concern. We set off at rapid pace. "They
step out well, don't they9 We shall be down
in plenty time to put on pair of shoes by five
o'clock, which is our dinner time. Late dinners
don't agree with me-they produce indigestion.
Of course you know that Louisa has little boy"
did not, but congratulated him. Eyes, and
has now gone out to India with her husband
Mary is also engaged to be married-a very
good match-a Mr.. Rivers, in the law. He has
been called to the bar, and promises well. They
| may be little piDched at first, but we must
see what we can do for them.'
| We stopped at neat row of houses, | forgot
| the name, and as we drove up, the servant, the
only man-servant, came out, and took the ponies
around to the stable, while the maid received
my luggage, and one or two paper bags, con-
| tanning a few extracts for the occasion. | was
met with the same warmth as usual by Mrs.
Willemot. The house was small but very neat.
The remnants of former grandeur appeared here
and there, in one two little articles, favOrtes
of the lady. We sat down at five O'Clock to a
plain dinner, and were attended by the footman,
who had rubbed down the ponies and pulled on
| his livery.
| "a good plain cook is the best thing after all, y
observed Willemot. ''Your fine cooks won't
condescend to roast and boil Will you take
some of this sirloin? the under cut is excellent.
My dear, give Mr.. Reynolds some Yorkshire
pudding"
| When we were left alone after dinner, Mr..
| Willemot told me, very unconcernedly, of his
losses. sit was not my fault" said he: II wish.
ed to make up little sum for the girls, and
risking what they would have had, left them
command bottle of Port and beef-steak, and
what more IN this world can you have? Will
you take port or white2 have no claret to offer
you"
We finished our Port, but could perceive no
| difference in Willemot. He was just as happy
and cheerful as ever. He drove me to town
the next day. During our drive he observed,
81 like ponies they are so little trouble; and l
prefer them to driving one horse in this vehicle,
as can put my wife and daughter into it. It's
selfish to keep carriage for yourself alone; and
one horse in a four. wheeled, double chaise, ap-
| pears like an imposition on the poor animal"
went to Scotland and remained about year.
| On my return, found that my friend Willemot
had again shifted his quarters. He was at
Brighton; and having nothing better to do, put
myself in the Times, and arrived at the Bedford
| Hotel. 1t was not until after some inquiry that
| | could find out his address. At last l obtained
| it in respectable but not fashionable part of
| this OvergrOwn town. WillemOt received me
| Just as before II have no spare bed to offer
you, but you must breakfast and dine with US
every day. Our house is small, but it's very
comfortable, and Brighton is very convenient
place. You know Mary is married. good
place in the court was for sale, and my wife and
| agreed to purchase it for Rivers. 1t has re-
duced Us little, but they are very comfortable.
| have retired from business altogether; in fact
as my daughters are both married, and we have
enough to live upon, what can we wish for
more9 Brighton is very gay, and always healthy,
and, as for carriage and horse, they are of no
use here-there are flies at every corner of the
streets"
| | accepted this invitation to dinner. A parlor
| maid waited, but everything, although very
| plain, was clean and comfortable. 81 have still
bottle of wine tor friend, Reynolds said
Willernot, after dinner "but for my part, pre-
fer whiskey to day; it agrees with me better
Here's to the health of my two girls-God bless
| them, and success to them in life"
"My dear Willenot," said l, ''excuse the lib
erty of an old friend, but am so astonished at
your philosophy, that cannot help it. When
call to mind Belem Castle, your large establish
ment, your Injuries, your French cook, and your
stud of cattle, | wonder at your contented state
of mind under such change of circumstances u
II almost wonder myself, my dear fellow
said he. II never could have believed, at that
time, that l could have lived happily under such
a change OF circumstances, but the fact is, al
| though have been contractor, have good
conscience; then my wife, she is an excellent
woman, and provided she sees me and her
daughters happy, thinks nothing about herself
and farther, we have made a rule, as we have
been going down hill, to find reason why we
should be thankful and contented. Depend up
on it, Reynolds, it is not a loss of fortune which
will effect your happiness; as long as you have
peace and love at homes
took my leave of Willemot and his wife with
respect as we'll as regard, convinced that there
we no nIo1 ;p1i