Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-24

AND THENS


The oracle of the beautiful sequestered
little hamlet Of Ambermead was an old
gentleman of unobtrusive and orderly hab-
its, whose peculiar taciturnity had obtained
for him the familiar cognomen Of Two
Words. Mr.. Canute, alas Two w oris, dwelt
on the outskirts Of the village, tended by an
ancient housekeeper, almost as chary of
speech as her worthy master II was sur
missed that Mr.. Canute had seen better days; /;
for though his means we're straitened, his
heart was large, and his countenance ex-
pressed great benevolence. Notwithstand-
ing the brief mode of speech which char
acterized him on all occasions, the advice OF
Mr. Canute was eagerly sought on every
subject wherein it was presumed advice
could be profitable; and the simple Tustics
of Ambermead perhaps valued it the more,
because, though delivered without particle
of pomposity, the terseness and decision Of
the words expended left an indelible i'm
preston which long sermons often failed to
convey. Mr.. Canute lived on terms Of in
timacy with the family at the old Hall-an
intimacy eemented by early association, for
Mr.. Harwell and Mr.. Canute had been
school-fellows; and when q painful and
lingering illness attacked the squire, his
ancient friend and crony felt deep anxiety
as to the ultimate fate of Mr.. Harwells only
child, the good and lovely Clara Harwell.
The disease was an incurable one; though
the suffering might be protracted, there was
no hope of ultimate recovery, and an air Of
gloom reigned over the village of Amber
mead, where once the sweet spring and
summer-tde brought only sport and glee.
Ambermead was noted for a profusion of
rich red roses, exhaling delicious fragrance;
and for the song of innumerable nightin-
gales whose harmonious concerts resounded
amid the outrageous groves shelteriug the
hamlet on every side and extending beyond
The old Hall of Ambermead. But now, al
though the roses bloomed and the birds
sang, serious faces looked from the cottage
doors and while the younger villagers for
got their usual pastimes, the elders conversed
apart in whispers, always directing their
glances toward the Hall as if the sufferers
within those thick walls could be disturbed
by their conversation. This sympathy was
called forth, not only by the circumstance
of Mr.. Harwell being their ancestral land
lord, the last of an impoverished race, but
from his always having lived among them
as friend and Deighbor-respected as
superior, beloved MS an equal. Their knowl-
edge, also, of the squire's decayed fortunes +;
and that, on his death, the fine old place
must become the property of a stranger,
whom runor did not report favorably of,
greatly enhanced the concern of these he
reditary cultivators of the soil; and many
bright eyes grew dim thinking of poor Miss
Clara, who would soon be fatherless, and
almost penniless. The estate of Ambermead
was strictly entailed in the male line, and
the next heir was of distant kin to the Har-
wells. A combination Of misfortunes, and
no doubt of imprudence in years long by
gone, had reduced the present proprietor to
the verge of ruin, from which he was to find
refuge only in the grave. The Harwell
family lived for centuries in Ambermead.
They seemed so much to belong to their
poor neighbors, who always sympathized
most fully in oil the joys and sorrows of the
"Hall folk" that now, when there was a
certain prospect of losing them forever as it
seemed, the parting became more than a
common one between landlord and tenant
between rich and poor-it was the parting
of endeared friends.
They watched and waited for Mr.. Canute
passing to and fro, as he did every day, and
more than once a day; and on his two
words they hung, as if life or death were in
volved in that short bulletin.
L" How is the squire to-day2" said one.
"No BETTER" replied Mr.. Canute, mildly,
without stopping.
"And iow's Miss Clara?" inquired
another, with deep pity in his looks.
Very patient" responded the old man,
still moving slowly on with the aid of his
stout staff
Patient !" repeated several voices when
he was out of hearing. "Yes, yes, patient
enough; and Master Canute means deal
when he says patient. Bless her young
sweet face there's patience in 1t if ever
there was in mortals."
Mr.. Canutes patience was sorely taxed
by questions at all hours he was waylaid
first by one, then by another, on his way
from his own cottage TO the Hall, but with
unfailing good nature and promptitude he
invariably satisfied the affectionate solici-
tude of his humble neighbors-in his own
quaint way, certainly-never wasting
words, yet perfectly understood
The summer-tide was waning into au-
tumn, and the squire of Ambermead faded
more gradually than autumn leaves, when
late one evening wayfarer stopped at Mr..
Canuies cottage, which was on the road
side, and requested permission to rest, ask
ing for draught Of water from the well be-
fore the porch.
"Most welcome" said Two Words scan
ming the stranger and pleased with his APP
pearance, for youth and an agreeable coun-
tenance are sure passports; perhaps, too,
Mr.. Canute discerned gentle breeding in his
guest, despite travel-stained habiliments,
and dash Of habitual recklessness in his
air. At any rate, the welcome was heartily
given, and as heartily responded to; aud
when Mr.. Canute left his dwelling in order
to pay his usual evening visit at the Hall, he
merely said, addressing his young visitor,
'"Soon back !" and turning to Martha, the
careful housekeeper, added, Get supper y
while on stepping over the threshold second
thoughts urged him to return and say to the
young man, " Don't co.
"No, that l won't, replied he, frankly,
for like my quarters too we'll. I'll wait
till you come back, governor; and 1 hope
you won't be long, for my mouth waters for
the supper you spoke Of
Mr. Canute smiled, and walked away
more brisbly than usual; and after sitting
for some time beside the sick mans bed
and bidding good night" and bless you
TO sweet Clara Harwell, he retraced his
steps homewarc, ard found supper ready
and the handsome stranger so obviously
ready TO do jus ice TO the frugal fare, that
Mr. Canute jocularly remarked, Keen
air." to which the stranger replied in the
same strain, "Fine scenery" on which thc
host added &C An artist 2n when the youth