Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-10-09
GQOrtester 4aiIg Spp.
AND THEN ?

Hute, uttuS Two w Orus, uwelt on the utSklrtS
OF the village, tended by an ancient house.
keeper, almost as CharY OF speech as her
worthy master. 1t was surmised that Mr.. Ca.
mute had seen better days ; for though his
means were sraitened, his heart was large,
ana his countenance expressed great benevO.
lenCe Notwithstanding the brief mode OF
speech which characterized him on all occa
sl0ns, the advice of MIR. Canute was eagerly
sought on every subject wherein it was pre-.
stunned advice could be profitable and the
simple rustlcs OF Ambermead perhaps valued
1t the more, because, though delivered without
particle of pomposity, the terseness and lie.
clslon OF the words expended left an iudelible
impression which long sermons often failed 10
convey. Mr. CanuIe lived ON terms Ul imlima.
cy with the family at the OLD ha--an intima.
cy cemented by early association, Tor Mr.
Harwell and Mr.. Canute had been school tel.
lows and when Il painful and lingering ill
ness attacked the squire, his ancient friend and
crony felt deep anxiety as TO the ultimate fate
of MIR. llarwelI's only child the good and
lovely Clara Harwell. The disease was an
lncurable one, though the suffering might be
prUtracted, there was no hope of ultimate re-
covery and an air OF gloom regned over the
village OF Ambermead, where once the sweet
spring and summer tide brought only sport
and gee. Ambermead was noted for a
pr0uslon OF rich red roses, eXhang de-
liclous fragrance and ter the song OF innu
merable nightingales, whose harmonious con
Certs resOunded amid the outrageous groves
shelttrlug the hamlet on every side and eX.
tending beyond tie old hall OF Ambermead
But now, although the roses blouned and the
birds sang, serious faces looked from the cot
tage doors and while the young villagers for
got their usual pastimes, the elders conversed
apart in whispers, always directing their
glances toward the hall as if the sufferer with.
in those thick walls could be disturbed by
their conversation This sympathy was called
forth not ONLY by the circumstance of Mr.
Ilarwell being their ancestral landlord, the last
of an impoverished race, but from his always
having lived among them as a friend and
nelghbor-respected as a superior, and beloved
as an equal. Their knowledge also of tie
sources decayed fortunes, and that, on his
death, the fine old place must become the
property of stranger, whom rumor did not
report tavorably of, greatly enhanced the CON
Germ OF these hereditary cultlvators of the suIl,
and many bright eyes grew dim thinking OF
poor Miss Clara who would soon be tatherless
and almost penniless. The estate OF Amber.
mead was strictly entaed in the male line
and the next heir was Of distant kin 10 the
Harwells. a combination OF msiortunes, aud
no doubt OF lmprudence in Yeas long bygone
had reduced the present proprietor 10 the
tuge only in the grave. The Harwe family
had lived for centuries in Ambermead They
seemed so much to belong to their poor neigh
bors, VINO always sympathiZed most fully IN
all the joys and surrUws of the 'Hail folk "
that now, when there was a certain prospect
OF losing them forever as it seemed, the putting
became mare than a common one between
landlord and tenent, between rich and poor,
il was the parting OF endeared friends.
NJ, .t.r1. 4
passing two and fro, as he did every day, ard
they hung, as it lite or death were involved in
that short bulletin.
"How is the squire to day 2" seid one
ono better, replied Mr. Canute, mildly,
without stopping.
Sand how's Miss Clara 2" inquired another,
with deep pity in his looks.
Every patient, responded the old man,
still moving slowly on with the aid OF his stout
staff.
patient r 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 i'll ii if ever there
in mortal's."
Mr.. CanuteS patience was sorely taxed by
questions at all hours ; he was aylaid first by
one, then by another, ON his way from his own
nature and promptitude he invariably satisfied
the atfectouate solicilude OF bis humble neigh
bors-in his own quaint way, certainly-never
wasting words, yet perfectly understood.
The summer tide was waning into autumn,
and the Squire OF Ambermead faded more
gradually tran autumn leaves, when lale one
evening waytarer stopped at Mr., Canute's
cottage, which was on the roadside, and re-
quested peimss on to rest, asking iursa
draught OF water from the well before the
porch.
"Mos welcome" said Two Words. sean.
ming the stranger, and pleased with his APP.
pearance, for youth and an agreeable counte-
nance are sure passports perhaps, too, Mr..
Canute discerhed gentle breeding IN his guest,
despite travel stained hablliments, and dash
of habitua recklessness in his air. AT any
rate, the welcome was heartily given, and as
heartily responded to and when Mr.. Canute
lett his dwelling, in order to pay his usual eve
ming visit at the hall, lie merely said, address
ing his young visitor, "Soon back !; and turn
ing to Martha, the careful housekeeper, added,
"Get supper" while on stepping over the
threshold second thoughts urged him to re-
turn and say to the young man, Don't Sc"
'No, that / won't" replied he, frankly, "ior
| like my quarters TOO well. I'll wait till you
come back, governor; and | hope you won't
be long, Tor my mouth waters for the supper
you spoke OF
Mr.. Canute smiled, and walked away more
briskly than usual and alter sitting Tor some
time beside the sick mans bed, and bidding
good night and "bless you" 10 sweet Clara
1aIwell, he retraced his steps homeward, and
found supper ready, and the handsome stian-
ger so obviously ready TO do justice to the tru'
gal fare, that Mr.. Canute jocuarly remarked,
Keen air" 10 which the stranger replied in
the same strain, "Fine scenery" on which
the host added, "An artist 2" when the youth,
laughing outright, said San Indifferent one,
indeed" Alter pause, and suffering his
mirth to subside, he continued, "Afe you al
ways so economical in words, sir {! Don't you
sometimes find it difficult to carry on con-
yersation in this strain?"
"You don't" returned Mr.. Canute, smiling,
and imperturably good natured.
Not l." cried the youth, "and ! want to
ask YOU half hundred questions. Will you
answer me 2"
"Pll try" replied Mr.. Canute.
''I'ye not long to stay, Tor I'm on walking
tour with friend but dverged TO Amber.
mead, as ] was anxious to see it. I've had a
curiosity TO see it for a long while; but my
friend is waiting Tor me at the market town
eight miles off, think, and shall strike across
the country when the moon is up, II you'll
give me rest till then"
"Most welcome" said Mr.. Canute, very
cautiously.
"Ah, haP quoth the stranger, eff that
the way you pursue your discourse, l don
think shall learn much from you. l hope
however, that l may get a wife who will iol
low your example-a woman of two words
i'll short-she'll be rare specimen OF he