Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-11-24
KITCHEN AND PARLOR.

KITCHEN AND PARLOR.
! sober Romance.
| The coachman drew up his four bays
snartly and with an air of rejoicing at hay
ing got through his journey; and the
guard, to keep up the spirit Of the thing
gave a joyial flourish on his horn, Just tc
let the people know the Colchester coach
was no common coach, but real bighfyer
and two words about it. The guard got
down and tumbled plain corded box out
of the boot, and then a bundle tied up il
a red and yellow handkerchief and then
looking upon pretty, modest fresh-look
ing country girl, who sat contentedly next
the coaehman, holding great tuft Of. May
blossoms, called out: s~.
''Now, then, Susan, my love, here you
are, Take care how you get down; III
catch q; you. Don't 9 hurry, my girl, but look
''0h dear! guard, am | there, then, and
is this Margaret Lane 2 said the PROPOSES
fsing young woman, wishing the coachmau
goodbye, and getting nimbly and modest
| ly down, aided by the robust arms of the
gallant guard, ~.
"No. l6 it is, my dear. Goodbye, Su.
san" cried the coachman; ''PIl tell moth.
er Tomorrow yougot all safe"
Susan Smithers was a shrewd, ingen
ious, sturdy girl, with some honest sense
and courage about her; but she felt rath
er shy and uncomfortable when she stood
at the window of the large, dingy, whole
sale and retail shop, and saw the crane
like a huge gibbet, impending over hel
head in threatening and mysterious way.
She could observe the hustle and stir in
side the shop, where sprightly gentlemen
adorned with white neckcloths, (for such
was Mr.. Dobbs' humor,) weighed and
packed pounds of tea, tins of cocoa, and
parcels of coffee; where the sugar-choppel
sounded increasingly, and orders were
shouted to the apprentices, as if the place
were a ship, and storm was looming il
sight. She waited moment or two, look
ing. a
But common sense is plant that grow;
justsss well in the village as the town, and
Susan, being quick, resolute, prompt girl
was not going to waste her time standing
outside; so she walked in, and seeing 1
young man with large whiskers and al
imposing appearance STOPPING in front o
the counter, and reading the direction OIL
her box, she asked him if that was Mr.
Dobbs', and requested him to be kind
enough to tell her the way down to Mr.
Dobbs' kitchen. The imposing young
man instantly turned pilot, and with 1
good natured smile, returning that giver
him by Susan in mute reply, was entering
into the full spirit of the occasion, when
from the left-hand side of the shop, at the
further end, there stepped down from /;
high inclosed desk, that looked partly like
madman's cell, and still more ike pull
pit, tall, thin old gentleman, who wore 1
pigtaiL (my story dates some twenty year
back a blue coat with bright brass but
tons, yellow marsala waistcoat with +;
scarlet one underneath, (only the edge
showing,) and a frilled shirt front, and
nankeen trousers. He was the very pink
of neatness and precision, was this old gen
tleman, and his neatness and trimnes
made him seem quite alert and young
His face was of pale nankeen color, lik'
the part of his dress already glanced at
but then it was clear in tone, and abou
the cheeks healthy blood showed througl
it. This pleasant old gentleman held
pen in. one hand and jostled his gres
bunch of large gold watch seals with th
other, as he came to Susan's pilot.
"Mr. Tompkins," he said, ''mind tina
the tea goes off to Edwards people thi
|evening. They have written again sbou
it. But who is this? Are you the ne'
servant"
Susan dropped a pretty curtsey, AM
said, mildly but firmly, that she believes
she was.
The old gentleman gave her long
keen look from under his thick, gray eye
brows--a parental custom-hOuse officer
sort of look-and said
'sBe good girl-it's not heavy place
Mr.. Tompkins, take down. What
your name, my dear, Ell!
.'Susan Smithers, if you please, SIR
| "a second curtsey.)
''And do please. Take down Susar
Mr. Tompkins, to Mrs. Thompson, an
tell her to make her comfortable"
.'What nice old gentleman said 81
san. as she followed her nimble and gooc
natured pilot down the dark back stairs.
"Yes, he's good old party. That
houFs sgeyerpori'ssssss sss
'.Oh, dear me :. What is that M
Doobs Well, he has pleasant way wit
HIM"
'.Yes, that's the governor, and no mi
take about it.
Susan was very warmly received by he
old widow aunt, Mr.. Dobbs' housekeepe
for thirty years. The worthy woman Va
i.very busy preparing dinner, and was up
Eher eyes IN potatoes, which she peeled an
tossed into pan of water as quickly I
though she were doing it for a wager
In avery few minutes Susan, like a goo
smart, willing girl as she was, had take
off her bonnet, and washed her face an
hands, put on clean apron, and was re-
dy to chop parsley and finish the potatoe
''Susan's good Sort" thought the o.
lady to herself. ''She'll do. She'll be
! GOOD as gold to me. And how neat al
l handy she Is. and atidv-lookinU oirl. too