Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1867-08-08

: ne did every DAY, ana more IMAM
: once day; and on his two words
they hang, as if life or death were
, involved in that short bulletin.
"How is the, squire to-day?'
. said one.
"No better" replied Mr.. Canute
mildly, without stopping.
"And how's Miss Clara?" in
quired 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!'' repeated several
voices when he was out of hear.
ing. eyes, patient enough; and
Master Canute means a deal
when he says patient. Bless her
young sweet face! there's patience
in nif ever there was in mortal's. u
Mr.. Canute's patience was sore
ly taxed by questioning 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 afectionate solicitude
of his humber neighbors-in his
own quaint way, certainly-never
wasting words, yet perfectly un-
Iderstood.
The summer-tide was waning
into autumn, and the squire of
Ambermead fadeo more gradually
than autumn leaves, when late
one evening a wayfarer stopped
at Mr.. Canute's cottage, which
was on the roadside, and reques-
ted permission to rest, asking
for draught of water from the
well Before the porch.
| "Most welcome" said Two
Words, scanning the stranger,
and pleased with his appearance,
for youth and an agreeable coun-
tenance are sure passports; per-
haps, too, Mr.. Canute discerned
gentle breeding in his guest, des-
pite travel-soiled habiliments, and
dash of recklessness in his air.
At any rate, the welcome was
heartily given, and as heartily
responded to; and when MIR. Ca
mute 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 care
full housekeeper, and added, "Get
supper;" while stepping over the
Threshold, second thoughts ur-
ged him to return and say to the
young man, sDon't 60"
"No, that, / WON'T" replied he
frankly, 'ffor ! like my quarters
too we'll. I'll wait till you come
back, governor; and / hope you
won't be long, for my mouth
waters for thesupper you spoke Of"
Mr.. Canute smiled and walked
away more briskly than usual;
and after sitting for some time
beside the sick mans bed, and
bidding "good night" and s'bless
| you'' to Clara Harwell, he retraced
his, steps homeward, and found
supper ready, and the handsome
stranger so obviously ready to do
Justice to the frugal fare that Mr..
Canute ijocularly remarked, "Keen
air;'' to which the stranger re-
piled in the same strain "Fine
scenery;" on which the host add
ed, can artist?" when the youth
laughing outright said, after a
pause, and suffering his mirth to
subside, he continued, care you
always SO economical in words,
sir? Don't you sometimes find
| it difficult to carry on conver-
sation in this strain?"
"You don't," !" replied Mr.. Canute
smiling, and imperturbably good
naturea.
"Not T" cried the youth, "and
I want to ask yeu a half hum
dred questions. ..Will you answer
me2"
arll try" replied Mr.. Canute.
sTve not long to stay, for I'm
on a walking tour with a friend; !;
but I diverged to Ambermead, as
l was anxious to see it. I've had
a curiosity to see it for a long
while; but my friend is waiting
for me at the market town, eight
lmiles of, ! think, and ! shall