Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1867-08-08
AND YB BU 2

Ihe oracle OF the Deautl Iul. Sc
questered little hamlet of Amber
mead was an old gentleman of
unobtrusive and orderly habits
whose peculiar taciturnity had
obtained for him the familiar cog
nomen Of Two Words. Mr.. Ca
mute, alias Two Words, dwelt
on the outskirts of the village.
tended by an ancient house-keep-
er, almost as chary of speech as
her worthy master. 1t was sur.
missed that Mr.. Canute had seen
better days; but though his means
were straitened, his heart was
large, and hiscountenance express
ed great benevolence. Notwith-
standing the brief mode of speech
which characterized him on all
occasions, the advice of Mr.. Ca
mute was eagerly sought on every
subject whereon it was presumed
advice could be profitable; and the
simple rustics of Ambermead per-
haps valued it the more, because,
though delivered without par
ticle of pomposity, the terseness
and decision of the words expend-
ed left an indelible impression,
which long sermons often failed
to convey. Mr.. Canute lived on
terms of intimacy with the fami-
ly at the old Hall-an intimacy
commenced by early associations,
for Mr.. Harwell and Mr.. Canute
had been school fellows; and when
a painful and lingering illness at
tackled the squire, his ancient friend
and crony felt deep anxiety as to
the ultimate fate of Mr.. Harwelrs
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 Ambermead, where
once the sweet spring and summer
tide brought only sport and glee.
Ambermead was noted for pro-
fusion of rich red roses, exhaling
delicious fragrance; and tor the
song of innumerable nightlngales,
whose harmonious concert resound-
ed amid the outrageous groves
sheltering the hamlet on every
side, and extending beyond the
old Hall of Ambermead. But
now, although the roses bloomed
and the birds sang, serious faces
look from the cottage doors; and
while the younger villagers forgot
their usual pastime, the elders
conEersed apart in whispers, al
ways directing their glances to-
wards the hall, as if the sufferer
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
landlord, the last of an impover-
ished race, but from his always
having lived among them as a
friend and neighbor-respected as
a superior, and, beloved as an e.
quail. Their knowledge also OF
the squire's decayed fortunes; and
that, on his death, the fine old
place must become the property
of a stranger, whom rumor did
not report favorably of-great-
ly enhanced the concern of these
hereditary cultivators of the soil !;
and many bright eyes grew dim
thinking of poor Miss Clara who
would SO soon be fatherless, and
almost penniless. The estate OF
Ambermead was strictly entail
ed in the male line, and the next
heir was ef distant kin to the
Harwells. A combination of mis-
fortunes, and no doubt of impru-
dence in years long-by-gone, had
reduced the present proprietor to
the verge of ruin, from which ne
was to find refuge only in thegrave.
The Harwells had lived for CEN
turies in Ambermead. They SEEM
ed so much to belong to their poor
neighbors, who always sympathis.
ed most fully in all 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 common one between
landlord and poor-it wasthep part
ing of endeared friends.