The Lincoln County herald., 1868-12-17
THE OLD KEEPERS STORY
from Once A Veek.1

~ was quaint room IN Wnlcn sat,
with the freight flashing into each cor.
rner, and tho stuffed birds, foxes and pole.
cats looking liie-like in the leapinv blaze.
A quaint cottage room, but the essence
Of comfort, As I pulled at the stiff glass
Of water and whisky and pulled my meer.
schaum, felt excessively comfortable.
l was in no hurry to get my wet water
boots dried which lay steaming on the
ample hearth. -'..'' i4
My temporary host sat opposite; a fins
athletic old man, with snowwhitc hair
aud whiskers. The cut Of his coat and
the wary look on bis weather. beaten, hon.
est face sufficiently told the ex.gamo-
keeper, had not the retrieve pup ut his
feet and the gun behind him added evi
dcnce. A hne specimen Of his class; he
was well.knit even q. eighty years Of age,
with frank, CHEEKY look in his eye that
told Of straightforward truth and worth.
l had been snipe shooting on some
marshes rented Of lady Of tho manor,
and having tot soaked in q deep rivulct
from q fall, had sought shelter in the
keepers cottage. To be a sportsman,
was, TO be sure, q passport to his favor,
added to which his grandson, Tom, was
my invariable attendant and bag carrier.
The old man I had seen but once, when
on my renting the shooting from Lady
Linwood, he, as her keeper, had shown
mo the boundaries. The great Hall was
closed, for Lady Linwood. a childless
widow. lived permanently at Nice. and
her fair estates were all let. She was
the widow Of poor Lieutenant Colonel,
knighted for his gallant service, and sue
ceeded to the property in lack Of direct
heirs.
Seaman, my host, was something moro
than head keeper Evidently he had
been one Of those ancient trusted servants
70 whom the honor and welfare Of fam
lily arc dear as to its own members. And
by the sad look on his face whenever he
spoke Of the squircs Of Linwood ! fan.
cied some portion Of the family history
was mourniul and unhappy.
"Do you see much If Lady Linwood,"
I asked.
'Nevcr sir. She always is abroad
And there's never been Linwood here
since the last squire died." ,.....
"That was long ngo2"
eyes sir, long ago. Five and forty
years ngonc, slr," said he musinsly, his
eyes fixed OF the fire. "Five and forty
years agone- and like yesterday"
Iwas interested. The keepers mannv.
action and ex prcssions were all unlike lii
class, aud felt curiosity, as we all do
when something tells US Of hidden bis
tory.
II suppose the last squire had good
stock Of game ?" said I.
"Yes sir. hundreds of phcasants lie
turned out. l was a youngs then
underkecper-nnd I used to fetch all the
sacks Of barley to feed EN-"
"And was hc much Of a sportsman7 p
"Yes sir. With the gun, rod, and
horse I've was unequaled in all the country
round. Ho was tall, fue man, with Goa
black hair and 'whiskcrs, pleasant and
kind to the tenants, but with fearfe
temper, If anything should 20 wrong
He'd rave, and swear. and smash all around
him in the room when he was in one Of
his storms. The only person who man
aged him was Miss Dora"
Hero the keeper became silent, and {
look Of deep sadness came over his rug
ged face.
"You'll have to stay longish time
sir. for your things are soaked. So il
you like to hear IL, III tell you the story
| suppose I'm like an old man, sir, and
like to wander" he added with smile o.
natural dignity and courtesy which mi. HI
have beftted prince. .-ao!. ...
"Mr. George Linwood, 6vc and forty
| years ago, was tho squire. Ho livcd will
his mother q { gentle lady. She was
alyays on bcr sofa, and never we'll, bu'
kind as an angel to tho poor. Miss Dors
Maitland, her niece, came to stay up o.
the hall with them. Her parents were
very poor, and she'd six sisters; so the,
werc very glad-Miss Dora's parents,
meanL when Mrs. L,nwood said she'd
adopt her as her daughter. hoard thil
you knox from the lady'si maid at the
Hall, who was afterwards my wife. Shs
died years ago" And the old mar
sighed. ana glanced at an empty chai'
tnear his own. '.'~ 'r -'.
\ aWell, sir" he resumed, "Miss Dor,
came, and Mss. Linwood was very font
Of her. So was escrybody, for she was
so sweet and gentle, and her voice wal
like . black birds. Everybody about tn,
estate knew Miss Dora, and she used L
20 about 10 . broad hat and carol hel
song lor ell the world like black bird il
the holly. The eottagers used to know
her; for Whenever any one Vas i'll, ther,
Mise Dora was, petdpg and eossetinl
them ,,.... H.. r., ....... -
$50, SIR" resumed the old man after
pause, ,"by and BY Mr.. George became
fond Of Miss Dora lie used to follow
her about and watch oil her Wishes. HI
broke ip the chesput illy himself, ant
used to ride Eith her, But she sesmet
shy Of him. His temper was 30 seifty