The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-04-03
bleman q whom my cicerOne bad Just spo.

"That lady, sir, replied the latter, 'swa
bis wife-the Countess Of Wistonbury. Sh
vas one Of the most beautiful women OF he
time; and, like her husband, was beloved b
all around her, for the gentleness of lie
manners and bearvolence Of her disposi
ton"
but, what's this ~ said I, advancing
little nearer the picture, to examine some
thing 10 her attire that puzzled me. ~
Scotch plaid" exclaimed in c nsiderahl
surprise, on sscertalning that this was tn
article 5f dress which had perplexed me
g'Pray, what has the Scotch plaid TO d
b re3 How happens it that We find Count
ess OF Wistonbury arrayed in the costun
of Ualedonial"
"Why, sir, the reason is good-perfectlY
satisfactory" replied Mr.. Grafton, smilingly
s'She was a native OF that country -
"Indeed r. said |. "a countrywoman o.
mine OF what family ?" added |.
My conductor smiled.
"Truiy,' said he, that Is question easieI
put than answered
"What !" said |, "was she not of some
Distinguished house p"
"BY no means, sir" replied Mr. Grafton
"She was person of the humbest biT.h
and station; out this did not prevent her
from becoming Countess Of Wistocbury
nor from being one Of the best as well a.
most beautiful that ever bore that title."
"Ah, % ~ said to myself, "oere's a sto-
ry for Tales of the Borders'a ! did not
say this TO Mr.. Grafton, however; but to
him did say-''Tnere must be some inter-
esting story connected with this lady. The
history Of her srs1'ar good fortune
must be curious, End well worth hearing"
"Why, ii Certainly is," replied my con
ductor, with the air of one who, while he
cannot but acknowledge that there is inter
est IN a certain piece OF information which
he possesses, is yet so familiar with it him
self, has owned it 80 long, and communica-
ted 1t so often, that his feelings seem 10 be-
lie his words-the former remaining un-
moved by the tale which the latter untolds.
There is certainly something curious in
the Countess's story" saId Mr. Grafton;
''and, now that we have seen everything that
Is worth seeing, II you will come With me to
nv little rtfectory, will tell you all abou,
II over tankard Of fioe ale and slice of
cold round.'
Need say, good reader, that at once,
and gladly, accepted an invitation that so
happily combined the intellectual. and the
sensual You will give me credit fJr more
sense; and the following story will prove o.
ence that your opinion Is not misplaced,
that | must have been an attentive listener,
and, lastly, that must be blessed with a
pretty retentive memory relate the story
u my own way, but without taking The
slightest liberty with any single Que Of the
details gwen me by my informant, who,
from having beer -psards OF forty five
vars IN the -erviCs OF the Earls OF Wiston-
bury, and dDriug the greater part OF that
time then principal an most cuff tentIal
domestic, was mlnuIely and accurately IN
toru.ed regarding every remaTkaole event
that had occurred In the lamdy Tor genera
rations back.
Bot. before We leave this part of tie
house. resumed Nr. Grafton, 'be 50 good
az to step with me a moment into this
small room here, tIH | show you certaln
littie article that cuts some f.nre IN Tue
story which I shall shorty tel you"
Slying this, he led the way into the small
apartment aluded TO, and, conducting mt
towards a handsome ebony or blackwoJd
cabinet that occupied one end Of the room,
ne threw open its iittle folding doors, and
exhibited 10 me, not some rich or rare Curl
osily, as had expected, but u small, PLAIN,
very plain-oT should, perhaps, rather say
very coarse-country looking, blue painted
chest.
"Do you see that cheslg" said Mr.. Graf
ton, smihngly.
''I DO" said 7 I; "and 1t seems very
nomely article TO be SO splendidly entombed,
and 50 carefully kept"
And YET replied Mr. Grafton, homely
as il Il, aud small a. i its intrinsic value,
that article u one OF tue heir looms Of the
family, and one Of the most fJudly cherish
ed Of them all"
"Indeed n said !, in some surprise.
"Thtl arm very sure il cannot be for il.
marketable worm. 1t would not bring six
pence"
II verify believe it would not" repliei
Mr. Grafton. yet, the Earl of Wlstonbury
would not part with .aat little chest lor q
gooj round sum, | warrant ye."
"Pray, explain, my good sir"
III win. Tnat Little, blue-pAinted chest
contained all the worldly seal;h-a few ar.
Iicles of female dress-of the lady whose
portrait you were just now SO much admi-
ring, when she became Countess OF WIston-
bury"
''Why, ther," said |, "that is proof that
riches, al any rate, had nothing to DO with
her promotion to that high rank"
They certainly had not" replied my
aged friend. "But all thIS you will learn
more particularly III the story which shall
tell you presen Lly. You will then lear q, al
SO, how the little, blue painted chest comes
10 figure in the history of a countess"
Saying this, Mr.. Grafton shut the doors
Of the cabinet, when we lett the apartment,
and, IN few minutes alter, found myself
IN what my worthy old host called his refec-
tory. THIS was a snug little rOom, most
comfortably furnished, and in which
observed very large quantity Of silver
Plats,-being, presumed, The depository OF
that portion OF the family's wealth. Ny
good old friend nov rung bell, when f.
male servant appeared.
Lets have summit to eat, Betsy" saiC
the old man; aud never was order moi,
promptly or effectively obeyed.
/ In an instant the table, which occupied
the centre OF the floor, absolutely creaket
under the load Of good thiags with which i
was encountered. Tue "sIice Of cold round, :
| found, was but q nomme de guerre with th,
Old pan, aud meant every ytDing IN the edib,
way that was choice aud sayory. To thi
conclusion came from seeing the table be
! lore me covered with a great variety Of goo,
things, amongst which rose, conspicuous il
the centre, huge venison pasly. WheI
the loading Of the table was completed, an
tie serv ant had retired
Nov" said the old man, looking at n
with q significant smile, and at the sam
time drawing buncn Of small keys s.um hi
pocket, from which he carefully singled ou
Un@, "since Betsy has done ner part 50 vel
let me see If can't do mine as credtabiy.
SAyiag this, he opened what | thought
siy y-lookiag little cupboard, and brougt
forth from IT'S mysterious recess an aristo
cratIc-looking bottie, scaled with b ack wax
and whose shoulders were stili thIckly Goa,
eI with saw lusL Handling this venerabl
Dottie VII !Ishtness anu delIcacy Of touc
! which long prBctcs oniy could nsve gIves
4 A e