Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-11-18

about them. This Information Mr.. Rawling in
parted with great readiness; and when he tried
to satisfy his own curiosity with regard to the
stranger, his antecedents, heSby no means met
with the same frankneSs, and was obliged 10 be
satisfied with the information that his guest was
Mr.. James Harwood, from Australia.
On the third morning after his arrival, Mr..
HarwOOd was having his breakfast, when the
landlord appeared, as on the previous morning,
to inquire how his guest had slept, and to enjoy
little more chat with him. Mr.. Harwood as
very ready to listen to him, and by this time had
got all the names in the village at his finger
end, so that the landlords tittle-tattle was a
pleasant accompaniment TO his meal
They discussed chiefly the female portion of
the community, for Mr.. Rawling knew that his
guest had matrimonial intents, and he felt quite
an affectiOnate interest in the result Mr. Raw
ling had been reviewing the points of Ellen Pur-
uay ana other glrls and unmarried people of the
village, when Mrs. Burnham's name was men
toned
And what do you think of her Mr.. Rawling?'
said Mr.. HarwoOd.
Rawling paused, looked puzzled, and scratched
his ear.
What do / think of Mrs. Burnham?" he
repeated. "Well, 1 didn't think mt all about her,
/ should say that she was older than you'd care
for, sir; but If you do mention her, can only
say that if [ was single and wanted a wife,
there's no one on earth I'd rather have than
Mrs. Durham"
"And why SOP" asked Mr.. Harwood.
"Why, sir, should look upon her as a safe
investment, replied Mr.. RawIing. Every one
in Welldean knows Mrs. Durham, and don't
think any one has a word to say against her; a
kinder soul does not breathe. IT'S a pity she
amt in the market SIR"
"What do you mean? Didn't YOU say she was
a widow?" asked Mr.. III
No, sir, think not" was the reply
I" Didn't tell YOU she was married at eighteen
and her husband left her TO go soldering and she
hasn't seen nothing of him since?"
ON, remember" said the stranger, rising
IRON Whs the a table lie and going to the window.
"Down the wide lane that turns off about the
middle of the High street." replied Rawling,
pointing in the direction. " You can't mistak
half way down, all covered with clematis and
honeysuckle.'
Presently the landlord hustled away to attend
to his business, and left Mr.. HARDWOOD looking
out at the window, considering what he should
do with himself that day. The morning was
bright and sunny, and the sweet country air
was fresh and exhilarating to the faded stranger
as he lounged at the window, inhaling it with
qualification, and gazing at the pretty little vii
lage. The scene appeared to put him in a con-
templative mood, for he remained long time
at the window, leaning his head on his hand
and apparently revolving many interesting
thoughts, so that he hardly heard or noticed a
bright CHEEKY voice that presently struck up the
hall of the inn, and entered very audibly
through the open door. Shortly, however, the
landlord entered, with a smile and look of ex.
pectation, to tell him that Mrs. Burnham was
waiting without, and requested to know if he
Mr.. HARDWOOD was greatly surprised at the in
formation, and in no small degree confused, to
the great surprise of the landlord, who did not
expect bashfulness or modesty from man who
had been tOi the antipOdes. He was agitated
and Hurried, asked Rawling what she wanted,
told him to wait few minutes before asking her
in When he had taken a few minutes to pre-
pare himself for the interview, Rawling rushed
in Mrs. Durham, carefully shutting the door
behind him, in order to be better able to listen
at the keyhole.
Mrs. Burnham entered, with friendly smile
Illuminating pleasant
carrying small basket neatly covered with a
snow white napkin.
I" i hope you won't think me rude or presum-
ing, sir ;" said she; "but hearing OF you as a
visitor and stranger in Welldean, have taken
the llbertyO OF bringing you few eggs, and some
fruit a out of my own garden for they have rather
Mr. HARDWOOD, who had now recovered his
composure, thanked her warmly for her atten-
ton, and asked her to be seated.
know, said he, "the kindness, and also
the hospitality of the people of Welldean too
well not to accept your present in the spirit
in which it is offered, Mrs. Burnham."
"Oh, then, you know the village" said Mrs.
Burnham, with animation. :" Pray, sir, did you
ever live in it?''
81 passed a short time in it many years ago."
he replied; ''but know few people here, and
am delighted at this opportunity OF making an
acquaintance, as expect my stay will be much
longer this time"
You'll be looking ont for wife, suppose"
said Mrs. Burnham, bluntly; ''that is If you are
not already provided with one"
The stranger was for moment rather dis
concerted by this plain speaking, and then,
smiling, said, perhaps So Can't you assist
me in the search, Mrs. Burnham?"
% TO be sure L can" said she, vivaciously.
81 am the village match maker. 1 know every
girl in Welldean, and can give you a true de-
scrlptlon of her character, temper and man
hers"
- She mustn't be too Young, Mrs. Burnham,"
said Mr.. HARDWOOD, again smiling.
" You don't want an old maid a widow, do
led
"Well, don't know" said he; 60 am soli
tary man who has been knocking about the
world for many long years, and / want TO find
some one who will care for ne little, who will
make me home, and help me 10 dispose of the
money that | have spent my life in acquiring.
But L IN afraid my days for romance and love
are over"
"Oh, nonsense. sir" exclaimed Mrs. Burn
ham. .One is never too old to be young in
spirit. Take my advice, and have nothing to
do with the widows and old maids. The first
have had their turn, and the second YOU may be
sure are not worth having, or they'd have been
picked up before now. But give the young
people a chance OF settling decently in life"
:" feel disposed to place myself under your
Mrs. Burnham." said Mr.. Har wood,
laughing. :" Your experience and advice would
be very valuable TO ME in such an important
STEP"
"win you, indeed?" said Mrs. Burnham.
eagerly. "COme, that's right. See if 1 don't
lind you a wife that will answer all your expec-
tations."
And may call and see you and confer with
you on the subject" asked Mr.. HarwOod.
80, you may come" she REPLIED" Briar cot
tage, Langley lane. L shall be delighted to see
you, sir"
Mrs. Durham rose and took her leave, pleased
With the success of her mission. They parted
very warmly, MIR. Hrrwood assuring her that he
should soon avail himself of her permission to
visit her. The interview was mutually agreea-
bic; indeed, Mr.. Rawling. the landlord, was sur
prised at the exatation of spirits in which 1t left
his guest There was an animation about him,
and an All iness OF manner, as he expressed his
intention OF starting for a ramble and bath i'm
The river, which Mr.. Rawling hadn't seen in
him since he had been in the house.
The news of Mrs. Burnham's visit soon got
" ind in the village, and everywhere she was as
allied with inquiries about il. Her account of
IL result gave rise TO many surmises. The
young men were bent upon Mrs. Burnham hav-
ng the stranger, and rejoiced in the way in
which she had been got TO make the first advan-
ces, while the girls began to think thai man
rom Australia, with lot of money, would
really be no bad catch; and hearing how he had
accepted Mrs. Burnham a. guide and friend in
he matter, they began TO pay her assiduous
court.
There were others in the village, however,
v no spoke very severely about Mrs. Burnham's
visit to the stranger, and strongly suspected the
honesty and propriety of her conduct. These
we're chiefly ladies' who came under either one of
the two denominations of which Mrs. Burnham
had warned Mr.. Harwood, namely, widows or