The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-08-29
THE QUAKER AND THE EARL.

lliG HOAhEh AMI lhE LAhL.
I N THE days when Preston was consid-
4 cred fashionable" ere the require
ments of trade had swallowed up nearly
every vestage Of green park and spacious
gardens formerly connected with many
town residences, there was in Stonegate,
several neat villas, surrounded by shady
trees and luxuriant orchards. One of these
was occupied by rather eccentric Quaker,
named John Dansom. The house which
John occupied was owned by the Earl Of
Derby, of sporting notoriety. In their ear
ly days the embryo earl and the Quaker
boy had been schoolfellows at the Preston
Grammar School, which was then in Stone
gate. The Quaker had been for some
time very tardy in paying up his rent, and
Mr.. Baines, the Earl's agent, had on sun
dry occasions threatened him with a de-
scent of the "Philistines," in the shape of
bailiffs. One morning he started off on
foot to Knowsley, and gaining admission
to the park, walked up to the hall door, and
rang. On the footman answering the bell,
John put the simple question, "Is Edward
in?"
edward ~ exclaimed the astonished
lackey "what Edward do you mean?"
"Edward Stanley. He lives here, does
he not? Is he in? want to see him."
replied the Quaker.
"Go away, you impertinent fellow ~
was the indignant rejoinder, and the foot
man slammed the door in the Quaker's
face.
But John was not to be discouraged by
this ungracious reception he had come to
see the Earl, and did see him. The lackey
eventually took in his name, and John was
Immediately ushered into the presence of
the noble Earl, whom he saluted with
"Well, Edward, how art thou getting on?'
every we'll, thank you, john" replied
his lordship extending his hand and warmly
shaking that of his visitor"
Sits long time since thou and went
to Preston Grammar School together" ad-
ucu tno piuilI SudhoI'
"It is, indeed, John, very long time"
replied his lordship. 81 am very glad to
see you. How are you getting along9 And
what has brought you over here to Knows
ley?"
81 am sorry to say" responded John,
that have been getting on very badly
taIv I To
rent, and that man Of thine at Preston
Baines-he's vast saucy fellow-says if
l don't pay up before next Thursday he'll
send tn buns. So, I've come to ask thee
to give me bit longer time" 3
"Well, John," said his lordship, "Isup-
pose you've been rather unfortunate lately;
SO I'll forgive you the rent altogether
And" added his lordship, "I'n tell you
what I'll do further. You may live in the
house rent free as long as you live."-
Johns protestations of gratitude for this
act Of generosity were unbounded He
took his departure from Knowsley with
much lighter heart than when approaching
1t. Some time after Johns visit to Knows
ley, during one of the race weeks, Lord
Derby, when proceeding to the Cock Pit, to
join in his favorite sport, met John in
Stoneygate, when, after a friendly salute
the latter said: 81 see, Edward, thou
hasn't given up thy silly sinful practices
yet y
"No, john" replied tho earl, 81 have
not. But if all my tenants paid their rents
as you do, should very soon have TO give
up altogether" and with this rebuke his
lordship walked ON.