Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1873-11-27


nearer kin to the present residents of
this mansion. The closely iointed
smooth white floor, ''none the worse
for a century's wear,-these all give
to this ancient hall n choice venerable
ness which the actiquarian can fully
, appreciate. The many culiosities Of
the room fill with interest an hours
visit.
Ascending short flight of steps,
we enter the spacious parlor-still as
: rich in its original finish as it was a
hundred years ago. As we sat upon
the sofa, it required no great stretch
of imagination to bring back some
scenes herewith connected, which oc-
cured while the house was yet new.
; Gov. Benning Wentworth by his
first wife had three sons, all of whom
died while he was in office. the last in
1759-leaving him a widower and
childless.
The Governor in his loneliness saw
a young lady to whom he took a fancy
He proposed marriage but Molly
pitman had given her heart to another,
who, although of humble, life, she
esteemed more essential to her hap
piness than the honor and riches Of
the Governor, and SO she married
Richard Shortridge. mechanic, in
preference. The Governor, however,
did not forget the indignity of her
refusal, and yet hoped by adopting
Davids unwise plan, to conquer. An
English trigate was in the harbor, and
not long after the marriage a press
ganG was sent to the house of Richard
Shortrdge. which lorcibly took him
on board, and from the cndearments
OF home. For seven long years did
his faithful wife mourn his absence.
He was removed from snip to ship,
until one day he related to the chief
officer the circumstances under which
he was impressed. Run off. and we
won't pursue you,' was the reply; and
he soon ayaied himself Of the privi-
legc. His return brought happiness
to his faithful partner, whose virtue
was not to be invaded by the most
tempting allurements of wealth.
Their defendants are yet among us.
Let lis turn for moment from this
to another Illustrative picture. The
scene is in what is now Court street.
Mrs. Stavers, the wife Of the first mail
carrier, standing in the door of her
boarding house, is looking upon a.
careless, laughing, bare-looted Girl.
Juggling a pail of water in the street,
with dress scarcely sufficient to coy
er her decently, and exclaiming: "You
Pat! You Pat. why do YOU 90 look
inc so? You should be ashamed to
be seen i'll the street No matter
how [ look, l shall ride in my chariot
yet, marm," was her hopeful reply.
Martha Hilton afterwards left home
and went to live in the Governors
mansion, at Little Iarbor, doing the
work of the Kitchen and keeping the
house in order. much to the Governors
satisfaction. The Governor has in
vited n dinner party; and with many
other guests, in his cooked hat comes
the beloved Rev. Arthur Brown, of
the E piscopal Church. The dinner is
served up in a stile becoming the Gov
ernors table; the wine is of good
quality. as all present are well qualif-
ed to say, and as tobacco clouds circle
to the ceiling, good humor enlivens
the board There Is a whisper from
the Governor to q messenger, and al
his summons Martha Hilton comes
in from that door on the west of the
parlor, and, with blushing counten-
ance, stands in front of the fireplace.
She seems needless of the fire she
does not appear to have brought any
thing in, nor does she seem to be look
ing for anything to carry out-there
she stands! a blushing damsel of
twenty summers, what, no visi-
tor can tell
The Governor, bleached by the
frosts Of sixty winters, rises: "Mr.
Brown, l wish you to marry me-"
"To whom!" asked his pastor, in
wondering surprise, ITO this lady,"
was the reply. The Rector stood con-
founded. The Governor became i'm
perative Gas the Governor of New
Hampshire, command YOU to marry
me!' The ceremony was then duly
performed, and from that time Martha
Hilton became Lady Wentworth.
Shn could NOT nnrhans honct of 90