The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-08-28
The lLaailadY Ofethe Golden Shea.

The lLaailadY OfathG Golden ShGaf
sL-5- .7als 'a'777- : 4 s-fF 81
Z -It'is just forty five years since my
education was finished at Mrs. Middle.
toms seminary for young ladies, tho
most genteel school in our part Of
Hampshire. l was seventeen, and tho
cllest Of ten children. :. My fathers
farm was but n small one, held Oh lease
from our rich neighbor Dickson, the
principal man in our parish after the
squire. Hu had two farms leased from
him besides my fathers and large one
which he titled himself, kept rctiuuC
Of mou and maids, did the best plowing,
turned out the finest cattle, and made 0
vast dcnl Of money by his dairy.
His wifc had died before l was born,
md lis house was kept in prime ortei
by the youngest Of his aunts, Miss Mill
wood. 1e had Leither son nor daugh.
ter but Master Hurry, whom everybody
thought sensible and very handsome
young mau, and not half so purse proud
Hs his father. Being our landlord and
next door ncighbor, Farmer Dickson
took great ical OF interest in US. lIe
said tho family was too large for my
father aud mother to manage without
advice; that proviGipg for them was his
chief difficulty, aud hearing TINT dis
taut relation Of his, Mrs. Williams, land,
lady Of the Golden Sheaf, wanted n
wcll-hrought.np gitl, not as a servant,
but TO help in the housekeeping, they
Thought it might DO good situation
for mo.
To tell the whole truth, there was an,
other reNsHn for my going. Before
left school. Harry Dickson began to pa,
mn attention. Not TINT encouraged
him much, but he would come after mo
and it did not please his father. Tho
old man thought his son should lool
higher than n poor farmers daughter
aud my parents having good bit oI
pride, werO Just MS angry when they
came to know it. My father said he
hoped no daughter OF his would tempt .
young man to disobey his father. Ny
mother said she hoped l had more spiril
than to wish to marry into family who
did not think us good enough for them
OF course my father aud mother wert
right. 1 gave Harry back his ring. hui
it was after good deal Of crying. He
swore hs would never marry another
though his father should disinherit him
and to let Farmer Dickson aud the whole
country sec that we were not set on trap
ping his son, it WIS 20 tied that l shoult
go to Mrs Williams.
My fnthcr went ono day to consult
her, and, when all was agreeable, ht
took mo and my trunk respectfully il
the Condor coach, which then passed
through Chattord. our village, and
stopped ats tile Golden Sheaf. For
country inn, tho house was large ant
handsome. II had every convenience
Of yard and stabliug, good garden,
fine orchard, and some hundred acres O.
corn and meadow land. It was situatct
OH the highroal where Surry and Hnmp
shire meet. Tue ground was high; "nt
from the inns upper windows one coulC
see many mile aloHg tho road aud
over the country. Stage coaches md
curriers' wagons stopped there; 30 did
tho country hunts and tho travelling gen
try, corn and cattle dealers on thoil
way to London, turner's TO and from tht
market town; and all who came or wenI
spoke well Of tho good housekeeping
the fair dealing, and the general ciyility
OF Mr. Williams. =
Sho was q TIL, thin woman, upright
active, and sti!l handsome, bordering OF
sixty. Her black hair was but thiniy
spriukled with gray. She had q gooc
deal OF tho gentlewomen in her manner
always wore u black tabnet gown,
tambourd apron, and cap Of Noting
ham lace, which was fine enough ii
those times. But there was something
il hOr look so stern and rigid TINT madt
one G ref,ll Of ones doiugs before her
Her story, which we had heard in pri
yato from Farmer Dickson, was botl
sad and singular. She had beer
brought up in ono Of the most respect
able inns in tho county OF Cornwall
and married n rich farmer. lie left he
early a widow, with au only daughter
She mnuaged tho farm well, however
and was a prosperous woman. He
daughter grew up beautiful girl, mt
the mothers heart was wrapped up il
her: but the son ahd heir OF q neighbor
ing squire induced hor to elopo witt
him, and marriage into his high iamil,,
was not to bc thong ht OF. Mrs. vii
liams was n woman OF high spirit, st,ic
and proud. It is sail the poor cir
never dared let il DO known where sh,
lived, for fear OF her mother; she soil
her house and farm, left that part OF til,
country, bought the Golden Shcaf, ANT
set herself MP where nobody knew o
her f,mily or history sho had beer
doing well for many year. ,.
Stern as sho looked, Mrs. William
was kind to me; and did my best Il
,,lnnqa ,ICr There wag n good deal 0