Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-04
A Noble Gentleman.


sat spinning at nv little wheel in the
sun, for the autumn day was cold, when
| heard some one whistling, and, look
ing up, there was Young Squire Turner,
with his arms folded on the gate, looking
over. When he caught my eye he laughed
and blushed; and | rose and made him a
courtesy.
He was handsome gentleman,the Squire
and the hand from which he pulled the
glove shimmered in the sun with pearls and
diamonds and he was bonny to look at,
with his hair like spun gold in the October
sunlight.
When courtesied he bowed, making his
curls dance over his shoulders, and, said he.
ave spoiled one pretty picture that could
have looked at all day, but I've made an
other as pretty, so I'll not grieve May !
come in "
And welcome, SIR" said I and I set a
chair for him, for he was grandfather's land
lord but for all that felt uncomfortable,
for was not used TO fine company.
He talked away, paying me more compli.
ments than was used to, for grandmother.
who brought me up, always said, " Hand.
some is as handsome does" and Beauty is
but skin deep"
truth. had done wrong about one thing.
Neither Of the old folks knew that wore
Evan Locke's ring in my bosom, or that
we'd taken vow to each other under the
hawthorn that grew in the church lane. /
never meant to deceive, but grannie was
old and little hard of hearing, and that
love of mine was such sweet secret. Be-
sides, money seems to outweigh all else
when people have struggled all their lives
through to turn penny, and they knew
Evan was a poor, struggling surgeon. ]
thought I'd wait while until | could
sweeten the news with the fact that he'd
begun to make his fortune.
Grannie came in from the dairy five min
utes after the Squire was gone, and heard
he had been there didn't tell her of the
fine speeches, but there was a keyhole to
the door she came through, and have a
guess she heard them.
That night we had something else to
think Of Misfortunes had come upon grand
father but didn't foresee that when the
half years rent should come due not penny
to pay it with would be found.
All this time Evan Locke and | had been
as fond as ever of each other, and he came
as often as before to talk with grandpa, on
the winter nights; and still every little
while our young landlord, Squire Turner,
would drop in and sit in his lazy way watch
ing me knit or spin. Once or twice he was
flushed with wine, and over bold, for he
tried to kiss me. But. Squire or no, boxed
his ears for his pains. and no softer than |
could help, either.
could not help his coming, nor help see.
ing him when he came, and did not desire
that Evan should be angry with me. But
he was. Eh, so high and mighty, and spoke
as though one like the Squire could mean
no good by coming to so poor place as the
schoolmaster's
He made me angry, and Ispoke up.
"For that matter, the Squire would be
glad to have me promise to marry him,
said I. "He thinks more of me than you do
just now"
"Maybe you like him BETTER" said Evan
al don't say that" replied |. "But bad
temper and jealousy scarce make me over
fond of another pray may never have a
husband who will scold me-"
For he had been scolding me. There was
no other name for it.
Well, Evan was wroth with me, and with
him-not heart deep, though, thought
and did not see him for more than week
| wasn't troubled much, though. | knew
| iit Woulh couiC iouuh aShih' ohb
ask nv pardon. For before you are wed you
can bring your lover to his senses when you
will.
So did not fret after Evans absence, mol
snub Squire Turner, who liked me more
than ever. But one night grandfather came
in from a lonely ride, and, shutting the door
stood between grandmamma and me- looking
at me so strangely that we both grew fright
ened. At last he spoke;
"Ive been to the 'Squire's," said he. "Fol
the first time had to tell him that coulc
not pay his rent when due"
| | opened my lips. Grandmammas hanG
covered them. Grandpa drew me to him.
"Thou art young, lass" he said, " and
they are right who call thee pretty. Say
could'st like the Squire well enough to wee
him ?"
"Eh ?" cried grandma. "Sure, you're
| not wandering 7
Esquire Turner asked me for this lass o.
ours tonight OF all women in the world
there is but one he loves as he should hi
wife, and that is our Agatha"
81 dreamt of golden rings and a bunch o
white roses on Christmas eve," cried gran
ME 81 knew the lass would be lucky"
But | put my head on grandfather
shoulder and hid my face. The truth mus
out, knew.
"Wilt have him, and be rich lady ?
said grandpa.
And when he had waited for an answer,
burst out with No" and sob together.
"She's frightened" said grandmamma
"Nay, we must all wed once in our lives, m
child"
Then grandpa talked to me, He told IN
how poor they had grown, and how kind tn
Squire was, and had but to marry him t
make my grandparents free from debt an
poverty their lives through, If refuse
and vexed the Squire, heaven only kne,
what might happen.
"Shell never ruin her poor grandpapa,
sobbed grandmamma
All it was hard to bear-bitter hard
but now there was no help for it. too
the ring from my bosom and laid it in m
, palm, and told them that it was Evan Locke'
and that had plighted my troth to hin
And grandmamma called me a deceitfu
, wench, and grandfather looked as thong
his heart would break.
Oh would have done anything for ther
anything but give up my true love,
That night | kissed his ring and praye
! heaven that he might love me always.
5 the morning it was gone, ribbon and al
from my neck. | looked for it high an
r low; but found no sign of it. And | bega
r to fear the loss of the dear ring was sig
y that would never marry Evan Locke. Th
!. days passed oil and he never came near me.
5 "Oh, it was cruel in him." | thought, 81
e hold such anger for hasty word he ha
Y provoked, when spoke it that he must kno
I that loved him So"
Aud grandma would scarcely look at II
:. q know why now aud grandpa sighed an
s moaned, and talked of the workhouse. An
IS | thought should die of grief among ther
y One day grandma said to me- =" 1t seen
/. that your sweetheart is not over fond
r you, not over anxious to see you."
o "Why not I" said |,
a "Where has he been this month back ?"
3 "Busy, doubtless" said |, with e smil
IT though thought my heart would burst.
If "Perhaps you know all about it," sa
Il grandma. "You are going with him, mayb,
.. "Where 7" said /.
s. She went TO the kitchen door and bee
" oned in a woman who sat there-Dan
s. Coombs, who had come over with eggs
o I" heard you rightly" she said. "YC
% told me Evan Locke and his mother we
n making ready for voyage
n "rhey're going to Canada My son,
If carpenter-and good one, though | say
II made the doctor box for his thinl
,t The old lady breads the new country, b
1t she goes for the doctors sake. There
r money to be made there, they say. Tha
n. what takes him."