The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-10-05
A NOBLE GENTLEMAN.
The Story of an Old Lady.

l SAT spinning at my little wheel in
the sun, for the autumn day was cold,
when heard some one whistling, and,
looking 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
/ arose and made him 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, "Pve spoiled one pretty pict-
ure that l could have looked at all
dag. but I've made another as pretty,
so I'll not grieve, May come imp
''And welcome, sir" said 1; and l
set chair for him, for he was grand
fathers landlord; but for all that was
uncomfortable, for | was not used to
fine company.
He talked away, paying more COM
pliments than | was used to, for grand
mother, who brought me up, al
ways said, Handsome is as handsome
does" and Beauty is but skin deep"
Since I'm telling the story, I'll tell
the 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 had taken vow
to each other beside the hawthorn that
grew in the church lane. | never
meant to deceive, but grannie was old
and little hard, and that love of mine
was such sweet secret. Besides,
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
young surgeon. l thought I'd wait
awhile until could sweeten the news
with the fact that he'd begun to make
his fortune.
Grannie came in from the dairy five
minutes after the Squire was gone, and
heard he had been there. | didn't tell
her of his fine speeches, but there was
a key-hole to the door she came
through, and | have guess she heard
them.
That night we had something else to
think of. Misfortune had come upon
grandfather; but l 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 of each other, and he came
as often as before to talk with grand
father on the winter nights; and still
every little while our young landlord,
Squire Turner, would drop in and sit
in his lazy way watching me knit or
spin. Once or twice he was flush with
wine and OVERLOAD, 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
seeing him when he came, and did
not deserve 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 school
masters. ~.
He made me angry, and l spoke up:
"For that matter the Squire would
be glad to have me marry him. said /.
He thinks more of me than you do,
just now"
MAY be you like him better?" said
Evan.
- don't say that" replied l. "But
bad temper and jealousy scarce make
me over fond of another. lpray | may
never have 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. ! was troubled much
though. knew he would come round
again, and perhaps ask my pardon.
For, before you are wed, you can bring
your lover to his senses when you will.
SO did not fret after Evans absence,