The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-12-06
Original Story.
SERENE HEIGHTS.
CHAPTER |.

CHAPTER
kngsbury is an old Maryland town that
has become somewhat modernized since the
war. Near the mouth of saltwater river,
Mt n point whence may be had glimpses OF
''the magnificent Bay of Chesapeake amid
the foliage Of tree aud shrub in which it has
shyly embowered itself, and with its spread.
ing fruitgroves beyond, It looks, as you are
borne toward it by tha steamer at sunset, like
the queen OF lovely realm that existed for
you aforetimc only in dreams.
Here it slumbered for n century and Il half,
giving but few signs of life, and with scarcely
noticeable growth But now, among the first
objects the newcomer notes are evidences OF
latter.day enterprise, for near the steamboat
landing is Il railroad station with its telegraph
office, and little farther of large canning.
house.
At the lower end of Queen street. which,
with its stately old mansions and long rows ot
maple and linden, is picture of beauty and
repose, there yet stands the venerable Epis-
copal church, built Of brick brought from
England, in the latter part of the seventeenth
or the early part of the eighteenth century.
There are no other houses on the other side
of it, the churchyard extending down to the
river and along the bank some hundreds OF
yards; and here are grassy tombs bearing ar.
moral devices and somewhat ostentahous in'
scriptions commemorative of proud old Kings.
burians, while other monuments show the
simpler taste of the same families in later
days.
The most extensive aud tastefully adorned
of the burial lots is that OF the Cheswickes. In
one corner lies the dust Of Cheswicke, who
fell on Long Island in '76, when the four
hundred of the Maryland Line, under Stirling
and their own Gist, made their memorable
charge against overwhelming odds. The new.
est grave is that of n young Cheswicke, who
wore the gray under Bradley I. johnson, and
at Harrsonburg showed himself worthy of
such leader, who sent his body home with
this message:
"You may write on his tomb that he died
like son of the Old Line-moying at double.
quick on the foe. ~
In the next lot rtposes the cousin that died
for the Union.
A quarter Of mile or SO from the opposite
side Of the town, on the county road, there
stood about ten years ago a large aud com
fortable.looking but unpretentiOus residence,
to which were appurlenant u few acres of
land. The aspect of the place, from the
white gate and pretty lane to the doye.colored
dwelling honse, with its shaded lawn, was
pleasing, and the whole was indicative of
neatness, thrift and solidity.
Herelived plain Joseph Vincent, the p.oprie-
Tor of the packing house aud the wealthiest of
the kingsburians; self. made man who had q,
with but little scholastic training, by industry,
economy, judicious investments, aud tried
personal integrity, acquired fortune and risen
10 position of influence. 1t is true that he
had never mingled, nor evnced any desire to
mingle, in the best society, for he was coarse
m appearance and manners, and would have
felt, to use his own words, ''ike fish out o.
water among them ristocrats' but he was
an Important pablo figure in the town, to all
che male portion Of which, and to most Of the
prominent citizens of the county, he was
known personally, and was generally held in
high esteem. There was also general pride
in the new packing. house.
1t was not unnatural, under the circumstan.
ces, that he had large faith in the power of
money and in his ability to "put things
through
His wife was dead, and he lived here with
his only children, an invalid daughter and a
son. The latter had returned q couple OF
months before with his diploma from a north
ern college, where he had been very hard
student and greatly distinguished himself,
and where he had renewed an acquaintance
that ripened into friendship with Brioe Ches.
wicke, son of Hon. John Cheswieke, the
leading lawyer and most influential citizen of
Kingsbury. Brice, indeed owed his degree
10 his ungainly friend, Vincents persistent
coaching.
Henry had always been strongly attached
to his sister, Maggie, solieitude for whom,
and an ample supply of books at home, with
I a disposition TO make use of them, had caused
him to defer entering college but he at last
yielded to her persuasions, reinforced by his
iather's advice aud his own ambition. He
was now thirty years old, aud without those
graces Of demeanor usually acquired early in
jlie. What caused most remark was that,
with such father, he had never had any
regular business occupation.
Late one September afternoon, while out
driving with Maggie, he made startling an.
4 nouneement:
Maggie, I'm going to turn pedagogue.
What do you think Of itr'
That yon are joking, OF course. What
8 could be your inducement? Nobody, sup.
pose, ever loved such work, and you cannot
plead necessity
well, I'll surprise you still more. I'm
going to give Miss Maud Cheswicke lessons
in German. All the arrangements have been
made"
"Maud Cheswickeli' exclaimed Maggie,
her eyes wide with asionishment and gladness.
Are you really in earnest, Henry? When
do you begin2 Do tell me all about it?''
lie calmly stroked the wisp Of beard ON bis
chin, and there was pleased expression in
BIS own large gray eyes.
~ thonght ! wouldn't tell you and father
nnhl everything was settled. When | was
down TO see Brice the other day, Mr.. Ches.
gicke, with great courtesy, invited me into
1is private oitee, and, after inquiring about
father's health and thanking me Tor attentions
70 his son at college--coaching, you know
feni1red TO request my acceptance of the no.
Wtion OF tutor IN German TO his daughter.
g SAID ne knew my eminent fitness, but that
ne would not have made the suggestion 10 a
gentleman OF leisure, like myself IL Btice
had not confidently asserted that such CON
eideration would not deter me. He couldn't
hAye been more polite. This morning / was
mere again, and was introduced to Miss Maud.
Nv duties will begin next Tuesday,
How did she impress you ~
so far as her mind is concerned. IA is suf.
neient to say that the impression made by
bet desire to learn German is deepened ~
her conversation. ~
But, Henry, her appearance and manners.
how do you like her ~
III hardly know what 10 say. Maesie. ex.
csps that she is very heautiul.n
'So that handsome young Mr.. Morris
links, no doubt. They say he IS quite de.
Voted TO her.
well, well, wonder what father will have
4 TO say"
"He will be delighted, YOU may be sure. y