Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-09

some four years after the death of her
last lamented, found Mrs. Banwell (Utdt
about fifty) retired from the profession of
marrying old people, having amassed a
competence on which to live for the rest
of her days in the neat and pretty cottage
called Woodbury., situated just outside
our town of Waterford, where she dwelt
at peace with all mankind, and particu-
larly respected by shopkeepers, MS she
paid cash for everything. At this point
of Mrs. Banwells history, when n novel
list would certainly have done with her,
my veracious story in reality commences !;
the preceding portion being taken by way
OF prologue necessary to its due COM
prehension.
About this time, an old gentleman of
very unassuming habits came to Winter
ford, and rented an humble little cottage
not far from Mrs. Banwell's more preten-
tious residence of Woodbury.. His name
was Chatfield, little old man, with very
twinkling eyes, and seedy wig of nut
brown hair, as palpably the work of mems
fingers MS the thatch oyerhis cottage.
He must have been very old indeed
how old, am afraid to guess-but his
eyes had always n contcntcd, and often n
merry twinkle. as though secretly enjoy
| ing joke, pickering up the very crows
feet in spite of themselves. He was not
good-looking old man, for he hada COM
plexion like bad medlar. He lived very
frugally, and quite alone, saving for an
old housekceper who had attended on
him and seldom went out except for
half an hours airing on foot when the
weather was mild. His dress was remark
able only for the genteel shabbness at
| ini, h,- cl,
with long and careful wear.
| He had resided in Winterford quite n
twelvemonth without soul taking any
notice of him except the milkman the
postmnn, md few tradcspeople who
deemed it worth while to call for his scan
ty orders, when it began TO be whispered
that Mr.. Chatfeld was very rich. 1t was
impossible to trace any foundation for the
rumor but once started, the old mans
penurious habits, shabby clothes, and
reserved dcmennor, afforded, to superb
cial inquirers, proof that lie was of Il
misery turn.
Folks were still specializing on the sub
ject, when, one day, looking out of her
drawing-room window, Mrs. Banwell saw
this identical Mr.. Chatfeld clinging to
her garden ratings for support, as though
| taken suddenly ill. In real alarm. the
widow went out, and finding him seized
| with a fit, and speechless, at once obtain
| ed assistance to convey him to his cottage.
| Arrived there, Mrs. Banwell and those
neighbors who had accompanied her,
waited down stairs in Mr.. Chatiield's
little front-parlor, to hear the doctors
opinion Of the case
While waiting, the widow regarded the
room with some curiosity, to see if 1t af
forded any evidence of Mr. Chattields
rumorcd wealth. None, apparently The
furniture was scanty, poor, and of the
precise degree of shabbiness of the own
ers clothes. The one thing distinctive
about the room was that it belonged OBJ
viously to man who had to do with
ships. 1t was hung with shipping pic
tures-lithographs mostly, representing
screw and paddle steamers, with particu-
lars of tonnage and horsepower plans
and sections of vessels, together with
drawings of various clipper-built banks
and briggs Of large size. Several models
OF vessels were placed about the room
and these, with the pictures, constituted
the sole articles of an ornamental charac-
ter, excepting, perhaps, a very old chess
board. marked History of England, in
Two Volumes y and another much small
er volume Of dark wood, about four inch
es by three, in shape and general appear
ance like small prayer-book, which oc-
cupied conspicuous position on the
mantel-shelf.
Presently, the doctor came down, and
stated there was no cause for alarm, that
Mr.. Chattield would do verv well, his at.
tack having been nothing more than the
result of general debility.
On returning home, still thinking about
Mr. Chatfeld and his probable conncc-
ton with the shipping interest it occurred
to Mrs. Banwell to write to her nephew,
Mr.. Loney, who, from his position in St
Katherine's Docks, had largely to do with
shipping. So, by way Of postscript to n
friendly letter, she said Blythe bye,
we have n strange old gentleman who has
| taken a cottage near miHe-a Mr.. Chat
| field-and silly report has got about
that he is rich. 1t appears he has had to
do with shipping in some way, and if so,
| thought it possible you might know
something of him. 1t is the merest Curl
osity ON my part, but one does like to
know l"ho ones neighbors are
Now. it SO happened Mr.. Loney did
know Mr.. Chatfieil very well, having had
good deal to do with him in the way of
business, and having also spent many
pleasant evenings a. the old gentleman
thousc in London in past times. Tossing
the letter to his wife, he said Here's
my blessed old step-aunt, / do verify be-
lioye, looking out step-uncle for me-"
However, after little consideration, he
wrote n reply to Mrs. Banwell's letter.
The part relating to Mr.. Chatficld was as
follows: "Respecting your inquiry about
Mr.. Chatfield, knew him for many years
while he was in London, and shall be
pleased to pay him my respects when |
come to Winterford. l cannot ascertain
the precise amount of his wealth, but this
| can tell you-that, although he has now
renowned all active connection with the
shipping interest, he is at the present
time part-owner of vessel of more than
fifteen hundred tons burden. 1 must say
no more, and even this is in sacred conf
dence, as Mr.. Chattield is an eccentric
person, and particularly reticent about
his affairs"
Mr.. Loney was wrong in his surmise
about Mrs. Banwell. To do the widow
Justice, her intentions were not matrimo-
NAL nevertheless, Oh receipt of this in
telligence, she began to take n very lively
interest in old Mr.. Chatticlds welfare.
and commenced sending daily to ask after
his health-a simple civility which none
but the uncharitable could misconstrue.
except on the ground that she had not
done so before.
When sufficiently recovered, the old
man used his first strength to call at
Woodbury. Cottage, and thank Mrs. Ban
well for the assistance rendered him when
taken i'll, and for her solicitude. The
widow on her part was particularly graz
cious She chided him for keeping him
self SO much shut up from intercourse
with people, and told him plainly that
society was what he wanted, and what he
must have. And she insisted that this