The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-08-20
CHAPTER XIII.
AT LITTLE ARLEsFoRD.

AT LITTLE ARLEsFoRD.
Mr.. Hall was q pleasant English gen.
tleman, now verging upon seventy
years Of age, who had "never had
headache in his life," as he was wont TO
boast, but who lived very carefully, as
one who did not intend to have many
headaches. He certainly did not intend
to make his headache by the cares of
the work of the world. He was very
well off-that is to say, that with SO
many thousands year, he managed to
live upon half. This he had done for
very many years, because the estate
was entailed on a distant relative, and
because ne had not chosen to leave his
children paupers. When the girls came
he Immediately resolved that he would
never 90 up TO London-and kept his
resolve. Not above once in three or
four years was it supposed to be neces-
sary that he showed his head to Lon
don hair-dresser. He was quite con-
tent to have practitioner out from
Arlesford and topay him one shilling, in
cluding the journey. His tenants in
these bad times had always paid their
rents, but they had done so because
their rents had not been raised since the
squire had come to the throne. Mr..
Hall knew we'll that If he was anxious
to save himself from headaches in that
line, he had better let his lands on easy
terms. He was very hospitable, but he
never gave turtle from London, or fish
from Southampton, or Strawberries or
peas on the first of April. He could
give dinner without champaign, and
thought forty shillings a dozen price
enough for port or sherry, or even
claret.
He kept a carriage for his four
daughters, and did not tell all the
world that the horses spent fair pro-
portion of their time at tie plow The
four daughters had two saddle
horses between them, and the father
had another for his own use. He did
not hunt-and living in that part of
Hampshire, | think he was right. He
did shoot after q manner of our fore
fathers;-would 20 out, for instance,
with Mr. Blake, and perhaps Mr.. Whit
tlestalf, and would bring home three
pheasants, four partridges, u hare, and
any quantity OF rabbits that the cook
might have ordered. He was a man
determined on no account to live be-
yond his means; and was not very
anxious to seem to be rich. He was
man OF no strong affections, or peculiar
ly generous feelings Those who knew
him, and did not like him. said that he
was selfish. They who were partial to
him declared that he never owed u shih-
ing that he could not pay, and that his
daughters were very happy in having
such father. He was good-looking
man, with well-formed features, but
one whom you had to see often before
you could remember him. And as !
have said before, he. "never had head
ache in his life." "When your father
wasn't doing quite so well with the
bank as his friends wished, he asked
me to do something for him. Well,
didn't see my way"
II was a boy then, and / heard moth
ing Of my fathers business. 4"
81 dare say not; but / can not help
telling you. He thought was unkind.
thought that he would 60 on from
one trouble to another-and he did. He
quarrelled with me, and for years we
never spoke. Indeed l never saw him
again. But for the sake Of old friend
ship am very glad to meet you" This
he said as he was walking across the
hall to the drawing-room.
There Gordon met the young ladies
with the clergyman, and had to undergo
the necessary introductions. He thought
that he could perceive at once that his
story, as 1t regarded Mary Lawrle, had
been told to all Of them. Gordon was
quick, and could learn from the man.
ners Of his companions what had been
said about him, and could perceive that
they were aware of something Of his
story. Blake had no such quickness,
and could attribute none OF IT to an
other. II am very proud to have the
pleasure Of making you acquainted
with these five young ladies. AS he
said this he had Just paused in his mar
rative Of Mr.. Whittlestaff's love, and
was certain that he had changed the
conversation with great effect. But
the young ladies were unable not to
look as young ladies would have looked
when hearing the story OF an un-
fortunate gentleman's love. And Mr..
| Blake would certainly have been unable
10 keen sueb a secret