Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-06-09
A Rustic Comedy.

a HuSLlC GolneQy.
In the struggling, forlorn, unbeautifnl
Northumbrian village of Blackford there
was, half century ago, only one comfort
able looking building. On any gusty day
in November, when the very trees on the
hilltops seemed to have turned their
shiveriing backs to the breeze that
whistled through their branches and whirl-
ed away the red-tinted leaves in mad
cap dance, the ''Red Lion" inn stood alone,
with its comfortable overcoat of impervi-
GUS thatch, retained its aspect of quiet COM
fort, and toware evening the ruddy glare
of its kitchen fire pressingly invited the
toil-worn cotters to forsake their scolding
| wives and brawling children, their scanty
fires and drafty houses, and enjoy its COM
Portable warmth. And often at the same
time there would be light at one of the
two attic windows that peered out from the
roof like pair of open gray eyes from un-
| der lids of thatch. For one of these attic
| rooms was the favoi:se resort of Adam
Black, the thriving publican of Blackford.
| He was greatly liked and respected in
Blackford. The worst that could be said
of him was that he was rather hard, and as
matter of fact there was little of softness
in his nature.
In domestic life Adam was martinez
He ruled his son, Aleck, his red-haired
servant, Bet, and even his niece, Kitty,
with rod of iron. Prompt obedience was
the unwritten law of the household. Only
Kitty, besides being the smartest, prettiest,
and cleverest girl in Blackford, was SO
wayward and spirited that not even her
uncle. who liked her better than he liked
o1c - Ia 10
keep her entirely under control.
found out that Kitty was in mood to
throw herself away upon Willie Allan
Not that he disliked Willie-nobody could
do that-but he thought him unlikely to be
good husband, that is, a thriving one,
able to keep his family comfortable.
1t was, therefore, not without reason
that Adam was set against his niece taking
up with Willie. He considered it would be
throwing herself away. And he believed
that he possessed powerful instrument for
enforcing his own view, for he had full
command of Kitty's little fortune-some.
thing like e100-left her by her father,
Adams elder brother, who had preceded
him in the occupation of the ''Red Lion. !"
Whatever it amounted to it was all in the
big box that stood in Adams favorite attic
room, for he had deep-rooted suspicion
of banks, and, like many other country
folks of that time, held that his savings
could not be safer than under his own lock
and key.
eff you marry Allan" he said to Kitty,
and she knew that no nice scruples about
right or wrong would hinder him from
keeping his word, ''not penny will you
get flom me-"
l NI,<k Al~okl L. IcI
scheme in his head. Why should Kitty
look beyond his son, Aleck? True, they
we're cousins. but the prejudice against
cousins marrying was not strong in the
neiphborhood, and, then. what advantages
there were Kate was a splendid man
ager, and Aleck, though he had not his
fathers spirit and oleverness, was a hard
worker and very careful-too careful, some
people said, for whereas his father was only
keen and saving, he was as mean and hard
effort to enforce his will, SO that poor Kitty
had hard time of it, what. with her un-
cle's threats and the no more agreeable
persuasions of her money -grubbing suitor
Yet she was far too spirited to yield, and
in her inmost mind was resolved to have
both the sweetheart and the money, for
who needed it if not careless, squandering
Willie?
1t was no fault in her ewes that her lover car
ed nothing whatever for her fortune, though
she would scold and rate him well for his
Indifference. One winter night, as she was
returning from neighboring village, about
three miles off, to which she had been sent
by her uncle, Willie quite accidentally met
along a lane, on the snow covering of which
the moonlight fell fair and softly, making
the hard wheel tracks glitter, and silvering
the half-black, half-whitened hedgerows.-
Willie never before had seemed so true and
earnest and loyal as Kitty poured into his
ear the story of her persecution.
"Neyer mind, lass" he said, '1et him
keep the money I've little, but Pm not
in debt, and, if you'll but promise to come
to the croft, I'll-yes, Kitty-rll sell every
live thing have, and work day and night
for you.''
"No. no, Willie: there is no use for that.
but do you think I'll give up nv rights to
please that wretched Aleck? It's Just
what he wants-fer me to marry you and
leave everything to him. He would be
pleased to see me quarrel with uncle, for
it's not me, but the money he wants. But
if he proposes again, do you know, I've
cook mind to take him at his word, Just
out of spite. That's the worst could do to
him
"Whist, whist Willie interrupted her
with, "you re jokin', lass, but dinna like
II. Saw ANYTHING but that You wonld
never leave me for bit of dirty gold"
"Would 1 not ?" queried Kitty, who was
an incorrigible tease; syou'n maybe see
me make a runaway match of it: ave. and
glad you would be after awhile to pet quit
of me. But here's the door. If Pm not
away. TIl mavbe be in the wood on Sunday
night" and she was off, leaving Willie to
90 home so thoughtful that he quite forgot
to feed his tame fox until wakened in the
night by its yelping-a thing that had
never happened in his life before.
BUSINESS was yery dull in the cred
Lion'' next afternoon, and Adam retired to
his attic room, where Kitty had a cheerful
fire, before which she sat knitting. Adam
referred to Willie Allan with moderation
and impressiveness his niece had not ex-
nected to find ssRairn - ba said tsva,Il