The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-07-02
THE LAST OF
T Fl E NUGENTS.
BY THB AUTHOR OF ..swEErHBARrs."


pie OF Deane Ella long before their large
ugly red brick mansion was built, and
when they lived at the Manor, o rambling
two-storied house, set in the midst of a
huge cherTy-orchaTd, and forming as near
as possible the center of the village
When the Queen Anne mansion put the
more cosy and picturesque Manor in the
shade, the Manor was turned into DOVER
house, the occupant of which was the
mother Of Jasper Nugent, the reigning
Squire, or, as she was always called, Mad
am Nugent," by all the country round
as means of distinction between the
two Mistresses Nugent, the Squire's wife
was invariably spoken of as athe Mistress"
In many parts Of Yorkshire il is not the
custom to give the great family their
name. In Deane Ella. there were Mad
am" 1.-The Mistress II SquOire,7 ''t' yoong
SquOire," and Miss Dolly"
There were people round about who
considered that Squire Nugeut did not
maintain his dignity as he ought to have
done. They said he did not possess the
amount Of exclusiveness and pride be-
coming 10 a man of his station and ancient
hneagej but they were not his friends OF
his own people who said so
be was Nugent of Deane Ella Just ss
his forefathers had been Nugents Of Deane
Ella for many generations before him
lie knew every man, woman and child on
his estate, just as he had known most of
their fathers before them. He had no
fear of losing caste by standing and talk
ing half an hour with Jacob Wright, or
sitting as long in Widow Smart's cottage,
listening to her account of "them rheu-
matics"-ay, and what was best of all
taking interest in them too. No pride7-
Why, he had the best pride of all-the
pride that cares for nothing or nobody,
only for doing what is Just and right!
40 the s. brrg I,,,F
whispered their petty deprecating re-
marks amongst themselves; and Squire
Nugent went on his way in blissful disre-
gard of them and their opinions alike
He was a handsome, blue-eyed, broad
chested man, standing six feet two in his
stockings, with frank hearty laugh, a
fearless look, and great hand, ready to
help every one alike.
He had a huge contempt for London and
town ways, though he sacrificed himself
every spring, and left the cherry-blOssom
and the fresh air behind him for a month
because the Mistress liked her season
the Mistresss viii and pleasure were law
To him, as they had been to every one
else IN Dcanc Ella ever since the first Sun
day her golden hair and imperious violet
eyes had won every heart, as she stood
beside her big handsome husband in the
old church
For her he dawdlcd away long mornings
II shops, wondering the while sif Joe was
giving the roam mare her exact amount of
exercise, if the chestnut foal was as
great beauty as Briggs had sent him
word. For her sake he sat in hot thea
tres, and when he laughed at the jokes
laughter ike himself, huge and hearty
people turned round and laughed for very
sympathy-he looked 50 jolly.
And 50 Nugeut Of Deane Ella went on
his way. happy, healthy, hearty country
shot, and the handsomest man for twenty
miles round Deane Ella, looking, as some
people said. the living embodiment Of the
two words carved above the great hearth
in the hall-the two words which were
the motto Of his house. ~For ever""
Dolly. Dolly. Dolly, say, Where are
/ your
Here. Jasper cried childish treble
: in reply. What Is it1"
Get your hat quickly said the boy.
as guldcu-haired girl ran out INTO the
/ brilliant august sunlight. William Pick
( ards going to take the wasps' nest IN the
/ manure heap, but he's waiting for you to
{ sec; 80 be quick
I AT this time of dayf" calculated Dolly,
! Yes Fathers going to Garthside to-
morrow to fish, and he Il N start tonight,
so to be there in time for dinner-thats
I why they want it; but be quick"
Dolly dashed into the house and snatch
ed sailors hat, from the table in the
inner hall. returning to her brother in a
moment
/ .Give me your hand. and wen run. said
( the boy, holding out very dirty hand.
/ Dolly put hers into it, and thy let Of
down the road leading past the Vicarage
and down the quaint village street.
/ "Who ara those distIngulshed-look KING
children 2" asked a lady. who was looking
over the Vicarage wall with the Vicar:
wife
Mrs. Carrutbers watched them out O
sight before she replied to her guest
question
They are the Squire's children" sh'
answered. Il wonder what freak they
are up 70 nOwr
The S1uire's children said the lady
! CHANGING aside at tho chimncys OF th'
! house ~ she spoke. Dear me, are the.
generally allowed to run wild like that z
! Run Wild repeated Mrs. Carruthers
with a laugh. why. the people abou
Deane Ella worship them-if possible
more than they worship the Squire hlr1 INN
self; and Dolly Is the most perfect hui
aristOcrat you ever saw.
Meanwhile the children ran swiftly o
through the village street; Dolly STUN
bling once or twice, but keeping bravel
UP with the help of JasPer's stronge
hand.
"Keep up, Dolly; we shall be there in
minute" he painted.
"All-right,r she answered cheerfully y
though she WAS very much "biown II
deed.
They turned the corner, leading Int
Pickard's fold-yard, pretty sharply an
Doliv,missing her footing amongst the rui
| ble that had been placed there for tn
foundation for n new road. suddenly cam
TO the ground with n heavy thudj an
Jasper, still running at full speed dragge
her step or two before he could sto
| himself
ing shrek brought William Pickard uPo
the scene very quickly. He was ta
fair-facod man, nearly as big as SUN
Nugent himself.
"Whv, my h1uey-sweet. he ezclaime'
this is q bad business surely Why,
Law shes Cut her pretty tnc"S a'uost to-
bTnel Whatever worc you thinking O
Master Jasper, TO let her down Ike
thatf"
"why. IT was the rubble, William al
svrered .Jost,cr. Il think her ankle twis
ed.r he was already down upon his kne,
1 in the dirt examining the full extent
DolIy's injuries. Does It hurt yOu muc
Dolly, darliugi"
. ..Ye-e-sr and Dolly WINGED, while 81
. bit her lip to keep herself from the ign
rninv II fears But think l can MAJ
J. age to walk"
i .Whatcver Is the matterf7 asked
r CHEEKY voice behind them.
"Miss Dolly has come to grief among
G ,ubble." answered William Pickard, ''aI
s I Doubt voud best hev' her in, and bait
/ her knees with warm water"
5 My poor blessed little lamb" ere
Mrs Piskard. with quick sympathy.
Come III and let me see to them"
"But the waspS' nest" objected Doll
G ,.T came TO see MrWillam take the wasI