The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-12-31
VISITING AN EARLY HOME.
An American Woman's Rather Crushing
Experience i'm Old England.

An American woman's Rather Crushing
Experience i'm Old England.
A woman of English ancestry and birth,
but who is American bred, has cherished
for years the hope Of some time revisiting
the home of her infancy, and in particular
OF entering the house where she was born.
Although it had long passed from the
family, aud no relatives remained IN the
village where il stands, her father had 30
often described its site and appearance
that she felt she could find it without
other clew.
At length, after long waiting, the dream
of life approached actuality, and steam
ship bore the happy woman away in search
of ancestral surroundings. Reaching Lon
don, she scarcely stopped for rest before
pursuing her journey. The next day found
her ia the little village where she had first
seen the light, and, after registering at the
one hotel alone, and not knowing person
IN the place, she started down the street
upon which should be the object of her
search.
She had only the oft repeated stories Of
lips long stilled to guide her, but she felt
sure she should know it. And she journey
cd on. Suddenly her heart beat fast
archway and room over it, with just one
window, a double easement, opening out,
and little loaded panes-all as it had been
described. She crossed and sought admit
tance. While her knock was being answer
ed she framed her query. Il must be frank
with them," she thought, "or they will
think me an imposter"
Finally neat looking woman opened the
door,
do you know IL this house was occu-
pied at certain time by a Mr.. W.W she
began.
NO" the woman did not know; she had
lived there only year.
II am his daughter" said the traveller,
shen, land / have reason to believe he once
lived here. have come from the United
States all the way over here to see it. In
that room over the archway," pointing to
t. II and brother were born, and there
my mother and grandmother died. They
lie In the churchyard here. Would you
think it too much TO let me go into the
room for few momentsi" she finished
THE room is not in ORDER" said the
woman.
"Oh, / should not mind that. i only
wanted to look out of the window at the
hills and see the chimney piece and"--
The room is not in Order" interrupted
the woman shortly.
1t was o'clock, and the traveller did not
much believe this.
II will walk down the street." she said,
"and come back" But no, the woman had
her children to attend to and would prom
ise nothing.
May l come in the morning, them"
asked the other, disappointed. II am stay
inn, ,ot 4 ha pn1 nd xxiI1 nv
will allow me-"
II shall be busy" was the reply.
A sudden thought came to the applicant
II will give you shilling for the privi-
lege," she hazarded.
VERY well, you may go right up" was
the instant response.
But this is not all. When the traveller
came out she continued her walk along
the street and shortly came upon second
house. the duplicate, apparently, OF the
one she had just been in. Alarmed lest
she had been pouring out her emotions at
the wrong shrine, she entered this place
also. The lower part was store, and the
young woman behind the counter answered
her questions.
"Oh, yes Mr. w. had owned this house
and the next one. He sold both to Mr.. O.,
and they had bought this one very lately
from the latter"
This, then, was the historic spot she
sought, and forgetting her recent expert
ence in the rush OF feeling, she told ner
story and asked TO enter the apartment
made sacred to her by such prominent
events of her life.
"The rooms not in order" said the girl
echoing her neighbor up the street.
The woman from America went through
her list Of protests as she had done before,
importuning the mother, who appeared on
the scene, with all the eloquence of which
she was capable. She felt somehow as IL
she ought not TO offer money TO these peo-
Pile who had almost known her family, but
finally, in despair, she ventured, II should
be glad to pay for the opportunity to go to
the room"
The celebrity with which she was ushered
there took away her breath.--Iier Point Of
IN, A.,-