The Yale expositor., 1894-12-07


they had misbehaved themselves to
any great extent, they were very wary |
in turning corners, lest he should
spring upon them suddenly, and pc
culiar shrill whistle was the signal for
clearing the coast; it meant that he
was coming, and that summary justice
might be expected. My father was a
well-bred gentleman, and splendid
scholar; he spent the greater part OF
his life in writing and reading. His
income was a small one, but my mother
managed il.
Ny mother was one of the sweetest
and most gracious of women, loved by
everyone, the soul of generosity and
kindness. She never raised her voice,
even to the boys. She was essentially
motherly woman. and the boys were
the pride, the delight, the torment,
and Joy of her life. She was we'll
born, well-bred, a lady in every sense
of the word. She could make pud-
dings and cakes, darn stockings, and
yet in the drawing room she had all
the graces and sweet stateliness Of an
accomplished lady. | may mention
that the boys wardrobe was something
fearful to behold, but my mother un-
derstoOd il.
There was no aflluence, no luxury
in our house; and, indeed, there was a
difficulty in making both ends meet.
But we were very happy, very loving,
devoted TO one another. There was
no quarreling, terrific fight among
the boys did not always mean quar-
rel. There was no selfishness: there
is no such school for learning self-de-
NAL and self-control as a large family.
About two miles from the vicarage
stood the grandest mansion in the
county, the residenceof Lord Latimer,
the greatest man in the county, and it
was called LOTIONS Cray. 1t was { .
wonder OF our childish lives. A mag
nifcent mansion, with thick, gray,
UNCOVERED walls. 1t had been built
in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and
held every beauty of the architecture
of that period. The rooms were all
large and lofty, with great windows;
the floors and staircases were all of
polished oak; the ceilings painted, the
entrance hall Al marvel Of stained
glass windows, with magnificent
groined roof.
Once or twice in our lives we h ad
been allowed to 60 through this house.
1t produced such an impression on the
boys that they were silent for some
days afterward. The picture-gallery
ran the whole length OF the house. and
held some priceless paintings The
portraits of the Latimers for many
generations past hung there. with
fine collection Of modern paintings.
The drawing-room was magnificent
apartment; we held our breath as we
stood on the Threshold; even Bob and
Archie collapsed-they were speech
less. 1t was all white and gold.
| There was no color except the rich
bloom of the rare flowers that stood in
the jardinieres; the hangings were of
white velvet and white satin embroid-
cred with gold; chairs, touches,
lounges the same. From the large
windows there was a superb view of
the square of fountains and the deep
green OF the rich foliage beyond.
There was spacious banqueting-
| hall, a coy dining-room. library
that was unequaled for its size, u
morning-room opening on a rose gar
den. The great state apartments were
in the eastern wing. There were in
Vulnerable pretty little rooms, in
Vulnerable pretty hooks and corners
in the old house.
1t was a house full of surprises;
where it was least expected one would
find large window with comfortable
seats, lonely little room, door
opening on to a quaint staircase that
led to the grounds. Then, all over
the place there was perfect wealth
OF ornaments, the accumulated treas
ures of long generations-and the Lat
liners had always been very wealthy.
The grounds were magnificent; the
fine old trees, the beautiful, undulating
park, the lovely fairy dells where vio-
lets and cowslips grew, the matchless
terraces, the broad marble steps that
led from one to the other--it was all
beautiful.
When we came from our last visit,
my young brothers looked at me with
contemplative, solemn eyes.
"Andrey," said Bob. ''you will be,
think, good-looking. / hope you will
remember your brothers, and marry
we'll"
"A brother-in-law with house like
that would suit me, - said Archie en-
platically.
"Of course, as your brothers, we
should be offered the run of the
house, said Bob. ''In fact, il would
doubtless be thrown open to u.s."
How little l thought, while they
leased me and enjoyed themselves
over this future brother-in-law-how
little dreamed of what was to bel
Lord Latimer had not been TO Kings
Lorton within my recollection. The
house was beautifully kept There
was faithful old housekeeper, Mrs.
Heath; an ancient butler, who seemed
TO be part OF the place; and plenty of
servants. Everything was kept in
readiness; no matter when or how the
old lord ,nirht rotiipn ha would bava