The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-09-04
CHAPTER II.

we'll known character in the village
of Draycot, came to the Hall. He
wanted to see the master on impor-
tant business, he said. This old
Reuben was the greatest gossip of
the place the ale-house oracle
meddler in everyone's business, and
unsolicited adviser-in- general to the
little world around him. He was a
great authority among the villagers,
many of whom would have backed
his opinion against the united wis
dom of a Daniel and Solomon. His
talk and broad Somerset accent al
ways amused us, and, it may be, in
sured him a better reception than his
virtues merited.
Today he entered the room with
an indescribable look of mystery
and secrecy on his shrewd old face.
He carefully closed the door after
him and bade us respectful good
day. Then, drawing quite close to
us, he spoke in guarded whispers.
II be jest come, EUR, to tell zee as
Their have bin chap staayin' at
the Blue Boar vor the last two or
dree days. Mebby, EUR, as you've
iced un about-a darkish, picket
noased zort of a chap"
Yes, saw him, answered Walter.
what about him.
Now, look here, EUR. None O. we
couldn't at vust make out what a
wer' up to. He vent one O. them
outrides, you zee. He werdn't lookin'
aater shopkippers. He were fer
retin' about aater land. 70 we up
and ax'd un what farm a wer' aater,
or if did want to buy any land here
abouts? He laughed and zed, yes
he, we be gwain to make a RAILROAD
right up droo theese yer valley
After this important communica-
ton Reuben bowed himself out; re-
firing probably to the kitchen, in
order that he might regale himself
with meat and drink and our SER
wants with the latest village gossip.
Walter and sat digesting his news.
81 wonder if there can be any truth
in it, said Walter. "I'll go down
tomorrow and see that fellow at the
inn, and ask him point blank about
it,"
But on the morrow the fellow at
the inn was there no longer. He had
departed and left no address. The
landlord only knew him as plain Mr..
Smith. We never saw or heard of
him again-whatever his errand may
have been, it was not revealed to us:
but, nevertheless, old Reuben's con-
lecture as to the object of his soiourn
at the Blue Boar quite unsettled
Walters mind. The thought that
untold wealth might be lying under
our very feet was always present to it,
and at last he resolved to employ
experts who were competent to give
an opinion on the matter, and settle
our hopes and doubts.
So, very soon, we were visited by
Captain Thomas Davies, of Aberfell-
teg, and Captain Davies Thomas of
Cwmtygwyn, two gentlemen whose
strangely accented English, redun-
dant with such words as "Inteet"
and "Inteet to GOODNESS" was a
source of great amusement and en-
joYment to each of us. They in
spected, diagnosed, experimental,
and then reported.
MY poor dear love! Shall | ever
forget your excitement, your ioy,
as we perused together that glowing
joint production? What wealth you
dreamed of and counted up! Not, l
know, that you wished for riches for
your own sake-it was for the sake
of wife and children that the desire
of acquiring large fortune obtained
such hold on you. All, mel how
certain, how clear and straightfor-
ward it all seemed! Had not the
mining captains calculated, with an
accuracy that seemed infallible.
every ton of coal that lay hidden be-
meath our green fields' Did not their
figures prove beyond dispute the
profit each ton raised must bring?
After every contingency had been
guarded against, what read like Alad-
din's wealth lay waiting for us TO
stoop down, take, and enjoy. Why
should we not do so?
Then other gentlemen came to our
quiet home-legal gentlemen-gen-
tlemen who we're fnanciers-gentle-
men learned, very learned, it seemed