The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-03-31

10 acquire more than smattering OF
Latin, Greek and French. insufficient
to enable me to read with interest a
book in any of those languages. Eng
lish | had mastered fairly we'll, and
developed some facility in its comDo-
sition; while for music IL was acknoW!-
edged that l had more than ordinary
ability. I was painfully conscious
that my mental equipment was 4 very
poor one, and wondered whether my
uncle would keep much company dur
ing his stay in England, what sort OF
people his friends were, and in what
manner they would regard young
gentleman OF such slender attainments
as mine
Both my uncle and aunt endeavored
to make me talk. but they were not
very successful in their efforts. and
little more was said before our car
riage passed rapidly through North
gate street, Bury st. Edmund's, and
dashed into the station yard there.
Uncle Sam was the first to alight.
"See to your aunt and the luggage
there, Ernest" he said, and then ran
up the stairs three steps at time.
He is always like this when we
start on Journey observed aunt
Gertrude, as l assisted her out Of the
carriage. We have ten or twelve
minutes to spare, and during that time
he will despatch at least that number
OF telegrams. have never known him
to content himself so long without
business as during his stay at your
house"
The luggage had been labeled and
put into the brake, my aunt and l
were comfortably enSconced IN oppo-
site corners OF the first-class compart-
ment which had been specially re-
served for us, and the train began to
move out Of the station before uncle
Sam emerged from the telegraph
office. But he was equal to the occa-
sion. Jumping lightly into the car
riage he shut the door with a slam,
and seated himself as far from us as
possible. Begging his wife to enter
tain me as well as she could, he pro-
duced a large pocketbook and pencil,
and at once became engrossed in some
study, nor did he again open his lips
until we reached London.
The changeful weather-exhilarating
sunshine alternating with gloomy
clouds from which descended heavy
showers Of rain - greatly interested
my aunt, who for my edifcation COM
pared the climates Of England and
North America as our train sped
through the low-lying Essex meadows.
Like most Americans who visit Eng.
land she was uncomfOrtably affected
by the chilly dampness of our climate.
and vislbly shivereI. though she was
enveloped in thick wool rug. Though
our acquaintance had been so brief, l
had developed a very real regard for
my youthful American aunt. whose
kindly consideration and uniform gen-
rleness excited my admiration. AS l
scrutinized her delicate features /
noted their wistful expression. and
experienced 4 feeling akin to pity for
her-for instinctirely felt there could
exist no bond Of sympathy between
this gentle lady and her husband.
No other part of England is so de-
pressing as the horrid region between
Romford and Liverpool street through
which the Great Eastern Railway
Company conveys its London-bound
victims. Between those places the
senses Of sight. hearing and smell are
grossly outraged. and when the I'M
fortunate traveller finds himself once
more on terra tirma he staggers like
one awakened from nightmare. his
limbs stiffened by the close packing to
which they have been subjected. and
his mind and stomach disgusted by
The abomina;ions lie has seen and
shifted.
1t was with great relief We alightcl
from the train. \ splendid carriage
awaited us. into which We at once en-
tered. our luggage being piled upon 4
cab which was TO follow. Dark clouds
had gathered in al around, and tle
rain descended in torrents as we drove
westward OUT OF the city. At few
minutes past , y. m-nearly four hours
arter we lett HcldenEurSt Hall-ou'
carriage turned out OF the main road
into De We're Gardens. kensingtcn.
and drew up in front oe my unclcs
Eou:c there.
Ii was a large house. furnished rs
luxuriously as possible, Illuminated
throughout by electricity, though here
and there was an oil lamp which shed
n subdued light on the objects around.
Everything in the place seemed abso-
lutely ncw.as l have no doubt it was
and the best of its kind obtainable.
the evidences OF wealth on every hand
contrasting strongly with my COM
Portable but unp:etentious home in
Suffolk.
The footman had just closed the
door after admitting us, and | was de-
voutly hoping that might neither see