Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-12-13
GcoNTISvEp.l

MY lsOTu ltODeTt FLtliuS, WIN hau
come to the ball at Cavendish Court
that long last year, was a distant kins-
man Of our family and unwedded, but
q man who went through the world
with silly leer Of willingness toward
all wcmankind. And twas this very
trait perhaps which accounted for his
remaining unweddcd, although lord,
though the fact that his estates were
encumbered may have had somewhat
to do with it. BE that as it may, he
lived alone, except for few old SER
wants. and was turned sixty when,
long after my transportation, he
welded his cook, who gave him three
daughters and one son, to whom the
estate went. but the ring and the letter
came to the ChelmsfOrds. The letter,
which / afterward saw, was a most
curious thing. both as to composition
and spelling and chirOgraphy. for his
lordship was no scholar. And since the
letter is but short l may perhaps as
well give it entire. After this wise II
ran. being addressed to Colonel John
Chelmsford, who was his cousin,
though considerably younger:
Dear Cousin ESQ wrote my Lord Ealing).
When this reaches you l shall be laid
in silent tomb where perchance shall
be more at peace than l have ever ben In
a wurld, which either fitted me not, or 1
did not fit. At all odds there was sore
misft betwixt US in some way. II 1t was
the blam Of the world. good ridance ana
parden, If II was my blam. let them when
made me come to account fort. seno
herewith my great emruld ringg. with
dimends which / suspect hath been the
means of sending an inosent man into
slavery. had mind some years agone to
wed with Caterin Cavendish and she bein
a hard made to approche, having ever
stiff turn of the sholder toward me.
though knew not why, l was not willin
to resk my suite by word OF mouth. nor
having never a gift in writin by letter.
And So KNOWN that mades like well such
things, bethought me Of my emruld ring
and on the night Of the ball. being up
stair in to lay of my hiatt and CLOAK,
stole privily into Catherine chamber. shs
being a-dancin below. and laid the ring
on her dressing table, thinkin that she
would see 1t when she entered, and know
II for a love token.
And then l went myself below, and
Caterin. she would have none OF me. and
made UP such a face Of Ice when l ap-
preached, that methought / had maybe
wasted my emruld ring. SO after little
up the stare stole, and the ring was not
where had put 1t. Then thinkin that the
ring had been stole, and l had neither
that nor the made. ! raised great hue
and cry, and demanded that search De,
81 ~, Master
Wingfield. and he was therefor transport
ed. and had my ring again. and myself
knew not the true fact Of the case until
a year agone.
Then feeling that had not much longer
to live, l writ this. thinking that Master
Wingfeld was in n rich country. and not
in sufferin, and few months more would
make not much odds to him. The facs OF
the case cousin. l knew from Madam
Cavendish's old servant woman Char
lotte. who came to my sister when the
Cavendishs left for Virginia. having
fear Of the sea. and later when my sister
died. to my wife. and died but year
agone. and in her deathbed told me what
she knew. She told me truly. that she
did see Madam Cavendish on the night of
the ball go Into Caterin's chamber. and
espying my emruld ring on her dressing
table take il up and look at 1t with eX'
ceeding establishment. and then lay II
down rot on the spot whereon l had left
II. but on the prayer book on the little
stand beside her bed, and then go down.
stairs. frowning
Then this same Charlotte. having little
interest in life as to her own affairs. and
forced to suck others, II she would keep
her wits nourished. being watchful. saw
me enter, and miss the ring. and heard
the hue and cry which / raised. And
then she still watching. saw Master Har-
ry Wingfield. who with others was search
ing the house for the lost treasure. stop
as he Was passing the open door OF Cater
ms chamber because the green light OF
the em-u,d fixed his eyes. and rush In
ard sccrcte the ring upon his person.
This Charlotte saw. and told Madam
Cavendish. who bound her over to secresy
to save the honour of the family. believ-
ing that her own granddaughter Caterin
was the thief.
This opistle. cousin. Is to prove to you
that CatCrin was 10 thief. but simply
cold maid. who hath no love for either
hearts or gems. but CT that l complain
not havin as / believe. welded wisely. II
not TO please my family. and three daugh-
ters and son. hath my Betty given me-
and most exceedin fine tarts hath she
made. and pu,ldens. and / die content
with this laSt VIII to tice, cousii' " NiSo'
Caterin Cavendish, and may be OF an In
ncsent gentleman likewise.
No more from thy cousin
EALING.
One strange feature there was about
this lette.. which thewriier had not fore
seen-while it cleared me well enough
C,tker;ne throws herself
on the floor Of Harry's cell