Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-02-26
CHAPTER ii.

a from her slippers on the TURF,
caressed the ponies, munched
the sweet cake she had in her apron
pocket felt the keen, sweet air blow
over her hot forehead and saw. dane
ing ever before her minds eye, that in
sldious sweet suggestion of going up
to London"
How did one go up to London?
In the coach? Aye, to be sure, and
the coach left the Mermaid in the vii
lage every Tuesday and Thursday at 5
in the morning. The coach! The splen-
did coach, a-swinging on its springs
like gigantic cradle; the positions
a-snapping their whips, the coachman
a-cracking his long lash and a-shouting.
"All h'up for London and the ladies
and gentlemen-well armed, these last,
in dread Of the highwaymen on the
heath-all a-piling in and a-settling
themselves, and the guards a-tooting
their horns, and landlady and the boots
and the maids and the hostlers all
allowing and a-scraping and-Off they
60 for London town, where Percy was
a-pining and a-dying for her.
Well, Lady Peggy went in. clapped
on a fresh gown and shoes, and never
was daughter more tender and patient
with grabbed, equity, crusty dad than
she all through that lovely day-play-
ing backgammon, spelling out the news
paper, trouncing the cat when it jump
ed on his lordship's leg, blowing the
fire, wheeling his chair from hither to
yon, stroking the bald head, combing
the white whiskers, and finally said
she:
Daddy, London's a very big sort Of
q place now, isn't it?"
The earl mods, coddling his leg into
the slip of sunshine that's walking
westerly away from him.
"My brother lodges, so he says, at the
corner Of Holywell road and Lark lane.
Tell me, dad, where should that be
now" Lady Peggy has a careless air
and flecks buzzing fly out Of his lord
ships bowl of porridge.
"Eh" pursues she. "Is't, for in
stance, in the city, or nigh London
bridge, or where the quality lives, or
toward Southwark, or whereY'
"lot me!' cries his lordship, looking
up at his daughter In surprise. whats
my poppet got into her pretty head
now. forsooth? Tut tut, girl! What's
town to thee, or its bearings, hey
Stick thy eye into thy churn and keep
thy hand on the dasher. 'Twere bet
tern all the shops in Piccadilly or all
the tops at court"
"Slow, dad! was only asking of
my twins whereabouts. Shops and
tops are not dizzying your Peggy, you
may swear. IT'S my brother, sir, of
whom I'd learn
""Twere better chase the scoundrel
out'n my head, Peg, than hammer him
in! A lad with every chance here in
the county to raise his house and
make q good match with a nice plump
girl having land joining his own, but
no! Up and OF to town to starve and
scratchw
The earl pommels the floor with his
stick. causing the cat to leap into the
air.
LET him die In want! Let him
freeze, thirst, come to the gallows, say
I! For such a. leaves plenty to pursue
want gets no sympathy from mev'
'He amt begged fort yet dad" says
Peggy very mildly. "All I was avon
dering was this: When my brother took
the coach at the Mermaid that morning
you mind? How far of the inn where
he alighted was the lodging at the cor
ner Of Holywell road and Lark lane,
eh, dad? Surely And here Lady Peg
~ knelt and stroked his lordship'a
equity member, and her voice positive.
~ trembled, doubtless with excess Of
flial zeal and devotion.
Surely" resumed she, "you, who
were. I dare be sworn,2ssuch arch eyes
rs Lady Peggy now made-"a fine gal
liant not 30 many years ago, must re.
member that, don't your
Lets see, let's see," responds hia
lordship, rubbing his head. 'They Gel
ye down at the Kings Arms, nigh the
bridge, Southwark bridge, yes. Well
I ought to know! Lark hne2 Why;
girl, it's not quarter hours trot from
the inn, but it's beastly environment
Cad, that son Of mine chooses pens
ink and writing paper there rather
than
Lady Belinda here. weight fourteen
stone. acres 1000. guineas countless
temper amazing, years untold. Ha, ha
ha! Oh, daddy" Lady Peggy springs
up and dances about q minute in mos,
genuine gayety; then she seizes hel
fathers head between her palms and
hugs and kisses him with much crate
full warmth, then fops down a-cod
ding of the govt again. laughing, gig
Cling, pinching puss and saying:
Daddy, drop London. Care I NJ
more for It Know I quite enough
Let's chat Of aught else in the world
until you fall a-napping. which will bt
soon now, guessing by the shadows"
Twas very soon.
Then Lady Peggy tiptoed of to hel
chamber. Then she pulled the ropt
that rang In the kitchen, and present
ly Chockey came. chopper and bowl II
hand, checkered apron over white one
for serving maids were scarce in Ken
naston Hall, footman there was none
butler there was when he was not do
ing t'other half his duty at the sta
bles
"Come hither, Chockey," says hel
mistress in whisper, with a beckon
'Shut the door. Go on with ehoppini
your leeks and carrots: cook III wan
'em for the soup. But listen, Chock
Unlock your ears, Jane Chockey, al
never you did before in your ufe."
Chockey hobs as she chops, leaning
against the head post for support Of
her occupation and also of her curl
osity.
you know my mothers box, thu
small one that was recovered las
spring with the skin of the red cali
that died natural? Bickers put 1t OF
with a gross Of brass nails?"
Chockey again hobs.
'Put into it." continues Lady Peggy
"a change of linen for yourself and me
two night -Chockey's eyes dilatl
my gray taffeta gown with the flow
cred petticoat, my green hood and
kerchief, powder, patch box, lavender
musk ninS needles nv red SilkoI