Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-03-11

secretary OF the Navy 1852, and aided In 1T
ting out Commodore Perry's Japan expedi-
ton and DIR. kanes second Arctic VOYAGE.
At his death was provost OF the University OF
Maryland, vlce-presldent OF the Maryland
Historical Society, chairman or the Board OF
Trustees OF the Peabody Academy, Balti-
more and trustee of the Peabody Education
nj Fund. Was the author OF several novels
and OF a Life OF William Writ.
(Reprint from the LlppIncott edition Of 1851
CHAPTER X.
The Crow and Archer presented
busy scene on the evening of the
day referred TO in the last chapter.
A report bad been lately spread
through The country that the brig
Olive Branch-an occasional trader
between the province and the coasts
of Holland and England-had arriv-
ed at st. Mary's. In consequence
of this report there had been. during
the last two days, a considerable ac-
cession TO the usual guests Of the
inn. consisting OF travel ers both by
land and water. Several small
sloops and other craft had come in
into the barbor, and a half score
inland proprietors had Journey
ed from their farms on horseback,
and taken up their quarters under
the snug Roof Of Garrett Weasel. The
swarthy and gsunt watermeu, ar
rayed in the close jackets and wide
kilt-like breeches and in the party
colored, woolleu caps peculiar to
their vocation, were seen Ininglinp
In n 10
stantial cultivators of the soil. A
few of the burghers OF St. Mary's
were found in the same groups,
drawn thither by the love of com
panv, the occasions, perchance, of
business, or the mere attraction of
an evening pot and pipe. The great
ar portion OF this assembiage were
lettering between the latticed bar of
the common room, and the quay in
front OF the house. which had some
what of the occupation and hustle of
little exchange. On a bench, in
one corner of the tap room, sat, in a
ragged, patched coat resembling a
pea jacket, a saucy, yagrant looking
fiddler, conspicuous for a red face
aud playful light blue eve; he
wore a dingy, plant white hat, fret
ted at the rim, set daintily on one
side Of his head. from beneath which
bis yellow locks depended over
either cheek, completely covering
his ears: and all the while scraped
his begrined and greasy instru-
ment to brisk tune, beating time
upon the floor with huge hob nail
ed shoe. This parsonage had a
vagabOn popularity in the pro
vince under the name Of Will of the
Flats-a designation 10 less suited
to his musical commodity than TO
the locality of his ostensib!e
habitation, which was seated on the
flats OF Patuxent, not above fifteen
miles from ST. Mary's where he was
tenant OF few acres of barren marsh
and lodge or cabin not much lar
ger than good dog kennel
Wills chief compeer and brother
in taste and inclination, though of
more affiuent fortune, was Dick
Pagan. or Driving Dick according
to his more familiar appellation, the
courier who had lately brought the
missives from James Town; hard
favored. weather beaten, sturdy, lit
tie bow-legged fellow, in russet
boots and long spHrs. and wrapped
in coarse drab doublet secured by
a leathern belt, with an immense
brass buckle in front. Old Pane
sack. likewise, formed a part Of the
group, and might have been obser-
we'd seated on a settle at the door,
quietly smoking his pipe. as unmov-
ed by the current OF ldlers which
ebbed and fi ,wed past him. as the
old harnacled pier of the quay by
the daily fiux and refiuxof the river.
Such were the guests who now
patrouized the thriving establish
ment OF Master Weasel. These good
people were not only under the care,
but also under the command of our
hostess the dame Dorothy, who was
a woman by no means apt TO over
lock her prerogative The dame,
having been on visit to a neigh
Dor, did not show herself in the tap
room until near the close or the day;
in the mean time leaving her Gus
toners to the unchidden enjoyment
of their entertainment, which was
administered by Matty Scamper,-
a broad chested, red and ia
defatigable dsmsel, who, in her
capacity OF adjutant to the hostess,
had attained 10 great favor with the
patrons of the tavern oy her imper-
turbable good nature and ready ans
wer to all calls Of business. As for
Master Weasel. never did pleasure
loving monarch more echeerfully sur
render his kingdom TO the rule of
his minister than he TO whatever
power for the time was uppermost.
whether the dame herself, or her
occasional vicegerent, Matty Of the
Cannar1nn