Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-05-27

lore you,-out he had no iig-muster
TO set out IA his time:-his noddle
could never have compassed it-or
his i've wits would have buzzed till
he grew blind,-and then all his
children would have given up the
trade forever after. Oh, was 10 NOT
lucky for US that Father Adam was
ter7''
Out, you beet-face," exclaimed
the gardener. half angrily; ''Go put
your gibes upon them that have an
ear for such cracksl Why do YOU
stand grinning there with your
haunting ribons. when there IL
work for you elsewhere? Look 20
yon gaping beggars at the gate
they will presently SO crowd the
way that no one may enter. Look
TO lt. until you are wanted In the
ball, and you shall earn your peunv-
fee and broken victual the betser for
it,"
Out upon you, Michael, yourself,
for q churl, cookie weed /
eat no broken victualat your hands:
be would have small fare who wait
ed on your charity. A fiddler has
as much worship as q spade litter
any day in the year so, cock your
nose at some one below youl"
A jest for a gibe, Willy, return
ed the gardener good -humoredly;
a jest for gibei Play turkey cock
and swell to your hearts contentl
and when you have let of your
spite go to the gate where you are
wanted"
The fiddler. after this short and
ruffiing encounter, having regained
his equanimity. and not ldispleased
at the chance Of showing his impor-
tance to the loiterers about the gate.
went TO the post assigned TO him:
where, with self-complacent tone
OF admouition, he addressed the as
semblage, consisting OF some dozen
auditors. with a discourse upon the
behavior expected OF them on this
interesting occasion both by him
sell and the master of the feast.
Prominent smongst those upon
whom this instruction was bestow-
ed. was one who regarded Willy with
singular Difference: this was lean
and freckled lad. just on the verge
OF manhood, whose unmeaning eye,
relaxed fibre and ever present smile
denoted stinted intellect, whilst
his unofending inquisitiveness gain
ed him admission 70 the skirts OF all
gatherings, whether festive or sad.
His restless foot and characteristic
thirst for knowledge habitually i'm
PEELED him to seek the most conspi-
cuous post of observation, and he
was now. accordingly. in the fore
most rank OF Willy's hearers. Wise
Watkin, (for by this name he was
Familiarity greeted by young and old,
Notwithstanding the parsimony with
which Nature had doled out 10 him
the gift OF wit, was remarkable for
his acquaintance with all classes of
persons, and for a certain share of
cunning in picking up the shreds of
whatever rumor might chance, for
the time, to agitate the gossip OF the
town: he was still more remarkable
for his inordinate admiration OF the
fiddler.
Willy had just concluded his lee
ture at the gate. when his attention
was arrested by the rumble OF wheels
heard at distance, and by cloud
OF dust which was seen rising in
the neigh boring wood through which
the road lay from the town.
"Hearken, neighbors, his Lord
ships coach |" he cried out. I'VE
shall have it here presently. stuffed
with people OF worship. Take ranks
on each side of the road-quickly, l
beseech youi Now, remember. at
my signal, Husbands to your caps
lads-and wenches. sink do it
comely and altogether.
Ranks ranks - exclaimed Wise
Watkin, who. with officious alacrity,
began TO push the crowd into the
array indicated by the fiddler
Heed Willy, and do as he bids.
He knows what will please the gen.
tie folks-hands to your caps
The motley ranks being formed
according TO the iiddler's direction
awaited the arrival OF those for
whom this formal salutation was de-
signed.
Instead Of the Proprietary's coach
few moments discl osed a cart with
a little thick set, shaggy pony at
tached to it, coming at high gallon
upon the road. Do the bench above
the shafts was deserted the iollv
figure OF the landlady OF the Grow
and Archer. in the suit of green and
scarlet iu which we have heretofore
noticed her. playing the part OF
charioteer. Beside her sat the ter
rified Garrett Weasel, who, OF too
light bulk TO maintain a solid seat.
jolted fearfully TO and fro at every
spring OF the vehicle. The pony
had manifestly taken the speed of
his journey into his own discretion.
and. with the shank Of the bit grip.
ped between his seeth, and head
curved sidewise. set his course dog
gedly for the gate. in obstinate re-.
sistance OF the dame, who with
both arms at stretch, REDEEMED
brow and clenched teeth, tugged at
the reins TO turn him into q road
that led. by a circuit, towards the
rear OF the dwelling, whittier she
was now conveying sundry articl es
OF provision which she had under
taken TO supply for the feast.
Friends, stop the beastI" shout
ed the treble voice of the vintner
as soon as he perceived WHY'S
stop US for the love OF mer-
cyl"
As the crowd gathered TO arrest
the runaways. a wave Of the hand
from the dame suspended their pur-
pose. Her mettle was rouaed bv
the contumacy Of the pony; where.
upon, in disdain OF the proffered
Aid she gave l0oSa rain tr ha. 49,.