Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-05-09

II TAKE no shame in the pride with
which I write Of my grandfather,
- Lionel Carvel, Esq, of Carvel Hall,
in his lordship's province Of Maryland.
albeit he favored his majesty. He was
no palavering turncoat like my uncle
Grafton, whom / knew for great
rascal who had been banished to his
estate in Kent county for saying In my
grandfather's presence that my mother
had not been fit to marry a Carvel.
But If Grafton was shadow on my
| bOyhOod, there was also great nsht,
| and this was Mistress Dorothy Man
ners, my constant playmate.
Dorothy bloomed early, and too soon
became a great beauty, with oil our
Annapolis macaronis at her feet.
Thanks to her foppish father, Mr..
Marmaduke Manners, she gave me to
know that none but an English earl
could serve her for husband.
| My boyhood was passed in stirring
times. twas in the summer of 1865,
made memorable by the Stamp Act,
that first. came into touch with the
deep-set feelings of the period, al
though had already. learnt from my
friend, Mr.. Henry Swain, lawyer and
man of note among our patriots, the
doctrines that were kindling righteous
revolt. My friendship with Patty
Swain, his daughter, had begun early.
and it was she who gave me heart to
hope that Dorothy, for oil her fine airs.
still thought sometimes of her child
hood sweetheart.
Not until my uncle Grafton poisoned
his ear against me did my grandfather
learn how strong was the republican
spirit that stirred me. "a Carvel
against the, king" was all he said. But
saw that Grafton had triumphed; and
to tell the truth it was no pleasant
thing for me to set my face against
the king for whom my father had died.
About this time Dorothy's wish was
Lord Comyn arrived at Annapolis with
news that every macurOni in London,
including himself, was in love with
her and that the Duke of Chartcrsea.
q great rake, appeared to lead the
race. There was sadness in the pride
this gave me; nevertheless, I was
drawn to Lord Comyn, a true man.
MY grandfather falling seriously Ill,
my uncle effected reconciliation.
Soon 1 realized that Grafton was plot
ting to cheat me Of my birthright and
make himself heir to Carvel Hall.
Even murder was tried. One night
I was drawn into u duel with Lord
Comyn on a pretext. Comyn, as loath
to fight as I, wounded me, but the fight
only made us closer friends. Soon
after Comyn had sailed for England n
second attempt to kill me changed the
course Of my life. I was Kidnapped
by pirates. and only that l had the
makings Of fighting sailor should
have been slain. From the pirate l
was rescued by British brigantine,
captaincd by one John Paul, who, for
the discipline he maintained, might
have been naval commander. He
recognized me as gentleman and told
me how he was returning to Scotland
to say goodbye to his mother, for, he
said, Scotland had not treated him
well. After that he proposed to 20 to
London. jumped at this, for was not
Dorothy there? So, Paul's sad GRAND
done. to London we went, cl,aosinc
always the best coaching inns. Paul
being for playing the gentleman. AT
London we put on bold front and
went to the Star and Garter in Pail
Mall / ut once set out to find Mr.
Manners. and caught him Mt his door
but he feisncd not to see me. where
upon Mr.. Dix, my grandfather's agent