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aZ' . AK INDEPENDENT FAMILY NEWSPAPER. '4r?
Vol. IV. FNoav Blooiufieltl, J7., Ieoenilei' 27. 187X). o. 52.
'
Js ruitllttlicd Weekly,
At New IJlooinlield, Pcun'a.
BY
FRANK noil TIM Ell.
BUBSCMl'TION TK11M8.
ONE DOLLAR 1'E It YEAH!
Oil 10 CKXTS VYAX MONTH,
ITS A-lVVTVO10.
THE BRAVE GOVERNESS,
OK
THE NARROW ESCAPE.
T WAS in tho days of stage-couches, and
before the wondrous power of steam
had caused a journey of two or three hun
dred miles to be considered a merely mod
erate day's traveling, that the events nar
rated iu this story took place.
Early in December of t ho year 182 tho
frost set in with extreme severity, and lcn
dered a three days' journey, from London
to the distant towns of Yorkshire and
Westmoreland, exceedingly difficult and
dangerous. Not but that the several stage
coaches on the road were well appointed,
and their officials civil and experienced ;
but that, although tho traveling might bo
sufficiently agreeable and invigorating
whilst the daylight lasted.it became a total
ly different affair when darkness set in and
tho cold increased in intensity nearly to
tho temperature of Siberia. Then, too,
there was tho bivouacking for it could
scarcely be called more at cheerless road
side inns, where a frosty welcome was af
forded by a half-asleep landlady and a
surly hostler, lantern in hand unless, in
doed, as sometimes was tho case, tho pros
pect of extra fees caused thoso individuals
to bo a little more active and obliging than
usual. It is truo that most of tho stage
coach proprietors so timed their arrange
ments as to provide for their vehicles stop
ping for tho night at somo of tho large pro
vincial hotels, whero a cheery landlord, a
buxom hostess, spruce chambermaids, and
a profusion of rounds of bccf,nobl echeeses,
and tankards of spiced ale, were no
undesirablo objects in the eyes of cold
and hungry travelers. Still, there were
times when, from tho distance between tho
regular stages, bad weather, or unforscen
, accidents, it was necessary for tho coach
to Btop for the night at some one of tho
numerous small public bouses which crop
up everywhere by tho roadside in England,
Jt might have been about a fortnight be
fore Christinas of the season mentioned,
and between eight and nine o'clock at night
when tho "Tally-IIo" stage-coach from
London to the Yorkshire towns was mak
ing its way as best it might across ono of
tho Yorkshire moors, towards its destina
tion. It was no easy task for tho driver,
experienced though he was, to keep his
horses in tho beaten Track, amid tho nu
merous snow-drifts which, liko so many
pitfalls, lay all around as traps for tho un
wary traveler.
Thero was no sort of landmark to guidu
him nothing to be seen but a vast, dreary
waste of white, amid which stood out at
intervals tho bnro black trunks of a few
pollard oaks, all looking precisely like ono
another. The glare from the snow, aided
as it was by an occasional gleam of tho
moon struggling to forco herself through
tho heavy clouds by which sho was sur
rounded, afforded a sort of fitful and un
certain light, which wan all beside tho stage
lamps that the driver Jiad to direct him.
But John Dodson, the best hand at the
reins between London and Newcastle,
nothing daunted, kept on his horses as if
he wero on the high l oad, and, beyond an
occasional remark volunteered to his col-
leaguo, tho guard, over tho roof of tho
ioach, that "it were a darned nasty night
surely," lie betrayed no sort of uneasi
ness.
Save tho coachman and guard, there
wcro no outsido travelers. Tho "insides"
were three in number a lady and two
gentlemen. Plate mix dame. Tho lady
Miss Catherine Farquhar, was from six to
eight and twenty years of age, of a highly
intellectual countenance, .although liko
intellectual persons, not what would be
called handsome. She was almost envel
oped in a valuable set of sable furs, which
would seem to denote that sho was wealthy.
Catherine Farquhar, however, was poor.
Sho was a governess, and was on her way
to the house of a lady of rank, residing a
few miles beyond York, whoso daughters
sho was engaged to instruct. The furs
wcro a gift from tho parents of a former
pupil. Tho gentleman who occupied a
scat by tho side of Miss Farquhar was a
man not much under forty, and he also was
of a very intellectual appearance. lie was,
in short, a high class-man of Oxford, and,
like Miss Farquhar, was proceeding to Lady
Bctterton s, to act in tho capacity of tutor
to her only son. Mr. Ilortley was arrayed
in the usual clerical black, and woro tho
usual blue spectacles which appear such a
sine qua non with "professors" of all
grades and ages, lie and Miss Farquhar
had been strangers unt il they commenced
their journey , but with tho usual facility of
well-bred persons they wcro both of good
family they had already become perfectly
at ease with each other, anil were beguiling
tho tedium of tho journey by a conversation
on topics of mutual interest.
Ther via-a-vw, tho third occupant of tho
coach, was one of those numerous persons
to whom it is almost impossible to assign
a station in life, llo was a powerfully
built young man, somewhat under thirty
and from his dress might at first sight be
taken for a prosperous fanner or grazier.
But, on closer observation, thero was a
sort of spruco flashiness about him which
is not usually seen in either of tho callings
alluded to. His necktie, of a gaudy color
was fastened by a rather valuablo brilliant
pin, and on his largo but well-formed white
hands thero sparkled a ring or two. Tho
mixtures of Newmarket and Newgate about
him was, in short, not easily to bo describ
ed in words, and it would appear that his
companions looked upon him with distrust
as they but rarely spoko to him, and when
they did so it was mostly in reply to sc :.'0
question ho had addressed to them.
For some quarter of an hour or so tho
tho passengers had kept silence. The lady
and her clerical companion, apparently oc
cupied with their own thoughts, had re
lapsed into that sort of reverie which is
often indulged in at the close of a long con
versation. Tho younger man, with folded
arms and closed eyes, had composed him
self,'as if for sleep, in the farther corner of
tho coach. A closu observer, would have
noticed that ho was in reality engaged in
watching his companions, and especially
tho lady, on whoso dress ho frequently cast
a scrutinizing glance.
Suddenly tho coach which for the last ten
minutes had been jolting from side to sido
in a peculiarly uncomfortable- manner, was
brought to a standstill, and immediately
tho guard descended, and tapped at tho
window, which was let do vn by Mr. Hart
ley. A breath Tf icy wind rushed in, which
made tho teeth of the three passengers chat
ter in their heads.
"Hero's a go, gentleman!" said tho
guard, with a broad grin on his burly
face.
" Why what is tho matter'"' asked Mr.
Hartley, rather impatiently, for tho cold
was intense.
" Well, sir, Jack, tho driver, don't know
whero he is ',"
" Not know whore ho is?" exclaimed tho
three passengors. '
" Not a bit on't. lie's traveled this hero
road nigh forty year, and never lost his
way afore," repeated the guard, with a
triumphant chuckle, as if tho wholo affair
were a remarkably good joko.
"Whatever is to bo done?" cried Miss
Farquhar.
"Why, miss, I doan't know. WVro
to nigh ten milo from tho nighest stago
Jack Dodson's guesses, and oven if 'wo
knowed where wo was, tho. 'osscs is dead
beat, and tho gray mare's cast a shoo."
Hero the younger of tho inside male pas
sengers asked, abruptly :
"Ilavo wo passed tho Red Moor yet?"
" Oh, lawk ! yes, sir two milo or nioro
as far as can bo guessed by this 'ere mask
of snow, which hides tho country ; and tho
driver says tho drifts is getting moro dan
gerous every moment, 'cause of the falling
snow."
"I know an old farm-houso at tho lee
of tho lied Moor," continued tho seeming
grazier, "whero I am slightly acquainted
with the people, who would, I think, givo
us and this lady a shelter for this inclement
night."
The guard looked at the speaker with
more of interest than ho had yet displayed
and said, inquiringly :
" You know tho country, then, sir?"
"Yes, and could set the driver right;
but it is no use, for if tho horses are dead
beat, they cannot go ten miles in such
weather. Wo must return to the farm
house." "I do not really eco what else is to bo
done," said Mr Hartley, with a perplexed
air. It is quite certain that we cannot stop
hero all night, if only for tho lady's sake,
and it isequally certain that to proceed is
impossible."
Tho guard bobbed his head from the
window and disappeared to consult his
colleague. Almost immediately ho return
ed. "Jack Dodson says as that's tho only
place, gentlemen ; but he can't tell how
to find tho way."
"I'll show him," replied tho young
grazier, drawing his wrapper firmly round
his throat and buttoning his coat tightly.
And ho descended briskly, and took his
scat on tho box, by the chopfallen coach
man. Tho horses' heads were then turned, and
tho party retracted their steps. No sooner
had they commenced the backward jour
ney than Miss Farquhar, turning abruptly
to her companion, said :
" I beg your pardon, Mr. Hartley ; but
aro you not of opinion that thero is some
thing very strange about that gentlo that
person who has just left tho coach ? I feel
an instinctive repulsion at the sight of
him."
"I cannot say I much like him, Miss
Farquhar; but people really aro not
answerable for their looks," responded tho
other, with a smile.
"N o n o, certainly not." hesitated
tho lady; "and yet'- .
"And yet what?-'
Catherine Farquhar did ' not give a di
rect reply, but answered this question by
another :
" What should you imagine him to be?"
she asked.
"To bo? Oh probable somo well to-do
young fanner or grazier, with more money
than modesty, and who does not entertain
a very mean opinion of himself."
"Ho is so flashy," continued Catherine
" and that diamond pin and thoso rings as
sort ill with a velveteen coat."
" My dear Miss Farquhar, it is not at
all uncommon for vulgar young provincial
men to bo fond of dress and show."
"But that pin must be worth lifty guin
eas." " Probably. Bullock-selling is a profita
ble business, I believe."
Miss Farquhar did not pursue tho sub
ject, and silence once more fell ' upon the
occupants of the coach. ,
Presently, after a tedious and protracted
seramblo through tho snow for uearly an
hour, tho coach stopped at tho entrance to
a small lane, tho banks of which were stack
ed up on each Bido by thick masses of snow.
Somo little way down this lane two or thrco
lights wcro seen faintly glimmering, which
tho travelers supposed to bo displayed in
the windows of tho farm-house in question.
" He must know tho way well indeed to
bo able to find it on such a night as this,"
said Catherine Farquhar to Mr. Hartley
in a half whisper, and with emphasis.
"Oh!" said that gentleman carelessly,
"these drover-graziers know their counties
well. Ho has probably traveled it often
with his fat bullocks."
They now descended from the coach, and
by tho aid of a dark lantern which tho
guard produced from tho boot, that worthy
and tho threo passengers proceeded in tho
direction of tho lights, leaving the coach
man to follow them, somewhat moro slow
ly, with his jaded horses. Tho young
grazier led tho way, witli tho encouraging
remark now and then to his companions
that it " was not much farther."
To the others, however, tho distanco
though in reality but half a mile down tho
lane, appeared interminable. At every
other step the luckless travelers went al
most to their knees in snow and Catherine
was at last about to succumb to tho drowsy
feeling produced by intense cold, and to
declare that she would rather lie down and
dio than proceed farther, when tho baying
of a dog close at hand told them that they
had arrived at their destination.
I)y tho faint glimmer of the lights in tho
windows moro than ono of which lights
had been extinguished sinco they first en
tered tho lane they could barely discern
that tho houso was a long, low, straggling
building, of the same stylo as that occupied
by tho famous Mr. Squcers, and that it was
surrounded by a largo number of crazy
barns and outhouses. It was situated in a
hollow of tho hill, which afforded it pro
tection from tho bleak winds of the sur
rounding moor ; but as even in summer
time it was an isolated, lonely place, and
indeed, tho only human habitation for
miles, it may bo readily surmised that,
blockaded as it now was by tho snows of
winter, it appearance was desolato in tho
extreme.
Tho Red Moor was said by some to be so
termed on account of a murder which had
taken place thero many years previously ;
but it is moro probable that it took its uamo
from the great profusion of heather which
was rather of a crimson tint than of tho
usual purple hue. In winter, however, it
was a bare black waslo of litter and bog
except when covered, as now, by a thick
white mantlo of snow.
Miss Farquhar shuddered when sho bo
held tho grim-looking, shed-liko building,
and even Mr. Hartley experienced an un
pleasant sensation when ho felt tho thrill
that ran through his companion's frame
as sho leaned upon his arm.
" My sakes !" he said, "but this bo n
black-looking hotel."
" Any port in a storm friend," said tho
gracicr. " Besides, it is bettor in than out."
And ho knocked against, tho door heavily
with his fool.
Tho summons was answered by a tall
masculine-looking virago, weired, grizzly
looks and seamed face, as they showed
themselves in the ghastly light of tho rush
caudle which sho carried in her bony hand,
rendered her a not unfitting representative
of ono of Macbeth's witches.
Her first inquiry, pitched in a key which
denoted excessive wrath, was :
" Who tho de'll comes heie, knocking
a lone woman out of bod at sic liko hours ?"
But no sooner had sho set eyes on tho
drover than she exclaimed, in a tone of
intense surpriso :
"My certio 1 Joe, is it?"
Probably at somo sign from the person
she addressed, tho virago now changed hor
note. : '
" I beg your honor's pardon I mus mis
take." "No apology, good dame ; but will you
take in myself and thoso my fellow-travelers
for to-night ? Wo have met with a mishap
in the snow."
"Tak'yoinlandthatwilll! When did
ever auld Elsie turn tho traveler frao her
door and on siccan a nicht?" Walk in,
sirs and Madam walk in, my bonny man
(to the guard). For though I'm lone, and
the gudeman's e'en gone to York with the
kye, I'se warrant I'll find ye tho bit and
sup, and tho best ye's bo glad of, the
nicbt."
Thus speaking, and with a volubility
that left no room for a word to be slipped
m, sno ushered them into her kitchen, or,
at least, an apartment which answered the
purposo having first directed tho coachman
w no nau now joined them, where he might
stable his poor weary horses for tho night.
1 lie driver took tho lantern from tho
guard, and proceeded to secure his steeds
and tho other persons followed their hostess
iuto tho house.
The dame set before her cuests a savorv
dish of cow-heel and bacon, and homely as
was tho fare, so sharpened were their ap
petites that all even Miss Farquhar made
a hearty meal ; nor did the latter disdain
to tasto and to highly praiso tho veiy ex
cellent lorksluro alo which soasoued the
repast.
Sho had not long been concluded when tho
woman of tho houso rose, saying that she
must now see after tho sleeping accomoda
tions of tho travelers, or, at least, prepare a
bed for tho lady. The gentlemen, she said
must do as they best could with cloaks, and
a plaid or two in an inner room, which sho
would presently show them. With this
intimation she left the room, to the satis
faction of tho weary governess, who felt
scarcely capablo of keeping her eyes open
any longer.
After her departure thero was no conver
sation, for almost all tho travelers felt tho
inllueuco of fatiguo. Even tho guard for
they had all supped together, as under
such circumstances tho distinction of class
wero for awhilo forgotten yawned wearily
as ho sat looking abstractedly at the red
cinders of tho wood fire. Tho only ono of
tho party who appeared to bo wido awake
was tho seeming glazier and ho, after a
few minutes, left tho room, his departure
being unnoticed by tho others, who had
all closed their eyes, tho coachman and
guard suoreing audibly. '
After an interval of a quarter of an hour
the, passenger rcturnrtl, followed by tho
mistress of tho house, bearing a tray, on
which appeared six steaming glasses of
hot brandy-and-wator. The entrance of
tho pair disturbed tho occupants of tho
kitchen, who looked surprised at this new
addition to their entertainment.
Old Elsio spoke. " Sho had just maken
bauld," sho said, "to bring thee and tho
leddy a wee drap o' sperrits to gar them
sleep cannily, and troth she wadna bo tho
waur for a toothful hersel'."
Sayin which, it was to be noticed the
that Kho took ono of tho trlasses in hand
herself, handed another to tho grazier, and
placed the tray with tho remaining four
upon tho table before tho guests.
The guard took his readily, and Mr.
Hartley also drank half a glassful, but, to
the surpriso of them all, tho coachman
would not do so.
"He had a flask of his own," ho said,
"of which ho had taken as much as hp
wantedVhilst ho was in tho outhouse,
looking after his horses."
As for Miss Farquhar, no " persuasion
would iuduco her tasto tho spirit. Then
observing a frown on her hostess's brow
and not wishing to appear wanting in
civilty, sho added that she was greatly
obliged for tho attention, but that the ono
glass of ale which she had taken was quite
amplo for her wants, and she begged to
retire at once. .
Accordingly sho was conducted, some
what surlily, by tho woman, to an adjoin
ing apartment, which indeed, although ap
pearing cold and cheerless from its white-