The Rambler (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 21, Ed. 1, Tuesday, March 8, 1859 Page: 1 of 4
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THE
AMBLER
Afrt
V.'t
fc .r. j-
Vol. i
AUSTIN TEXAS TUESDAY MARCH 3 1859.
tsO. 21.
riHTnrriTrmtnTi.nniwnriiHii inn niiin iw i
Til K RA MBLER
Ih 'iililiKliol on "Torr 'i Mcsiltiy.
ftSlcft in Pecan Street near the Old
Post Office.
rruiiis.
'iw nni.uns si "irrv ornts per annum.
TAYAHLE IN ADVANCE.
Tr.HMS Slnnle Cn?y one year J2 50
Tu Cidds rlvc ent to one trtdrcn 10 0')
fn font to one Addrefi IS 50
Fl'teen sent to one adilrcai 25 00
TirciJty Bent In one vldros 30 00
nlTIM OF inVKHTIslx;
One Rquire. fol one In'crttnn f i m
O-ii-Sq.tre for Trrv subsequent Insertion 50
On Square six months T 001
Onr-Sq.nre nnrjr 10 00
A H-niM-eitnt will be ramie from the above Mtei
for ft(!vrtlsmnt oruT-r ine?qimrt.
A. (quHre U ten line of this sired type.
All lett-rs mid cnni'aunlcallnnS to be addressed to
i ii i.i:toV"at h'ui'iuR
I'tiltlishvi-N A: Proprietor.
The 9IICCCS.
CHA1TEK I.
At the extremity of tho villairo of
B . in sli ire and removed
rth'.ul. fifty yards from the high road
Hbtiida a small hat neat erection sur-
rounded by a wall ot sufficient height
to exclude the vision of the foot pas-
senger whilst the mixture of ever-
green shrubs and deciduous trees
which flourish in wild profusion im-
mediately beyond the boundary wall
presents at all seasons an impenetrable
shade to equestrians or travellers by
vehicle.
The entrance to the garden in which
the dwelling stands is by a small iron
hand gate situate about the centre
of the w.tll from which a gravel path
leads direct to Violet Cottage for
with such characters are the posts of
the said gate adorned. Our readers
imifct not picture to themselves a cot-
tage of the " thatch and ivy " style
but a (uoJuru red brick and blue slate
oroction with square 6ash windows in
front and boasting two sitting rooms
(known ot course as dining and draw-
ing rooms) a kitchen and four bed-
rooms. At the. time onr story commences
Violet Cottago was occupied by a
Bingle woman known by the name of
Mihh Screwpit. We say woman bo
caue we cannot in justice call her a
lady win. was not one. either in birth
oaih-Rtii.n or what is more to the
point by nature. The name of Screw-
pit may sound somewhat strange to
our reader's ears but custom recon-
ciles us to everything or rather to
most things and it will sovind natural
enough probably by the time this tale
comes to its conclusion. For our
own parts we can give no satisfactory
evidence as to the derivation of the
name unless wo surmise that her
ancestors were notorious tor the some-
what unenviable attribute conveyed
by the first syllable and that their
characters and motives were so itn
penetrable and deep as to require the
addition of the second. But aB these
are more suppositions we will dismiss
them '
Mis3 Screwpit the occupier and
what is of greater importance the
ofyner of Violet Cottage together with
a sister had been deprived of a moth-
er's tender care when in childhood ;
and from that period had been
brought up by their lather an ignor-
ant man who however knew how to
make money and keep it (a great art
by the way is the latter) ; and who
cured for nothing nor nobody so that
he could gave money.
Education for his daughters was not
thought of by him; for' he found he
had got on in the world without it
and ho thought they might; or if the
truth must l)e told but which ho
wpuld uot; acknowledge even to him-
boU' lie could not part with that by
which education was to he gained.
Happily or unhappily as our
readers think fit the Dame Leonarde
who presided over the terrestrial af-
fairs of Mr. Screwpjfc After the death of
hia wife instilled into the Miss Screw-
Eita ail the knowledge Bhe possessed
oth as related to things divine and
profane ; and although in the former
portions of her instructions some
amusing theological principles were
advanced yet these were partly ob-
literated in after years by a Sunday
school being established in the neigh-
borhood ; when at the instigation of
the dame Mr. Screwpit gave his per-
iniBsion 'for his daughters to attend it
being previously however fully con-
vinced that no lee was to be extorted
fox their tuition. But as the Misses
Screwpit wore not particularly as-
aiduon in. their oarch after know
lodge and followed their own inclina-
tions more than the wishes of others
we can assert they nevor ascended
many rounds in the ladder of learn-
ing. L'ho younger Miss Screwpit when
at tan unmentionable age incensed
her parent past forgiveness by enter-
toring the hymeneal hands with a
poison ho considered in every way her
Ulterior; and as his wrath did not
abate as his years increased Miss
Scrowpit the elder to whom weshould
not do justice did we not say that no
measure on her part was ever taken
to heal the breach between her father
'and sister found herself at the age of
fifty we trust we do not err left in
lull and sole possession of all her
parent's heaped up earnings.
The same week however that made
her mistress of this unlooked-for and
welcome independence brought also
the tidings of the death of her sister's
husband from a fever raging in that
part of tho county ho resided in and
likewise that her sister was suffering
from the same epidemic ; and the
third morning's post brought a still
further account of her final disease
together with her dying request that
she would take charge of her two
orphan and unprotected children.
Miss Screwpit would gladly have
refused to accede to this request al-
though it was the last wish and prayer
of a dying sister ; but she found on
inquiry that she could not suit her
own inclinations in this respect ; for
the solicitor who was engaged to ar-
range her affairs on the death of her
father explained that the parish of
C where her sister's family
resided could not be charged with
the maintenance of children whose
near relative was a woman of substance
as he informed Misb Screwpit she
would bo when all was finally settled.
Nov the solicitor's advice as to hia
fair clieut's taking chargo of the
children was to the full as selfish as
tho spirit Miss Screwpit had shown
in not wishing to have anything to do
with thorn ; since it must be confessed
he was not only a resident in O
himself but also a land owner in the
parifih and he well knew that the
rates would not be a whit lessoned by
the additional load which Miss Screw-
pir's parsimony would have cast upon
them. As it was MibS Screwpit was
told there was no alternative but to
take her two nieces and bring them
up until they were of sufficient ago to
gain their own living. Accordingly
tho two girls the one named Mary
and the other Matilda were sent for
to C by their aunt and resided
with her at her native village until all
matters relative to the will and proper-
ty of her deceased father were finally
settled ; when hearing through the
man of law before mentioned that in
a village about six miles distant a
very neat snug little place was to be
bought for little money Miss Screw-
pit invested a sum in its purchase.
and Violet Cottage in the village of
ii ? became the Heiress's resting
place.
For some months after the youngest
of her nieces had attained tho ago of
nine years Miss Screwpit was unde-
cided as to tho manner they should be
sent into the world whether as
servants to gain their livelihood by
manual labor; or on tho other hand
whether she should have them edu-
cated and see what good fortune they
might meet with in a matrimonial
point of view. She had a great ab
horrence of making them governesses
from once hearing a heart-rending them no good it can't do much harm
account of a governess who was in- you know; and if they don't get
duced to spend all her little property 'married they can work after can't
in fitting hersolf to teach others ; and thev ? "
after all being ill-treated in her situa- j " Now Mrs. Pullins you're mistook
tions and in most of them receiving there; for my poor father used to say
less salary than a lady's maid. Mies i ' What's the good of hedication but to
Screwpit had treasured up this lesson stick folk up with pride and set 'em
of life and she had long determined above their station?' This is what I
not to split .on tho same rock ; so it! don't like tho hedication for : because
only remained for her to decide on I if they shouldn't get off quick like
tho one course or the other viz: toj they mightn't like servants' work after
sond her nieces out as monials or toj tho piannor and jograty and them
bring them out as her nieces. Ilorj things you know Mrs. Pullins."
avarice led her one way and tho little " Well certainly there is something
love she had contracted for her wards in that; but I do think I would try
tended to lead her in tho other and tho education. I think it's best of
more liberal one. Sho was so undo' the two."
cided howovor on the matter for J "No doubt of it; and I think I
avarice and love (no wo should not shall do so as you advise me."
say love for Miss Scrowpit wub not . " Why if it does not do they can
capable of feeling real lovo for any but livo with you as they do now if
one but horsolf ; but wev will call- it th'oy won't go out as servants"
interest on behalf of her nieces)
avarice and interest kept up such a
continual warfaio in Miss Screwpit's
mind) that she could come to no
decision; so she determined to take
tho counsel of her bosom friend and
confidant Mrs. Pullin- who lived in
the cottage with tho green blinds at
the bottom ot the bridle road leading
tf the next village called Melstono.
Thiihor Miss Screwpit bent her steps.
" Good morning to you Mrs.
Fullins" said Miss Screwpit holding
out her right hand to that stout per-
sonage who had very much tho ap-
pearance of one that held all teetotal
doctrines at defiance and who like
wise might bo judged to be subject to
dropsy. u How are you this morning
deat?" she continued looking anxious?-!
ly in tier very bright lull-blown
countenance.
"Oh thank you love I am very
well; and 'how are you? "What an
age it is Miss Scrowpit since you've
been here! Come pray sit down"
said she ; and Mrs. Pullins handed
her a chair.
" My goodness! how terrible hot it
is awalking!" said Miss Scrowpit
throwing back her shawl and bonnet.
" It's quite sultry this looming ; don't
you find it so?" inquired she.
"Yes. my love " iep!iol the wid w
(wo forgot to say Mrs. Pullins was a
widow) " it is very hot and very
close."
" Ay it's very close up here; but
it's far worse down at Britstone" the
adjoining market town. "I walked
down there yesterday to buy a few
things ; and I never found it so hot in
all my boru days."
" Oh you know dearest it's very
hot in the town always" said Mrs.
Pullins.
" Well I went down there partly
with a view you know my dear Mrs.
Pullins to inquire about a school ;
for I am athinking it time I put Mary
and 'Tilda to one if I ever do it at all."
15 My dear I have often thought it
a pity they weren't out before this"
returned Mrs. Pullins.
" Well my dear Mrs. Pullins so
they would have been out long ago ;
but you see as how I haven't made
up my mind exactly yet how to do
with them. If I bring them up as
ladies it'll take a great deal of money
yon know which pVaps after all
might be all thrown away; sol don't
know what to do exactly. Do give
me your opinion my dear."
"Then I say" returned Mrs. Pull-
ins fanning herself with tho corner
of her apion "it would be more
creditable to bring them up like ladies
than like servants as you once told
me you thought of."
"So it would love I know that;
but then you know " said she. in
a marked manner and placed her hand
on the side ladies' pocketB aro gen
erally carried.
" Ah ! I know that" replied Mrs.
Pullins; " but you know 4he old sayT-
ing Miss Screwpit."
" No I don't" replied she.
" Why ' Money makes money' to
be sure" replied Mrs. Pullins. "And
I don't fear if you spent some money
in educating tho girls it would find
its way back. ' Money woll spent is
never lost' remember my love."
" Well I have a good mind to
speculate and make ladies of 'em"
said Miss Scrowpit. " What do yon
advise now. Mrs. Pullins ? "
" Oh ! my dear Miss Screwpit I'd
speculate by all means and try what
a good education does
It it (lOCB
"Oh! don't 6av nothing of that
Mrs. Pullins ; for as I told you afore I
I can't afford it. I can keep the two!
girls for a few years and myself and
a.servant comtortablo and lady-like;
but when girls is women it isn't so
cheap ; and what would I?- i-p
lady you know my love wouldn't
keep three."
"No certainly not my dear cer-
tainly not" returned Mi's. Pullins.
After some further conversation in
the same delightful strain intermin-
gled with a sufficient quantum of
"illago gossip (and Miss Scrowpit
might be considered high priestess to
that tattling goddess) the friendf
parted mutually pleased with eacli
other as usual.
Miss Screwpit was busy all the
following week preparing her nieces
for their exit from home and their
entree into that miniature world a
school. The largo and fashionable
boarding school of Mrs. Dorriston was
fixed upon ; and although tho terms
were somewhat high in Miss Screw-
pit's eyes and ideas yet having con-
sulted with her friend Mrs. Pullins
again that sage lady fully impressed
her that it was all tiie better for being
a high school ; and the more money
laid out the more found its way in
again ; so Miss Screwpit sent her
nieces to Mrs. Dorriston's.
They were under that good lady's
tuition for six years when Aliss Screw-
pit thinking they were sufficiently
accomplished for all she required
withdrew them; and with our reader's
permission we will follow their career
in another chapter.
on after n.
The two nieces of Miss Screwpit
wero made fully sensible of their
position by that lady. She told them
and continually reminded them that
their only biiness in life was to try
and get married as quickly a6 possible.
It would have been a grand climax to
her schemes if her nieces could capti-
vate men of wealth and good standing
in society ; . but she inwardly resolved
if her speculation did not turn out so
fortunate as she hoped that the ad-
vances of a matrimonial nature even
from persons of second rate stamp
should not bo repelled ; for she
groaned heavily under the burden of
having to maintain her own sister's
offspring.
At length the time drew near that
was fixed upon for the debut of Mary
and Matilda Hal ton. The former was
now nineteen years of age and the
latter a year younger. The counten-
ance of Mary Ilalton was one that
would be termed pleasing although it
was tho expression rather than" the
features themselves that made it so.
Her eyes were dark and very expres
6ivo; bnt the slight and scarcely per-
ceptible stoop in her figure denoted a
natural or accidental "deformity. It
was the latter; for when yet a child
she had by a false step fallen down
a flight of stairs and injured heroine;
and although partiallyCiired yet she
eyen now occasionally felt ana -bore
in silence the suffering arising from it.
The appearance of the youngest
Matilda was perfectly opposite. She
was rather above tho middle height
and of a stout robust form. Iler
black hair of which she had an abund-
ance formed a pleasing contrast to
her blue oyes. Her cheeks were rosy
red ; and being exceedingly upright
iu her figure and carriage sho looked
in tho words of her aunt whose favorite
she was " a reg'lar first rate voting
lady." Such were the two nieces of
Miss Screwpit.
It being tho season of Christmas
and that festive time being celebrated
in a very social jovial way in B
and its neighborhood Miss Screwpit
and her nieces received inany invita-
tions from the surrounding fanners
anu small gentry ; and as sho wished
to lose no time in introducing her
charges to tho young marriageable
"gents" as she termed them very
few were refused. Many a night and
afternoon did tho old post chaise of
tho village inn drive up to the gate of
" Violet Cottago ;" and many remarks
were made' by the stay-at-home gossips
of B on the gay life our spinster
seemed so eagerly to puisno. But
Mrs. Pullins who generally made one
of tho party in the post chaiso agreed
perfectly with Miss Screwpit that it
was better and in the end cheaper
to cut a dash and get her nieces mar-
ried than by keeping them at home
preventing their chance of getting
husbands and thus entailing the ne
cessity of supporting them for a period
of time Miss Screwpit's mind could
not enduro to dwell on.
In the next village called Melstono
which wo havo before mentioned
resided a large landed pioprietor.
talled Colonel Seaham. The whole of
the village of Melstono and n great
portion ot tho parish of B was
owned by this gentleman ; afid it was
his custom the week after Christmas
to give all )iis tenants and persons
of that class in the two villages u
dinner; and his lady entertained their
Wives and daughters with a tea and
ball the same evening when fhey
were joined by the gentlemen who
had been partaking of the hospitality
of the Colonel. This was an annual
affair at Melstono ; and it was a gi cat
source of delight to Miss Scicwpit to
receive an invitation from Mis. Col-
onel Seaham requesting the pleasure
of her and her nieces' company to the-
tea and ball to be given the following
Friday.
The intervening space of time be-
tween receiving the invitation and the
day they were to visit Melstone House
was spent for the most part in pre
paring dresses for the occasion by
Miss bcrewpit ; whilst 6he occasional
ly gave a lecture upon enptivation
and elegant manners : and although
her ideas of the elegant were son e-
what opposite to the rnles taught at
Mrs. Dorriston's seminary yet her
nieces either from fear or fiour
curiosity listened ge.nerally with great
patience.
We will now introduce the char
acters to speak for themselves.
In the usual Bitting apartment ot
Violet Cottage aro seated Miss Screw
pit and Maryland Matilda Ilalton.
It is about three o'clock in the after- '
noon -f a cheerful fire is burning in tho
grate; and the former lady is sitting-half-asleep
on her chair with her fep;t -resting
on the fender Her figure is
somewhat slight ; and! her 'face has
that shrivelled appearance so often
observable in ladies of an unknown
chronological date. Iler hair not yet
grey (thanks to the numerous dyoB
she has used) is curled in double
rows about her sharp countenance as
if intended to astonish the bcholdeis
at some few hours 1-ence. On diveis
portions of her face spots of grease
glisten in tho light thrown upon them
by the fire -thoy are applied to allay
and render less visible various chaps
spots and pimples which cold De-
cember weather brings to such per-
fection her dress consists of a cotton
dressing robe thrown negligee over
her figure ; and from her ears hang
pendants of great size if not value ;
and one may perceive at a glance sho
is in that period of dishabille and
preparation an hour beforo dressing
for a party.
Matilda site opposite in a some-
what similar attitude perusing with
eager eye the last novel from the
Britstone Library ; whilst Mary
looking somewhat pale and unwell is
seated at a table busily engaged at
needlework.
Suddenly Miss Screwpit staB up
hearin'g hei clock strike four nnnbidt?
hernjecea go and prepare themselves.
Matilda Vent out. of the room reading ;
and before Mary hid aside her work
she said " Do you think aunt Mrs.
Seaham would excuse my absence
from her party this evening? I do
not feel well and would rather stay
at home."
lT linin im rlrinlif -t.nn irrvulil " rn
.i.
..... v wv.... .. ..v-mm up-
turned Miss Screwpit in a fene.ering
tone; ''but as I tell you always out
you must and shall go ; for what's tho
good of me having spent no end of
money on your singing and playing
and dancing and all those other con
cerns if yon don't show them ? No
no ; I'll have no stopping at home
for out yon shall go."
"Very well ; I tun quite willing to
go aunt" said Mary meekly (for fcho
wished tp cut short the old lady's
volubility tearing it would end as
usual in an hour's locturo on tho im-
perative duty of marrying immediate-
ly) ; " but I do not feel quite woll Hub
afternoon "
" Oh nonsense child ! the ride apd
tho party will do you good. Besides
this iB such a party as you have.
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Carleton, William. The Rambler (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 21, Ed. 1, Tuesday, March 8, 1859, newspaper, March 8, 1859; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth78462/m1/1/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.