Pearly Hall. A tale. With hints to wives and mothers

Preface

. ' I **HE following few pages are intended chiefly for the labouring class, and are published for the purpose of showing to young men that, however unfavourable the surroundings may be at the start in life, it is nevertheless quite possible, by persevering industry, honesty, truth, and sobriety, to reach a point in life, sooner or later, of comfort and respectability. The Hints to Alothers are given with a hope of inducing them always to endeavour, if possible, to place their young daughters in situations where they can learn something that may be useful to them at a future stage in life, always bearing in mind the fact that a time will come, if they live, when they will have a home of their own to manage, and very much of their own personal happiness will B

PREFACE.

. depend on their ability so to discharge the various house duties as to make the home comfortable. Wives and mothers — remember that it is a very sad thing, when a married labouring man can, owing to any cause whatever, find more comfort for his evenings in the public-house than by his own fireside. We have known cases, however, where, in spite of many dis comforts, the husband, from a sense of duty, has made it a rule to spend his evenings at home.

Chapter I. Pearly Hall

(or, as it was called in the neighbourhood, the Great Hall) was a large, oblong, old-fashioned mansion, built of brick and stone, and standing on rather high ground in what had been a large park ; but several farms having been taken out of it, the park now was much reduced in size. The principal front of the mansion was nearly full south, the ground sloping gently away to the south and west and rising a little for some distance behind to the north, north-east, and east. All the high ground in the rear of the Hall had been well planted at some bygone time, and was now so thoroughly covered with fine timber and bushy under growth that it was called the Wilderness. Here in the spring-time, the notes of the nightingale could be heard to perfection. Near the south-eastern boundary of the park was a large piece of w7ater, "the Lake," in which were two islands, much frequented by wild ducks and other waterfowls at certain seasons.

On the larger of these islands was a representation of an old ruined forti fication, which gave a romantic touch to the picturesque view from the Hall. Underneath these artificial ruins was an archway or tunnel, running irregularly nearly the whole length of the island. It had evidently been built before the forma tion of the lake, during which it was covered in with earth, openings being left for light to enter the tunnel. About midway on one side were some large, rough stone steps, by means of which one could ascend to the top, and come out on to a nearly level and large piece of green sward, in the midst of the supposed fortifications, and surrounded by large trees, some fine old laburnums, bushes of black and white thorn, and many other shrubs, which, when the thorns were in bloom, formed a beautiful sight.

To the south and west, and for some distance to the south-east, was a noble landscape. Several farmhouses could be seen through the trees, with their ricks and homesteads in the distance ; two of them belonging to a gentleman named Thornton, wdiose property adjoined on the east side the lands belonging to the Pearly Estate. The other farms were part of the Pearly property, which was well timbered ; indeed, the farmers said too well, in their opinion. As for the Hall itself, it must be confessed there was nothing particular to notice as to architectural display, except at the east end a rather high clock tower, from the top of which, in clear weather, a grand view could be had of the surrounding country. The mansion was very strongly built; but the architect, whoever he may have been, evidently thought much more of the comfort and convenience of those living in the house than of the opinion of passers by, for the arrangement within was all that could be desired, both as regarded the comfort of the family and the convenience of the domestic servants, and so well was this fact known, that some visitors used to call it the " Alodel Hall."

The family at the Hall consisted of seven persons — Lord and Lady Pearly, and their three sons and two daughters. The number of visitors at the Hall was at times rather large, and consequently the establishment of servants was large also and well appointed, the upper servants being carefully selected ; for when once in the situation, they had full control of all matters for which they were held responsible. On this principle all things were kept in good order, and worked well ; for, although many servants were employed at the Hall, it was very seldom that anything unpleasant occurred. All this was in perfect contrast to another large establishment not far off, called Thornhill Grove ; a very fine place with a large estate, belonging to the gentleman previously7 alluded to — James West Thornton, Esquire — and to this establishment we shall have to refer again as w7e go on.

We have said the landscape in front of Pearly Hall was very fine, but before leaving it altogether we ought to add that some miles away to the south-east could be seen three large hills, at the bottom of one of which was a strong spring of good water always flowing, and as it passed along received other streams, more or less in volume according to the season, and so became a rather large brook by the time it reached the lake in Pearly Park. After leaving the lake the water passed on to the west, going through and beyond the Pearly Estate, and then, turning northwards, the stream swept round to a large village called Summerford, about a mile from the Hall, where it formed a large millhead, and was used to work a flour mill and a paper factory. The village of Summerford was very pleasantly situated, facing the setting sun, which on a fine summer's evening could be seen in all its glory — a sight which was much enjoyed both by visitors and villagers.

In addition to a large number of cottages, there were also built in snug, pleasant places several nice villas, inhabited by per sons in easy circumstances. Altogether Summerford might be considered a village of more than average importance. At each end of the village was a large farm homestead. That at the south-east end, together with many of the houses in the village, belonged to the Pearly Estate. The church was an ancient and rather large building, standing a little way out of the village on high ground. At the entrance door was a porch with a thick oak seat or bench on each side, where poor old people could sit and chat, the porch being thickly covered with ivy, and about thirty feet away stood two very fine yew trees. The church had a rather squat appearance, having a square tower over the entrance, in which were six bells, and above it a wooden steeple capped by a vane.

(Oddly enough, the sign of the village public -house was " The Six Bells.") The church inside was very plain and roomy. At the east end was a large window, which had a very curious appearance. Originally of stained or painted glass, it had been broken in not a few places, and had been mended with common green glass in small squares, which gave it very much the appearance of patchw7ork. The only thing to be said about the churchyard is that it gave evidence of a large number of interments, and much more wood than stone in memory of the dead. The village of Summerford was a place of some busi ness, and there were several shopkeepers and tradesmen of various callings, among these one Air. John White, a dapper little active business man, by trade a grocer, but who also sold a lot of other things.

Air. White, be it observed, had two windows to his shop, which none of his rivals in trade could boast of, and likewise an assist ant and an apprentice, with plenty for them to do, especially on a Saturday. Air. White was a clean, smart man, very particular about his dress and his shop, and known to be truthful and honest ; so most of the best customers of the neighbourhood came to his shop, and he " had the honour " (as he used to say) of supplying Pearly Hall. We may here mention another tradesman of the neigh bourhood — the blacksmith, Thomas Steadman, a strong, hard-working man, who had suffered the loss of one eye. He did a good trade at his smithy and shoeing shop, and employed several men to assist in the business. Among them was a stout young apprentice of the same name as himself, but whether he was a relation of the master smith I know not.

His friends lived a long way off, some seventy or eighty miles, at a place called Flaxleigh ; and before this youth left home he had formed an acquaintance with the eldest daughter of a farm labourer who had a large family of sons and daughters. The man's name was Job Phillips, and, being very poor, he was obliged to get employment for his children as soon as they were able to do anything to earn a sixpence. The person that used to write letters for Jane Phillips was requested by old Job to ask young Steadman, on one occasion, if he would kindly try to get some employment for his son William with the farmers at Summerford. There was a reason for this request that did not appear on the surface. The father and mother of Jane Phillips were very anxious to know how young George Steadman conducted himself while he was so far away, especially as he continued his writing to Jane ; but George Steadman had no suspicion of anything of the kind, and was very willing to help them in any way he could.

He therefore made inquiry at once among the farmers, and one day meeting Mr. Bonner, the bailiff to Lord Pearly, he stated the case to him, and was successful in obtaining a favourable reply. Mr. Bonner said he could find employment for the boy, at least for a time, if Steadman or any of his friends could get him to Summerford. This, however, was no easy matter; for a poor boy to travel so many miles was no trifle ; but, after much thought and some conversation with his master about it, young Steadman wrote for the boy to be sent, giving the best directions for the journey he could ; and at length the difficulties were over come, and young William Phillips arrived at Summerford in safety, and was employed on the Pearly Home Farm, and had one friend near that he knew — George Steadman — who always mentioned William when he wrote to Jane, which was a great comfort to the poor father and mother.

Poor William Phillips received very low wages, and had a hard time of it for the first two years, after which things improved with him, for the boy began to show some good qualities. He w7as very industrious, soon learned to do his work well, and seldom required to be shown more than once. All this was noticed by Mr. Bonner and others, and a little rise in his wages was the consequence. One day, about this time, a very heavy gale of wind blew down a large extent of the park paling. A proper person was sent for to repair the damage, and he required some one to assist him. The boy Phillips was sent for that purpose, and in this instance the old saying proved true, that it is an ill wind that blows no one good. The lad was much pleased with his new kind of work. He took great interest in all the man did, and was very active and attentive, so much so, that one day when Air.

Bonner came as usual to see how the work was going on, the man praised him much to Air. Bonner as being a good, useful lad, and of much assistance to him. After some time the wrork was satisfactorily finished, and young Phillips returned to his usual work on the farm, continuing to do so for some time ; but as Air. Bonner saw some broken paling in various places, he thought he would see if Phillips could repair it, and accordingly supplied him with the necessary tools for the wprk, and sent him to a part of the park fence that was behind some thorns, so that if the work w7as badly done it would not be much in sight. Poor Phillips w7as so elated at this that he worked on the first day without stopping to eat his dinner, and when Air. Bonner came to see the work he was well satisfied both as to quantity and quality of the work.

From this time William Phillips was generally employed on the estate as a rough carpenter, and received an increase of wages, doing any repairs to the barn, cottages, gates, and fences required. Here we must leave him for the present, hard at work and in good health.

Chapter II. We

have said there was a family of five children at the Hall, but at this time the two elder sons were away at school, the two daughters and the youngest son only being at home. To attend to the three children there were a governess and a nursemaid. The governess was a staid and well educated person, properly qualified to fill such a position. The nursemaid, whose name was Amelia Hall, was a clean, well conducted, young woman, who faithfully discharged her duties. A young man of the village, a very steady, industrious young fellow named Timothy Smithers, paid some attention to this nursemaid, and these two young people used to meet at times and walk out together. These meetings soon became very pleasant on both sides and also very frequent, and this continued for some length of time, at the end of which they were married at Summerford Church, their relations and friends having assisted them to furnish a little cottage with common necessaries.

But when Mrs. Smithers got to the new home she found out to her grief that, with everything to do, she had everything to learn, and consequently it was not well done, much of the work taking three times as long as it ought to, and as it really took some of her near neigh bours. Her husband noticed this, and made some re marks about it kindly, for he was a lover of home, though poor. His wife was a kind-hearted, well disposed, affec tionate woman, anxious that her home should be like some she had seen and thought so very comfortable, especially the home of one George Quick, who lived near PEARL Y HALL. 1 1 them. Timothy was a little vexed sometimes about his home matters, but the kind attentions of his wife, which he could not help both seeing and feeling, went far to cover a multitude of defects.

One evening, however, Timothy was later home than usual, and Mrs. Smithers, having got all ready to the best of her ability, sat by the little fire, wondering why he was so late, and what could be the cause of it. At length he came in, and away went all her fears. Timothy told his wife he had called to see George Quick about their club, as he came past their cottage ; he thought it better than going out again after tea. All that was right enough ; but after a while his wife noticed that he was unusually quiet and said very little, so much so that presently Airs. Smithers asked anxiously if he was well. This inquiry appeared to wake him up, and he replied : " Oh yes, thank you ; never better, but a little tired, and I was thinking." Airs. Smithers was naturally curious to know what he was thinking about.

Well, the fact was Smithers had noticed some things in Quick's cottage that would not bear comparison with his own, and that caused him to think, and for some reason his thoughts would keep running in that direction. After a little Airs. Smithers repeated her question. At last, and looking as kind as ever, Timothy said : " I was thinking about Quick's room ; everything looked so neat and comfortable. Mrs. Quick appears to have a place for everything, and everything in its place. I thought as I sat there it was quite true what people say about her." These few words cut poor Airs. Smithers severely, and brought a deep blush on her cheeks ; but, without saying PEARL Y HALL. 12 a word, she contrived as soon as possible to get by herself for a time, for now it was her turn to think. After a time she endeavoured as well as she could to shake off her unpleasant thoughts, and finally determined not to be outdone by Mrs. Quick or any one else, if health and strength were only sufficient.

And with this resolve she proceeded with her domestic duties from this time, get ting a hint from one and a little instruction from another; indeed, her neighbours were very willing to show her when they found her so anxious to learn. Several of them, and especially Mrs. Quick, would run in for half an hour, and help her on special occasions, when she got into a difficulty, which at first often happened, for prac tically she knew nothing; but, having made a firm re solve, she persevered, and after a long time and a hard struggle her efforts were crowned with success, to her great joy and her husband's complete satisfaction. After this the home of Timothy Smithers was what every poor man's ought to be — clean, orderly, and no waste of any thing ; and what surprised Mrs. Smithers now beyond everything else was that, instead of having more work than she could do, there was time to spare for matters she at first thought must go undone, and yet she did not work half so hard as when she first came home to the cottage life, and, beside that, all was now well done.

This improvement in the home was a great joy to Timothy, who often spoke of it to his workfellows, saying what a pleasure it was to him now to go home, for he believed his wife was one of the best women living. Attached to the cottage where Timothy Smithers lived was a good garden, in which he employed every spare five minutes, when there was light after tea. This PEARLY LLALL. 13 garden paid well for the attention bestowed upon it, and produced many wholesome vegetables, much better than they could buy, even if they had the money to spare, being fresh from the garden. While Smithers was work ing in the garden his Amelia was busy doing something useful in the cottage. Thus they both " pulled together," as the saying is. Smithers loved his wife and his home more and more every day, and Airs- Smithers returned the affection with good interest as a woman can do.

Airs. Smithers had no sly tricks and dodges between her and the neighbours near that she wished to conceal from her husband. Such a thing, in her opinion, was altogether beneath the dignity of a wife, and consequently she en joyed the full confidence of her husband, and at length their home was one of truth, peace, industry, and love. They had, with careful management, sufficient of the common necessaries of life, but very little to spare after the wants of the healthy, smiling babe now lying in the cradle were properly attended to, which was thoroughly well done by Airs. Smithers, as was plain to every one who saw " the little treasure," as the fond mother used to call it frequently, but at other times it was " My darling."

Chapter III. When

we last saw William Phillips the lad was employed as a rough carpenter on the Pearly estate and as two years or rather more have passed since then, we now find him much improved in several respects, but especially in his ability as a carpenter; for by his perseverance he had become very handy, often bemg employed at the Hall, and also doing the necessary repair ing of any of the cottages on the estate. His work always gave Mr. Bonner satisfaction, but his wages were low, although now equal to those of the men on the farm. About this time William Phillips took a great fancy to the kitchenmaid at the Hall, a strong, active, rosy-cheeked girl, and about his owm age. Her name was Mary Patter son, but her fellow-servants called her " Rosy Polly." She was under a thorough good cook, one Airs. Jenkins, a sharp, stern woman ; indeed, so sharp, that some people (not perhaps the best) called her " Airs.

Allcrab." But there is one thing 1 can say of her as a cook : she never had bad potatoes, no matter as to sort, or where they came from. The cook always looked closely into Alary 's work to see that it was well done ; but it was very seldom she had any reason to complain, for Polly used to scrub and sing merrily : some said she " sang like a nightingale." She had a good voice, and William Phillips sometimes heard this voice as he was passing, and though he did not see the maid, it always produced a smile on his countenance. These two young people w7ere fond of being together whenever an opportunity offered. This soon became known at the Hall and in the neighbourhood, and was generally approved of, for many said they would make a good match. For the first four or five years of his life on the Pearly Estate, William Phillips lodged at the cottage of one of the carters employed on the farm.

This man's wife could read and write, her friends having been able to send her to a good school when young ; but, her father having died when she was about fifteen, her mother had been obliged to send her to service at a farmhouse in the neighbour hood, and from this she was married to a young carter. This woman, finding young Phillips anxious to improve himself, and, as she used to say, " a good boy," very kindly taught him to read and write in the winter's evenings. About this time a circumstance occurred in the village of Summerford which proved in the end of great advan tage to young Phillips. Air. James Glover, a man well to do, living on his own little freehold with his wife and one servant, a widow named Nancy Woods, was suddenly taken seriously ill, and continued so for a long time, and was considered to be in a dangerous state.

He had been a bailiff and manager of a large farm and other property for a gentleman for some years, but had lately given it up, and was living in retirement, and as the illness of Air. Glover still continued, Airs. Glover thought it very desirable to have someone to sleep in the house, " in case of any change for the worse." But there was some difficulty in finding a suitable person, willing to do so, that Airs. Glover approved of, but after a time one of the neighbours mentioned Phillips as being a very steady young man. Air. Bonner was consulted, and he promised to speak to the young man. He found him quite willing, although it was a walk of a full mile every night and morning to and from his work. William Phillips very soon discovered that the lodging at Air. Glover's was very superior to any he had been used to before.

He accordingly did all he could to please, and soon became a great favourite, both with Airs. Glover and the servant, doing willingly any little jobs they wished done. He was very attentive, and never out from the house in the evening, but occupied his spare time in reading or trying to improve his writing. Mrs. Glover see ing this, kindly lent him some books on useful subjects, and William Phillips was very thankful for this kindness, for he could now see it was a matter of great importance to him. Air. Glover's house was a large, old-fashioned place, and just outside the kitchen door was a shed used for wood and other firing or any lumber. One evening William (for so they called him) ventured to ask Mrs. Glover if she would allow him to put up in this shed a rough carpenter's bench, at which he could work of an evening, at the same time mentioning a few things that wanted doing in the house, and which he promised to do.

Airs. Glover at once granted his request with evident pleasure, but with the condition that no heavy work should be done that would disturb Air. Glover. For tunately his room was quite away on the other side of the house. Mrs. Glover also gave him leave to use some old boards to part off a portion of the shed for his own use. This offer was very thankfully accepted by William, and soon made into a very useful, tidy place, with a bench on one side. After a few little jobs had been done, Phillips set to w7ork to make himself a tool-chest ; but he was a long time getting a set of carpenter's tools to fill the chest when made ; but he was very saving, and he soon got a few. The tools Phillips used in his work were supplied by Air. Bonner, and belonged to the estate ; but now William had no lodging to pay, his tea was always ready when he reached home, and on Sundays he stayed with old Nancy in the kitchen.

As for Mrs. Glover, the chief part of her time was passed in the sick room. In addition to the advantages Phillips derived from being at Air. Glover's, he again received a little rise in wages, which was well deserved, and with which he was highly pleased. Every shilling he could save he put by towards purchasing some new tool to add to his chest. William Phillips continued to work hard to improve himself in many ways, and it was observed that he did so in a very manifest degree. Among other things, Phillips was careful to have a decent suit of clothes to wear on a Sunday when he went to church, which he always did twice, or to some place of worship. But while Phillips was engaged in these matters, contrary to all expectation Air. Glover began to amend, and daily get better, to the great joy of poor Airs.

Glover and her maid-servant, and to the surprise of the neighbours and also to Doctor Griper, who had considered the case hopeless. The im provement, however, was slow, for he had been brought very low — even to the brink of the grave, and it was long before he could get downstairs. At length he did, though only for a short time each day, being assisted down and up again ; but his strength increased daily, and he used to say it was such a pleasure to look out on the green meadows again, as he thought they looked more beautiful and greener than ever. After a time he was able to sit up all day, and soon after to come down with out help, and next get out into the garden or road and speak to neighbours passing, and to many that came to congratulate him. The neighbours said " Jimmy Glover had taken a new lease of his life," and Mrs. Glover was so delighted that she knew not how to express her joy sufficiently.

From o this time Mr. Glover's health continued to improve, and the doctor ceased his visits. But now came the question as to Phillips — was he to leave or not ? After talking the matter over, all appeared to wish he should continue, especially Mrs. Glover, who by this time almost looked upon him as one of the family ; and so it was settled that he should remain if he chose. One evening after tea, Air. Glover thanked William very warmly for his attention during his illness, and for his good conduct in the house and civility to Airs. Glover, and finished by saying he should continue to lodge with them as long as he pleased. In reply to this, William expressed his thanks very heartily, and felt that a load was taken off his mind, for the comfort of such a home and the advantage it was to him, made it a matter of great importance, and he also valued the books and " the workshop," as he called it, in which he had his little bench and tools, all which he must have left behind, except the tools, if he had to leave the house.

It being now settled that William should remain at Mr. Glover's, he applied himself with redoubled diligence to self-improvement, and Air. Glover kindly gave him some lessons in arithmetic on winter evenings, which were greatly needed by Phillips. He also taught him how to measure timber. In this way they passed through the first winter after Air. Glover's recovery, and the time thus spent was of lasting benefit to William Phillips, and afforded pleasant evening amusement to Mr. Glover. All this time Phillips continued his attentions to Polly Patterson ; they became strongly attached to each other, and were never so happy as when walking out too-ether ■ but this, of late, had been rather seldom, for both were much employed, and Patterson had very little time for walking out ; but they always managed to meet and go to church or to some place of worship together on Sunday.