The Wizard of West Penwith

ratic Cornish families in that neighbourhood,-the one as coachman, the other as cook. Mr. Brown was rather effeminate and methodical in his manners

and as to his shoes!-if Mr. Brown was more particular in one part of his dress than another, it was in the polish of his shoes, which did credit to "Warren's Jet Blacking" and their master's energy and skill,-for he invariably gave them an extra polish himself before he put them on of a morning, after Bill, the stable

And, although it was January month, when most horses have their winter coats, yet, what with grooming and clothing, and regular feeding and exercise, Mr. Brown's mare Jessie was as sleek and sm

. She was neat, in her dress also, but not quite so particular as her husband. A chintz gown, looped up through the pocket-holes,-a large coloured silk handkerchief thrown over her shoulders, and pinne

d-of-all-work), whose name was Polly, and a boy in the stables to attend to Jessie the mare, and do other little jobs to help the women. Mr. Brown made himself useful in the house if required, when customers came in, by drawing beer and attending to their wants, but

itchen alone,-the latter having sent Polly upstairs, to brush up a bit, while she went on with some work she had in hand

think," said Mr. Brown, "this beautiful afternoon. I sh

more fuss made about that mare than ef she'd b'en a ch

. "Your sarvant, sar," he continued, as he met a tall handsome young man in the passage; and without waiting for a reply from the stranger, he returned to the kitche

at her husband, and curtseying at the same time to the stranger;

friends," said the stranger; "all I want is something to

" said Mr. Brown; "have us, Peggy? And as to a 'shake

rough which Mr. Brown made his escape, calling Billy, by way of covering his retreat, without being further exposed to the strang

own's seat, and extended his legs before him, as if he was quite at home,

of your best ale to begin with, and then s

replied Mrs. Brown; "but ef you can wait 'bout half-

in your yard;-and while you are dressing the eggs and bacon, I will try if I can get some one to fet

lord, combing his horse's tail with a co

ing at the mare with the eye of a connoisseur; "but what can you

your pardon," replied Mr

ce. I came out to know if you could get anyone to go to Tol-pedn

ed Mr. Brown; "why that's Lieutenant Foster's

aid the stranger;-"co

ke the mare and ride down there,-it'll be very good exercise f

eutenant Fowler, written on a leaf torn from the gentleman's pocket-book, while

"Easy! easy, now!" exclaimed Mr. Brown, calling after the b

he wind as to the boy or the mare, who seemed both i

he money come from to buy another? But no money could do it! Why, I wouldn't take a hundred guineas for th

o appease his appetite, while the landlord went into the stable to lament once more over the wilfulness of that scamp of a boy, as he called him, and to see that all things were ready for his pet when she came back

of brandy and water, and you must take one too; so mix

t the two brandies. "Come, Poll! Poll! Polly!" But as Polly did not come, he was obliged to bustle about himself; for he received no help from his wife, al

nd looking up in surprise and alarm,-while poor Mr. Brown

-God bless him!"-and the stranger lifted his hat, which he had kept on out of compliment to his host and hostess. "I mean Mr. Freeman

rd, I reckon," replied Mrs. Brown, getting up from her seat and going to the

called a 'conjuror,' th

earer to the chimney-corner; "iss,-just as much

uring on a laugh, now that his courage w

a clatter down the road, a

a'ready, can aw? To ride the mare like that es too bad! too bad! I'll kill 'n ef 't

mare sure enough, standing at the stable-door without a rider, trembling from he

nose into his arms, and caressed it as if it had been a favourite daughter, while the stranger examined her all over, but could find no wound or

said the stranger, "but I d

rrow roads and bye lanes instead of the high road. There's two or three ways of going to Tol-pedn-Penwith from here; and lik

oy may die," said the stranger, "

now, if missus will get Polly to make a 'warm mash,' and give it to her