________________________________________________
_ A TALE.
A Gentleman whose family name I shall conceal, bought a small
Cottage in Pembrokeshire about two years ago. This daring Action
was suggested to him by his elder Brother who promised to furnish
two rooms and a Closet for him, provided he would take a small
house near the borders of an extensive Forest, and about three
Miles from the Sea. Wilhelminus gladly accepted the offer and
continued for some time searching after such a retreat when he
was one morning agreably releived from his suspence by reading
this advertisement in a Newspaper.
TO BE LETT
A Neat Cottage on the borders of an extensive forest and about
three Miles from the Sea. It is ready furnished except two rooms
and a Closet.
The delighted Wilhelminus posted away immediately to his brother,
and shewed him the advertisement. Robertus congratulated him and
sent him in his Carriage to take possession of the Cottage.
After travelling for three days and six nights without stopping,
they arrived at the Forest and following a track which led by
it's side down a steep Hill over which ten Rivulets meandered,
they reached the Cottage in half an hour. Wilhelminus alighted,
and after knocking for some time without receiving any answer or
hearing any one stir within, he opened the door which was
fastened only by a wooden latch and entered a small room, which
he immediately perceived to be one of the two that were
unfurnished--From thence he proceeded into a Closet equally
bare. A pair of stairs that went out of it led him into a room
above, no less destitute, and these apartments he found composed
the whole of the House. He was by no means displeased with this
discovery, as he had the comfort of reflecting that he should not
be obliged to lay out anything on furniture himself--. He
returned immediately to his Brother, who took him the next day to
every Shop in Town, and bought what ever was requisite to furnish
the two rooms and the Closet, In a few days everything was
completed, and Wilhelminus returned to take possession of his
Cottage. Robertus accompanied him, with his Lady the amiable
Cecilia and her two lovely Sisters Arabella and Marina to whom
Wilhelminus was tenderly attached, and a large number of
Attendants.--An ordinary Genius might probably have been
embarrassed, in endeavouring to accomodate so large a party, but
Wilhelminus with admirable presence of mind gave orders for the
immediate erection of two noble Tents in an open spot in the
Forest adjoining to the house. Their Construction was both
simple and elegant--A couple of old blankets, each supported by
four sticks, gave a striking proof of that taste for architecture
and that happy ease in overcoming difficulties which were some of
Wilhelminus's most striking Virtues.
-THE END-
Scraps, A collection of juvenile writings by Jane Austen _
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