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Gentleman's Magazine 1800 p.24
women well and plainly dressed in neat check-aprons, a
useful and becoming part of rural dress; nevertheless we had
a fine glare of ribbons.
About two, the party went, as they had come, all together. A
homely bed served me as well as a bed of down could have
done; for the hurry both of body and mind, in so interesting
a day, chased away sleep; yet I had a sufficiency to be
refreshed. In the morning, our heroine was in her working
dress; and she exhibited just enough of hair, to convince me
that she had taken my hint properly.
The weather was louring; and I did not wish, in case of a
downfall, to be entombed in Buttermere; therefore, taking
the opportunity of being alone, I told her I knew the author
of a Fortnight's Ramble, and as such had something to say to
her; she curtsied respectfully; and taking her by the hand I
began:
"Mary, I wrote it, and rejoice in having had such an
opportunity of minutely observing the propriety of your
behavious. You may remember, I advised you in that Book
never to leave your native valley. Your age and situation
require the utmost care. Strangers will come, and have come,
purposely to see you; and some of them with very bad
intentions. We hope you will never suffer from them; but
never cease to be upon your guard. You really are not so
handsome as you promised to be; and I have long wished, by
conversation like this, to do away with what mischief the
flattering character I gave of you may expose you to. Be
merry and wise."
She told me, she sincerely thanked me, and said, "I hope,
Sir, I ever have, and trust I always shall take care of
myself."
I then gave her a a hearty salute; bade her farewell!
and, teeming with good wishes towards my felow mortals,
toiled out of the Valley of Buttermere.
A RAMBLER.
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