'FARMER NORTON, 'I send to your house, for one night only, a young gentlewoman, much

against her will, who has deeply embarked in a love affair, which

will be her ruin, as well as the person's to whom she wants to betroth

herself. I have, to oblige her father, ordered her to be carried to one

of my houses, where she will be well used, to try, if by absence, and

expostulation with both, they can be brought to know their own interest

and I am sure you will use her kindly for my sake: for, excepting

this matter, which she will not own, she does not want prudence and

discretion. I will acknowledge any trouble you shall be at in this

matter the first opportunity; and am 'Your Friend and Servant.' He had said, too cunningly for me, that I would not own this pretended

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love affair; so that he had provided them not to believe me, say what I

would; and as they were his tenants, who all love him, (for he has some

amiable qualities, and so he had need!) I saw all my plot cut out, and

so was forced to say the less. I wept bitterly, however; for I found he was too hard for me, as well in

his contrivances as riches; and so had recourse again to my only refuge,

comforting myself, that God never fails to take the innocent heart into

his protection, and is alone able to baffle and confound the devices of

the mighty. Nay, the farmer was so prepossessed with the contents of

his letter, that he began to praise his care and concern for me, and to

advise me against entertaining addresses without my friends' advice

and consent; and made me the subject of a lesson for his daughter's

improvement. So I was glad to shut up this discourse; for I saw I was

not likely to be believed. I sent, however, to tell my driver, that I was so fatigued, I could not

get out so soon the next morning. But he insisted upon it, and said,

It would make my day's journey the lighter; and I found he was a more

faithful servant to his master, notwithstanding what he wrote of his

reluctance, than I could have wished: I saw still more and more, that

all was deep dissimulation, and contrivance worse and worse. Indeed I might have shewn them his letter to me, as a full confutation

of his to them; but I saw no probability of engaging them in my behalf:

and so thought it signified little, as I was to go away so soon, to

enter more particularly into the matter with them; and besides, I saw

they were not inclinable to let me stay longer, for fear of disobliging

him so I went to bed, but had very little rest: and they would make

their servant-maid bear me company in the chariot five miles, early in

the morning, and she was to walk hack. I had contrived in my thoughts, when I was on my way in the chariot, on

Friday morning, that when we came into some town to bait, as he must do

for the horses' sake, I would, at the inn, apply myself, if I saw I any

way could, to the mistress of the inn, and tell her the case, and to

refuse to go farther, having nobody but this wicked coachman to contend

with. Well, I was very full of this project, and in great hopes, some how or

other, to extricate myself in this way. But, oh! the artful wretch had

provided for even this last refuge of mine; for when we came to put up

at a large town on the way, to eat a morsel for dinner, and I was fully

resolved to execute my project, who should be at the inn that he put up

at, but the wicked Mrs. Jewkes, expecting me! And her sister-in-law was

the mistress of it; and she had provided a little entertainment for me. And this I found, when I desired, as soon as I came in, to speak with

the mistress of the house. She came to me: and I said, I am a poor

unhappy young body, that want your advice and assistance; and you seem

to be a good sort of a gentlewoman, that would assist an oppressed

innocent person. Yes, madam, said she, I hope you guess right; and I

have the happiness to know something of the matter before you speak.

Pray call my sister Jewkes.--Jewkes! Jewkes! thought I; I have heard of

that name; I don't like it. Then the wicked creature appeared, whom I had never seen but once

before, and I was terrified out of my wits. No stratagem, thought I, not

one! for a poor innocent girl; but every thing to turn out against me;

that is hard indeed! So I began to pull in my horns, as they say, for I saw I was now worse

off than at the farmer's. The naughty woman came up to me with an air of confidence, and kissed

me: See, sister, said she, here's a charming creature! Would she not

tempt the best lord in the land to run away with her? O frightful!

thought I; here's an avowal of the matter at once: I am now gone, that's

certain. And so was quite silent and confounded; and seeing no help for

it, (for she would not part with me out of her sight) I was forced to

set out with her in the chariot for she came thither on horseback, with

a man-servant, who rode by us the rest of the way, leading her horse:

and now I gave over all thoughts of redemption, and was in a desponding

condition indeed. Well, thought I, here are strange pains taken to ruin a poor innocent,

helpless, and even worthless young body. This plot is laid too deep,

and has been too long hatching, to be baffled, I fear. But then I put

my trust in God, who I knew was able to do every thing for me, when all

other possible means should fail: and in him I was resolved to confide. You may see--(Yet, oh! that kills me; for I know not whether ever you

can see what I now write or no--Else you will see)--what sort of woman

that Mrs. Jewkes is, compared to good Mrs. Jervis, by this:---Every now and then she would be staring in my face, in the chariot, and

squeezing my hand, and saying, Why, you are very pretty, my silent dear!

And once she offered to kiss me. But I said, I don't like this sort of

carriage, Mrs. Jewkes; it is not like two persons of one sex. She fell

a laughing very confidently, and said, That's prettily said, I vow! Then

thou hadst rather be kissed by the other sex? 'I fackins, I commend thee

for that! I was sadly teased with her impertinence, and bold way; but no wonder;

she was innkeeper's housekeeper, before she came to my master; and those

sort of creatures don't want confidence, you know: and indeed she made

nothing to talk boldly on twenty occasions; and said two or three times,

when she saw the tears every now and then, as we rid, trickle down my

cheeks, I was sorely hurt, truly, to have the handsomest and finest

young gentleman in five counties in love with me! So I find I am got into the hands of a wicked procuress; and if I was

not safe with good Mrs. Jervis, and where every body loved me, what a

dreadful prospect have I now before me, in the hands of a woman that

seems to delight in filthiness! O dear sirs! what shall I do! What shall I do!--Surely, I shall never be

equal to all these things! About eight at night, we entered the court-yard of this handsome, large,

old, and lonely mansion, that looks made for solitude and mischief, as I

thought, by its appearance, with all its brown nodding horrors of lofty

elms and pines about it: and here, said I to myself, I fear, is to be

the scene of my ruin, unless God protect me, who is all-sufficient! I was very sick at entering it, partly from fatigue, and partly from

dejection of spirits: and Mrs. Jewkes got me some mulled wine, and

seemed mighty officious to welcome me thither; and while she was absent,

ordering the wine, the wicked Robin came in to me, and said, I beg a

thousand pardons for my part in this affair, since I see your grief and

your distress; and I do assure you, that I am sorry it fell to my task. Mighty well, Mr. Robert! said I; I never saw an execution but once, and

then the hangman asked the poor creature's pardon, and wiped his mouth,

as you do, and pleaded his duty, and then calmly tucked up the criminal.

But I am no criminal, as you all know: And if I could have thought it

my duty to obey a wicked master in his unlawful command, I had saved you

all the merit of this vile service. I am sorry, said he, you take it so: but every body don't think alike.

Well, said I, you have done your part, Mr. Robert, towards my ruin, very

faithfully; and will have cause to be sorry, may be, at the long run,

when you shall see the mischief that comes of it.--Your eyes were

open, and you knew I was to be carried to my father's, and that I was

barbarously tricked and betrayed; and I can only, once more, thank you

for your part of it. God forgive you! So he went away a little sad. What have you said to Robin, madam? said

Mrs. Jewkes: (who came in as he went out:) the poor fellow's ready to

cry. I need not be afraid of your following his example, Mrs. Jewkes,

said I: I have been telling him, that he has done his part to my ruin:

and he now can't help it! So his repentance does me no good; I wish it

may him. I'll assure you, madam, said she, I should be as ready to cry

as he, if I should do you any harm. It is not in his power to help it

now, said I; but your part is to come, and you may choose whether you'll

contribute to my ruin or not.--Why, look ye, madam, said she, I have a

great notion of doing my duty to my master; and therefore you may depend

upon it, if I can do that, and serve you, I will: but you must think, if

your desire, and his will, come to clash once, I shall do as he bids me,

let it be what it will. Pray, Mrs. Jewkes, said I, don't madam me so: I am but a silly poor

girl, set up by the gambol of fortune, for a May-game; and now am to be

something, and now nothing, just as that thinks fit to sport with

me: And let you and me talk upon a foot together; for I am a servant

inferior to you, and so much the more, as I am turned out of place. Ay, ay, says she, I understand something of the matter; you have so

great power over my master, that you may soon be mistress of us all; and

so I would oblige you, if I could. And I must and will call you madam;

for I am instructed to shew you all respect, I'll assure you. Who instructed you so to do? said I. Who! my master, to be sure, said

she. Why, said I, how can that be? You have not seen him lately. No,

that's true, said she; but I have been expecting you here some time; (O

the deep laid wickedness! thought I:) and, besides, I have a letter of

instructions by Robin; but, may be, I should not have said so much. If

you would shew them to me, said I, I should be able to judge how far I

could, or could not, expect favour from you, consistent with your duty

to our master. I beg your pardon, fair mistress, for that, said she, I

am sufficiently instructed; and you may depend upon it, I will observe

my orders; and, so far as they will let me, so far will I oblige you;

and there's an end of it. Well, said I, you will not, I hope, do an unlawful or wicked thing, for

any master in the world. Look ye, said she, he is my master; and if he

bids me do any thing that I can do, I think I ought to do it; and let

him, who has his power to command me, look to the lawfulness of it.

Why, said I, suppose he should bid you cut my throat, Would you do it?

There's no danger of that, said she; but to be sure I would not; for

then I should be hanged! for that would be murder. Well, said I, and

suppose he should resolve to ensnare a poor young creature, and ruin

her, would you assist him in that? For to rob a person of her virtue is

worse than cutting her throat. Why now, says she, how strangely you talk! Are not the two sexes made

for one another? And is it not natural for a gentleman to love a pretty

woman? And suppose he can obtain his desires, is that so bad as cutting

her throat? And then the wretch fell a laughing, and talked most

impertinently, and shewed me, that I had nothing to expect from her

virtue or conscience: and this gave me great mortification; for I was in

hopes of working upon her by degrees. So we ended our discourse here, and I bid her shew me where I must

lie.--Why, said she, lie where you list, madam; I can tell you, I must

lie with you for the present. For the present! said I, and torture then

wrung my heart!--But is it in your instructions, that you must lie with

me? Yes, indeed, said she.--I am sorry for it, said I. Why, said she,

I am wholesome, and cleanly too, I'll assure you. Yes, said I, I don't

doubt that; but I love to lie by myself. How so? said she; Was not Mrs.

Jervis your bed-fellow at t'other house? Well, said I, quite sick of her, and my condition; you must do as you

are instructed, I think. I can't help myself, and am a most miserable

creature. She repeated her insufferable nonsense. Mighty miserable,

indeed, to be so well beloved by one of the finest gentlemen in England! I am now come down in my writing to this present SATURDAY, and a deal I

have written. My wicked bed-fellow has very punctual orders, it seems; for she locks

me and herself in, and ties the two keys (for there is a double door to

the room) about her wrist, when she goes to bed. She talks of the house

having been attempted to be broken open two or three times; whether to

fright me, I can't tell; but it makes me fearful; though not so much as

I should be, if I had not other and greater fears. I slept but little last night, and got up, and pretended to sit by the

window, which looks into the spacious gardens; but I was writing all

the time, from break of day, to her getting up, and after, when she was

absent. At breakfast she presented the two maids to me, the cook and house-maid,

poor awkward souls, that I can see no hopes of, they seem so devoted to

her and ignorance. Yet I am resolved, if possible, to find some way to

escape, before this wicked master comes. There are, besides, of servants, the coachman, Robert, a groom, a

helper, a footman; all but Robert, (and he is accessary to my ruin,)

strange creatures, that promise nothing; and all likewise devoted to

this woman. The gardener looks like a good honest man; but he is kept at

a distance, and seems reserved. I wondered I saw not Mr. Williams the clergyman, but would not ask after

him, apprehending it might give some jealousy; but when I had beheld the

rest, he was the only one I had hopes of; for I thought his cloth would

set him above assisting in my ruin.--But in the afternoon he came; for

it seems he has a little Latin school in the neighbouring village, which

he attends; and this brings him in a little matter, additional to my

master's favour, till something better falls, of which he has hopes. He is a sensible sober young gentleman; and when I saw him I confirmed

myself in my hopes of him; for he seemed to take great notice of my

distress and grief; (for I could not hide it;) though he appeared

fearful of Mrs. Jewkes, who watched all our motions and words. He has an apartment in the house; but is mostly at a lodging in the

town, for a conveniency of his little school; only on Saturday afternoon

and Sundays: and he preaches sometimes for the minister of the village,

which is about three miles off. I hope to go to church with him to-morrow: Sure it is not in her

instructions to deny me! He can't have thought of every thing! And

something may strike out for me there. I have asked her, for a feint, (because she shan't think I am so well

provided,) to indulge me with pen and ink, though I have been using my

own so freely when her absence would let me; for I begged to be left to

myself as much as possible. She says she will let me have it; but then

I must promise not to send any writing out of the house, without her

seeing it. I said, it was only to divert my grief when I was by myself,

as I desired to be; for I loved writing as well as reading; but I had

nobody to send to, she knew well enough. No, not at present, may be, said she; but I am told you are a great

writer; and it is in my instructions to see all you write: So, look you

here, said she, I will let you have a pen and ink, and two sheets of

paper: for this employment will keep you out of worse thoughts: but I

must see them always when I ask, written or not written. That's very

hard, said I; but may I not have to myself the closet in the room where

we lie, with the key to lock up my things? I believe I may consent to

that, said she; and I will set it in order for you, and leave the key

in the door. And there is a spinnet too, said she; if it be in tune, you

may play to divert you now and then; for I know my old lady learnt you:

And below is my master's library: you may take out what books you will. And, indeed, these and my writing will be all my amusement: for I have

no work given me to do; and the spinnet, if in tune, will not find my

mind, I am sure, in tune to play upon it. But I went directly and picked

out some books from the library, with which I filled a shelf in the

closet she gave me possession of; and from these I hope to receive

improvement, as well as amusement. But no sooner was her back turned,

than I set about hiding a pen of my own here, and another there, for

fear I should come to be denied, and a little of my ink in a broken

China cup, and a little in another cup; and a sheet of paper here and

there among my linen, with a little of the wax, and a few wafers, in

several places, lest I should be searched; and something, I thought,

might happen to open a way for my deliverance, by these or some

other means. O the pride, thought I, I shall have, if I can secure my

innocence, and escape the artful wiles of this wicked master! For, if

he comes hither, I am undone, to be sure! For this naughty woman will

assist him, rather than fail, in the worst of his attempts; and he'll

have no occasion to send her out of the way, as he would have done Mrs.

Jervis once. So I must set all my little wits at work. It is a grief to me to write, and not to be able to send to you what I

write: but now it is all the diversion I have, and if God will favour my

escape with my innocence, as I trust he graciously will, for all these

black prospects, with what pleasure shall I read them afterwards! I was going to say, Pray for your dutiful daughter, as I used; but,

alas! you cannot know my distress, though I am sure I have your prayers:

And I will write on as things happen, that if a way should open, my

scribble may be ready to be sent: For what I do, must be at a jerk, to

be sure. O how I want such an obliging honest-hearted man as John! I am now come to SUNDAY. Well, here is a sad thing! I am denied by this barbarous woman to go

to church, as I had built upon I might: and she has huffed poor Mr.

Williams all to pieces, for pleading for me. I find he is to be forbid

the house, if she pleases. Poor gentleman! all his dependance is upon my

master, who has a very good living for him, if the incumbent die; and he

has kept his bed these four months, of old age and dropsy. He pays me great respect, and I see pities me; and would, perhaps,

assist my escape from these dangers: But I have nobody to plead for me;

and why should I wish to ruin a poor gentleman, by engaging him against

his interest? Yet one would do any thing to preserve one's innocence;

and Providence would, perhaps, make it up to him! O judge (but how shall you see what I write!) of my distracted

condition, to be reduced to such a pass as to a desire to lay traps for

mankind! But he wants sadly to say something to me, as he whisperingly

hinted. The wretch (I think I will always call her the wretch henceforth) abuses

me more and more. I was but talking to one of the maids just now,

indeed a little to tamper with her by degrees: and she popt upon us,

and said--Nay, madam, don't offer to tempt poor innocent country maidens

from doing their duty. You wanted, I hear, she should take a walk with

you. But I charge you, Nan, never stir with her, nor obey her, without

letting me know it, in the smallest trifles.--I say, walk with you! and

where would you go, I tro'? Why, barbarous Mrs. Jewkes, said I, only to

look a little up the elm-walk, since you would not let me go to church. Nan, said she, to shew me how much they were all in her power, pull

off madam's shoes, and bring them to me. I have taken care of her

others.--Indeed she shan't, said I.--Nay, said Nan, but I must if my

mistress bids me: so pray, madam, don't hinder me. And so indeed (would

you believe it?) she took my shoes off, and left me barefoot: and, for

my share, I have been so frighted at this, that I have not power even

to relieve my mind by my tears. I am quite stupefied to be sure!--Here I

was forced to leave off. Now I will give you a picture of this wretch: She is a broad, squat,

pursy, fat thing, quite ugly, if any thing human can be so called; about

forty years old. She has a huge hand, and an arm as thick as my waist, I

believe. Her nose is flat and crooked, and her brows grow down over her

eyes; a dead spiteful, grey, goggling eye, to be sure she has. And her

face is flat and broad; and as to colour, looks like as if it had been

pickled a month in saltpetre: I dare say she drinks:--She has a hoarse,

man-like voice, and is as thick as she is long; and yet looks so deadly

strong, that I am afraid she would dash me at her foot in an instant,

if I was to vex her.--So that with a heart more ugly than her face, she

frightens me sadly: and I am undone to be sure, if God does not protect

me; for she is very, very wicked--indeed she is. This is poor helpless spite in me:--But the picture is too near the

truth notwithstanding. She sends me a message just now, that I shall

have my shoes again, if I will accept of her company to walk with me in

the garden.--To waddle with me, rather, thought I. Well, 'tis not my business to quarrel with her downright. I shall

be watched the narrower, if I do; and so I will go with the hated

wretch.--O for my dear Mrs. Jervis! or, rather, to be safe with my dear

father and mother. Oh! I am out of my wits for joy! Just as I have got my shoes on, I

am told John, honest John, is come on horseback!--A blessing on his

faithful heart! What joy is this! But I'll tell you more by and by. I

must not let her know I am so glad to see this dear blessed John, to be

sure!--Alas! but he looks sad, as I see him out of the window! What can

be the matter!--I hope my dear parents are well, and Mrs. Jervis, and

Mr. Longman, and every body, my naughty master not excepted;--for I wish

him to live and repent of all his wickedness to poor me. O dear heart! what a world do we live in!--I am now come to take up my

pen again: But I am in a sad taking truly! Another puzzling trial, to be

sure. Here was John, as I said, and the poor man came to me, with Mrs. Jewkes,

who whispered, that I would say nothing about the shoes, for my own

sake, as she said. The poor man saw my distress, by my red eyes, and my

hagged looks, I suppose; for I have had a sad time of it, you must needs

think; and though he would have hid it, if he could, yet his own eyes

ran over. Oh, Mrs. Pamela; said he; Oh, Mrs. Pamela! Well, honest

fellow-servant, said I, I cannot help it at present: I am obliged to

your honesty and kindness, to be sure; and then he wept more. Said I,

(for my heart was ready to break to see his grief; for it is a touching

thing to see a man cry), Tell me the worst! Is my master coming? No, no,

said he, and sobbed.--Well, said I, is there any news of my poor father

and mother? How do they do?--I hope well, said he, I know nothing to the

contrary. There is no mishap, I hope, to Mrs. Jervis or to Mr. Longman,

or my fellow-servants!--No--said he, poor man! with a long N--o, as if

his heart would burst. Well, thank God then! said I. The man's a fool, said Mrs. Jewkes, I think: What ado is here! Why, sure

thou'rt in love, John. Dost thou not see young madam is well? What ails

thee, man? Nothing at all, said he; but I am such a fool as to cry for

joy to see good Mrs. Pamela: But I have a letter for you. I took it, and saw it was from my master; so I put it in my pocket. Mrs.

Jewkes, said I, you need not, I hope, see this. No, no, said she, I

see whose it is, well enough; or else, may be, I must have insisted on

reading it. And here is one for you, Mrs. Jewkes, said he; but yours, said he to

me, requires an answer, which I must carry back early in the morning, or

to-night, if I can. You have no more, John, said Mrs. Jewkes, for Mrs. Pamela, have you? No,

said he, I have not, but every body's kind love and service. Ay, to us

both, to be sure, said she. John, said I, I will read the letter, and

pray take care of yourself; for you are a good man, God bless you! and

I rejoice to see you, and hear from you all. But I longed to say more;

only that nasty Mrs. Jewkes. So I went up, and locked myself in my closet, and opened the letter; and

this is a copy of it:




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