'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
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: