Page:Long pack, or, The robbers discovered (3).pdf/3

 THE

LONG PACK.

In the year 1723, Colonel Ridley returned from India, with what, in those days, was accounted an immense fortune, and retired to a country seat on the banks of North Tyne in Northumberland. The house was rebuilt and furnished with every thing ele- gant and costly; and amongst others, a service of plate supposed to be worth £1000. He went to London annually with his family, during a few of the winter months, and at these times, there were but few left at his country house. At the time we treat of, there were only three domestics remained there; a maid servant, whose name was Alice, kept the house, and there were besides, an old man and a boy, the one threshed the corn, and the other took care of some cattle, for the two ploughmen were boarded in houses of their own. One afternoon as Alice was sitting spin- ning some yarn for a pair of stockings to herself, a pedlar entered the hall with a comical pack on his back. Alice had seen