Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/119

Rh feet in motion, and the lads and laſſes dancing on the green ſod, ſuffered every care to ſleep.

An old Welſh harper generally came to the houſe about this time of the year, and ſtaid a month or more; for Mrs. Maſon was particularly fond of this inſtrument, and intereſted in the fate of the player; as is almoſt always the caſe, when we have reſcued a perſon out of any diſtreſs.

She informed the children, that once travelling through Wales, her carriage was overturned near the ruins of an old caſtle. And as ſhe had eſcaped unhurt, ſhe determined to wander amongſt them, whilſt the driver took care of his horſes, and her ſervant haſtened to the neighbouring village for aſſiſtance.

It was almoſt dark, and the lights began to twinkle in the ſcattered cottages. The ſcene pleaſed me, continued Mrs. Maſon; I thought of the various cuſtoms which the lapſe of time unfolds; and dwelt on the ſtate of the Welſh, when this caſtle, now ſo deſolate, was the hoſpitable abode of the Rh