disgraceful to remain at the doors of a railway station for such a
length of time on the Sabbath-day. Her cousin felt herself degraded, as
she had both friends and relations in Liverpool, and was fearful of
being recognised. But entreaties and expostulations were all in vain.
Mrs. Nicholson seated herself and her sister-in-law on the baggage, and
took out the mutton and potatoes, declaring herself right hungry, and
they would have their dinners. Mrs. Nicholson shared out the mutton and
potatoes, settled herself down with the dish on her knees, and commenced
her dinner most vigorously, declaring the meat was very good. Heartily
glad was the cousin when the doors opened; in a few minutes they
obtained their tickets, and were soon on their way to Manchester. On
their arrival they alighted from the train, not being certain that they
could proceed any further that night, and their movements being very
slow, the train started off again before they got fresh tickets. After
the train had departed and the crowd dispersed, the party proceeded to
the waiting-room to consult about procuring lodgings for the night, when
Mrs. Nicholson settled the point by declaring she would not leave the
station. They were still in the midst of their discussion when some of
the company's servants entered the waiting-room, and curtly informed
them it was necessary to depart, as the last train had gone, and they
wanted to close the station. But Mrs. Nicholson told them the train had
gone off and left them, as that old woman, pointing to her
sister-in-law, was unable to walk; and if she was removed from the
station that night they would not be able to get her there again in time
for the morning train. They replied that there was an hotel close to
the doors of the station where they might all be accommodated, and being
so near, the old woman could be brought to the train in the morning
without much difficulty. "Oh," replied Mrs. Nicholson, "do, if you
please, my good man, let us remain here; we would rather remain here
than go anywhere else. We will give you a trifle to let us stop where we
are, for we cannot afford to pay for our beds. But we will give you
something if you will let us stop here; we can sleep on the long
settle." "Well, poor woman," replied the kind-hearted man, evidently
touched with pity, "I cannot give you leave to stay, neither can I
accept anything from you; but I will acquaint the master, and see what I
can do for you." He accordingly departed, and in a little time returned,
saying it was quite contrary to their rules to permit anyone to remain
in the station all night. However, as their case was so pitiful, and
they had missed the train, they would be allowed to remain till morning.
He then kindly offered to make a fire, which, however, Mrs. Nicholson
declined, but thanked him heartily for his kindness. She said if he
would only permit the gaslight to remain burning, it would be all they
would require. He granted her request, and very kindly bade them
good-night, and shut the door.
The travellers then endeavoured to compose themselves to rest, Mrs.
Nicholson exulting in her success in obtaining leave to remain at the
station, whereby they would save the expense of lodgings. Fortunately a
pair of pillows belonging to the cousin were corded on the top of one of
their trunks. They were accidentally omitted when the other portion of
her furniture was packed off, and they now proved extremely useful. The
cords were speedily untied, and Mrs. Nicholson and her sister-in-law
each took a pillow, and laid down on the long seats of the waiting-room.
Her cousin and her children, with the help of sundry bundles, followed
their example, and wrapping themselves in shawls and cloaks, were soon
settled down, and prepared for a sound sleep after the fatigues of the
day.
On the following morning they took tickets for Selby, where they arrived
safely without any further adventures, and returned to Drax in the
evening by the carrier's cart, after having been absent from home about
a month.
Mr. Nicholson received his poor old sister very kindly.
Mr. Nicholson's niece left a few weeks after her aunt returned from
Cumberland, after which time Mrs. Nicholson treated the poor
sister-in-law with the greatest cruelty, compelling her to walk without
the assistance of her sticks, although she was scarcely able to totter
along.
It will be readily imagined that under these circumstances matters
became worse and worse in Mr. Nicholson's house.
It was about the end of November, 1844, that husband and wife had a
violent quarrel, which ended in a mutual agreement to separate.
Mrs. Nicholson's intention was to take up her abode in a house belonging
to her at Drax, which was next door but one to that occupied by her
cousin, and at that time unoccupied, and thither she moved with such
furniture as Mr. Nicholson would spare her. A series of miserable
squabbles ensued, an account of which is given in full in the chap. book
from which this notice is taken, but which we will spare our readers.
The final quarrel took place in 1845, when Mr. Nicholson beat his wife,
in the house where she lived. He never from that day visited her again,
or would suffer her to re-enter his doors. Indeed, they never again met.
She remained at Newland some time, and then removed to Asselby. The
first change she made there was to turn out of his farm the tenant who
had given her so much information previous to the division of the land
with her Dublin cousin, by means of which she had obtained the best
land. For the purpose of gaining this information she had made her
tenant a promise that he should never be disturbed. He reminded her of
her promise, but she had made her plan, and cared neither for his
entreaties nor for her promise. He was compelled to leave the farm at
the termination of his tenancy, which was the Lady-day following her
final separation from her husband.
She persuaded her cousin to come and live with her at Asselby, promising
her if she would do so that she would leave her all her property. The
cousin, although to do so was extremely inconvenient, and certainly most
unpleasant, agreed on these terms to do what she wished.
Poor Mr. Nicholson had bought an accordion, which he amused himself in
the long evenings with playing. On a summer night he sat out under the
trees and practised on his instrument. Nancy was highly exasperated when
she heard this. It was done, she concluded, out of malice, to exhibit to
the whole parish that he was indifferent to his loss, and could be
supremely happy without his wife.
"And I can be happy too," said Nancy, and she launched out in the
extravagance of an organ. She could not play it, but she could pull out
all the stops, bang her fist on the notes, and let the roar of the
instrument proclaim to the neighbourhood through the open windows that
she too was merry.
But not satisfied with this, she determined to be revenged on her
husband by obtaining, if possible, his inhibition. She resolved on
bringing Mr. Nicholson's intemperance under the notice of the
Archbishop, yet so ingeniously did she lay her plans, that when the
investigation took place, the part she had taken in it did not
transpire.
It appears that Mr. Nicholson had a dispute with a tenant at Drax about
giving up possession of his premises at a certain time, and this tenant
called on Mrs. Nicholson at Asselby, requesting her to be a witness as
to the time of his entering into possession, when she instigated him to
write to the Archbishop of York and give a full account of Mr.
Nicholson's various acts of intemperance, with a full detail of all the
circumstances in his conduct which were likely to degrade him in the
eyes of the Archbishop.
Mrs. Nicholson then caused letters to be written to the Archbishop,
complaining that Mr. Nicholson had beat her, and caused her to be turned
away without a home. This brought about a correspondence between the
Archbishop and Mrs. Nicholson, but, contrary to her hopes, it ended in
the Archbishop advising Mrs. Nicholson to consult a solicitor on the
subject.
The investigation caused Mr. Nicholson's suspension from preaching for
two years, which event gave Mrs. Nicholson great satisfaction. She wrote
several letters to him from Asselby, in some of which she abused him,
and in others expressed a wish to be again reconciled, but she never
received any reply.
Being now in comparative tranquillity with all around her, she was at a
loss for an object on which to employ her ever active brain, when one
day, as she was reading over the advertisements in the newspaper, she
suddenly exclaimed, "I am tired of doing nothing, and I think it is a
sin to be idle. To be sure I have what will keep me, and somebody after
me, but I would rather be employed. I will try to obtain a housekeeper's
situation. I know there are many who would be glad to have such a person
as me, if it was only to take care of things for them." It is probable
that no one else would be of the same opinion, but from that time she
searched the advertisements in the newspapers with an interest truly
ridiculous. Week after week passed, but nothing appeared which was
likely to suit her.
At length an advertisement appeared for a cook and housekeeper wanted
for a single gentleman. The address was copied, and a letter written,
describing her as a clergyman's daughter, &c. It was read over several
times by Mrs. Nicholson previous to its being deposited in the
post-office, and the reply was anxiously looked for. At length it
arrived, when it appeared that the advertiser was a highly respectable
physician residing at Thirsk, and he appointed a time for meeting Mrs.
Nicholson at the Railway Hotel at York.
Mrs. Nicholson immediately considered herself engaged, and as she
expected to leave Asselby for some time, she made great preparations for
securing her apartments and the property they contained, locking and
marking every drawer and cupboard, so that she might know if anyone
meddled with them during her absence.
She had then to consider what clothing would be necessary for this
important occasion. She thought it probable that she would be expected
to dress rather smartly in her new situation, and accordingly packed up
in a band-box an old-fashioned black silk pelisse, lined in front with
yellow; a pink muslin gown which she had got soon after her marriage,
and which was consequently too small for her at this time; her
never-failing black stuff gown for occasional use; and a light shawl.
These formed her wardrobe and filled the band-box, which was then tied
up in a large old shawl. She then packed a few articles in a reticule
basket covered with a piece of old blue print. This she secured with a
padlock passed through the lid of the basket and the willows at the top
which were left uncovered by the print.
In vain her friends tried to persuade her not to take her clothes with
her, as it was doubtful if she would get the situation. She appeared to
think that was impossible, because she was determined to go, let the
place be what it might, never seeming to think the other side would
refuse. She was then entreated to dress herself as tidily as possible,
but she would only go her own way. So she arrayed herself in an old
print gown, very much soiled, the indispensable apron, a woollen plaid
shawl, a cap very much crushed, and a bonnet little better.
The day appointed for meeting the gentleman at York was wet and stormy,
but Mrs. Nicholson resolutely faced the storm, and taking the packet at
the ferry, arrived in safety at York. She then set off to walk to the
hotel, but by the time she reached the end of Skeldergate she was pretty
well fatigued with her great bundle and basket, and her shoes were
covered with mud, her bonnet blown back off her face, and her hair
hanging about in disorder.
She was in this state when she arrived at the hotel, and inquired if Mr.
---- from Thirsk was there. She was immediately shown into his presence.
On entering the room she made a low curtsey, placed her bundle on the
floor, and sat down on the nearest chair, almost overcome.
The gentleman approached from the other end of the room, which was a
large one, and looking at her for about a minute, he inquired, "Were you
wanting me?"
"Yes, sir," she replied. "I suppose you are Mr. ----, from Thirsk?"
"I am," said the gentleman.
"Oh, then," said she, "I am Mrs. Nicholson who wrote to you about your
situation as cook and housekeeper."
The gentleman, who appeared rather nervous, immediately replied, "Oh,
dear me--you Mrs. Nicholson!--you the person who wrote to me! I
understood----"
Here his sentence was left unfinished, and he commenced again, "Oh, my
good woman, it must be some mistake. Are you the person who wrote to
me?"
"Yes, sir," she replied; "and I assure you I will take all possible care
of anything intrusted to me."
"Oh, dear!" said he, "you are not at all the kind of person that I
require. I have hitherto had my sister to superintend my house, but she
is going to travel in Italy, and I want a person qualified to supply her
place."
"Oh," answered Mrs. Nicholson, "I can do that. I have been used to
manage a family of fifteen, and I am sure I can do all you require."
"Oh, dear, no!" again retorted the gentleman, who began to look upon her
with some degree of apprehension. "I assure you, you are not the sort of
person I want. There must have been some mistake, my good woman--you
really will not do for me." So saying, he retreated towards the other
end of the room.
Mrs. Nicholson began to feel disappointed, but resolved to try again.
Once more advancing towards him, she said, "Well, sir, I am very sorry
you think so. However, I have no objections to travel, and if your
sister should want a companion----"
Here the gentleman interrupted her, saying, "My good woman, no such
thing, I assure you. You really will not do at all. There has evidently
been some mistake, for had I known before, I need not have troubled
you."
"Well, indeed," said Mrs. Nicholson, "it has been a great deal of
trouble, for I have come all the way on purpose, and have brought my
clothes with me."
The gentleman involuntarily cast his eyes first at the great bundle and
then at the speaker, and observed he was really sorry, though he could
not be answerable for her actions, but if she desired, he would order
her some refreshment.
However, she declined, and took her departure, murmuring something
about her disappointment and the trouble she had been at.
Week after week rolled on, and she was still pondering over a situation,
when her attention was again attracted by an advertisement for a
housekeeper. Application was made, and an answer duly returned,
informing her that her services would be required to manage a large
establishment. Her wages would be thirty pounds per annum, and she would
have the control of all the female servants, except the lady's maid and
the governess. The others she would have power to engage and discharge
at her own discretion. She was requested to go over immediately to meet
the lady and gentleman at their own house.
Mrs. Nicholson was delighted with these proposals, and already fancied
herself at the head of the establishment. She immediately began to
calculate how much money she could save out of her wages, and the
various perquisites which she considered would be within her reach, and
she then rejoiced that she had not obtained the old bachelor's situation
at Thirsk.
As this situation promised to be one of importance, she thought it would
be necessary to take most of her smart clothes, but after mature
consideration she made up her mind to take precisely the same as she had
taken to York. The band-box had not been unpacked since her former
journey, so that she had only the covered basket to fill, and she was
then ready to start.
The letter she had received directed her to a beautiful mansion near
Skipton in Craven. As it was necessary to be there as early as possible,
she was obliged to travel by rail. When she arrived at the station at
Skipton, she inquired the way to A----, and after a weary walk, at
length reached the entrance to the grounds surrounding the Hall. After
proceeding a few yards along the avenue, she sat down to arrange her
dress, and then took a survey of the place. From the spot which she
occupied she could obtain a slight glimpse of the building. "Why," she
exclaimed, "this is much finer than K---- Hall; I shall have a grander
place than him." After resting a short time she proceeded to a door, and
slightly tapping at it, retired a few steps. It was speedily opened by a
female domestic, who inquired of Mrs. Nicholson what she wanted. She
replied by asking if Mrs. ---- was at home. The girl having answered in
the affirmative, she requested her to be so kind as to inform the lady
that Mrs. Nicholson had arrived.
"Oh, certainly," replied the girl; and eyeing her from head to foot, she
asked, "are you Mrs. Nicholson?"
"Yes," replied Mrs. Nicholson, "and I have just arrived by the train."
The girl then invited her to walk in, and she was shown into a small
sitting-room. In passing along she saw that the house was very
extensive, and the apartments so numerous and so grand that she would
not be able to stop there. She had just made up her mind that the place
was too grand for her, when the door opened and a lady entered. Mrs.
Nicholson arose and curtsied, but was full of confusion, and unable to
utter a word. The lady requested her to sit down, and informed her that
Mrs. ---- would be with her in a few minutes.
"What," answered Mrs. Nicholson, "are not you Mrs. ----?"
"Oh, no," replied she; "I am her maid."
"I suppose Mrs. ---- is expecting me?" said Mrs. Nicholson.
"Oh, yes," replied the maid; "she sent the carriage to the railway
station to meet the train, and bring you here. But it returned some time
since. The groom said he made inquiries, but could not hear of a
passenger likely to be the new housekeeper."
During this speech the lady's maid appeared to be examining Mrs.
Nicholson's dress most minutely.
In a short time the lady herself appeared, and the maid withdrew, but
Mrs. Nicholson had both seen and heard sufficient to prevent her from
feeling the least desire to remain. She therefore at once said to the
lady, "Oh, ma'am, I am sorry I have come here, for I could never stay in
this great place."
The lady replied, "Well, Mrs. Nicholson, I am sorry likewise, for I was
really in hopes I had met with an excellent housekeeper. However, as you
see it yourself, I shall be spared the necessity of wounding your
feelings."
The lady then repeated what the maid had told her about sending the
carriage to the railway station, but Mrs. Nicholson appeared quite
incapable of entering into conversation. The lady evidently observed her
confusion, and behaved with the utmost kindness and condescension. She
remarked that night was coming on; therefore if Mrs. Nicholson would
remain till morning, she would give orders for her accommodation.
Mrs. Nicholson decided not to remain, and she also declined taking any
refreshments, but she expressed a desire to see some of the rooms in the
Hall. The lady readily granted her wish, and showed her through the
splendid apartments herself. She again expressed her sorrow that a
mistake, as she expressed it, had occurred, and Mrs. Nicholson replied
that she was sorry too, for the journey had been a great expense to her,
but she hoped the lady would give her something towards it.
The lady smiled at her request, and gave her a few shillings, remarking
that she had now paid for advertising for a housekeeper.
Mrs. Nicholson humbly thanked her, and took her departure, amidst the
half-suppressed titters of the servants, who had assembled to witness
her exit.
These events were seldom referred to afterwards, and Mrs. Nicholson
thenceforth rested satisfied without seeking another situation, but
continued steadily her usual mode of living and amassing money.
In the beginning of the year 1850, having heard that Mr. Nicholson was
dangerously ill, she felt anxious to see him, but first caused the
question to be put to him if he wished to see her, when he expressed the
greatest abhorrence at the idea, and declared that he never wished to
see her more. He died on the 8th of February following.
At the invitation of the executors she attended the funeral. She was
dressed in her never-failing black stuff gown, and a white Tuscan bonnet
which she bought soon after she separated from her husband. The bonnet
was trimmed for the funeral with a narrow black gauze ribbon.
Mr. Nicholson left a will wherein he provided for his poor old sister
for life, with remainder to a niece in Northamptonshire. His household
furniture and effects were to be sold. Of course he could not prevent
Mrs. Nicholson from having a life interest in any property referred to
in the deeds in which her name was inserted.
When the sale of the furniture was advertised, Mrs. Nicholson determined
to go over to Newland and take possession of the house. Her cousin was
invited to accompany her. She was much troubled at the thought of the
sale, for the things had formerly been hers, and she seemed to feel
great pain at parting with them in that way. At length she declared, as
she could not keep them herself, she would endeavour to prevent anybody
else from enjoying them. She then broke the glass over the clock face,
and with a penknife cut slits in the carpets and haircloth covering of
the sofa. These were not visible at the time of the sale, but would
undoubtedly appear when brought into use.
The sale took place on the Saturday, and it was late in the evening when
it was concluded. Several friends invited Mrs. Nicholson to their homes,
but she refused to leave the house. Two bedsteads and a crimson sofa
were left, which the purchasers could not conveniently remove that
evening, and which Mrs. Nicholson gladly allowed to remain, as they were
likely to be useful to her. She had previously observed a large bundle
in the garden, which had evidently been overlooked by the auctioneer and
his assistants. This she contrived to conceal in the cellar until all
the company had retired, when she brought it forth, and found it to
contain an excellent pair of blankets and a good quilt, which enabled
the pair to make their quarters rather more comfortable. She also found
in the cellar a barrel containing a considerable quantity of ale, with
which she nearly filled an old kettle, and having boiled it over a fire
made of sticks and old wood, she drank the greater part of the kettleful
at her supper, and was soon as fast asleep in her new-found blankets,
laid on the bare bedstead, as if she had been on a bed of down.
When morning arrived, the house, as might be expected, presented a very
desolate appearance. The cold was intense, but Mrs. Nicholson resolutely
refused every invitation to leave it. She and her cousin found plenty of
sticks and wood, with which they kept up a tolerable fire, and having
drunk some more boiled ale, Nancy commenced a thorough inspection of the
house. She found some old lumber which had not been worth selling, and
in one of the chambers a good heap of barley. Into this chamber she
removed all the lumber, together with all the pots and pans, whether
broken or sound, a quantity of doctors' bottles, and every piece of wood
about the place which was not then required for their fire.
Having only a life interest in the house, she determined to remove the
fixtures. She pulled the shelves out of the cupboard, tore down the
banisters at the top of the stairs, took the lock off the parlour door
and the rollers from the windows, and deposited them in the chamber with
the lumber and the barley. When night again drew on she had all arranged
to her satisfaction. Again she boiled her kettleful of ale, and again
slept soundly in her blankets as on the previous night.
Early on Monday morning she deposited in the chamber the blankets, the
quilt, and the old kettle, and having securely locked the door and
placed a private mark upon it that she might know if an entrance had
been attempted, she waited anxiously until the owner of the bedsteads
and sofa arrived and took them away. She then secured the house by
nailing down the windows, &c., and taking the path across the fields,
once more returned to Asselby.
Almost immediately after she arrived at home, she was informed by the
niece whose husband was tenant of the farm, that, owing to the heavy
rent and other circumstances, their affairs had become embarrassed. Mrs.
Nicholson had always promised to be a friend to them, and they now
offered to give all up to her, hoping by that means to secure a
continuance of her friendship. But she suddenly took offence at
something or other, and seized upon all they possessed, which was
immediately advertised to be sold by auction, and her niece and family
left the house the same evening.