The True Life of Betty Ireland | Page 5

maligned by the Blacks, who are
unhappily the more numerous, lay old Claims to her Lands, and are
ever watching for an Opportunity to make a Riot, and take forcible
Possession. 'Till now they were too much favoured by her Sister, which
checked the Industry of her Farmers.

But when they found they had nothing to fear, either at home or abroad,
they began in earnest to improve their Concerns, as they were sure they
were working for themselves, and in no Danger of being dispossessed,
by Virtue of chimerical Claims, and Antediluvian Proprietors.
The Blacks, indeed, immediately made a Riot on this new Settlement,
but could not get Possession; and, lately, a young Jackanapes pretended
a Right to be Steward to both Sisters, by Virtue of a Patent he had got
from the last Steward, as if he had a Right to dispose of a Place he had
been turned out of himself. He came on the Lands, however, with a
bloody-minded Crew of skirtless Vagabonds, drove off the Cattle,
robbed the Hen-roosts, and swaggered at so unmerciful a Rate, that
Blanch was frightened out of her Senses, and was fain to send for a
Dram of Gin to restore her Spirits. But if she was frightened, her
Guardian was not, and had a Month's Mind to find out the Varlet in
Person, and tread him under his Feet. But as he could not leave the
Hall-house where the Court was sitting, he sent a Lad of his own to
take Account of him, who did the Business tightly. He was a
well-mettled Blade, and Steel to the Back. He came up with him at the
Corner of a Farmer's Yard, where he gave him and his Desperados a
wofull Drubbing, kicked him i'the A----e, soused him in the
Horse-pond, which he swam over to save his Bacon, and looked so
miserably scared in his Passage, that it's sure he'll never try the Ford
again.
For a good while before this Alarm happened (which proved nothing
but a Bugbear) both the Sisters had a fair Opportunity of minding their
Concerns, and getting above the World. Blanch might have paid her
Debts, and had Money to the fore; but it was ever her Misfortune to be
ill-served by almost all she employed. Never, sure, had Lady so
unhandy a Pack about her, and, indeed, it was impossible it could well
be otherwise; for she did not chuse her
Servants because they were fit
for this, or that Office, but because they asked, and would have it, or be
horribly out of Humour else, would make a Noise and Uproar at every
Court-Leet, terrify the Tenants at every Ale-house, with strange Stories
of Designs on their Copy-holds, and wicked Plots just ready to begin;
'till they turned their Heads, and set them madding. So that the poor

Lady was fain to take them in, to keep Peace at Home, and to pay them
Wages for not doing her Business. The Consequence of which was, she
had Clerks could neither write or read; Book, and Cash-keepers, that
could not count or cast up, or ever heard of a Ballance in their Lives.
And so ridiculous was her Compliance in this Point, that she had once a
Lady to curry her Horse, and a Fishmonger for a Grass Bailiff.
'Tis true, she would often change her Servants, but not a Barrel the
better Herring. If she got one, by chance, knew any thing of his
Business, the rest never left boddering her 'till they had him out. It
should never be said they demeaned themselves so much as to serve
with one, who would spoil every thing by his Rashness, and disgrace
the Service by his Ignorance. Now, by Rashness they meant resenting
Insults and Injuries done their Lady; and by Ignorance, not knowing
how to buy and sell, and live by the Loss. So that, all Things considered,
it were a Marvel her Affairs should be in better Plight than they are, or
her Debts be paid with more Ease and Expedition.
Betty, in the mean time, is come to an opulent Fortune, has her Rents
well paid, and her Farms daily improving, and would improve ten times
more, if her Sister could see her own Advantage so far, as to give her
that Encouragement she is daily giving to Strangers, who give her
nothing in Return but their Envy and Ill-will. But as it is, Betty's in a
good Way, and makes the most of a bad Market. And since she must
not work for her Sister, she works for herself.
It had been a Custom of hers to buy every thing she wanted from her
Sister's Tenants and Tradesmen, though they used her abominably, and
put off upon her the worst Goods