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this place i remarked as we advance that an odd traveller would fall in upon the way so that before we had gone many miles farther the fatigue of the journey was much lessened by the society of the these were now collected into little groups of from three to a dozen each with the exception of myself and one or two others of a cast having the staff and bag the chat and anecdote were upon the whole very amusing but although there was a great variety of feature character and costume among so many as must always be the case where people of different lives habits and pursuits are brought together still i could perceive that there was a shade of strange abstraction apparent on all i could observe the cheerful into a temporary gloom or a fit of reflection as some train of thought would suddenly rise in his mind i could sometimes perceive a shade of pain perhaps of anguish the the of another as if a bitter recollection was awakened yet this often changed by an unexpected transition to a of joy and satisfaction as if a quick sense or hope of relief flashed across his heart when we came near the field for observation was much enlarged the road was then literally alive with and reminded me as far as numbers were concerned of the multitudes that flock to market on a fair day is a snug little town three or four miles from the lake where the all sleep on the night before the commencement of their stations when we were about five or six miles from it the road presented a singular variety of there were men and women of all ages from the of twelve to the tottering pilgrim of eighty creeping along bent over his staff to perform this soul saving work and die such is the reverence in which this celebrated place is held that as we drew near it i remarked the conversation to become slack every face put on an appearance of and and no man was inclined to relish the conversation of his neighbour or to speak himself the very women were silent even the of the journey was and the pilgrim as he looked up in his father s or mother s face would catch the serious and severe expression he saw there and trot silently on forgetting that he was fatigued for my part i felt the spirit of the scene strongly yet perhaps not with such interest as others i had not only awe terror enthusiasm pride and devotion to manage but suffered heavy from the of a curiosity which would thrust itself among the feelings of the occasion and set all attempts to restrain v the dear pilgrim it at defiance it was a sad bar to my which but for its intrusion i might have conducted with more how for instance was it possible for me to register the of my whole life heading them under the seven deadly sins with such a prospect before me as the beautiful waters and shores of despite of all the solemnity about me my eye would turn from the very of the seven and the of the four cardinal virtues to the abrupt and rocks which hung over tne lake as if ready to tumble into its waters i broke away too from several acts of to conjecture whether the dark shadowy which terminated the horizon and penetrated into the very skies far beyond the lake were mountains or clouds a dark problem which to this day i have not been able to solve nay i was taken twice de ite of the most virtuous efforts to the contrary from a to watch a little which shone with its snowy sail spread before the radiant evening sun and glided over the waters like an angel sent on some happy message in fact i found my heart on the point of by indulging in what i had set down in my as the lust of the eye and had some faint that i was plunging into i accordingly made a private mark with the nail of my thumb on the act of in my prayer book and another on the that i remember to confess for these devilish wanderings but what all my personal piety could not effect a lucky turn in the road accomplished by bringing me from the view of the lake and thus ended my temptations and my on these points when we got into we found the lodging the houses considerably crowded i contrived however to establish myself as well as another and in consequence of my black dress and the industry of my companion who stuck close to me all along was treated with more than common respect and here i was deeply impressed with the remarkable of many which i had now a better opportunity of examining than while on the road seemed every description of guilt and every degree of religious feeling mingled together in the same mass and all more or less subdued by the same principle of abrupt and gloomy abstraction there was a little man dressed in a turned black coat and small clothes who struck me as a remarkable figure his back was long his legs and short and he walked on the edge of his feet he had a pale face with bags hung under his eyes drooping eyelids no beard no brows and no chin for in the place of the two latter there was a slight frown where the brows ought to have been and a curve in the place of the chin merely perceptible from the bottom of his to his throat he wore his own hair which was a light bay so that you could scarcely distinguish it from a wig i was given to understand that he was a religious tailor under three blessed orders there was another	50
round shouldered with black twinkling eyes plump face rosy cheeks and nose twisted at the top in his character humour appeared to be the principle he was evidently an original and i am sure had the of turning the ludicrous side of every object towards him his eye would roll about from one person to another while his beads with an expression of humour something like delight beaming from his fixed steady countenance and when any v ths h pilgrim thing that would have been particularly worthy of a joke met his i could perceive a tremulous twinkle of the eye his inward i think still this was to him the part of the pilgrimage him was he ever at the island before he peered into my face with a look that me with without knowing why shrugged up his shoulders looked into the fire and said no with a dry emphatic cough after it as much as to say you may apply my answer to the future as well as to the past religion i thought was giving him up or sent him here as a last resource he spoke to nobody a little behind the sat a very tall thin important looking dressed in a shabby black coat there was a cast of and in his face which at once indicated him to be a man of office and little accustomed ta have his own will disputed was not wrong in my conjecture he was a classical and was occupied when t first saw him in reading through his spectacles with his head raised aloft the seven in latin out of the key of paradise o a circle of women and children along with two or three men in coats who listened with profound attention a little to the right of were a man and the man engaged in teaching the woman a latin charm against the to which it seems st was subject although they ah for the part who were in the large room about us prayed aloud yet by the attention on any particular person you could hear what he said i therefore heard the words of this charm and as my memory is not bad i still remember them they ran thus vol i y th pilgrim el et sur e et et non recital these are the words literally but i need not that had the poor woman sat since she would not have them yet impressed on her memory there was also countenances in a man might almost read the histories of their owners i could perceive the lurking spirit of the battered in the of his eye whilst he performed in the teeth of his and principles the rotten vow to which the shrinking spirit at the approach of death on the bed of sickness clung as to its salvation for it was evident that superstition only from what fear and ignorance had promised her i could note the selfish betraying his own soul and holding a false promise to his heart as with jaw keen eye and brow knit with anxiety for the safety of his absent he some group eager if possible to them even of the benefit of their prayers and attempting to practise that upon heaven which had been so successful upon earth i could see tne man of years i thought withering away under the of an ill spent life old without peace and gray without wisdom flattering that he is religious because he and making a merit of offering to god that which satan has rejected thinking too that he has withdrawn from sin because the ability of committing it has left him and taking credit for his although they have only died in bis nature the u i could mark too i fancied the stiff set features of the affecting to instruct others that he might show his own superiority and on the merits of works that his hearers might know he performed them himself could also observe the sly of the and mark the lines of grave meditation running along that part of his countenance where in others the front of honesty lies open and expanded i could trace him when he got beyond his depth where the want of sincerity in religion betrayed him into ignorance of its forms i could note the sharp up in the nice of trifles others if the object of their embraced any thing within a whole of and not so much happy because he thought himself in the way of salvation as because he thought others out of it a consideration which sent pleasure to his fingers ends but notwithstanding all this i noticed through the gloom of the place many who were by unaffected from whom charity and beamed forth through all the around them such people for the most part prayed in silence and alone whenever i saw a man or woman anxious to turn away their faces and separate themselves from the flocks of i seldom failed to witness the of a spirit i have certainly seen m several instances the tear of t repentance the sinner s cheek i observed one peculiarly interesting female who struck me very much in personal beauty she was lovely her form perfectly and she evidently belonged to rather a better order of society her dress was plain though her garments were by no means com the dear pilgrim mon she could scarcely be twenty and yet her face told a tale of sorrow of deep wasting sorrow as the prayers hymns and religious conversations which went on were peculiar to the place time and occasion it near the of rest she probably did not feel that reluctance in going to pray in presence of so many which she otherwise would have felt she kept her eye on a certain female who had a remote dusky corner to pray in and the moment	50
she retired from it this young creature went up and there knelt down but what a contrast to the calm unconscious and which went on at the moment through the whole room her prayer was short and had neither book nor beads but the of her bosom and her suppressed sobs sufficiently proclaimed her sincerity her petition indeed seemed to go to heaven from a broken heart when it was finished she remained a few moments on her knees and dried her with her handkerchief as she rose up i could mark the modest timid glance and the slight blush as she presented herself again among the company where all were strangers i thought she appeared though in the of such a number to be and alone as for my own companion she absolutely made the grand tour of all the praying knots on the premises having taken a very tolerable bout with each there were two qualities in which she shone voice and distinctness for she gave by far the and most monotonous chant her was also remarkable for her complexion resembled the dark dingy red of a winter apple she had a pair of very piercing black eyes with which while kneeling with her body thrown back upon her heels as if they were a she s the g her ease every one in the room rocking herself gently from side to side the poor creature paid a marked attention to the interesting woman i have just mentioned at last they off one by one to bed that they might be up early the next morning for the with the exception of some half dozen more long than the rest whose voices i could hear at their sixth in the rapid elevated tone peculiar to the until i fell asleep the next morning when i awoke i joined with all haste the crowds that proceeded in masses towards the lake or which lies amongst the hills that extend to the north east of while ascending the bleak hideous mountain whose ridge commands a full view of this celebrated scene of superstition the manner and appearance of the were deeply interesting such as pressed forward around me would have made fine studies either for him who wished to or to ridicule the and of human nature indeed there was an intense interest in the scene i look back at this moment with awe towards the tremulous and of my mind as it responded to the excitement reader have you ever approached the eternal city have you ever from the dreary of the seen the dome of st peter s for the first time t and have the monuments of the greatest men and the deeds that ever the earth witnessed have the names of the and the and the excited a curiosity to a sensation almost too intense to be borne i i can venture to measure the of your mind as it enlarged itself before the crowding visions of the past as the dim grandeur of ages rose up and developed itself from the amidst the shadows of time and amidst the magic of your own associations you de red to you were almost content to go no farther your own rome you were in the midst of rome free rome triumphant rome classical and perhaps it is you awoke in good time from your shadowy dream to escape from the desolation and the wasting that all around reader i can fancy that such might h ve been your sensations when the and of the world s capital first met your vision and i can assure you that while ascending the ridge that was to give me a view of s my sensations were as as powerfully excited for i desire you to recollect that the welfare of your immortal soul was not connected with your your magnificent visions did not into the soul s doom you were not straining imagination to grasp those that be to the victim of a gloomy and you were not submitted to the agency of a power you were in a word a poet but not a what comparison then could there be between the exercise of your free manly cultivated understanding and feelings on this occasion with my thick coming visions pf immortality that almost lifted m from the mountain path was ascending and brought me as it were into contact with the invisible world i repeat it then that such were my feelings when all the faculties which exist in the mind were aroused and concentrated upon one object in such a case the pilgrim stands as it were between life and death and as it was superstition that placed him there she certainly up to his heated fancy those dark l nd which are best adapted to that gloom which she has already cast over his mind although there could not be less than two people young and old boys and girls men and the hale and the the blind and the lame all climbing to gain the top with as little delay as possible yet was there scarcely a sound certainly not a word to be heard among for my i plainly heard the of my heart both loud quick had i been told that the veil eternity was about to be raised before me at that moment i could scarcely have more intensely several females were obliged to rest for some time in order to gain both physical and moral strength one fainted and several old men were obliged to sit down all were every was out e very bead in and nothing broke a silence so solemn but a monotonous murmur of devotion although perhaps at that moment there was not a single heart engaged in the prayers which the mouth was uttering but this is the church of rome still all effect all	50
excitement all sensation arising from the influence of external whilst the heart is untouched and the mind in any worthy the majesty of god or the object of an immortal spirit as soon as we ascended the hill the whole scene was instantly before us a large lake surrounded by an of mountains bleak uncomfortable and desolate in the lake itself about half a mile from the edge next us was to be seen the island with two or three houses on it naked and i as desolate looking almost as the mountains a little range of exceeding low which the an dwarf could scarcely without stooping appeared to the left and the the eye could rest on nothing more except a living mass of human beings crawling slowly about hke worms on a dead dog the first thing the pilgrim does when he a sight of the lake is to prostrate himself kiss the earth and then on his knees offer up three and for the favour of permitted to see this blessed place when this is over he to the lake and after paying ten pence to the is rowed over to the when the whole view was presented to me i stood for some time to contemplate it and i cannot better illustrate the reaction which took place in my mind than by saying that it that awkward which a man s proper body experiences when on going to pull something from which he expects a marvellous resistance it comes with him at a touch and the natural consequence is that he finds his head down and his heels up that which dashed the whole scene from the dark elevation in which the romance of devotion had placed it was the appearance of houses and of the smoke that curled from the and the prior s residence this at brought me back to humanity and the idea of meat boiling pots and dressing dinners every fine and fearful image which had floated through my imagination for the last twelve hours in fact allowing for the difference of situation it nearly resembled john s well or james s fair when beheld at a distance turning the houses into the into tents and the priests into a certain idea slight and involuntary went over my brain on that occasion which though it did not then cost me a single effort of reflection i think was revived and developed at a future period of my life and became perhaps to a certain extent the means of the opening a wider range of thought to my mind and of giving a new tone to my existence still however nothing except my idea of its external appearance disappointed me i accordingly ed with the rest and in a short time found myself among the living mass upon the island the first thing i did was to hand over my three cakes of bread which i had got made in tied up in a handkerchief as well as my hat and second to the care of owner of one of the huts having first by the way undergone a second on touching the island and greeted it with fifteen holy kisses and another string of prayers i then to the should commence the stations s my feet were after so long a journey so that i had not a moment to rest think therefore what i must have suffered on surrounding a large chapel in the direction of from east to west a pavement rf stone every one of them making its way along my nerves and muscles to my unfortunate brain i was absolutely stupid and dizzy with the pain the praying the the the and the uncomfortable of the whole crowd i knew not what i was about but went through the forms in the same mechanical dead spirit which pervaded all present as for that solemn humble and sense of s presence christian prayer demands its existence in the mind would not only be a moral but a physical impossibility in salvation as offered in the word os god and the simple views of man s nature and of god s mercy in him by faith in christ to raise himself from his state of sin do not belong to the place if these doctrines were known salvation would not be made as in tlie present instance to depend on locality there is nothing there but to the blessed virgin prayers and to dead men and women called saints acts of faith hope and charity performed by repeating them from memory or by reading them from books there is confession penance to the eyes and repetition of prayers but seldom repentance or prayer as i said before they could not be felt here how could a with feet and cut up address the almighty father of the universe about like a upon the above mentioned without bein guilty and insult to the deity but if it be not calculated to excite religion in the heart it is right well adapted to the sinner and in a church which contrary to reason and scripture merit in the si ht of god to human works it is no wonder that it attained such eminence for i verily think if mortification of the body without of the life or heart if penance and not repentance could save the soul no wretch who performed pilgrimage here could with a good grace be damned out of hell the place is and if there be a in the other world it may very well b said there is a fair of it in the county of in ireland when i commenced my station i started from what is called the beds and god help st if he lay upon them they are sharp stones placed in the earth with the ends ot them up one circle within another and the in which	50
the pilgrim gets as far as the precisely that iii which school boys enter the walls of upon their i moved away from these upon the sharp stones with which tm island is keeping the chapel or thb dear pilgrim prison as it is called upon my right then turning i came round again with a to the spot from which i set out during this circuit as well as i can remember i repeated fifty five and and five or five and be it known that the fifty prayers were offered up to the virgin mary and the odd five to gk d i then commenced getting around the external beds during which i repeated think fifteen nd more and as the beds in the prayers in length until a short circuit and three and finished the last and of these blessed i really forget how many times each day the prison and these beds are to be surrounded and now many thousand prayers are to be repeated during the circuit though each circuit is in fact making the tour of the island but i never shall mat i was the best part of a july day at it when the of my feet were and the stones hot enough to a beef when the first day s station was over is it necessary to say that a little rest would have been agreeable but no this would not suit the policy of the place here it may be truly said that there is no rest for the wicked the only luxury allowed me was the privilege of upon one of my cakes having not tasted food that blessed day until then upon one of my cakes i say and a copious supply of the water of the lake which to render the more was made this was to keep ray spirits up after the delicate day s labour i had gone through and to cheer me against the pleasant prospect of a hard night s praying without sleep which lay in the back ground but when i saw every one at this refreshing meal with a good thick and then looked at the i thb of mv own i could not help to woman who made them for me with a degree of vivacity not altogether in with the charity of a christian the creature me of one half of the although i had cl it myself in for the occasion being determined that as i was only to get two in the three days they should be such as a person could fast upon never was there a man more bitterly for they were not thicker than crown pieces and i searched for them in my mouth to no purpose the only thing like substance i could feel there was the warm water at last night came but here to describe the horrors of what i suffered i hold myself utterly inadequate a bed with seven others one of whom was a scotch another a man with a shrunk leg who wore a all afflicted with that disease which northern men that feed on are liable to and then the that fell upon my poor young skin and and and fed on me it was pressure and persecution almost and yet such was my fatigue that sleep even here began to weigh down my eyelids i was just on the point of enjoying a little rest when a man ringing a large hand bell came round crying out in a low supernatural growl which could be heard double the distance of the shout up up and come to prison the words were no sooner out of his mouth than there was a sudden start and a general scramble in the dark for our respective garments when we got dressed we proceeded to the waters of the lake in which we washed our face and hands repeating prayers the this to me was the most impressive and agreeable part of the whole station thb pilgrim the night while we were in bed or rather in torture had become quite stormy and the waves of the lake beat against the shore with the violence of an agitated sea there was just sufficient moon to make the darkness visible and to show the black clouds drifting with rapid confusion in broken masses over our heads this joined to the tossing of the against the shore the dark silent groups that came like shadows stooping for a moment over the surface of the waters and retreating again in a manner which the severity of the night rendered necessarily quick raising thereby in the mind the idea of gliding spirits then the pre conceived desolation of the surrounding scenery the indistinct shadowy chain of dreary mountains which faintly relieved by the lurid sky hemmed in the lake the silence of the forms contrasted with the tumult of the elements about us the loneliness of the place its and from the of men all this put together joined to the feeling of deep devotion in which i was wrapped had really a sublime effect upon upon the of those who were there blind to the natural beauty and effect of the hour and the place and it only through tha medium of superstitious awe it was indeed calculated to produce the notion of something not belonging to the circumstances and reality of human life from this scene we passed to one which though not by its dark awful beauty was scarcely inferior to it in effect it was called the prison and it is necessary to observe here that every pilgrim must pass twenty four hours in this place kneeling without food or sleep although one meal of bread and warm water and whatever sleep he could get in with seven m a bed were his allowance of food and sleep	50
pictures your your your candles your ashes your salt your water your charms your your your masses your penance your your your your your your your your floating funds of good works in this life to be sold out to the to relieve them from imaginary in the next you have your visionary and your lying visions your dreams and your your miracles your holy wells your blessed graves and your you have all these but you have not christ these form the great idol which you have set up in his stead these are the strong the lie which you are given to i and yet you call yourself the church of christ you have first told man that he is a sinner and you next teach him to look to human for salvation did christ speak truth when he declared that there is no way unto the but by him that he is the way the tm and the life these words contain the awful sentence of your in them you hear the eternal voice of god against you stand therefore een them and your people that guide from which you have departed in darkness lest it should testify against you lest the people whom you have led astray should find their error and return to the truth lest they should perceive that like the whilst you have jn thb pilgrim to them to have the of god as your standard you have made it of none effect by your traditions but the day is coming is already come when the of the priest and the lie of the man shall both be tried and detected by the word of god on entering the prison i was struck with the dim religious twilight or the place two candles gleamed faintly from the altar and there was something i thought of a deadly light about them as they burned feebly and against the darkness which hung over other part of the building two priests facing the congregation stood upon the altar in silence with pale their eyes catching an glare from the light of the slender but that which was strangest of all and as i said before without in this world was the impression and effect produced by the deep drowsy hollow hoarse ceaseless and hum which proceeded from about four hundred individuals half asleep and at prayer far their were blended and into each other as they repeated in an awe struck and earnest the prayers in which they were engaged it was certainly the strangest and most supernatural like sound i ever heard and resembled a thousand groans uttered in a kind of low deep chant nothing could produce a sense of gloomy alarm in a weak superstitious mind equal to this and it derived much of its wild and singular character as well as of its influence from its for it still rung lowly and on my ear perhaps the deep pro of the bass of a large cathedral bell or that low continuous sound which is distinct from its higher and louder would give a faint the pilgrim notion of it yet only a faint one for the body of hoarse monotony here was immense indeed such a noise had something so powerfully that human nature even excited by the terrible suggestions of superstitious fear was scarcely able to withstand it now the poor pilgrim forget that this strong dis to sleep arises from the weariness produced y their long journeys by the penance of the station performed without giving them time to rest by the other natural consequences of not giving them time to sleep by the darkness of the chapel and by the caught from the low peculiar murmur of the which would of itself overcome the spirit i was here but a very short time when i began to and just as my chin was sinking placidly on my breast and the words of an ave maria dying upon my lips i felt the charm all at once broken by a well meant rap upon the conferred through the of a little angry looking of si ty years and a remarkably good which along with its owner was engaged in the heads of as not having the dread of insanity and the of the place before their eyes were inclined to sleep i declare the knock i received told to such purpose on my head that nothing occurred during the pilgrimage that vexed me so much after all i really slept the better half of the night yet so powerful was the apprehension of that my tongue aloud at the prayers during these nay i not only slept but dreamed i experienced also that singular state of being in which while the senses are accessible to the influence of surrounding objects the process of thought is suspended the the man seems to enjoy an existence in which the soul sleeps and the body remains awake and susceptible ot external impressions i once thought i was washing myself in the lake and that the dashing noise of its waters rang in my ears i also fancied myself at home in conversation with my friends yet in neither case did i altogether forget where i was still in struggling to bring my mind back so was the dread of should i fall that these occasional themselves with this terror and this again broken in upon by the hoarse murmurs about me throwing their dark shade on every object that through my imagination the force of reason too vague at the moment these occasional visions i say and this together of broken images and thoughts had such an effect upon me that i imagined several times that the awful penalty was and that my reason was gone for ever i frequently started and on seeing two dim lights upon the altar and	50
the character of blessed priests with complete success these two gentlemen conducted themselves thus at a moment when there were if they believed it not less than two hundred whole and entire or at the very least a hundred and fifty of the world in a silver at their elbows when morning came the blessed light of the sun broke the leaden charm of the prison and into us a wonderful portion of fresh vigour this day being the second from our arrival we had our second station to perform and consequently all the pilgrim sharp to re we were not permitted at all to taste food during these twenty four hours so that our weakness was really very great i beg leave however to return mv special for the truly hospitable allowance of with which i in common with every other pilgrim was treated this wine is made by filling a pot with the lake water and making it it is then handed round in and wooden to their credit be it recorded in the greatest abundance on this alone i dined and during the second or prison day of my pilgrimage at twelve o clock that night we left prison and made room for another who gave us their such a luxury was sleep to me however that i felt not the slightest inconvenience from the though i certainly made a point to avoid the and the on the following day i confessed and never was an unfortunate soul so afflicted with a bad memory as i was on that occasion the whole thing altogether but the prison scene had knocked me up i could not therefore remember a of my sins and the priest poor man had really so much to do and was in such a hurry that he had made me clean before i had got half through the preface i then went with a fresh to receive the which i did from the hands of the good humoured gentleman who enjoyed so richly the praying talents of the hare in the prison i cannot avoid mentioning here a practice peculiar to roman which consists in an exchange of one or more prayers by a between two persons for instance i offer up o and ave for you and you again for me it is called prayers after i d received the the pilgrim ment i observed a thin sallow little man with a pair of beads as long as himself moving from knot to knot but never remaining long in the same place at last he glided up to me and in a whisper asked me if knew him i answered in the negative oh then ye war never here never oh i see that ye would a known me if ye had well then did ye never hear of the pilgrim i never did i replied but are we not all while here to be bud a pilgrim else you see as well as here my sweet young man then you re a pilgrim by profession that s it every that comes here the time knows the blessed pilgrim in that case it was impossible for me to know you as i was never here before a i know that bud a are ye iv id an at your time of life too bud it must prosper ye here i mane i hope it may well y r parents isn t both it s likely no ay but ye u not be that same ye see i i so your father dead i suppose no my mother your well i didn t say that for a bud still ye see may be some could a ye it was the mother all did you know them i asked you see a i can t say that first their names my name is b an a it is is yer father iv them people the b s iv a t not that i know of oh well well it makes no between you an me at all at all bud the lord mark ye to grace any how it s a name sure only if yer mother was it s herself ud be the proud woman vol i the pilgrim an well she might to see such a son home to her from indeed obliged to you said i i protest vm obliged to you for your good opinion of me it s bud what ye i an more nor that i yer the s iv a i m i am said i surely designed for that ob i know d it i know d it it s in your face you ve the in yer very face an well will ye become the robes when ye get them on ye sure an to tell you the truth in a whisper stretching up his mouth to my ear i feel my heart warm ye somehow i declare i feel much the same towards you i returned for the fellow in spite of me was gaining upon my good you are a decent civil soul an fur that and fur your mother s sake coat in i ll here offer up the gray for the iv her out o the flames iv i really could not help shuddering at this he then repeated a for that purpose the th in our bible but the th in theirs when it was finished with all due that is to say having his breast with great violence kissed the ground and crossed himself repeatedly he says to me like a man confident that he had paved his way to my good graces now as we did do so much yer the very young man that i won t lave the best may l o that s to come yet ye see i ll a prayer ye this blessed i	50
m very you mentioned it said i bud you don t ow may be that i m five dear me is it possible you re under so many five well i replied i am ready under five but i ll lave it to yourself only when it s over may be ye u hear i me that ll ye thankful ye ever d me silver any way by this time i saw his drift but he really had managed his point so not forgetting the de that i gave him ten pence in silver he it with great alacrity and was at the prayer in a twinkling which he did offer up in fine five five ai es and a creed whilst i set the same number to his credit when we had finished he made me kneel down to receive his blessing which he gave in great form now said he in a low important tone goin to show ye a thing that ll make ye bless the born day ye seen my face an it s this did ye ever hear iv the blessed days prayer i can t say i did well m good time still bud there s a blessed buck if ye can get it that has a prayer in id named the days prayer an if ye that same every day fur thirty there s no ye u ax from heaven food bad or bud ye u get an now ye me what i got not a bit said i and i ll certainly look for the book no no the fine young man i aloud well and well did i know ye wouldn t nor another along id sensible and learned as ye are to know the blessed worth iv what he got for id not at the same time any at all at all it and the iv riches iv this earth that every wan has their heart fixed upon iv them that the lord gives the an the to to know oh flattery flattery and a touch of on my part between ye did ye make another in my purse which was instantly lightened by an additional bank token value ten pence handed over to this sugar old when the pilgrim he this he shook me cordially by the hand me not to the days prayer at any rate he then glided off with his small sallow face stuck between his little shrugged shoulders his beads and praying audibly with great apparent whilst his little keen eye was for another in the course of a few minutes i saw him lead a large soft over to a remote corner and enter into an earnest conversation with him which i could perceive ended by their both kneeling down i suppose to a prayer y and i have no doubt but he lightened the honest s purse as well as mine on the third day i was determined if possible to leave it early so i performed my third and last station round the chapel and the beds reduced to such a state of weakness and hunger that the coats of my stomach must have been rubbing against each other my feet were quite therefore made the shortest circuit and the longest strides possible until i finished it i witnessed this day immediately before my departure from this gloomy and truly settlement a scene of some interest a priest was standing before the door of the house giving tickets to such as were about to confess this being a necessary point when he had despatched them all i saw an old man and his son approach him the man seemingly between sixty and seventy the boy about fourteen they had a look of peculiar decency but were thin and even beyond what the of their penance here could produce the youth with weakness and the old man supported him with much difficulty it is right to mention here that this pilgrimage was performed in a season the pilgrim when sickness and famine prevailed fearfully in this kingdom they advanced up to the priest to pay their money on receiving their tickets he extended his palm from habit but did not speak the old man had some silver in his hand and as he was about to give it to the priest i saw the child look up in his father s face whilst an additional came over his own and his eyes filled with tears the father saw and felt tne appeal of the child and hesitated the priest s arm was still extended his hand open would you sir said the old man addressing the priest be good enough to hear a word from me for what sir replied the priest in a sharp repulsive tone why sir answered the old man i am very much distressed ho ho i is this the story come pay the money don t you see i ve no time now for such i t detain you a minute sir said the man this child what what you want to me out of the money then that s your object down with it on the instant and the old man dropped it into the priest s hand in a kind of start produced by the stern tone of voice in which he was addressed when the priest got the money he seemed in a better humour not wishing i could see to send the man away with a bad impression of him well what s that you were going to say to me why sir resumed the old man that i have not a penny in my possession behind what i have just now put into your hand not the price of a morsel for this child or myself although we have forty miles to travel well and how am to remedy that what brought	50
you here if you had not what would bear your expenses i had sir on setting out but my little boy was five days sick in and that the pilgrim took away with it what we had to carry us home and you expect me in short to furnish you with money to do that do you think my good man there are not in my own parish that have a better right to assistance than you l ave v i do not doubt it sir said he i do not doubt it and as for myself i could crawl home upon any thing but what is this child to do he is already sinking with hunger and the poor man s utterance here failed him as he cast his eyes on the poor pale boy when he had recovered himself a little he proceeded he is all that it has pleased god to leave to his afflicted mother and me out of seven of them his other brother and sister and him were all we had living for some years they are seven weeks dead yesterday of the fever and when he was given over sir his mother and i vowed that if god would spare him to us we would bring him to the island as soon as he w ould be able for the journey he was but weakly out and we had no notion that the station was so as it is it has nearly overcome my child and how he will be able to walk forty miles in this weak sickly state god only knows oh sir said the boy my poor father is worse off and weaker than i am and he is sick too sir l m only weak but not sick but my poor father s both weak and sick said he his tears streaming from him as he pressed his father s arm to his breast my poor father is both weak and sick ay and hungry said he take this said the priest it is as much as can afford to give you putting a silver five penny piece into his hand there s a great deal of poor in my own parish alas thought you are not a f indeed sir said the poor man thought you would have allowed me to keep the silver you as how can we travel the dear pilgrim two and forty miles on this v i tell you my good man said the priest sternly his tone of insolence i have done as much for you as i can afford and if every one gives you as much you won t be ill off the tears stood in the old man s eyes as he fixed them hopelessly upon his boy whilst the child looked at the money trifling as it was and seemed to think of nothing except getting the worth of it of food as they l t the priest oh come come father said the little fellow come and let us get something to eat easy dear till i draw my breath a little for john i am weak but the lord is strong and will bring us home if we put our trust in him for if he s not more merciful to his poor creatures than them that acts in his name here john we would have a bad chance they here sat down on the ledge of a rock a few yards from the chapel and i still remained bound to the spot by the interest i felt in what i had just witnessed what do you want sir said the priest to me did you get your ticket i did sir i replied but i hope you will permit me to become an advocate for that poor man and his son as i think their case is one in which life and death are concerned really my good young man you may spare your i m not to be with such tales as you ve heard by the tale if tale you call it i returned which the father told i think sir any man might be guided in his charity but really i think too the most pitiful story was to be read in their faces do ye think so well if that s your opinion i m sure you have a fine opportunity of being charitable go and help them then i have no more time to lose with either you or them said he going into a comfortable house whilst i could have fairly seen him up to the neck in the blessed element about us the pilgrim i here stepped over and instantly desired the old man to hand me the five telling him at the same time that there was something better in as a proof of which i gave half a crown then returned to the priest and laid his five pence down on the table before him for i had the generosity the fire and the of youth about me by the of life what s this sir v said he your money sir i replied it is such a very trifle that it would be of no service to them and they will be enabled to go home without it the old man returns it that is as much as to say he replied that you will them yourself wish you joy of it was it to witness the of others you came to the island let me ask perhaps i came from a worse motive i returned i haven t the least doubt of it but move his face getting black with rage one word of insolence more and i vow to god i will said he stretching to a cutting whip for the use of which this christian was famous i will cut you up while able	50
to stand over you upon my word said i extending my feet one after another you have cut me up pretty well already i think but with the most provoking coolness is that sir the weapon of a christian is it the weapon of a christian vou whatever weapon it is you will soon the weight of it said he it over my head my good father said i do you remember as the which him whom you profess to follow is insufficient to restrain you that the law of the country will not recognise your christianity the laws of the country oh god help it for a country the oh yes excellent here michael i say come drive out that be calm pilgrim not put myself in a out with him the out with him here came forth another reverend champion a huge fellow with a head upon him as red as blood and as large as a mess pot on turning round to contemplate this reverend we recognised each other as slight acquaintances bless me said he what s the matter why b addressing me what s this v ho ho do you know that michael tut i do isn t he br the mission oh ho is that it i well vm glad i know so much good by to you young mr b that s for the mission never fear i ll keep my eye upon you but i think he ll be a before he ll be any thing else for the devil seems to have got a hard of him so saying we separated michael followed me out this is an awkward business said he you had better make submission and ask his pardon for you know he can injure your and will do so if you don t make he is hot of the most cast but that s between ourselves what o lock is it said i near two well good by and god bless you if he had a spark of the christian i would beg his pardon at once if i thought i had offended him but as to making submission to such a man as you call it this is a very day michael returned directly to the old man aod his son and let purity of motive go as it may truth to tell they were no by the priest s conduct as i certainly slipped them a few additional shillings out of sheer contempt for him on a little refreshment in one of the the son fainted but on the whole they were enabled to their journey home and the father s blessing was surely a sufficient against the priest s curse the i was now ready to depart and on my way to the boat found my two old female companions watching lest i should pass and they might miss my company on the way it was now three o clock and we determined to travel as far as we could that night as the were vile in and the mentioned a house of entertainment about twelve miles forward where she said we would find better treatment when we got on the first man i saw was the sitting on a resting himself his eyes fixed on the earth and he evidently in a brown study on what he had gone through he was drawing in his breath gradually his cheeks all the while until they reached the utmost point of when he would all at once let it go with a kind of easy puff ending in a groan as he surveyed his naked feet which were now quite square and out of all shape i asked him how he liked the stations he save me one of the old looks shrugged his shoulders but said nothing it was however a shrug i then asked him would he ever make another pilgrimage he answered me by another shrug a grave look raising his eyebrows and a second ap to his feet all of which i easily translated into strong we refreshed ourselves in when we were on the way home i observed that although the singular and fatal accident which the young man in the prison excited very interest at the time of its occurrence yet no sooner had they who witnessed it got clear of the island than it was given with every possible ornament so that it would be as easy to recognise the plain fact when out by their as it would be to understand the sense of an original r f the pilgrim after it has come through the hands of half a hundred but human nature is a darker than any you could find in the lady s magazine who would suppose for instance that it was the same motive set their tongues now had chained their spirits by the strong force of the marvellous and the terrible while they were in prison yet this was the fact but their influence hung while there like the tyrant s sword over each individual head and until the danger was past they could feel no interest for any thing themselves in both cases however they were governed by the force of the marvellous and the terrible when we had finished our journey for the day i was glad to find a tolerable bed and never did man enjoy such a luxury of sweet sleep as i did that night my old companion too evinced an attention to me seldom experienced in an accidental traveller she made them get down water and my feet and asked me at what hour i would set out in the morning telling me that she would see my clothes brushed and every thing done so minute was the honest creature in her little attentions i told her i would certainly take a nap in the morning	50
since it is a venture at my the serious character of the of stories is a vol ii vi preface tion from my former attempts and i have received advice enough on that account to make me present them with some but because i have elsewhere it does not follow that i am for gravity of which any o vl is capable or proof against melancholy which even the ass those who can be touched by neither of these moods rank lower indeed than both of these creatures it is from none of the player s ambition which has led the by a rash step into the tragic that i assume the humour but because i know from certain passages that such affections are not foreign to my nature during my short lifetime i have often been as sad as night and not like the young gentlemen of france merely from it is the contrast of such leaden and golden fits that a double relish to our days a life of mere laughter is like music without its bass or a picture conceive it of light whereas the occasional melancholy like those grand rich f of old produces an effect and a very graceful it will flatter me to find that these my tales can give a hint to the or a few hours entertainment to any one i confess i have thought well enough of them to make me compose some others which i keep at home like the younger till i know the treatment of their elder brethren whom i have sent forth to buy corn for me into egypt to be too confident is as unjust in work as too much of distrust who from the rules of study have not know d never were deserved we must submit to so doth he whose hours this issue yet being free for his part if he have not pleased you then in this kind he ll not trouble you ag in the spanish tragedy let the clouds make the moon dark the stars extinct the winds blowing the bells the shrieking the the minutes and the clock striking twelve old play instead of speaking of which came under my observation or were related to me by others i purpose to speak of certain adventures which personally concerned me and to judge from the agitation and horror which the remembrance at this distance of time in me the narrative shall not in interest to any creation of fiction and romance my hair has changed from black to gray since those events occurred strange and wild and terrible enough for a dream i wish i could believe that they had passed only on my pillow but when i look around me too many sad tokens are present to convince me that they were real for i still behold the ruins of an old calamity to commence i must refer back to my youth when having no brothers it was my happy fortune to meet with one who by his rare qualities and surpassing affection made amends to me for that denial of nature de was like myself an orphan and that circumstance contributed to him to my h art we were both born too on the same day and it was one of our childish to believe that thereby the spanish tragedy our were so intimately blended that on the same day also we should each descend to the grave he was my my my partner in all my little possessions and as we grew up he became my my bosom friend and adopted brother i gave to his the very keys of my heart and with a like sweet confidence he me even with his ardent for my beautiful and accomplished cousin de many earnest we held over the certain opposition to be dreaded from her father who was one of the as well as poorest of had embraced the profession of arms and his whole fortune lay at the point of his sword yet with that he hoped to clear himself a path to glory to wealth and to the ancestors of the himself had been originally and enriched by the gratitude of their sovereign for their signal services in the field and when i considered the splendid and warlike talents which had been evinced by my friend i did not think that his aspirations were too lofty or too sanguine he seemed made for war his chief delight was to read of the exploits of our old chivalry against the and he lamented bitterly that an interval of profound peace allowed him no opportunity of his and his against the and enemies of spain all his exercises were martial the chase and the were his amusement and more than once he engaged as a in against the mountain a race of men dangerous and destructive to our enemies in war but the and terror of their own country in times of peace often his bold and adventurous spirit led him into imminent but the same contempt of dan sh tragedy united with his generous and humane nature made him as often the of safety to others an occasion upon which he rescued me from drowning in us both the opinion that our lives and at the same time put a stop to the frequent i used to address to him on his wanton and unfair of our joint this service procured him a gracious introduction and reception at my uncle s and gave him opportunities of enjoying the society of his beloved but the stem disposition of the was too well known on both sides to allow of any more than the secret of their passion for each other many tears were secretly shed by my excellent cousin over this cruel consideration which her from sharing her confidence with her parent but at length on his preparing for a journey to in those days	50
an of some peril she resolved by the assistance of filial duty to overcome this and to open her bosom to her father before he departed from her perhaps for ever i was present at the parting of the with his daughter which the subsequent event impressed too strongly on my memory to be ever forgotten it has been much disputed whether persons have those special by dreams or which some affirm they have experienced before sudden or great calamity but it is certain that before the departure of my uncle he was oppressed with the most gloomy these he attributed to the of the momentous which called him to and which in fact involved his title to the whole possessions of his ancestors but s mind interpreted this as the whisper of some spirit or angel and this belief united with the she found in making the confession that lay at her heart made her earnestly convert these into an argument against his journey surely she said this melancholy which you is some warning from above which it would be to despise and therefore sir let me entreat you to remain here lest you sin by tempt ing your own fate and make me wretched for ever nay he replied gravely i should rather sin by the good providence of gk d which is with us in all places with the traveller in the desert as with the on the wild ocean notwithstanding let me embrace you my dear child as though we never should meet again and he held her for some minutes closely pressed against his bosom i saw that s heart was vainly swelling with the secret it had to deliver and would fain have spoken for her but she had strictly forbidden me or to utter a word on the subject from a feeling that such an should only come from her own lips twice as her father prepared to mount his horse she caught the skirts of his mantle and drew him back to the threshold but as often as he attempted to speak the blood her pale cheeks and bosom her throat choked and at last she turned away with a despairing gesture which was meant to say that the was impossible the was not unmoved but he the cause of her agitation and referred it to a vague of evil by which he was not himself twice after solemnly blessing his daughter he turned back once indeed to repeat some trifling direction but the second time he lingered abstracted and thoughtful as if taking a last farewell the spanish tragedy of bis house and child i had before earnestly entreated to be allowed to accompany him and now renewed my request but the proposal seemed only to offend him as an on the courage of an old soldier and he no other reply than by immediately setting spurs to his horse i then turned to she was deadly pale and with clasped hands and streaming eyes was leaning against the pillars of the porch for support neither of us spoke but we kept our eyes earnestly fixed on the figure that with a pace was now ascending the opposite hill the road was winding and sometimes hid and sometimes gave him back to our gaze till at last he attained a point near the summit where we knew a sudden turn of the road would soon cover him entirely from our sight my cousin i saw was overwhelmed with fear and self reproach and pointing to the figure now no bigger than a i said i would still overtake him and if she pleased induce him to return but she would not listen to the suggestion her she said should never come to her father from any lips but her own but she still hoped she added with a faint smile that he would return safely from and then if the should be won he would be in such a mood that she should not be afraid to her heart to him this answer satisfied me the was now passing behind the extreme point of the road and it was destined to be the last glimpse we should ever have of the old man never returned as soon as a considerable time had elapsed more than was necessary to inform us of his arrival in the capital we began to grow very anxious and a letter was despatched to his advocate with the necessary inquiries the answer brought thb spanish tion and dismay the had never made his appearance and the greatest anxiety prevailed amongst the lawyers engaged on his behalf for the success of their cause was in despair all her tears and self reproaches were renewed with increased bitterness and the tenderest arguments of and myself were to subdue her alarm or console her for what was now in her eyes to a most breach of piety and affection she was naturally of a religious turn and the of her not only tended to increase her despondency but induced her to impose upon a voluntary and rash act of penance that caused us the greatest affliction it had been between and myself that we should immediately proceed by different in search of my uncle and at daybreak after the receipt of the advocate s letter we were mounted and arm d and ready to set forth upon our anxious expedition it only remained for us to take leave of my cousin and as we were conscious that some considerable degree of peril was attached to our pursuit it was on mine and must have been to s feeling a parting of anxious interest and importance but the farewell was forbidden the himself informed us of a resolution which he commended but which to us for this once seemed to rob his words of either reverence or authority to mark her for imaginary sin had the company and even the	50
passage through their had given me no very favourable opinion of their habits or character and it was possible that the warlike and which i observed every where about me might be as much intended for the home security of a as for a precaution against their probable vicinity it was now too late lor me to my steps flight was the same precautions which were used against any hostile entrance were equally opposed to my unless indeed i had recourse to the way by which i had entered and which led through the common room immediately occupied by the objects of my suspicion this would have been to draw upon myself the very consequence i dreaded my safety for the present seemed to be most assured by a careful of all tokens of distrust till these suspicions be more confirmed and i should not readily forgive myself if after all the dangers of darkness and tempest and an unknown country it should prove that my apprehensions had been acted upon without any just foundation these thoughts however were soon diverted by a new object the s daughter entered with bread merely with a few and i could not restrain from addressing to her some which were so strangely and in the spanish tragedy answered as quickly to my whole attention it was then impossible to look away from her from her features she had evidently been very handsome with a good figure but now she stooped in her shoulders and had that peculiar crouching and which i have often observed in the insane indeed she had altogether the manner and appearance of one under the influence of melancholy she looked moved spoke like a bein but half recovered from death and the grave as if the body indeed was released from its but the mi d had not yet escaped from its mortal i never saw an eye so dark and so dull in woman it had not the least lustre or intelligence but seemed glazed and moved with a and languor just short of death her cheeks were as pale as marble but of a cold while and my heart ached to think that they had been most probably by bitter and continual tears on her neck she wore a small black which she sometimes kissed as if mechanically and with a very faint semblance of devotion and her hands were adorned with several most costly and ful rings far foreign indeed to her station but borne it seemed without any feeling of personal vanity or even of consciousness the world seemed to contain for her no stirring interest her mind had like a dark pool or had rather frozen till it took no impression from any external object when she acted it was only from the influence of habit and when the task was done she again into the same cold calm judge then of my astonishment i might say terror when this mysterious being so insensible so apparently abstracted from all earthly began to her black eyes upon mine and to the tragedy her accustomed in an of some wild and inconceivable interest what was there in me to arouse her from that mental trance in which she had been absorbed i wished with the most intense anxiety to gain some information from her looks and yet at the same i could not her gaze even for an instant her father who had entered surprised ai so extraordinary an emotion hastened out and the immediate entrance of the mother evidently upon some feigned pretext of business only tended to increase my how had i become an object of interest to these whom till that hour i had never seen and with whose by any possibility i could not have the most remote unless by their in the fate of m v uncle this conjecture filled me with an alarm and agitation i could ill have concealed if my observer had not been too much absorbed in her own emotions to take any notice of mine a sensation of shame flushed over me at being thus and by the mere gaze of a woman but then it was such a look and from such a being as i can never behold again it seemed to all that i had read of enchantment or of the snake like gaze neither to be endured nor and under this dismal spell i remained till the entrance of the charm whatever it might be was then broken with a long shuddering sign she turned away her eyes from me and then left the room what a load at that moment seemed removed from my heart her presence had oppressed like that of one of the mortal but now at her going my breath returned again and the blood thrilled through my veins crossed himself in he had noticed spanish me shrinking and shuddering beneath her glance and doubtless the most horrible notions of an influence which could work upon me so he too had met with his own terrors in a whispering dialogue be had partially overheard during his employment in the stable and which served to the fearful mystery that hung like a cloud over all the sayings and doings of that bewildered creature had loved and it was but too plain the allusions of the dialogue that the of her affection had been a robber he had suffered for his crimes a cruel and lingering death of which she had been a constrained spectator and she had over the remembrance pf his agonies it required but little conjecture to fill up the of the narrative her manners her the possession of those costly ornaments were easily accounted for and it only remained to find a solution for the wild and intense interest with which she had regarded me this would have a natural explanation by supposing in myself some accidental resemblance to the of her	50
lover and the after course of events proved that this conjecture was well founded there were grounds in these particulars for and alarm from t e nature of her attachment the and of the family must be of a very character what if my host himself should be secretly associated with some neighbouring of and under his occupation of their and blood thirsty designs upon the traveller i might not his very house be their lurking place or nay might it not be provided with and traps and secret and all those which we have heard of as expressly prepared for thb tragedy the of outrage and murder there was a marked and about the master a mixture of fox like caution with the ferocity of the wolf that confirmed rather than such suspicions and why had my arms been so conveyed away under a pretence of care and attention but in reality to deprive me of even the chances of defence all these considerations shaped themselves so reasonably and agreed so naturally as to induce conviction and upon myself as a victim already marked for destruction it only remained for me to exercise all my sagacity and mental energy to myself from the toils flight i had resolved was and if i should demand my arms the result of such an application was obviously certain i dared not even hint a suspicion but why do i speak of suspicions they were immediately to be into an appalling certainty i had not communicated my thoughts to knowing too well his impetuous and character but in the meantime his own fears had been busy with him and his depression was by the circumstance that he had not been able to procure any wine from the who swore that he had not so much as a left in his house it would have been to believe that one of his profession should be so indifferently provided but this assertion made in the face of all the and of his convinced me that he felt his own mastery over us and was resolved to let us cost him as little as possible was in despair his courage was always to the wine he had taken and feeling at this moment an urgent necessity for its assistance he resolved to supply himself by a stolen visit to the cellar he had taken note of its thb situation during a temporary assistance rendered to the and made sure that by watching his opportunity he could reach it ft seemed to require na small degree of courage to venture in the dark upon such a course but the excitement was stronger than fear could and off his boots to prevent any noise he set forth on his expedition no sooner was he gone than i began to perceive the danger to which such an step might subject us but it was too late to be recalled and i was obliged to wait in no very anxiety for his return the interval was long or seemed so before he made his appearance he bore a small can and from his looks had met with no serious obstacle but whether the had been observed or it happened simply by chance the entered close upon his heels there is sometimes an instinctive presence of mind by the aspect of danger and guided by this impulse in an i extinguished the light as if by accident for a time at least wo were sheltered from discovery the turned back it was a critical moment for us but even in that moment the spirit of drink prompted my unlucky servant to take a draught of his stolen and immediately afterwards i heard him it forth again in evident disgust with its in a few moments the returned with a lamp and as soon as he was gone the liquor was eagerly and to our unspeakable horror it had every appearance of blood it was impossible to suppress the effect of the natural disgust which affected at this discovery he groaned aloud he violently the again came in upon us and though i attributed the illness of my servant to an internal which thb i h him at times to spit up blood it was evident that he gave no credit to the explanation he seemed to comprehend the whole scene at a glance in fact the vessel with its horrid contents stood there to me and i gave up my vain attempt in silent and absolute despair if we were not before devoted to death this deadly circumstance had decided our fate his own safety indeed would enforce upon the the necessity of our being sacrificed the fellow meanwhile departed without uttering a syllable but i saw in his look that his determination was sealed and that my own must be as promptly resolved i had before thought of one measure as a last desperate resource this was to avail myself of the favourable interest i had excited in the daughter to appeal to her to awaken her if possible to a sympathy with my danger and her interference to assist my escape yet how could i obtain even an interview for my purpose strange that i should now wish so for that very being whose presence had so lately seemed to me a curse now i for her voice her step with an impatience never equalled perhaps but by him for whom she had my whole hope rested on that resemblance which might attract her again to gaze on a shadow as it were of his image and i was not deceived she came again and quietly herself before me began to watch me with the same earnestness poor wretch now that i knew her history i regarded her with nothing but tenderness and pity her love might have burned as bright and pure as ever was kindled in a maiden s bosom and was	50
she necessarily aware of the profession of its object he might have been brave generous in love at least honoured and honourable and the spanish tragedy compared with the wretches with whom her home associated her even as an angel of light would his fate else have crushed her with that eternal sorrow such were my reflections on the melancholy ruin of the woman before me and if my pity could obtain its in hers l was saved hope catches at i saw or fancied in her looks an affectionate expression of sympathy and anxiety that i eagerly interpreted in my own behalf but the result this anticipation it was evident that my most impassioned words produced no corresponding impression on her mind my voice even seemed to the illusion that was raised by my features and rising up she was going to withdraw but that i detained ner by seizing her hand no she said and made a slight effort to free herself you are not no my poor maiden i said i am not but am i not his image do i not remind you of his look of his features yes yes she replied quickly you are like my you are like him here and she back the hair from my forehead but his hair was darker than this and the mournful remembrance for the first time filled her dull eyes with tears this was an omen whilst i saw only her hot glazed eyes as if the fever within had up every tear i of exciting with an external interest but now that her grief and her malady even seemed to in this it was a favourable moment for my appeal i addressed her in the most touching voice i could assume you loved and you say i thb st tragedy him for his sake will you not save me from perish her only answer was an unconscious and wondering i know too well i continued that i am to perish and you know it likewise am i not to be murdered this very night she made no reply but it seemed as if she had comprehended my words could it be that with that strange cunning not uncommon to insanity she thus in order to cover her own knowledge of the designs of her father i resolved at least to proceed on this supposition and repeated my words in a tone of certainty this decision had its effect or else her reason had before been to my question yes i yes yes i she said in a low hurried tone and with a suspicious glance at the door it is so he will come to you about midnight you are the son of the old man we conceive how i started at these words they literally stung my ears it was not merely that my worst fears were as the fate of my uncle for doubtless he was the victim or that i was looked upon and devoted to a bloody death as his for these i was already prepared but there was yet another and a deeper cause of horror the old man that we had that wild then lent her own hands to the horrid deed had she perhaps helped to bind to pluck down and hold the struggling victim to his feeble cries nay joined her strength even to the fatal cord or was it that she only herself in the act by the use of an expression it might merely signify that it was the act of some of those of the house with whom by habit she included herself as a part f hb spanish tragedy at the same time i could not but remember that even the female heart has been known to become so hardened by desperation and of crime as to be capable of the most ferocious and she had too those same eyes and locks which i have always been accustomed to think of in with and and all those stern hearted women who dipped their hands in blood her brain was dizzy her bosom was chilled her sympathies were dead and and she might gaze on murder and all its horrors with her and indifference to what a being then was i going to commit my safety to one who from the cradle had been nursed amidst scenes of and violence whose associated had ever been the fierce and the lawless whose lover even had been a leader of and by his influence and example might make even murder and cruelty lose some portion of their natural blackness and horror it might happen that in these thoughts i wronged that unhappy creature but my dismal situation me to regard every thing in the most light i had cause for apprehension in every sound that was raised in every foot that stirred in whatever face i met that belonged to that horrible place still my present experiment was the last short of mere force which i could hope would avail me and i resumed the attempt it seemed prudent in order to quiet the suspicion i had excited that i should first all or interest in the unfortunate victim and i thought it not criminal in such an extremity to have recourse to a falsehood what you say i replied to her of an old man being murdered is to me a mystery if such an occurrence has happened it is no doubt vol ii the tragedy ble to some one but as for my i trust thai for these many years he has been with the blessed in the presence of god for myself i am a traveller and the purposes of my journey are purely my is but alas i shall never see it again you tell me i am to die to night that i am to perish by	50
violence and have you the heart to resign me to such a horrible fate you have power or interest to save me let me not perish by i know not what i have a home far away let it not be made desolate let me return to my wife and to my young children and they shall daily bless thee at the foot of our i believe the necessity of the occasion inspired me with a suitable eloquence of voice and manner for these words as they were made a visible impression on the wild being to whom tliey were addressed as i spoke of violence and cruelty she shuddered as if moved by her own terrible associations with those words but when i came to the mention of my wife and children it evidently awakened her compassion and all at once her womanly nature burst through the sullen clouds that had held it in oh no no no she replied hurriedly you must not die your will weep else and your wife will would have said thus too but he met with no pity for all the eyes that wept for him she clasped her forehead for a moment with her hands and continued but i must find a way to save you i thought when he died i could never pity any one again but he will be glad in heaven that i have spared one for his sake a momentary pang shot through me at these touching words when i remembered how much i the had wronged her by my injurious suspicions but the consideration of my personal safety quickly en my thoughts and i demanded eagerly to now by what means she proposed to my escape she soon satisfied me that it would be a trial of my utmost fortitude there was a secret door in the of my allotted bed chamber which communicated with her own and by this an hour before midnight she would guide me and provide for my from the house but she could neither promise to procure me my horse nor to provide for the safety of the unlucky who was destined to be lodged in a far distant from my apartment it may be imagined that i listened with a very unwilling ear to this arrangement by which alone i was to await the uncertain coming of my what if by any accident it should be preceded by that of the but it was idle to indulge in these doubts there was but one chance of escape open to me and it was for me to embrace it upon whatever terms it was offered accordingly i promised to to the maiden s instructions to offer no opposition to any arrangements which should be made to carefully the slightest indications of to seal up my lips for ever in silence of these events and above all to avoid any expression or movement which might give to her father with these and kissing her token of her sincerity she left me i was alone on some occasion had withdrawn and i was left to the companionship of reflections which in such a feverish interval could not be any thing but disgusting at one time i calculated the many chances there were against the continuance of this rational interval in the mind of a then i doubted her power of saving the spanish and the means she had proposed as existing in reality might not be her own delusion as well as mine i even with myself whether it was not an act of moral that i should accept of without for the safety of my poor servant these thoughts utterly me the of the clock grew into a sensation of real and exquisite pain as indicating the continual advances of time towards a certain crisis with its yet uncertain catastrophe the hour hand was already within a few of ten and kept travelling onward with my thoughts to a point that might verge with me on eternity the lamp was every moment its little remainder of oil to supply me it might be with my last of light my days were perhaps numbered the blood taking its last course through mv veins one of subjects of my anxiety i might have spared myself the abruptly entered and with a look and tone of seeming dissatisfaction informed me that had taking with him my arms and whatever of my property he had been able to lay his hands upon so far then if the tale was true he was safe but it seemed wonderful by what means he could have a vigilance which doubtless included him it its keeping and still more that at such a moment he should have chosen to rob me a minute ago i would have my fortune on his honesty and my life on his fidelity the story was too improbable but oh the other hand it was but too likely that he had either been actually despatched or else in some way removed from me that i might not claim his company or assistance in my chamber there was only one person who was likely to these doubts and she was absent and i began the spanish to consider that in order to give time and scope for her promised assistance it was necessary that i should retire to ask in a few words to be shown to my room seemed an easy task but when i on the dark features harshly and vividly marked by the strong light and as he bent over the lamp even those few words were beyond my utterance to meet such a in the dead of night thrusting apart one s curtains would be a sufficient warning for death the seemed to understand and anticipate my desire and taking up the lamp proposed to conduct me to my chamber i nodded assent and he began	50
to lead the way in the same deep silence a mutual and conscious seemed to keep us from speaking our way led through several dark narrow passages and through one or two small rooms which i lost no time in the accumulated which hung from all the angles of the the old dingy and the visible neglect of cleanliness gave them an aspect of that chilled me to the very soul as i passed through them i fancied that on the dusty floors i could trace the of blood the walls seemed spotted and with the same hue he rude hands of my host guide even seemed tinged with it as though i had gazed on the a crimson blot hovered before me wherever i looked and all objects with this horrible colour every moving shadow projected by the lamp on the walls seemed to be the passing of some one who had here been murdered sometimes me at a door sometimes looking down upon me the ceiling or echoing me step by step up the old crazy stairs still following me i went as if conscious of our approaching fellowship the at last i was informed that i stood in my allotted chamber i instantly and mechanically cast my eyes towards the window and a moment s glance to show me that it was strongly this movement did not escape the eye of my companion well he said what dost think have i not bravely my i could make no answer there was a look and tone of triumph and malicious irony accompanying the question that would not have suffered me to speak calmly the had secured his victim and looked upon me no doubt as a spider does upon its prey which it has and leaves to be at its leisure fortunately i recollected his daughter s caution and subdued m emotion in his presence but my heart sank within me at his exit as i heard the door locked behind him and felt myself his prisoner all the horrible i had read or heard related of midnight of travellers murdered in such very as thronged into my memory with a vivid and hideous fidelity to their wild and horrible details a fearful curiosity led me towards the bed a that it would afford me some confirmation of these fears and i turned over the pillow with a shuddering conviction that on the under side i should be startled with of blood it was however fair snow white indeed and the sheets and were of the same innocent colour i then recollected the secret it was natural that i should be eager to its existence but with the inspection i could make i was unable to discover any trace of it indeed opened upon me from every side but it was only to forth hideous of armed the p irish r with that vanished again on a moment s scrutiny and as these were only of my imagination so that one for which i sought had no existence i doubted not but in the bewildered brain of a thus then my last avenue to escape was utterly and i had no hope left but in such a despairing resistance as i might make by help of the mere bones and with which god had provided me the whole furniture of the chamber would not afford me an effective weapon and a thousand times i cursed myself that i sooner adopted this desperate resolution while such rude arms as a fire place could supply me with were within my reach there was now nothing left for me but to die and would have another victim to alas would he ever know how o where i had perished or that i had even passed the boundaries of death i should fall unheard unseen and my spirit would walk with those shadows i bad fancied wandering the reflection me my brain whirled round my brow seemed by the fever of my thoughts and hastening to the window i threw open a little for air a grateful of wind immediately entered but the lamp with which i had been making my fruitless search was still in my hand and that gust extinguished it darkness was now added to all mv other evils no moon nor a single star the night was intensely obscure and groping my way back to the bed j cast myself upon it in an agony of despair i cannot describe the dreadful storm of passions that shook me fear anguish horror made up the terrible chaos and then came rage and i vowed if ever i survived to visit the with a bloody and fierce i have said that the room was utterly dark but imagination peopled it with terrific images and kept my eyes straining upon the gloom with an attention painfully intense shadows even than the night seemed to pass and before me the curtains were grasped and withdrawn visionary arms furnished with glancing steel were uplifted and descended into obscurity sense was assailed the silence was interrupted by audible slow cautious footsteps stirred across the floor imagined hands travelled stealthily over th bed clothes as if in feeling for my face then i heard distant shrieks and recognised the voice of in piteous and gradually stifled sometime the bed seemed descending under me as if into vault or cellar and at others faint of would seem to issue from the floor as if designed to me without affording me even the poor chance of resistance at length a sound came which my ear readily distinguished by its distinctness from the mere suggestions of fear it was the cautious and opening of the door my eyes turning in that direction were eagerly but there was hot a glimmer of light even accompanied the entrance of my unknown but it was a man s foot a boiling noise rushed through my ears and my tongue	50
the was to find its all the past except that horrible and distant part of it over which she had utterly again from her memory like words traced upon water the examination only lasted for a moment but it to convince me of this unwelcome result what then indeed could have been expected from the uncertain and of a i wondered how i could have built up a single hope on so slippery a foundation it was now too late to my folly or its consequence a few would the robber to consciousness and those were all that would allow me to seek or avail myself of passage for retreat although no other entrance was immediately apparent it was obvious that this chamber must have some other one than the by which i had so unexpectedly arrived and this conclusion proved to be correct there was a trap door in one comer for communication with beneath to it to grasp the ring to raise it up were the transactions of an instant but no sooner was it thrown open than my ears were assailed by a sudden uproar of sounds from below the noise seemed at first to be the mere riot of a drunken but a continued attention made me interpret differently of the tumult which now seemed to partake less of the mirth of than of the violence and voices of some serious ay the distance of the sounds which came from the further part of the house an accurate judgment of their nature had the quarrelled amongst themselves and proceeded to blows the disorder and distraction incident to such a tumult could not but be highly favourable to my purpose and i was just on the point of stepping through the when the th span i h behind me as if aroused by the uproar sprang up on his feet rushed past me with a speed that seemed to be urged by alarm and bounded through the trap door the room beneath was in darkness so that i was unable to distinguish his course which his intimate knowledge of the place nevertheless enabled to pursue with ease and certainty as soon as his footsteps were unheard i followed with less speed and i might indeed have possessed myself of the lamp which stood upon the table but a light would have betrayed me and i continued to my way in darkness and ignorance to the lower chamber an of sound to the left an open door and directing my course to that quarter i found that it led into a narrow passage as yet i had seen no light but now a cool of air seemed to promise that a few steps onward i should meet with a window it proved to be only a hole the noise as i advanced had meanwhile become more and more violent and was now even accompanied by irregular of pistols my vicinity to the scene of contest made me hesitate i could even distinguish voices and partially understood the and that were uttered i had before attributed this tumult to a l amongst the inmates themselves but now the indications seemed to be those of a more serious strife the of fire arms were almost incessant and the shouts and cries were like the cheers of and battle of fury and anguish the had doubtless been and in their den and it became necessary to consider what course in such a case it was the most prudent for me to adopt should i seek for some place of concealment and there await the issue of a contest which would most probably in vol the spanish favour of justice or ought i not rather to hasten and lend all my energies to the cause i still held in my hand the dagger of which i had possessed myself but could it be hoped that thus imperfectly armed if armed it might be called my feeble aid could essentially contribute to such a victory the decision was as suddenly as unexpectedly resolved a familiar voice which i could not mistake though loud and far above its natural amidst a of fifty others struck on my ear and no other was necessary to my steps towards the scene of action i had yet to some passages which the increase of light enabled me to do more readily the smoke the din the flashing reflections along the walls now told me that i was close upon the strife and in a few moments on turning an abrupt angle i had it in all its confusion me the first and nearest object that struck me was the himself apparently in the act of his piece his back was towards me but i could not mistake his tall and muscular frame on bearing a step behind him he turned discharged a pistol at my head and then disappeared in the of the tumult the ball however only past my ear but not harmless for immediately afterwards i felt some one against me from behind clasp me for an instant by the shoulders and then roll downwards to the floor the noise and the exciting interest which hurried me hither had me from perceiving that i was followed and i turned eagerly round to ascertain who had become the victim of the shot it was the s own daughter the unhappy herself whose shattered brain had thus received from his hand the last pang it was destined to endure a single groan was all that tbe spanish the poor wretch had uttered i felt an shock at this horrid catastrophe i was stained with her blood of her brain even to my clothes and i was glad to escape from the horror excited by the spectacle by plunging into the chaos before me further than of a few moments during which however i had exchanged and a number of blows and i have	50
no recollection a spent ball on the struck me directly on the forehead and laid me insensible under foot amidst the dying and the dead when i recovered i found myself lying on a bed the same by a strange coincidence that i had already occupied but the faces around me though warlike were friendly my first eager inquiries as soon as i could speak were for my friend for it was indeed his voice that i had recognised amidst the conflict but i could obtain no direct answer sad and silent looks sighs and tears only made up the terrible response he was then slain nothing but death indeed would have kept him at such a moment from my pillow it availed nothing to me that the victory been won that their wretched were all prisoners or destroyed at such a price a thousand of such would have been dearly purchased if i could have felt a ny consolation in his death it would have been to learn that his arm had first amply in blood the murder of the that the had been by him to the heart that numbers of the robbers had perished by his heroic hand but i replied to the tidings with tears for my friend and regrets that i had not died with him how cruelly by his going before me had the sweet belief of our youth been i was it possible that i had survived perhaps to see the grass grow over his head and to walk alone upon the earth when io the spanish he should be nothing but a little dust why had i been spared others could convey to the intelligence that she had no longer a father or a lover and in such an overwhelming she could well forego the poor and of a friend such were my natural and feelings on contemplating the loss of my beloved friend but new and indispensable duties recalled the energies of my mind and diverted me from a grief which would else have consumed me the last sacred rites remained to be performed for the dead and although the fate of the might readily be divined it was necessary to its certainty by the discovery of his remains the who were questioned on this point maintain ed an obstinate silence and the of the military had hitherto been except to one poor wretch whom they rescued from extreme suffering and probable death i related the disappearance of my servant and my suspicions as to the cause of his absence were found to have nearly on the truth he had saved himself it appeared from immediate danger by b feigned compliance with the invitations of the to himself in their numbers but as a precaution or a he had been bound hand and foot and consigned to a garret till i should have been first disposed of the poor fellow was dreadfully cramped in his limbs by the of the and was nearly half dead with cold and when he was thus discovered but no sooner had he revived and comprehended the object of our search than his memory supplied us with a clue the wine barrels the house had been narrowly i the but these by some hasty had been overlooked i resolved to lead this new myself s sickening and recollections which now pointed his would not let him be present at the examination but he directed us by such minute particulars that we had no difficulty in finding our way to the spot there were other traces had they been necessary for our guidance of blood were seen on descending the stairs and across the floor till they terminated at a large barrel or which stood first of a range of several others on the opposite side of the cellar here then stood the vessel that contained the object of our search my firm conviction that it was so made me see as through the wood itself the appearance which i had conceived of my ill fated uncle the horrible picture overcame me and whilst i involuntarily turned aside the quarters of a human body and finally the head were drawn forth from the infernal as soon as i dared turn my eyes they fell upon the fearful spectacle but i looked in vain for the i had expected to meet the were those of a middle aged man the features were quite unknown to me but a profusion of long black hair told me at a glance that this was not the head of the aged neither could this belong to the old man who had been alluded to by the as having been our search therefore be extended the neighbouring barrel from its sound was empty and the next likewise but the third and last one on being struck gave indications of being occupied perhaps by contents as horrible as those of the it was however only half filled with water there was still a smaller cellar the spanish eating with the outer one by a narrow arched pas sage but on examination it proved to have been applied to its original and legitimate purpose for it contained a considerable quantity of wine every recess every nook was carefully the floors in particular were examined but they supplied no appearance of having been recently this unsuccessful result almost a doubt in me whether indeed this place had been the theatre of the tragedy my strongest belief had been founded on the words of the in sion to the old man who had been but her story pointed to no period of time and might refer to an occurrence of many years back surely the police and the military certainly had been led hither by some more perfect information i had neglected hitherto to possess myself of the particulars which led to their attack on the house but the answers to my	50
inquiries tended in no way to throw any light upon the fate of the in his progress through the had fallen in with a party of the provincial who were the country in pursuit of the bands that it and the capture of a wounded robber had furnished them with the particulars which led to their attack upon the inn the dying wretch had been eagerly by as to his knowledge of the transactions of his fellows but though he could obtain no intelligence of the his impetuous made him readily unite himself with an expedition against a class of men to whom he attributed the old nobleman s mysterious disappearance the mournful i have related his vengeance was amply but dearly on the the spanish tragedy keeper and his blood thirsty associates but the fate of my uncle remained as doubtful as ever the was reserved for chance one of the in shifting some litter in the stables remarked that the earth and stones beneath appeared to have been recently turned up the fact was immediately communicated to his officer and i was summoned to be present at this new the men had already begun to dig when arrived and some soiled fragments of clothes w hich they turned up already assured them of the nature and the of the deposit a few mo ments more to lay it bare and then by the i instantly recognised the gray hairs and the features of him of whom we were in search all that remained of my uncle lay before me the starting and blood eyes the gaping mouth the blackness of the face and a livid mark round the neck confirmed the tale of the as to the cruel mode of his death may i never gaze on such an object again hitherto the excitement the labour the uncertainty of the search had sustained me but now a violent reaction took place a of all the horrors had witnessed and endured rushed over me like a flood and for some time i in a state of high delirium i was again laid in bed and in the interval of my repose preparations were made for our departure the bodies of the slain robbers and men were promptly and after securing all the of any value which the soldiers were allowed to appropriate as a spoil the house was ordered to be fired as too eligible a refuge and for such desperate associations at my earnest request a separate grave had been provided for the remains of the unfortunate which were committed to the the spanish tragedy earth with all the that our limited and means could afford the spot had been chosen at the foot of a tall pine in the rear of the house and a small cross carved in the bark of the tree was the only memorial of this ill girl these cares speedily executed occupied till daybreak and just at sunrise we commenced our march a horse left by the death of one of the was assigned to me two others were mournfully occupied by the bodies of and the each covered with a coarse sheet and the captive robbers followed bound with their faces backward upon the s the s wife was amongst the prisoners and her loud breaking out afresh at every few paces prevailed even over the boisterous merriment of the and the of the when from the rear i looked upon this wild pr k in the cold gray light of the morning winding down the mountains that warlike escort those two horses with their funeral burdens the fierce faces of the prisoners me and then turned back and distinguished the tall pine tree and saw the dense column of smoke soaring upward from those ancient ruins as from some altar to vengeance the whole past appeared to me like a dream my mind stunned by the and number of events which had been crowded into a single night s space refused to believe that so bounded a period had for such effects but recalled again and every scene and every fact r as if to be con by the of the and the fidelity of the details of a reality i could not banish or divert these thoughts all the former horrors were before me the spanish the images of the of the of of were up and acted their parts anew till all was finally wound up in the that my eyes on those two melancholy burdens before me but i will not dwell here on those two objects as i did then an hour or two after sunrise we entered a town where we up to justice those miserable wretches who were afterwards to be seen and in the sun throughout the province and here also my own progress for three long months was destined to be other lips than mine conveyed to the dismal tidings with which i was charged other hands than mine assisted in paying to the dead their last pious excessive fatigue grief horror and a neglected wound a raging fever from which with difficulty and by slow degrees i re covered alas only to find myself an alien on the earth without one tie to attach me to the life i had so unwillingly regained i have only to speak of the fate of one more person connected with this history in the of st at there is one who bv the peculiar sweetness of her disposition and the superior of her life has obtained the love and veneration of all her pure she is called sister the lines of an early and acute sorrow are deeply on her brow but her life is placid and serene as it is holy and saint like and her eyes will neither weep nor her bosom heave a sigh but when she to the of this melancholy story she is now nearly	50
ripe for heaven and may her bliss there be as endless and perfect as here it was troubled and fearfully hurried to its close the miracle of the holy cold meat in tbe cave in my younger days there was much talk of an old of great who lived in a rocky cave near he had a very reverend gray beard which reached down to his middle where his body looking like a s was almost cut in two by the of a stout which he wore probably to restrain his hunger during his long and frequent his nails besides had grown long and crooked uke the of a bird his arms and legs were bare and his brown garments very coarse and ragged he never tasted flesh but fed upon and roots and drank nothing but water nor ever lodged any where winter or summer but in his bleak rocky above all it was his painful custom to for hours together with his arms extended in imitation of the cross by way of penance and mortification for the sins of his body after many years spent in these he fell ill towards the autumn of a mortal disease whereupon he was constantly visited by certain and who had in the neighbourhood not so much as a work of the holy charity and mercy as that they were anxious to obtain his body for they made sure that many notable miracles mi ht be wrought at his tomb accordingly they about his death bed of leaves like so many when they scent a prey but more jealous of each other till the pious s last breath at length took flight towards the skies m as soon as he was dead the two who were watching him ran each to their several to report the event the being of foot was the first to arrive with his tidings when he found his brethren just sitting down to their meal whereas when the heard the news they were at prayers which gave them the advantage cutting the service short therefore with an abrupt amen they ran instantly in a body to the cave but before they could well fetch their breath again the also came up finishing their dinner as they ran and both parties ranged themselves about the dead father a and a very man then stepping in front of his addressed them as follows my dear brethren we are too late as you see to receive the passing breath of the holy man he is quite dead and cold put your out of your hands therefore and with all due reverence assist me to carry these relics to our that they may repose amongst his fellow the murmuring at this expression f yea added he i may truly call him a and a rigid one witness which for want of a rope he hath round his middle almost to the cutting of his holy body take up i say these precious relics the miracle of whereupon his followers obeying his and the resisting them there arose a lively struggle as if between so many and over the dead body the two however being equally matched in strength they seemed more likely to the than to carry him off on either side wherefore father by dint of entreaties and struggling procured a it was a shameful thing he told them for servants of the prince of peace as they were to mingle in such an and besides that the country people being likely to witness it the scandal of such a would do more harm to them than the possession of the body could be a benefit to either of their orders the religious men of both sides in the prudence of this advice they left a on either part to take charge of the dead body and then by common consent to the house of the the chapel being very large and convenient for the purpose they went hither to carry on the debate and surely such a strange kind of service had never been performed before within its walls father standing beside a painted window which made his face all manner of hues be an in a discourse to assert the claims of but john quickly interrupted him and another brother john all the as well as were soon talking furiously together at the same moment their arguments therefore were balanced against each at last brother who had a shrill voice like a s leaped a bench and called out for a hearing and moreover clapping two large together in the manner of a pair of he the other noise into a temporary silence as soon the as they were quiet this said he may easily be adjusted as for the s body let those have it of whatever order who have to the good man s soul and given him the extreme at this proposal there was a general silence throughout the chapel till father feeling what a scandal it would be if such a man had died without the last affirmed that he had given to him the and father on behalf of the declared that he had the same office thus that seemed to ave been repeated which in truth had been altogether omitted wherefore at his wit s end proposed that the should draw lots and had actually cut a slip or two out of the margin of his for the purpose but father relied too much on his own to refer the issue to mere chance in this extremity a certain happening to be present they him as man and impartial to lead them to some decision and after a little thinking he was so fortunate as to bring them to an acceptable method of the matter being thus arranged the returned to their own where as soon as they arrived father assembled them all in the and spoke to them in these	50
words you have heard it settled my brethren that the claims of our several are to be determined by to the cave now i know that our rivals will omit no that may show their house to i e the nearest wherefore not to be i am resolved to make a proper from our own i foresee notwithstanding that this measuring bout will lead to do accommodation for the on both vol ii the miracle of sides being false will certainly a fresh go therefore some of you very and bring hither the blessed body of the which by god s grace will save a great deal of and then the may measure as as they please the brethren of this design chose out four of the amongst whom was francis to proceed on this expedition and in the meantime the event fell out as the superior had predicted the adverse on their task began to and after each other with their rods returned with complaints to their separate but francis with his comrades proceeded to the cave where they found the dead body of the but neither of the who had been appointed to keep watch taking the therefore without any on their shoulders they began to very merrily till coming to a by place in the middle of a wood they agreed to set down their burden awhile and refresh themselves after their labours one of the however of weaker nerves than the rest objected to the companionship of the dead who with his long white beard and his ragged garments which stirred now and then in the was in truth a very ful object dragging him aside therefore into a dark solitary thicket they returned to sit down on the grass and pulling out their which contained some very wine they began to enjoy themselves without or the last level rays of the setting sun were beginning to shoot through the boughs the trunks which at noon are all shady and obscure with a flaming gold but the merry tub holy thought it prudent to wait till night fall before they ventured with their charge beyond the friendly shelter of the wood as soon therefore as it was so safely dark that they could barely distinguish each other they returned to the thicket for the body but to their horrible dismay the dead had vanished nobody knew whither leaving them only a handful of his gray beard as a with a remnant or two of his tattered garments at this discovery the were in despair and some of them began to weep to go back to the but francis being in a jolly mood put them in better heart why what a is this said he about a dead body the good father as you know was no and did not smell over purely for which reason doubtless some hungry devil of a wolf has relieved us from the labour of bearing him any farther there is no such as your wolf is who would not be likely to at his great piety though i marvel he did not object to his i tell you take courage then and trust to me to clear you who have brought you out of fifty such the knowing that he spoke reasonably soon comforted themselves and running back to the they repaired all trembling into the presence of the superior father inquiring eagerly if they had brought the body francis answered boldly that they had not but here said he is a part of his most reverend beard and also his mantle which like he dropped upon us as he ascended into heaven for as the pious was translated into the skies even so was the holy excepting these precious relics being torn out of our arms as it were by a anon the holy appealing to his comrades to his they declared that it happened with even as he related and moreover that a bright and glorious light shining upon them as it did upon and his company when they to had so bewildered them that they had not yet recovered their perfect senses in this plausible manner the got themselves dismissed without any penance but father the story at the bottom of his heart and went to bed in great trouble of mind not doubting that they had lost the body by some and that on the morrow it would be found in the possession of his rivals the the latter however proving as disconcerted as he was he took comfort and causing the story to be set down at large in the records of the and with the names of the four he had it read publicly on the next sunday from the pulpit with an exhibition of the beard and the mantle which procured a great deal of wonder and reverence amongst the congregation the at first were vexed at the credit which was thus lost to their own but being afterwards with a portion of the gray hairs and a or two of the brown cloth they joined in the of the story and the country people believe to this day in the miracle of the holy the widow of behold in me a wretched of divided love a widow much whose life is but a sorry ell of v n cut it when you list old play there lived in the province of a lady perfectly beautiful that she was called by travellers and by all indeed who beheld her the flower of spain it too frequently happens that such handsome women are but as beautiful weeds useless or even whereas with her excellent charms she possessed all those virtues which should properly in so lovely a person she had therefore many but especially a certain old knight of in person and with coarse features who as he was exceedingly wealthy made the most tempting offers to induce her to become his	50
mistress and failing in that object by reason of her strict virtue he proposed to her but she him as a bad and brutal man which was his character let fall the blessing of her affection a young gentleman of small estate but good reputation in the province and be i g speedily married they lived together for three years very happily notwithstanding this the abominable the widow or al knight did not cease to her till being rudely checked by her husband and threatened with his vengeance he for a season it happened at the end of the third year of their marriage that her husband being unhappily murdered on his return from whither he had been called by a she was left without protection and from the failure of the cause much besides in her means of living this time therefore the knight thought favourable to renew his and neither respecting the of her grief nor her forlorn state he her so continually that if it had not been for the love of her child she would have been content to die for if the knight was odious before he was now thrice hateful from his and above all in her eyes from a suspicion that he had procured the of her dear husband she was obliged however to confine this belief to her own bosom for her was rich and powerful and wanted not the means and scarcely the will to crush her many families had thus suffered by his and therefore she only awaited the arrangement of certain private affairs to withdraw secretly with her maintenance into some remote village there she hoped to be free from her but she was delivered from this trouble in the meantime by his death yet in so terrible a manner as made it more grievous to her than his life had ever been it wanted at this event but a few days of the time when the lady proposed to remove to her country lodging taking with her a maid who was called maria for since the of her fortune she had retained but this one servant now it happened that this woman one day to her the widow of lady s closet which was in her bed chamber so soon as she had opened the door there tumbled forward the dead body of a man and the police being summoned by her shrieks they soon recognised the corpse to be that of the old knight though the countenance was so blackened and as to seem scarcely human it was sufficiently evident that he had perished by poison whereupon the unhappy lady being was unable to give any account of the matter and in spite of her fair reputation and although she appealed to god in behalf of her innocence she was thrown into the common along with other the criminal addresses of the deceased knight being generally known many persons who believed in her guilt still pitied and excused the cruelty of the deed on account of the persecution she had suffered from that wicked man but these were the most charitable of her judges the violent death of her husband which before had been only attributed to robbers was now assigned by persons to her own act and the whole province was shocked that a lady of her fair seeming and of such should have brought so heavy a disgrace upon her sex and human nature at her trial therefore the court was crowded to excess and some few generous persons were not without a hope of her but the same facts as before being proved upon oath and the lady still producing no justification but only asserting her innocence there remained no reasonable cause for doubting of her guilt the public advocate then began to plead as his painful duty commanded him for her condemnation he urged the facts of her acquaintance and bad terms with the murdered the widow of knight and moreover certain expressions of hatred which she had been heard to utter against him the yery scene and manner of his destruction he said spoke to her prejudice the first a private closet in her own bed chamber and the last by poison which was likely to be employed by a woman rather than any weapon of violence afterwards he interpreted to the same conclusion the abrupt flight of the waiting maid who like a guilty and fearful had disappeared whenever her mistress was arrested and he recalled the still mysterious fate of her late husband so that all who heard him began to bend their brows solemnly and some reproachfully on the unhappy object of his discourse still she herself firmly and calmly only from time to time lifting her eyes towards heaven but when she heard the death of her dear husband touched upon and in a manner that laid his blood to her charge she stood forward and placing her right hand on the head of her son cried so witness god if ever shed his father s blood so may this his dear child shed mine in vengeance then sinking down from exhaustion and the child weeping bitterly over her the were again touched with compassion almost to the doubting of her guilt but the evidence being so strong against her she was immediately condemned by the court it was the custom in those days for a woman who had committed murder to be first by the and then burnt to ashes in the midst of the market place but before this horrible sentence could be pronounced on the lady a fresh witness was moved by the grace of god to come forward in her behalf this was the waiting wo the widow of man maria who hitherto had remained disguised in the body of the court but now being touched with remorse at her lady s she stood up on one of	50
fresh arguments the doctor replied alas he had already discuss ed the subject so often that his reasons were quite exhausted whereupon tlie flashing leaping quickly out of the the trembling hebrew plucked the dish towards him and with many struggles began to eat it cost him a thousand faces to swallow the first morsel and from the laughter that came from behind a silken screen they were observed by more besides the who took such a cruel pleasure in the amusement of his women that s compelled to proceed even to the of the dish he was then suffered to depart without wasting any logic upon the cup of wine which after his meal he would have been quite happy to discuss i guess not how the jew consoled himself besides for his involuntary sin but he bitterly cursed the cruel and au his wives who could not amuse their indolent lives with their dancing girls and but made merry at the expense of his soul his wife joined heartily in his and both putting ashes on their heads they mourned and cursed together till the sunset there came no however on the morrow as they expected but on the eighth day was summoned again to the the jew at this message began fo weep making sure in his mind that a fresh of pork was prepared for him however he repaired tb the palace where he was told that the favourite lady of the was and vol ii the dish of silver commanded him to for her now the are very jealous of their and disdain especially to expose them to the eyes of of whom the jews are held the most vile wherefore when begged to see his patient she was allowed to be brought forth only in a long white veil that reached down to her feet the notwithstanding the folly of such a proceeding forbade her veil to be lifted neither would he permit the jew to converse with her but commanded him on pain of death to return home and prepare his the wretched doctor groaning all the way went back to his house without wasting a thought on what he should administer on so hopeless a case but considering instead the practice of the which separated so many necks however he told his wife of the new he was placed in for the a curse take her said give her a dose of poison and let her perish before his eyes nay answered the jew that will be to pluck the sword down upon our own heads nevertheless i will cheat the s with some wine which is equally to their souls and may god visit upon their conscience the misery they have enforced upon mine in this bitter mood going to a filthy hole in the floor he drew out a and as many hebrew curses on the liquor as the are wont to utter of blessings over their he filled up some bottles and repaired with them to the palace and now let the generous virtues of good wine be duly for the happy the illness of the favourite being merely a languor and melancholy proceeding from the the cup dish of silver ous of her life the draughts of soon dissipated her in such a miraculous manner that she sang and danced more gaily than any of her slaves the therefore instead of returned to him all the of gold he had taken to which the grateful lady besides added a valuable and when she was would have none but the physician thus saved both his head and his money and besides convinced the of the virtues of good wine so that the golden cup was finally emptied as well as the dish of silver the tragedy of when i j the dawn amid their sleep i beard my sons for they were with me weep and ask for bread s every one in has heard of the famous robber but as some may bo ignorant of one of the most interesting incidents of his career i propose to relate a part of his history as it is in the criminal records of that city this wicked man was born in the fair city of and of very obscure but the time which i mean to speak of is when he returned to after being some years absent in the western indies an with a fortune which whether justly or acquired to afford him the rank and apparel of a gentleman it was then as he strolled up one of the a few days after his arrival that he was attracted by a very poor woman gazing most anxiously and eagerly at a shop window she was lean and and clad in very rags and made altogether so miserable an appearance that even a robber with the least grace of charity in his heart would have instantly her with an the robber however contented himself with observing her motions at a distance till at last casting a fear the tragedy of ful glance behind her the poor wretch suddenly dashed her withered arm through a pane of the window and made off with a small coarse loaf but whether from the of hunger or she ran so slowly it cost but a moment s pursuit to overtake her and seizing her by the arm he began thief as he was to her for making so free with another s property the poor woman made no reply but uttered a short shrill scream and threw the loaf through a little and then turning a face full of hunger and fear for charity sake and the love of god to let her go free she was no daily she told him but a distressed woman who could relate to him a story which if it did not break her own heart in the utterance must needs command his pity but	50
he was no way moved by her appeal and the baker coming up and on the restoration of the loaf to which she made no answer but by her tears they began to drag her away between them and with as much violence as if she had been no such skeleton as she appeared by this time a crowd had assembled and beholding this and learning besides the trifling amount of the they bestowed a thousand curses and some blows too on and the baker these hard hearted men however maintained their hold and the office of police being close by the poor wretched creature was delivered to the guard and as the were then sitting the cause was presently examined during the accusation of the poor woman stood utterly silent till coming to speak of her speech and of the resistance which she had made to her capture she suddenly int mm and lifting up her hands aiid arms towards thb tragedy of s heaven inquired if those poor bones which had not strength enough to work for her were likely weapons for the injury of any creature at this pathetic appeal there was a general murmur of indignation against the and the charge being ended she was advised that as only one witness had against her she could not be convicted except upon her own confession but she to shame the truth or to wrong even her for the people were ready to believe that he had her freely admitted the adding that under the like necessity she must needs sin again and with that hiding her face in her hands she sobbed out my alas for my poor children p at this exclamation the judge even could not his tears but told her with a broken voice that he would hear nothing further to her own prejudice expressing moreover his regret that the world possessed so little charity as not to have prevented the mournful crime which she had committed then desiring to know more particulars of her condition she gratefully thanked him and imploring the blessing of god upon all of those who had shown so much sweet charity on her behalf she began to relate her melancholy history she was the daughter she said of a wealthy merchant at and had been instructed in all accomplishments that belong to a lady that having listened unhappily to the of an in the king s guard she had married him and bestowed upon him all her fortune but that instead of being grateful for these benefits he had expended her property in living and finally deserted her her two children to the care of him that the here her voice becoming e y of more tremulous and almost she excused herself saying that for two whole days she had not tasted of any food and must needs have perished but that by god s good grace she had then caught a rat which served her as it was for a meal the judge was exceedingly shocked and immediately gave orders for some but she declined to touch them saying that whilst her children were in want she could not eat but with his gracious permission would only rest her head upon her hands and so she sat down in silence whilst all the people contemplated her with pity still beautiful in her misery and reduced from a luxurious condition to so dreadful an extremity in the meantime the officers were despatched by the judge s direction to bring hither the children and after resting for a little while the unfortunate lady resumed her story for two years she said she had maintained herself and her little ones by in and other works of art but afterwards falling ill from her over exertion and concealed sorrows her strength had deserted her and having no other resource she had been obliged to sell her at last she had nothing left but the poor she at present wore besides her wedding ring and that she would sooner die than part with for i still live she added in the hope of my husband s return to me r and then may god forgive thee as i will forgive thee for all this cruel misery at the mention of this name her turned instantly to the complexion of marble and he would fain have made his escape from the court but the crowd pressing upon him as if willing that he should hear the utmost of a misery for which he had shown so little compassion he was compelled to remain in the of his place he flattered himself notwithstanding that by reason of the alteration in his features from his living in the indies he should still be by the object of his cruelty whereas the captain of the vessel which had brought him over was at that moment present and wondering that his ship had come safely with so wicked a wretch on board he instantly by name and pointed him out to the indignation of the people at this discovery there was a sudden movement amongst the crowd and in spite of the presence of the judge and of the entreaties of the wretched lady herself the robber would have been torn into as many pieces as there were persons in the court except for the of the guard in the meantime the officers who had been sent for the children had entered by the opposite side of the hall and making way towards the judge and somewhat upon the table before it could be perceived what it was they covered it over with a coarse linen cloth afterwards being they declared that having proceeded whither they had been directed they heard sounds of moaning and sobbing and in a child s voice that entering upon this and beholding one child bending over another and weeping bitterly they supposed the latter to have died of hunger but	50
on going nearer they discovered that it had a large wound on the left side and that it was then and breathing but was since dead they pointed as they said this to the body on the table where the blood was now beginning ta visibly through the linen cloth as for the of its being wounded or the author they could give no evidence not only because the house was otherwise but that the remaining child was so or so stricken with grief mat it could thb tragedy of give no account of the occurrence his cries indeed at this moment from the adjoining corridor and the mother staring wildly around her and beholding that which lay upon the table suddenly away the cloth and so exposed the body of the dead child it w as very lean and with a gaping wound on its left bosom from which the blood even to the clerk s desk so that the paper which contained the record of the lady s sorrows was stained with this new sad evidence of her misfortunes the people at this dreadful sight uttered a general moan of horror and the mother the whole court re echo with her shrieks that some from mere anguish ran out of the hall whilst others stopped their ears with their hands her cries were so long and piercing at last when she could scream no longer but lay as one dead the judge rose up and commanding the other child to be brought in and the dead body to be removed out of sight he endeavoured partly by soothing and partly by threats to draw forth the truth of what had been hitherto an incomprehensible mystery for a long time the poor child being and made no answer but only sobbed and trembled as if his little joints would fall asunder till at last being re assured by the judge and having of some wine he began to relate what had his mother early in the morning had promised them some bread but being a long ti tie absent and he and his little brother growing more and more hungry they lay upon the floor and wept that whilst they cried a small very small indeed was thrown in at the window and both being almost and both struggling together to obtain it he had his little brother with a knife which he held in his hand thb of and with that bursting afresh into tears he the judge not to hang him all this time the cruel remained unmoved and the judge him in the language ordered him to be imprisoned he then lamented afresh that the of christian charity and benevolence was for such horrors as they had witnessed and immediately the people as if by consent began to offer money and some their to the unfortunate lady but she heedless of them all and exclaiming that she would sell her dead child for no money rushed out into the street and there repeating the same words and at last sitting down she expired a martyr to hunger and grief on the steps of h r own dwelling the lady in love with romance go go thy ways as a baggage as ever knight witch many persons in remember the old de the gross in his person he was eminently large and vulgar with a most brutal countenance and in his disposition so coarse and and withal so great a that if one could believe in a of souls the spirit of a swine had passed into this man s body for the of human nature now truly this was a proper for the lady who besides the of her person was adorned with all those accomplishments which become a she was moreover gifted with a most excellent wit so that she not only played on the and various musical instruments to admiration but also she enriched the melody with most beautiful verses of her own composition her father a great man and very proud besides of the nobility of his blood was not insensible of these her rare merits but declaring that so precious a jewel deserved to be richly set in gold and that rather than marry her below her estate he lady would devote her to a life of perpetual he watched her with the vigilance of an to do them justice the young gentlemen of the province omitted to gain access to her presence but all their attempts were as vain as the grasping at water and at length her parent becoming more and more jealous of her admirers she wa confined to the solitude of her own chamber it was in this irksome seclusion that reading constantly in novels and such works which refer to the ages of chivalry she became suddenly smitten with such a new passion for the romantic talking continually of knights and and of love and war that her father doubting whither such a madness might tend gave orders that all books should be removed from her chamber it was a grievous thing to think of that young lady cheerful and beautiful as the day confined thus like a wild bird to an unnatural cage and deprived of the common delights of liberty and nature at length that old knight of coming not with rope nor disguised in woman s apparel like some but with a costly and a most golden reputation he was permitted to lay his large person at her feet and contrary to all expectation was regarded with an eye of favour at the first report of his reception no one could marvel in a man of such a countenance she could behold with those brave and comely young who it was thought must have risen out of their graves in to behold such a but when they called to mind her grievous and how hopeless it was that she could be freed	50
by any from the vigilance of her father almost forgave her that she was ready to obtain her by her hand on a first cousin to the in love with romance ft devil a certain gallant gentleman however who was named was so offended by the news that he would have slain the without any concern for the consequences to but the lady hearing of his design made shift to send him a message that by the same blow he would wound her quiet for ever in the mean time her father was at the of so rich a son in law as the knight for he was one of those parents that would bestow their children upon himself notwithstanding that they should be turned into sordid gold at the first embrace in a transport of joy therefore he made an unusual present of valuable jewels to his daughter and told her withal that in any reasonable request he would instantly indulge her this liberal promise astonished not a little but after a moment s musing she made answer you know sir she said my passion for romance and how heartily i despise the fashion of these days when every thing is performed in a dull formal manner and the occurrence of to day is but a pattern for the morrow there is nothing done now so as in those delightful times when you could not divine one hour the fate that k you in the next as you may read of in those delicious works of which you have so cruelly deprived me i beg therefore as i have so consulted your satisfaction in the choice of a husband that you will so far indulge me as to leave the manner of our marriage to my own discretion which is that it may be on the model of that in the history of in which if you remember the lady being confined by her father as i am to conceal a lover in her closet and making their escape to vol ii the lady by a rope ladder they are united in marriage now by tbe holy virgin replied her father this thing shall never be and a thousand difficulties and above all that the knight would be exceeding adverse to his part in the drama he repented a thousand times over of the books which had filled her with such preposterous fancies the lady notwithstanding was resolute and declaring that otherwise she would kill herself rather than be crossed in her will the old reluctantly to her scheme accordingly it was that the next evening at dusk the knight should come and play his under her whereupon hearing his most music she was to let f ll a ladder of ropes and so admit him to her chamber her father moreover making his nightly rounds she was to conceal her lover in her closet and then both descending by the ladder together they were to take flight on a pair of fleet horses which sl ould be ready at the garden gate and now said she if you fail me in the smallest of these particulars the knight shall never have of me so much as a ring may embrace and with this they awaited the completion of their drama the next night the lady watched at her window and in due season the knight came with his but as if to make her sport of him for the last time she affected to mistake his music ah she cried here is a goodly to sing one awake with i go away a mile hence with thy voice or i will have thee answered with an all this time the knight fretted himself a love with romance violent rage stamping and all the blessed saints but when he heard mention of the he made a motion to run away which constrained the lady to recall him and to cast him down the ladder without any further it was a perilous and painful journey for him you may be sure to climb up to a single story but at length with great labour he into the balcony and in a humour that went nigh to mar the most charming romance that was ever invented in short he vowed not to stir a step further in the lot but telling him that for this first and time he must needs fulfil her will which would so speedily be resolved into his own and him besides with some little tokens of en he allowed himself to be locked up in her closet the lady then laid herself down in bed and her father knocking at the door soon after she called out that he was at liberty to enter he came in then very gravely with a dark lantern and asking if his daughter was asleep she replied that she was just on the skirts of a ah he after bidding her a good night am i not a good father to humour thee thus in all thy in i have forgotten the speech which i ought here to deliver but pray look well to thy footing and keep a firm hold of the ladder for else thou wilt have a deadly fall and i would not have thee to damage my he departed and going back to his own chamber he could not help god that this troublesome folly was so nearly at an end it only remained for him now to receive the letter which was to be sent to him as if to procure his pardon and and this after a the space being brought to him by a domestic he read as follows sir if you had treated me with loving kindness as your daughter i should most joyfully have you as my father but as you have always carried a purse where instead you ought to have worn a human heart i have made free	50
to bestow myself where that seat of love will not be wanting to my happiness as for the huge knight whom you have thought fit to select for my husband you will find him locked up in my closet for the manner of my departure i would not willingly have made you a party to your own disappointment but from your excessive vigilance it was hopeless for me to escape except by a ladder of your own planting necessity was the mother of my invention and it father was love excepting this performance i was never romantic and am not now and therefore neither your forgiveness nor yet despairing at its denial i am going to settle into that sober discretion which i hope is not foreign to my nature farewell before you read this i am in the arms of my dear a gentleman of such merit that you will regain more honour with such a son than you can have lost in your daughter on reading this letter the old man fell into the most rage and the knight from the closet they reproached each other so bitterly and quarrelled so long as to make it hopeless that they could overtake the even had they known the direction of their flight in this pleasant manner the lady of love with romance made her escape from an almost hopeless and an odious and the letter which she wrote is preserved unto this day as an evidence of her wit but her father never forgave her and when he was stretched even at the point of death being on this subject he made answer that he could never forgive her when he had never forgiven himself for her and with these words on his lips he expired the eighth of thia fellow would sleep out a night it happened one day in a certain merry party of that their conversation at last on the noted miracle of most of the company treated the story of the seven as a pleasant fable and many shrewd and v were passed on the occasion some of the gentlemen dreams for those drowsy personages provoked much mirth by their allusions whilst other on the changes in manners which they must have remarked their century of all of the listeners being highly diverted excepting one sober gentleman who made a thousand faces at the discourse at length taking an opportunity to address them he them very seriously in defence of the miracle calling them so many and and saying that he saw no reason why the history should not be believed as well as any other legend of the holy fathers then after many other curious arguments he brought the example of the which sleeps throughout a winter that the christians being laid in a cold place like a rocky or a might the eighth of reasonably have remained for a hundred years his companions themselves to be converted flattered him on to proceed in a discourse which was so some of them his glass continually with wine of which through talking till he became dry he partook very freely at last after uttering a volume of follies and he dropped his head upon the table and fell into a profound during which interval his merry companions a scheme against him which they promised themselves would afford some excellent sport carrying him therefore to an upper chamber they laid him upon an old bed of state very furnished and decorated in the style of the ages thence id a private theatre in the house which belonged to their they arrayed themselves in some habits very grotesque and fanciful and disguised their faces with paint and then sending one of their number to keep watch in the bed chamber they awaited in this the of the in an hour or the perceiving that the other began to ran instantly to his comrades who hurrying up to the chamber found their sitting upright in bed and wondering about him at its uncouth furniture one of them then speaking for the rest began to congratulate him on his revival out of so tedious a slumber persuading him by help of the others and a of lies that he had slept out a hundred years he thereupon asking them who they were they answered they were his dutiful great who had kept watch over him by turns ever since in proof of this they showed him how the bed one face one voice one habit and two persons a natural perspective that is and is not i hu there lived in a young gentleman so passionately loved by a young lady of the same city that on his sudden she made a vow to think of no other and having neither relations nor friends e her dear brother who was then abroad she hired a small house and lived almost the life of a being young and handsome however and possessed besides of a plentiful fortune she was much annoyed by the young of the place who practised so many to get speech of her and her so continually that to free herself from their doth now and for the future she exchanged her dress for a man s apparel and privately withdrew to another city by favour of her complexion which was a s and the solitary manner of her life she was enabled to preserve this disguise and it might have been expected that she would have met with few adventures but on the contrary she had barely a month in this new dwelling and in this unwonted garb when she was visited with still than in those she had so lately resigned as the beginning of her troubles it happened one evening in going out a little distance that she was delayed in the street by seeing a young woman who on some stone steps and with scanty rags to cover her was nursing	50
the two wept together for the space of many minutes in the mean time a domestic abruptly entered and exclaiming that the murderer of don was condemned and that he had seen him conducted to prison he delivered into the hands of his mistress a fragment of a letter which she read as follows most dear and injured lady before this your eyes your ears will be stung with the news that it is i who have killed four and knowing that by the same blow have slain your peace i am not less stained by your tears than by his blood which is shed my wretched life will speedily make for this last offence but that i should have your admirable constancy and affection by so unworthy a return of cruelty and falsehood is a crime that up my before i can shed them and makes so despair that i cannot pray even on the threshold of death and yet i am not quite the wretch you may me except in misery but desiring only to die as the most unhappy man in this unhappy world i have withheld many particulars which might otherwise for me with my judges but i desire to die and to away from both hatred and pity if such me but above all to perish from a remembrance whereof i am most unworthy and i am but a and a poor remnant of dust you may happily forgive for s sake the many faults and human sins which did once it i am only a few brief hours short of this and the life which was bestowed for your misery and mine will be extinguished for ever my blood is running its last course through its veins and the light and air of which all others so largely partake is measured out to me do not curse me do not forget that which you once were to me though to my crimes but if my name may still live where my lips have been put your pardon into a prayer for my soul against its last sunrise only one more request i have a sister in who tenderly loves me and believes that i am still abroad if it be a thing possible confirm her still in that happy delusion or tell her that i am dead but not how as i have concealed my true name i hope that this deadly reproach may be spared to her and now from the very of the grave it was a painful thing to hear the lady reading thus far her groans but the remainder was written in so wavering a hand and withal so stained and blotted that like the meaning of death itself it surpassed discovery at length let me go cried let go and e rate him if they mistake me thus for my brother the will not be able to distinguish him from me and in this manner he may escape and so have more years for repentance and make his with god wildly clapping her as if for joy at this fortunate thought she entreated so earnestly for a womanly dress that it was given to her and it over her man s apparel she made the best of her way to the prison but alas the countenance of the miserable was so changed by sickness and sharp anguish of mind that for want of a more happy token she was constrained to recognise him by his bonds her fond therefore would have been hopeless if besides had not been so resolute as he was in his opposition to her entreaties she was obliged therefore to content herself with mingling tears with him till night in his and then struggling and tearing her fine hair as though it had been guilty of her grief she was removed from him by main and in that manner conveyed back to the lady s residence for some hours she expended her breath only in and the most passionate arguments of distress but afterwards she became as fearfully calm neither speaking nor weeping nor listening to what was addressed to her merely remarking about midnight that she heard the din of the workmen upon the and which though heard by no other person at so great a distance was confirmed afterwards to have been a truth in this state with her eyes fixed and her lips moving but without any utterance she remained till morning in a kind of and therein so much more happy than her unfortunate companion who at every sound of the great bell which is always against the death of a started and sobbed and shook as if each stroke was made against her own heart but of on the contrary it was noted that even when the procession was passing immediately under the window at which she was present she only shivered a little as if at a cool breath of air and then turning slowly away and desiring to be laid in bed she fell into a slumber as profound nearly as death itself but it was not her blessed fate to die so quickly although on the next morning the unhappy partner of her grief was found dead upon her pillow still and cold and with so sorrowful an expression about her countenance as might well rejoice the that she was from a life of so deep a trouble as for she took no visible note q this occurrence nor seemed to have an v return of reason till the third day when growing more and more restless and at length wandering out into the city she was observed to tear down one of the for the execution which were still attached lo the walls after this she was no more seen in the neighbourhood and it was feared she had violently made way with her	50
head upon the matter which found means to remove by degrees taking care above all to caress the unconscious mare whenever they met and sometimes going half privately to converse with her in the stable at last being very much distressed by these proceedings he addressed as follows i am at my wit s end about this matter i cannot find in my heart from respect to make my lady do any kind of rude work so that my cart stands idle in the stable and my wares are thus which is a state of things that i cannot very well afford but above all your anguish whenever you meet with your poor wife is more than i can bear it seems such a shocking and like sin in me for the sake of a little money to keep you both asunder take her therefore freely of me as a gift or if you will not receive her thus out of consideration for my poverty it shall be paid me when your lady is restored to her estates and by your favour with her own lily white hand nay ray accept of her without a word you must be i know to take her to the great michael scott and in the mean time i will pray myself to the blessed saints and his charms may have the proper effect the rogue at these words with joy fell about the mare s neck and taking her by the after a formal parting with began to lead her gently away her old master with eyes continued watching her departure till her tail was and his quite out of sight whereupon instantly on her back and without or mercy toward where he sold er as certain are recorded to have disposed of their wives in the market place some time afterwards to on a holiday to purchase another horse for his business he beheld a in one of the streets who was beating his very cruelly the kind directly interfered in behalf of the ill used brute which indeed was his own mare though much altered by hard labour and sorry diet and now got into a fresh scrape with blows through up to her old master was much shocked you may be sure to discover the enchanted lady in such a wretched plight but not doubting that she had been stolen from her afflicted husband he the very with the who laughed at him in his turn for a madman and proved by three witnesses that he had purchased the mare of s eyes were thus opened but by a very painful operation however he purchased his mare again without for either golden hair oi lily white hands and with a heavy heart rode back again to his village the inhabitants when he arrived met together on some public business after which like an man as he was complained bitterly amongst his neighbours of his disaster they made themselves therefore very merry at his expense and the especially who was reckoned the wit of the place bore all their with great patience defending himself with many reasonable arguments and at last he told them he would bring them in proof quite as wonderful a case accordingly stepping back to his own house he returned and his mare with an old tattered volume which had bestowed on him of the nights and began to read to them the story of whose wife was turned as well as s into a beautiful mare his neighbours laughing more than ever at this illustration and the above them all interrupted him with great indignation how is this sir said he that you mock me so whereas i remember that when i was your serving man and swept out the school room i have overheard you the little children concerning people in the old ages that were half men and the other half turned into horses yea and showing them the in a print and what was there more impossible in this matter of my own mare the priest at this passage in defence of the answered him as he had answered the excepting that instead of the he alleged a miracle out of the holy fathers in proof of the powers of magic there was some fresh laughing at this rub of the against the who being a and a very subtle man to consider within himself whether it was not better for their souls that his flock should believe by than have too scrupulous a faith and accordingly after a little deliberation he sided with he engaged moreover to write for the opinion of his college who replied that as was a devilish and infernal art its existence was as certain as the devil s thus a belief in enchantment took root in the village which in the end flourished so vigorously that the could not be out of any of their they burned nevertheless a number of old women v ihe story of view em well go round about em and still view their faces round about yet see how death upon em for thou shalt never view em more j der was a learned physician of but lately settled at a few years only before its memorable when the destroying over that unhappy city shaking out deadly from his wings it must have been a savage heart indeed that could not be moved by the shocking scenes that ensued from that horrible calamity and which were fearful enough to overcome even the dearest and prejudices of humanity causing the holy ashes of the dead to be no longer and the living to be disregarded by their nearest ties the tenderest mothers their wives flying from the sick of their husbands and children their dying parents when love closed the door against love and particular selfishness took place of all mutual sympathies there were some brave	50
humane spirits nevertheless that with a divine courage ventured into the very chambers of the sick and over their prostrate dies with the common enemy and amongst these was who led the way in such works of mercy till at last the stepped over his the story of own threshold and he was beckoned home by the ghastly finger of death to struggle with him for the wife of his own imagine him worn out in spirit and body hopelessly to her that had been dearer to him than health or life but now instead of an object of loveliness a livid and ghastly spectacle almost too to look upon her pure flesh being covered with blue and her sweet breath changed into a and her accents expressive only of anguish and despair these sounds were by the songs of the giddy which now the had ascended the desolate chamber of its last martyr and mingled with her dying groans these ending on the third day with her life was left to his solitary grief the only living person in his desolate house his servants having fled during the and left him to perform every office with his own hands hitherto the dead had gone without their rites but he had the melancholy satisfaction of those sacred and decent services for his wife s remains which during the height of the plague had been suspended the dead bodies being so awfully numerous that they defied a careful but were thrown by random and heaps into great holes and as soon as was prudent after this catastrophe his friends repaired to him with his two little children who had fortunately been absent in the country and now returned with brave ruddy cheeks and vigorous spirits to his arms but alas not to cheer their miserable parent who was never known to smile nor scarcely to speak ex of the as a person that goes vol ii the story of forth from a dark sick chamber is still haunted by its in spite of the sunshine so though the plague had ceased its horrors still clung about the mind of and with such deadly influence in his thoughts as it to the garments of the dead the dreadful objects he had witnessed still walked with their ghostly images in his brain his mind in short being but a devoted to and death the same horrible possessed his dreams which he sometimes described as filled up from the same black source and with the living sick he had visited or dead with the and rites of their these dreary visions entering into all his thoughts it happened often that when he was summoned to the sick he pronounced that their malady was the plague discovering its awful symptoms in bodies where it had no existence but above all his terrors were busy with his children whom he watched with a and despairing eye constantly some deadly taint in wholesome breath or declaring that he saw the plague spot in their tender faces thus watching them upon their pillows he would burst into tears and exclaim that they were smitten with death in short he regarded their blue eyes and ruddy cheeks but as the frail roses and that are to perish in a day and their silken hair like the most thus their existence which should have been a blessing to his hopes became a very curse to him through his despair his friends judging rightly from these tokens that his mind was persuaded him to remove from a place which had been the theatre of his and served but too frequently to re the story of mind him of his fears he repaired therefore with his children to the house of a at but bis melancholy was not at all relieved by the change his mind being now like a black pool that not except one dismal whatever shifting colours are presented by the skies in this mood he continued there five or six weeks when the superb city was thrown into the greatest alarm and the popular rumour reported that the plague had been brought into the port by a whereupon the ordered that the usual precautions should be observed so that although there was no real the city presented the usual appearances of such a these tokens were sufficient to the malady of whole illusions became instantly more frequent and desperate and his almost a frenzy so that going at night to his children he looked upon them in an agony of despair as though they were already in their and when he oh their delicate round cheeks like fruits and their fair arms like each other tis no marvel that he to the horrible and and changes which it would bring upon their beautiful bodies neither that he contemplated with horror the painful stages by which they travel to their premature graves some meditations as dismal i doubt not occupied his thoughts and whilst they lay before him so lovely nd looking made him wish that instead of a sleep they were laid in eternal rest their breath as he kissed them was as sweet as flowers and their pure skin without spot or nevertheless to his gloomy fancy touches of death were on them a s story or both and devoted their short lived frames to bis m st hateful imagine him gazing full of these dismal thoughts on their faces sometimes himself upon bis forehead that entertained such horrible fancies and sometimes pacing up and down the chamber with an emphatic step which must needs have his little ones if they had not been in the profound slumber of innocence and childhood in the meantime the mild light of love in his looks changes into a fierce and dreary fire his eyes and his lips as pallid as ashes betraying the desperate access of frenzy which like a howling demon passes into his feverish soul and	50
him to unnatural action and first of all he away the pillows those ministers to harmless sleep but now unto death with which crushing the tender faces of his little ones he thus up their gentle before they can utter a cry men casting himself with horrid upon their bodies with this embrace he them till they are quite breathless after which he lifts up the pillows and lo there lie the two murdered utterly quiet and still and with the ghastly seal of death oh their cheeks in this dreadful manner destroyed his innocent children not in hatred but and wrought upon by the constant apprehension of their death even as a terrified wretch upon a precipice who towards the side that presents the danger let his deed therefore be viewed with compassion as the fault of his unhappy fate which forced upon him such a cruel crisis and finally ended his sorrows by as a death on the morrow his dead body was found at sea by some and being recognised as a s it was in one grave with those of his two children the three jewels how many hath love marry as many as your lead are many in ancient and modern story of lovers who have worn various to obtain their the great himself setting the pattern by his notable since those heroic love has often diverted himself in italy as a shepherd with his pastoral and i propose to tell you in more recent times he has gone amongst us in various other shapes but in the first place i must introduce to you a handsome youth named of who was of the daughter of in the same neighbourhood his enemies never objected any thing against but his want of means to support gentlemanly pretensions and some and follies which belong to youth and are often the mere of a generous nature however the parents of being somewhat austere perceived graver in bis flights and forbade him under grievous to keep company with his mistress love notwithstanding is the parent of more inventions than necessity and being a fellow and deeply inspired by love soon found out a way to be as often as he would in the jewels the presence of his lady seeing that he could not himself like into a shower of gold for her sake he put on the more humble seeming of a gardener and so got employed in the pleasure ground of her parents i leave you to guess then how the flowers under his care since they were to form for who was seldom afterwards to be seen without some pretty blossom in her bosom she took many lessons besides of the gardener in his gentle craft and her fondness growing for the employment her time was st all spent naturally amongst her plants and to infinite of her heart s ease which had never before to si ch a growth she learned also of a pretty language of which he had gathered from the girls of the greek islands so that they could hold secret together by of flowers and became more eloquent by this kind of speech than in her own lar which she had never found competent to ber dearest conceive how abundantly happy they were in such surrounded by the lovely gifts of nature pleasant occupation of itself the of human kind before the fall and love especially being with them that can convert a wilderness into a garden of sweets the mother of her sometimes for the neglect of her she would answer in this oh dear mother i what is there in labours of art at all with these why should i task myself with a tedious needle to out poor tame formal of these beautiful flowers and plants when thus ihe living spring up naturally under my hands i confess i never could ac thb three j s for the of young women for that work for the sake of a piece of which hath neither nor fragrance this air with the of the plants and shrubs my very heart i assure you tis like a work of ma ic to see how they are charmed to spring up by the hands of our skilful gardener who is so civil and kind as to teach me all the secrets of his art by such expressions her mother was but her father was not so easily for it happened that whilst the roses flourished everywhere the household by the neglect of and his went entirely to decay so that at last though there was a in every chamber there was seldom a for the table the master taking notice of the neglect and the foolish in reply showing a beautiful which he had busied himself in he was abruptly discharged on the spot and driven out like adam from his paradise of flowers the mother being informed afterwards of thi transaction in truth said she it was well done of you for the fellow was very forward and i think did herself some in making so much of him as i have observed for example a fee of a crown or two would have paid him handsomely for his lessons to her without giving one of her jewels which i fear the wiu he insolent enough to wear and make a boast of and truly never parted with the gift which as though it had been some transformed him quickly into a master on the estate of the parent of and thus he rode side by side with her whenever she went a that exercise soon restored the three jewels her cheerfulness which towards autumn on the withering of her flowers had been touched with melancholy and she pursued her new with as much eagerness as before she rode always beside the as constant as a gentle to his whilst often forgot to his birds from their flights	50
his and at last his dismissal the was taken from his finger which with a fresh jewel to console him for his disgrace after this event there being neither nor to amuse her the languid girl fell into a worse melancholy than before that quite disconcerted her parents after a consultation therefore between themselves they sent for a noted physician from in spite of the opposition of who understood her own to know that it was desperate to his in the mean time his visits raised the anxiety of to such a pitch that after some days about the mansion he contrived to the doctor on his return and learned from him the mysterious nature of the patient s disease the doctor his despair of her cure be of good cheer replied i know well her complaint and without any miracle will enable you to restore her so as to very greatly credit you me that she neither eat nor k and cannot sleep if she would but miserably away with a despondency which must end in either madness or her dissolution whereas i promise you she shall not only heartily and sleep soundly but dance and ing as merrily a you desire he then related the history of their mutual love and begged earnestly that the physician would devise some means of getting him ad thb to the presence of the being a good hearted was much moved by the of and consented to bis ability however he i can of no way but one which would you and that is that you should my pupil and attend upon her with my the joyful assured the doctor that he was very much mistaken in supposing that any imagined pride could the of bis love and accordingly putting on an apron i th the requisite habits he repaired on his errand to the she recovered very speedily at his but was altogether well gain to learn that thus a new mode was provided for their the physician there upon was gratified with a handsome present by her who allowed the assistant likewise to continue his visits till he had earned another jewel of prudence at last telling them that they must abandon this they prepared for a fresh separation but taking leave of each other upon a time too tenderly they were observed by the father and was indignantly thrust out at the door was commanded with a stern rebuke to her own chamber the old lady thereupon asking her angry husband concerning the cause of the uproar he told her that he had caught the doctor s man on his knees to a plague take him said he tis the trick of all his tribe with a pretence of feeling s to steal away hands i marvel how the will bestow her favour next but it will be a i doubt than a gardener or a the jewels the said the mother you spoke just now of the doctor s man ay he but i saw her exchange looks too with the my heart me that we shall undergo much disgrace and trouble on account of such a self willed and child alas the mother it is the way of young women when they are crossed in the man of their liking they desperate and careless of their behaviour it is a pity we did not let her have who with all his faults was a youth of gentle birth and not likely to dis us by his manners but it would bring me own to my grave to have the girl herself with any of these common and low bred people her husband agreeing in these sentiments they how to have recalled which the lady undertook to manage so as to make the most of their parental indulgence to accord after a proper lecture on her she dictated a dutiful letter to her lover who came very joyfully in his own character as a gentleman and a time was appointed for the wedding when the day arrived and the company were all assembled the mother who was very sighted the three namely a ring a clasp and a on the person of that had belonged to her daughter however before she could put any questions he took by the hand and spoke as follows i know what a history you are going to tell me of the of and that the several jewels you regard so suspiciously were bestowed by her on a gardener a and a doctor s man those three being all as careless and as myself the gifts are come as you perceive into my own possession the jewels notwithstanding lest any should therefore the constancy of this excellent lady let them know that i will maintain her honour in behalf of myself as well as of those other three in token of which i have put on their several jewels the parents being enlightened by this discourse and explaining it to their friends the young people were married to the general satisfaction and confessed herself thrice happy with the gardener the and the doctor s man and this small small thing you say is its bite deadly tho but a very s now ought death to be called a fairy for be might creep in look you through a old play there are many instances on record of cruel parents who have tried to control the affections of their children but as well might they endeavour to force backwards the pure mountain current into base and unnatural channels such attempts whether of sordid parents or rivals only to the disgrace of the for love is a jealous deity and himself by some memorable catastrophe thus it to the ambitious of when he aimed at his only daughter with the unfortunate whereas her young heart vas already devoted to her faithful a person of gentle birth and much merit though of	50
fortune toiling like so many abject turn in her wheel such a man is worse off than a poor for ah he has is at the momentary call of imperative chance or rather he is more wretched than a very beggar being with an appearance of wealth but as as if it turned like the money in the old story into leaves in our parent city of rome to her modern this vice has lately fixed her abode and has inflicted many deep wounds on the fame and fortunes of her families a number of noble youths have been sucked into the some of them being degraded at last into humble upon rich men but the the fall of the leaf most part by an unnatural catastrophe and if the same fate did not the young de it was only by favour of a circumstance which is not likely to happen a second time for any this gentleman came into a handsome at the death of his parents whereupon to his regrets he travelled abroad and his graceful manners procured him a distinguished reception at several courts after two years spent in this manner he returned to rome where he had a magnificent palace on the banks of the and which he further enriched with some valuable paintings and from abroad his taste in these works was much admired and his friends remarked with still greater satisfaction that he was by the vices which he must have witnessed in his travels it only remained to complete their wishes that he should form a matrimonial alliance that should be worthy of himself and he seemed likely to fulfil this hope in himself to the beautiful of she was herself the of an ancient and honourable house so that the match was regarded with satisfaction by the relations on both sides and especially as the young pair were most tenderly in love with each other for certain reasons however the were deferred for a time thus affording leisure for the of the devil who delights above all things to cross a virtuous and happy marriage accordingly he did not fail to make use of this judicious opportunity but chose for his instrument the lady s own brother a very and a who soon fastened like an evil genius on the unlucky it was a dismal shock to the lady when she the fall of thb leaf learned the nature of this which himself discovered to her by dropping a die from his pocket in her presence she immediately endeavoured with all her influence to him from the dreadful passion for play which had now crept over him like a moral and already disputed the of love neither was it without some dreadful struggles of remorse on his own part and some useless that he at last gave himself up to such desperate habits but the power of his prevailed and the visits of to the lady of his affections became still less frequent he instead to those nightly where the greater portion of his estates was already at length when the lady had not seen him for some days and in the very last week before that which had been appointed for her marriage she received a desperate letter from declaring that he was a ruined man in fortune and hope and that at the cost of his life even he must her hand for ever he added that if his pride would let him even propose himself a beggar as he was for her acceptance he should yet despair too much of her pardon to make such an offer whereas if he could have read in the heart of the unhappy lady he would have seen that she still preferred the beggar to the richest nobleman in the with abundance of tears and sighs his letter her first impulse was to assure him of that loving truth and to offer herself with her estates to him in compensation of the of fortune but the wretched had withdrawn himself no one knew whither and she was constrained to content herself with over his misfortunes and such parts of his property as were exposed for sale by his the fall of the leaf and now it became apparent what a part his had taken for having thus stripped the unfortunate gentleman he now aimed to rob him of his life also that his might remain to this end he feigned a most vehement indignation at s neglect and bad faith as he termed it towards his sister protesting that it was an insult to be only washed out with his blood and with these expressions he sought to kill him at any advantage and no doubt he would have become a murderer as well as a if s shame and anguish had not drawn him out of the way for he had hired a mean lodging in the from which he never issued but at dusk and then only to wander in the most places it was now in the of autumn when some of the days are fine and decorated at and eve by the rich sun s but others are and dull with cold winds inspiring fancies and thoughts of melancholy in every bosom in such a dreary hour happened to walk abroad and avoiding his own estates which it was not easy to do by reason of their extent he wandered into a by place in the neighbourhood the place was very lonely and desolate and without any near habitation j its main feature especially being a large tree now stripped bare of its honours excepting one dry yellow leaf which was shaking on a bough to the cold evening wind and threatening at every moment to fall to the damp earth before this dreary object stopped some time in contemplation to himself on the desolate tree and drawing many apt between its and his own condition the fall of	50
the leaf alas poor says he thou hast been e too like me but yet not so thou but thy green leaves on the grateful earth which in another season will repay thee with sap and but those whom i have will not so much as lend to my living thou wilt thus regain all thy green summer wealth which i shall never do and besides thou art still better off than i am that one golden leaf to cheer thee whereas i have been stripped even of my last r with these and more similar fancies he continued to himself till at last being more sad than usual his thoughts tended unto death and he resolved still watching that yellow leaf to take its flight as the signal for his own chance said he hath been my ruin and so let it now determine for me in my last cast between life and death which is all that malice hath left me thus in his extremity he still risked somewhat upon fortune and very shortly the leaf being torn away by a sudden blast it made two or three to and fro and at last settled on the earth at about a hundred paces from the tree instantly interpreted this as an omen that he ought to die and following the leaf till it alighted he fell to work on the same spot with his sword intending to himself a sort of rude hollow for a grave he found a strange gloomy pleasure in this fanciful design that made him labour very earnestly and the soil besides being loose and sandy he had soon cleared away about a foot below the surface the earth then became more obstinate and trying it here and there with his sword it struck against some very hard substance whereupon the fall of the leaf a little further down he discovered a treasure there were of various nations but all golden in this petty mine and in such quantity as made doubt for a moment if it were not the mere of his fancy assuring himself however that it was no dream he gave many thanks to god for this providence notwithstanding he hesitated for a moment to deliberate was honest to avail himself of the money but believing as was most probable that it was the plunder of some he was reconciled to the of it to his own necessities himself therefore with as much gold as he could conveniently carry he hastened with it to his humble quarters and by making two or three more in the course of the night he made himself master of the whole treasure it was sufficient on be ing reckon d to maintain him in comfort for the rest of his life but not being able to enjoy it in the scene of his he resolved to reside abroad and in an english vessel at he was carried over safely to london it is held a deep disgrace amongst our italian nobility for a gentleman to with either trade or commerce and yet as we behold they will condescend to their own produce and wine es yea marry and with an empty barrel ike any s sign hung out at their stately palaces perhaps from the first these prejudices or else he was taught to them by the ex ample of the london merchants whom he saw in that great of the world the universal seas and enjoying the power and importance of princes merely from the fruits of their traffic at any rate he embarked what money he possessed in various ad the fall of the leaf which ended so that in three years he had regained almost as large a fortune as he had formerly inherited he then speedily returned to his native country and paternal estates he was soon in a worthy condition to present himself to his beloved who was still single and cherished him with all a woman s in her constant affection they were therefore before long united to the contentment of all rome her relation having been slain some time before in a with his associates as for the fortunate wind fall which had so him founded with it a noble hospital for and for this reason that it belonged formerly to some children from whom it had been withheld by their unnatural guardian this wicked man it was who had buried the money in the sand but when he found that his treasure was stolen he went and hanged on the very tree that had caused its discovery miserable creature if thou persist in tliis tis dost imagine thou slide in blood and not be with a shameful fall or like the black and tree dost think to root in dead men s graves and to prosper the it has been well said that if there be no marriages made up in heaven there are a great many contrived in a worse place the devil having a visible hand in some matches which turn out as mischievous and miserable as he could desire not that i mean here to rail against the of such falling into its worst but my mind is just now set upon such as that of the with who before the year was out began to devise his death this woman it has been supposed by those who remember her features was a which in a catholic country the would be unwilling to acknowledge however he affirmed that he had brought her from the kingdom of spain she was of the smallest figure that was ever known and very beautiful but of as impatient and fiery a temper as the cat a mountains of her own country never hesitating in her anger at any extremes neither ner own beautiful hair nor her est dresses which she sometimes tore into with her passionate hands at such times she confirmed but	50
husband at supper with a dish of after which she returned home and was first startled by the stern silence of who turned from her without a syllable her guilty heart immediately smote her and running up to her devilish she saw that it had been invaded but how much more was she shocked upon sight of the dreary and awful hanging beside those premature weeds which it warned her she was never to put on i in a frenzy of despair therefore turning ner own cruel arms against her self she swallowed one of the most deadly of her preparations and casting herself down on the floor with a horrible ghastly countenance awaited the same dreadful pangs which she had so lately witnessed on the poisoned bird and now doubtless it came bitterly over her what fearful she had seen it make and and miserable of its dying and even as the bird had perished so did she there was no one bold enough to look upon her last agonies but when she was silent and still the came in and wept over her ill which had been brought by its spirit to so frightful a dissolution the exile i faith there a in his brain a thought grows as crooked in his reflection as the shadow of a stick in a pond in the reign of king charles the fifth of spain there lived in a gentleman who being of a fair reputation and an ample fortune obtained in marriage the daughter of one of the of state he had not lived long thus happily when one day his father in law returned from the council with a countenance full of dismay and informed him that a secret accusation of treason had been preferred against him now i know said he that you are incapable of so great a wickedness not merely from the loyalty of nature but because you cannot be so cruel as to have joined in a plot which was directed against my own life as well as others yet not knowing how far the malice of your enemies might prevail for your marriage has made foes of many who were before your rivals i would advise you to a temporary flight time which all mysteries will then in some happier season the plot which is laid against your life but at present the prejudice against you is and the danger therefore is imminent to this the gentleman replied that as he answer to god in judgment he was innocent and altogether ignorant of the treason to him and therefore being conscious of his innocence and besides so recently married he preferred rather to remain in the kingdom and await the issue of his trial the dan r however became more pressing with every hour and finally the advice of the prevailed the unfortunate gentleman accordingly took a hasty but most affectionate farewell of his young wife and with a heart embarked on board a foreign merchant vessel that was bound for the gulf of the was immediately arrested and prison as having been an to his law s escape hut afterwards set free he was still watched so by the of the that he could not safely engage in any correspondence with his relation in this manner nearly two years passed away till at length the exile grew so impatient of his condition that he resolved to return even at whatever hazard to his life passing therefore by way of france into spain and taking care to himself so effectually that he could not be recognised by his oldest acquaintance he arrived in safety at a village in the neighbourhood of there he learned for ihe first time that his father in law had been disgraced and heavily that being of a proud spirit and unable to endure his he had died of a broken heart and moreover that his daughter was presently living in the capital in the greatest at these melancholy tidings he repented more than ever that he had quitted spain and resolved to repair q his wife without any further delay now it chanced in the village where he was resting that he had a very dear friend named the exile who had been his and was as dear to him as a brother and going o his house at sunset he discovered himself to the other and him to go before to and prepare his dear wife for his arrival and now remember said he that my life and not only mine but my dear lady s also depends upon your breath and if you frame it into any speech so as to betray me i vow our holy lady of thai i will eat your heart and with this and stranger expressions he conducted himself so wildly as to show that his misfortunes and perhaps some sickness had the of his brain his friend however like a prudent man concealed this observation but his library and saying that there was store of entertainment in his absence he departed on his mission on s arrival t the lady s house she was seated on a sofa and as if to divert her cares was busied in some but every now and she stayed her needle to wipe off k tear that gathered on her long dark and sometimes to gaze for minutes together on a small portrait which lay before her on a table alas she said to the picture we two that should have lived together so happily to be thus asunder but absence has made room for sorrow to come be us and it both our hearts and as she complained thus joyfully entered and began to to her his welcome tidings at first the sorrowful lady paid scarcely any attention to his words but so soon as she comprehended that it concerned her dear husband s arrival she could hardly breathe for joy what shall	50
i behold him here in this very spot nay here said she pressing her hands vehemently upon her bosom i pray thee do not this mock me for my life is so flown into thi hope that they must die together if you deceive me and only at the entrance of that doubt she burst into a flood of tears but bein assured that the news was indeed true and that her husband would presently be with her she clasped her hands passionately together and crying out that joy was as hard to as grief heaven that it might not her before he came and then began to weep again as violently as before upon this her she excused herself saying that a dream which had troubled her in the night had overpowered her weak spirits and in truth said she it was very horrible for my dear husband appeared to me like a phantom and laid his cold hand upon mine like a fall of snow and he asked me if i was afraid of him that i shuddered so and i him god forbid but yet your voice is not your own nor so gentle but very fierce and there is a strange light instead of love in your eyes and he said this voice truly is not my own nor the shining of my eyes but the serpent s within me who hath devoured my brain ana when he looks out upon thee he will kill thee for he does not love thee as i used neither is there any remorse in his heart as he spoke thus i saw a light shining in his skull and wild strange eyes looking forth through his eyes so that i cried out with terror and but ever since this dream has haunted me and even now as you see i cannot get quite rid of its depression at the nature of this dream don could scarcely forbear from shuddering for he doubted not that the serpent signified the madness which he had observed about his friend and that the vision itself was but the type of some impending calamity nevertheless he subdued his own fears before the lady and endeavoured to divert her thoughts till the of her husband after a tedious interval at length the door w as suddenly flung open and he leaped in and rushing to his wife they embraced in silence for several minutes till separating a little that tliey might gaze on each other the lady remarked that his arm was bound up in a bloody handkerchief nay said he perceiving her alarm it is no very grievous hurt though i have been assailed by robbers in my way hither but alas what greater injury hath grief wrought upon thee for with her figure she had all the careful countenance of a matron in years indeed it was easy to conceive how their hearts had suffered and for each other by their present passionate for they soon crowded into a few short minutes all the affection of years but such joy as theirs is often but the brief wonder of unhappy s and o in the very summit of delight they were interrupted by don who with looks full of terror declared that the house was beset by the police and presently a loud knocking was heard at the outer gates at this alarm the two started asunder and listened till they heard even the of their own fearful hearts but at the second knocking the gentleman his wife and drawing his sword stared wildly about him with his eyes that seemed to flash out of unnatural fire ha said he casting a terrible glance upon have i sold my life to such a devil and suddenly springing upon him and tearing him down to the ground he thrust his sword fiercely into his bosom and indeed it seemed but too reasonable that who alone had known the secret of the exile s arrival had betrayed him to the government notwithstanding at the first flush of the blood as it out if in reproach of the weapon the gentleman made an effort to raise his friend again from the floor but in the meantime the police bad enforced their entrance and now made their prisoner without ny resistance he begged merely that his arms might be left but immediately attempting in frenzy to do some injury to his wife and her through madness with the and aspect of a serpent the officers hurried him instantly to his prison ah the time that he was being he seemed quite and altogether in some dream foreign to his condition but as the door closed and the harshly on the outside he recovered his senses and made answer with a deep groan at first he believed he had no company in his misery but presently he beard a rustling of straw with a of chains in one comer of the which was a very dark one and a man in irons came slowly towards the grate the little to show that his countenance was a horrid one although hidden for the most part in his black hair and he bad besides but one eye by which tokens the gentleman readily recognised him as one of the who set upon him m the forest so said he i perceive that one foul night has us both and therein i have done to thee one more injury than i designed but my plunder has all gone before the council and along with it thy papers so if there be aught in them that brings thee to this cage r y ill luck must be blamed for it which is likely to bring both to the same gallows i tbe at this discourse the gentleman fell into a fresh frenzy but less of madness than of bitter grief and remorse every word upon him the which he	50
had inflicted on his dear friend he cast himself therefore on the hard floor and would have dashed his tortured brains against the stones but for the struggles of the robber who hard hearted and savage as he had been by profession was yet touched with strange pity at the sight of so passionate a grief it settled upon him afterwards to a deep and in this condition after some weeks confinement the wretched gentleman was finally released without any trial by an order of the council this change however which should have been b blessing to any other produced no of his malady it was nothing in the world to him that he was free to its sunshine and partake of all its natural delights and above all enjoy the and the sweets of domestic though there was ever one gazing upon him with an almost breaking heart he neither felt his own misery nor hers but looked upon all things with an eye bright and fiery indeed at times but not like the star with knowledge in this mood he would sit for hours with his arms folded and gazing upon the vacant air sighing sometimes but never conscious of the presence of his once beloved wife who sat before him and watched his steadfast countenance till she wept at his want of sympathy day passed after day and night after night but there was no change in the darkness of bis mind till one morning as he sat his reason as it were returned upon him like the dawn of day when the sky is first with light and the world gains a weak intelligence of the things that are in it he had been looking for some on his wife without her but tbe tears for the first time in his eyes and at last two large drops and with those his delirium were shed from his eyelids he immediately recognised his wife and cast himself into her arms the joyful lady in her turn found it hard to retain her senses after returning his caresses in the tenderest manner she hastened to don who though severely hurt had ot better of his wound and watched the more dreadful malady of his friend sometimes indeed in hope but more in despair of his recovery at the first news therefore he ran hastily to the room and soon east himself into the arms of his friend but the latter received him coldly and before could finish even a brief salutation he felt the other s arms from around his neck and beheld his head suddenly drop as if it had been that their eyes should meet again it seemed indeed that his malady had already returned upon him but in another moment the body fell forwards on the floor and instantly the blood from a hidden wound in the side which had hitherto been concealed by the mantle a pair of covered with and broken for the wound had been bestowed dropped from him as he fell for to show more sadly the lady s own joyful forgetfulness she had supplied the weapon for this dreadful catastrophe as for the miserable lady it was feared from the violence of her grief that the same dismal blow would have been her death but her heart had h en too long to such sufferings to be so broken and at last to that peace which only to the comforts of our holy religion she her to god and cheerfully an old age of piety in the of st faith vol ii the owl what great eyes you have got red riding hood aw friend says the proverb is more dangerous than the naked sword ot an enemy and truly there is nothing more fatal than the act of a ally which like a mistake in is apt to kill the unhappy patient whom it was intended to cure this lesson was taught in a to the innocent a peasant to conceive which you must suppose her to have gone by permission into the garden of the of near the one beautiful morning of june it was a spacious pleasure ground disposed and adorned with the specimens of shrubs and trees being bound on all sides by of and and such sombre and in the midst was a pretty lawn with a sun dial the plants that belong to that season were then in full flow er and the delicate fragrance of the orange blossoms the universal air the were singing merrily in the and the bees that cannot stir without music made a joyous humming with their wings all things were vigorous and cheerful except one the owl a poor owl that had been hurt by a bolt from a cross bow and so had i een unable by daylight to regain his accustomed but sheltered himself under a row of laurel trees and that afforded a delicious shadow in the sun there and by all as is the lot of the unfortunate he over his wound till a flight of him he was soon forced to endure a thousand as well as from that insolent race the noise of these the attention of she crossed over to the spot and lo there crouched the poor bewildered owl with his large eyes and nodding as if with from his and the blaze of unusual light the tender girl being very gentle and compassionate by nature was no ways by his but thinking of his sufferings took up the wretch in her arms and endeavoured to revive him by placing him on her bosom there nursing him with an abundance of pity and concern she carried him to the grass plot and being ignorant of his habits laid out the poor drooping bird as her own lively spirits prompted her in the glowing sunshine r for she felt in her own heart at that moment the kind and	50
cheerful influence of the genial sun then withdrawing a little way and against the dial she awaited the grateful change which she hoped to behold in the creature s looks whereas the tormented owl being dazzled and annoyed more than ever off again with many piteous efforts to the shady notwithstanding believing that this shyness was only because of his natural or fear she brought him over again to the lawn and then ran into the some to feed him withal the the poor owl in the meantime crawled partly back as before to his friendly shelter of the simple girl found him therefore with much wonder again retiring towards those gloomy bushes why what a wilful creature is this she thought that is so loth to be comforted no sooner have i placed it in the warm cheerful sunshine which all its fellow birds to and sing than it goes back and under the most dismal corners i have known many human persons to have those fits and to reject kindness as but who look for such unnatural in a simple bird taking the fowl from his dull leafy she disposed him once more on the sunny lawn where he made still fresh attempts to get away from the over painful radiance but was now become too feeble and ill to remove therefore began to believe that he was reconciled to his situation but she had hardly cherished this fancy when a dismal came suddenly over his large round eyes and then falling over upon his back after one or two slow of his and a few of his aged claws the poor of kindness expired her si ht it cost her a few tears to witness the tragic issue of her but she was still more grieved afterwards when she was told of the cruelty of her treatment and the poor owl with its melancholy death was the frequent subject of her meditations in the year after this occurrence it happened that the of was in want of a young female attendant and being much struck with the modesty and lively temper of she requested of her parents to let her live with her the poor people having a numerous family to provide thb owl agreed very to the proposal and was carried by her ess to rome her good conduct th of the the latter showed her marks of her favour and regard not only furnishing her handsomely with apparel but taking her as a companion on her visits to the most rich and noble families so that was thus introduced to much and her heart notwithstanding ached under her dresses for in spite of the favour of the she met with many from the proud and wealthy on account of her humble origin as well as much envy and malice from persons of her own condition she fell therefore into a deep melancholy and by the she declared that she for her former humble but happy estate and begged with all humility that she might return to her native village the being much surprised as well as grieved at this confession inquired if she had ever given her cause to repent of her protection to which replied with many grateful tears but still the of her wishes let me return said she to my own homely life this oppressive splendour and me i feel by a thousand humiliating and that it is foreign to my nature my defects of birth and manners making me shrink continually within myself whilst those who were born for its blaze perceive readily that i belong to an race and me with and for on their sphere those also who should be my equals are quite as bitter against me for their station so that my life is thus a round of perpetual and uneasiness pray therefore me of ingratitude if i long to return to my native and shades with their appointed habits i am like the poor owl for lack of my natural the curiosity of the awakened by her last expression related to her the story of that unfortunate bird and applied it with a very touching to her own condition so that the was even to the shedding of tears she immediately comprehended the moral and carrying back to her native she bestowed her future favour so that instead of being a misfortune it secured the complete happiness of the pretty peasant the german knight or breaking of ringing and shield a rumour on every side there lay a horse another through the field ran dismounted was his guide of there is an old proverb that some jokes are cut throats meaning that certain unlucky are apt to bring a ending a truth which has been confirmed by many instances besides that one which i am about to relate at the memorable siege of by the french in the year the inhabitants themselves in great numbers for the defence of the city and amongst these was one a man of dull intellect and a hasty temper but withal of a slow courage he was not one of the last however to for there was a lady in the back ground who excited him with an extraordinary eagerness to take up arms against the common enemy it is notorious that the though are a romantic people in their notions the tales of chivalry the of and legends being their most favourite studies in affairs of business they are and of an extraordinary patience their having counted s e by millions beyond any other and in their extravagant flights they equally the rest of mankind even as it has been observed of the most horses that the they kick up highest of any when turned out free into the meadow for so the lady was called partook largely of the national bias and in truth for her o wn peace and contentment should have	50
lived some centuries sooner when the customs recorded by the and were the common in her own times it was a novelty to see a young so over delighted as she was at the of her lovers to deeds of arms and as if he had been going only to with a lance at a holiday instead of the with the french in which he was engaged with her own hand she embroidered for him a silken in the manner of the of and her own gear to with a for it was one of her fancies that should go forth to the war in the costume of her ancestors from whose she selected a suit of complete steel which d been worn in the holy land the timid spirit of the german made him himself in a coat of mail and its security helped him to overlook the undue alacrity with which the lady of his love commended him to the bloody field not a tear did she spend at the on of his nor a single sigh at the delivery of his shield return with this said the hard hearted one or upon it a which she had learned of the heroine it was noon when the rode forth thus to join his troop on the parade his horse scared by the of the made many desperate by the way to the manifest of his ri ni still more ths his which be n to down his in a very fashion the joints of his being stiff with the of age he had no great command of his limbs nor was he very expert or graceful in the management of his lance as for his shield he had found convenient to it amongst certain in the street so that in extremity he could fulfil neither of the conditions the common people who have eyes for any grotesque figure after him as he rode which attracted the general notice of his troop to that quarter and as soon as they perceived his uncouth set off as they were by his german gravity there was a tumult of laughter and derision along the whole line now it happened that there belonged to this troop an a special friend of but on th occasion the most bitter of his a hundred merry he passed upon the unlucky arms till at last the beckoned him a pace or two apart and a short but angry conference returned with his face at a white heat to his mistress and informed her of the event now this adventure said the cruel one falls out better than i hoped thou shalt cast down thy in defiance of this knight and though there be no royal lists appointed in these days ye may have notwithstanding a very honourable and encounter as for that madam returned the matter is settled and without throwing about any at all i have dared him to meet me tomorrow at sunrise by the wood and one way r another i dare say something desperate will be done between us ths the hard hearted one highly in love with this news embraced very tenderly and to mark her grace towards him still farther gave him her glove to wear as a favour during the impending combat she selected for him moreover a new suit of and gave him a fresh shield against any disaster a provision which the knight acknowledged with equal gratitude and gravity and now she had nothing left but to dream waking or sleeping of the of battle of the morrow whereas closed his eyes no more through the than if he had been watching his arms in a as soon as the began to crow which he heard with as much pleasure as st peter he put on his arms and set forth whilst the morning was yet at a gray light there is no chill so and subtle as that which springs up with the before sunrise and found himself all over in a cold sweat to that of the earth thoughts of death beside began now to be with him the very crimson rents and of the eastern sky suggesting to him the gaping of the wounds which might soon be on his miserable body for he knew that even the iron of the knights had not them from such cruel in the mean time he studied a pacific discourse which he trusted would heal up the quarrel better than either sword or lance and in this christian temper he arrived at the appointed place there was yet no one visible within the narrow obscure horizon wherefore he paced his horse slowly up and down in front of the wood between and himself there flowed a small murmuring stream after about twenty turns to and fro beheld some one emerging from the trees whom the knight the mist of the morning would not let him perfectly distinguish however the pale light of the sun began presently to glance upon the figure turning it from a dark object to a bright one so that it out like the which stood at nearly e same distance the figure leaped his horse over the brook with a slight noise that sounded like the of arms and coming gently into the discerned that it was the in a suit of complete at this sight he was very much puzzled whether to take it as a new or as an apology that the other came thus in a suit of the kind that had their difference but how monstrous was his rage to discover that it only a the being merely a basin and the shield he cover of a large iron pot the pursuing his original jest in this way had prepared a set speech for the encounter you see cousin said he that i meet you at your own arms here is my to	50
match with yours and this my is made after the model of your own here is my too but before he could achieve the comparison his horse was staggering from the rush of the whose spear whether by accident or design was buried deep in the other s bosom the wounded man gave but one groan and fell backward and the horse of taking fright at the clatter of the started off at full gallop throwing his rider side by side with the bleeding wretch upon the grass as soon as he recovered from the shock got up and gazed with fixed eyes on the wounded man he was lying on his back staring dreadfully against the sky one of his hands was clenched about the handle of the cruel spear the the german other he kept striking with mere anguish against the ground where it soon became in a pool of blood that had flowed from his wound anon drawing it in a fresh agony across his brow his face likewise was over with the fore making altogether so shocking a picture that was ready to away upon the spot in the name of god he cried tell me my dearest friend that you are not hurt but the wounded man made answer only by a horrible roll of his eyes and so expired imagine what a dreadful sharp pang of remorse went through the bosom of at this dreary spectacle his heart felt cold within him like a ball of snow but his head was burning with a tumult of and miserable thoughts to s with some most painful as to the of his mistress which now began to show at with loveliness and womanhood but it was time to the country people beginning to stir about the fields so casting off the accursed which now pained him through and through like s poisoned shirt he ran off bewildered he knew not shortly after his departure the hard hearted with her woman arrived at the spot and lo there the dead body of the with the spear still sticking upright in his bosom i know not how such a fortitude with the female nature but she looked on this dreadful object with all the serenity of a lady in old romance her only concern was to behold the of scattered so about for she had resolved that he should repair to her with all the formality returning home therefore with great scorn and anger in her looks she promised to visit the the unfortunate knight with a penance but she saw no more of except the following letter which was brought her the same evening by a peasant madam i send you by this page your glove with the blood of the traitor formerly my friend it me that i cannot lay it with my own hands at your feet but a vow me to achieve deeds more worthy of your beauty and my devotion to morrow i set forth for and i shall not think myself entitled to presence till i have strung the heads of a score of at my till then i remain in all loyalty your true knight the hard hearted one this letter with an equal mixture of delight and doubt for the style of the german hitherto had been neither quaint nor she waited many long years you may believe for the heads of the in the mean time passed over into england where he married the widow of a and soon became an sugar baker for though he still had some german romantic flights on an occasion he was as steady and as a blind mill horse in his business vol ii the it is a true proverb that we are in the faults of others but in out our own and so is the other that no man will act before a mirror both of which sayings i hope to illustrate in the following story the of the formerly a very ancient and noble family of were large and though now they are and out amongst numerous and the race which then owned them is extinct after many generations the greater portion of the estates descended to a distant relation of the house and the remainder to his who had already some very large possessions own this man notwithstanding he was so rich and able to live if he chose in the greatest luxury and profusion was still so as to cast an envious and eye on the property of his noble and he did nothing but devise secretly how he should get the rest of the estates of the into his own hands his however though generous and hospitable was no prodigal or likely to stand in need of neither a liver that might die nor a soldier but to peaceful literary studies and very temperate in his habits the man therefore saw no hope of obtaining his wishes except at the price of blood the and he did not scruple at last to admit this horrible alternative into his nightly meditations he resolved therefore to bribe the notorious a famous robber of that time to his purpose but ashamed perhaps to his even to a robber or else the high wages of such a servant of he afterwards this design and took upon his own hands the office of an accordingly he invited his with much kindness to his own house under a pretence of consulting him on some rare old which he had lately purchased a temptation which the other was not likely to resist he repaired therefore very readily to the s country seat where they spent a few days together very though not but the learned gentleman was contented with the entertainment which he hoped to meet with in the antique at last growing more impatient than was strictly polite to behold the he inquired for them so continually that	50
fall into the hands of the police they parted with mutual courtesy the gentleman returning home and with bis captive to the mountains where he bestowed him as a to his comrades desiring them to the him only for an enormous this sum was soon sent to their as agreed upon by his whereupon the was suffered to depart and he cherished a gentleness of heart which he had been taught to value by some sufferings amongst the mountains as for the gentleman he resumed his harmless and beloved studies till being over to publish a work on which he had been engaged for some years the critics did for him what his had been unable to effect and he died of the thus attained in the end to his object of the whole of the estates but he enjoyed them very briefly and on his death the family of became extinct the money distributed amongst his comrades and then for ever his former course of life that what had passed between the two had held up to him such an odious pattern of his own wicked that he repented bitterly of the acts of violence and injustice he had committed in his profession in this manner he justified the sayings with which i set out in my story and afterwards entering into the navy he served with great credit against the and and died at last bravely fighting with those enemies of our religion the s wife il s o for meat it s o for drink and the best of all the three though gear is l d never want an my good man were kind to me old ballad in the of there lived a certain poor woman by trade a who was called margaret she was of the middle age but so cheerful and sweet tempered and besides so comely and of such honest that many of respectable condition have been glad to marry her she had contracted herself however to one a plausible fellow and a but in reality a and a very accordingly whilst their was yet in the he began to use her very till at last she was worse treated than his upon which he made her to attend whilst he was smoking and drinking with his comrades margaret being very humble and would never have at this but on any ill luck which happened to him his wares being seized upon by the he would beat her in a cruel manner she concealed this treatment however from every body hoping some day to him by her kindness never him indeed but by haggard and careful looks which she could the s wife not help for she shrank as often under the hand of want as from that of her husband her beauty and strength thus together she became at last so disgusting to him that if he had not been as cautious and as he was cruel he would have killed her without delay as it was he almost starved her extreme poverty at which margaret never murmured but only grieved for his sake over his pretended losses one day as she was thus sitting at her needle work and thinking over her hard condition she heard a gentle knocking at the door and going to see who it was she beheld her cousin a who travelled through the country his box of wares at first sight of him she was joyful not having seen him for many years but her heart soon sank again into when she remembered how she must entertain him if at all for if knew that she bestowed even a crust of bread he would certainly beat her she bade her relation however to come in and rest himself alas she said i have nothing to give thee for thy supper the is so bare and what is worse i dare not make amends to thee with a night s lodging for my husband is a very shy reserved man who cannot endure the presence of a stranger if he found any one here therefore at his return although he is kind enough upon other occasions he would certainly me her after musing a little while over these words answered her thus margaret i perceive how it is but do not be uneasy the best houses may be found by a random comer i am prepared you see thb s wife against such here is a of good wine with a dried fish or two and a handful of of which i shall be glad to see you partake come fall to and laying out his stores upon the table he began to sup merrily margaret at this sight was more alarmed than ever nevertheless after many she began to eat also but casting her eyes continually towards the door as if she feared a visit from an wolf the time still drawing nearer for to return she begged her to despatch his meal as he loved her and then depart i will even do as you say said he still misunderstanding her so now show me to my chamber to this margaret in great alarm replied with what she had told him before him take it ill of her that he could not sleep in her but to believe that she regarded it as one of her many misfortunes i understand you said he very well but pray make me no more such excuses i have told you i am not a man to quarrel with my though the bed be harder and the sheets more coarse and ragged than you care to treat me with i should lie very on the floor so no words woman for hence i will not to night for a king s bed of down margaret finding him so positive and observing besides that he was flushed with wine was fain to humour him however as	50
she knew he was a discreet man and that he would depart before sunrise she hoped he might be lodged there that one night without the knowledge of she took him up therefore into the garret which contained nothing but a low sorry bed and a long stout rope the s w which had left there probably to tempt her to hang herself for she had sometimes slept there alone when he ill treated her her cousin nevertheless swore that it was a lodging for a prince nay she you are kind enough to view it so but it is troubled with the rats as i have cause to know and then hastily bidding him good night she went down the stairs again with her eyes of tears after she had been down a little while knocked at the door which made margaret almost fall from her chair he came in but in a grave humour and observing how red her eyes were he pulled her to him and kissed her with much apparent affection the poor woman was too full at heart to speak but throwing her lean arms round his neck she seemed to forget in that moment all her troubles and still more when with a terrible oath swore that after that night he would never fret her again the grateful margaret being very humble and weak spirited was ready to fall down on her knees to him for this unusual kindness and her conscience her she was just going to confess to him the concealment of her cousin and to his forgiveness for that as the first she had ever committed as his wife but luckily she held her peace for her fears still prevailed over her and on these terms they bestowed themselves together for the night now it was s custom of a night to pay a visit to his stable he as a rogue himself being very fearful the of others for which reason he likewise locked behind him the door of his bed chamber in which he deposited his com the s wife about midnight therefore margaret heard him go down as usual but his stay was three times as long as ever it had been before she became very uneasy at this circumstance and moreover at a strong which began to creep into the chamber whereupon going to the window she heard beneath moaning like a in great pain in answer to her questions e told her he had been beaten by some robbers who had taken away his and then set fire to the house the back of it said he is all in a flame but what most me of all my dear margaret is that i cannot rescue thee seeing that in my strife with the i have lost the key of the outer door nevertheless if thou wilt take courage and cast down i will catch thee in my arms or at the worst i have dragged hither a great heap of straw so that no harm may thy precious limbs the however intended her no kinder reception than the hard bare earth would afford to her miserable bones his being well known in the country he did not care to kill her openly whereas in this way he hoped to make it apparent that her death was caused by accident and besides as it would be in a manner by her own act he flattered himself there would be the less guilt upon his head the window being very far from the ground however hesitated at the fall and in the meantime the and smelling the smoke and going forth to the window above he overheard the entreaties of the danger by his account was very imminent so stepping in again for his pack which was very heavy the pitched it out in the dark upon who thi r s wife immediately began to groan in the most dismal earnest the knowing how heavy the box was and hearing the crash with the tions that followed made no doubt that he had done for the man beneath so without staying to make any fruitless inquiries he about for the rope which he had noticed in the chamber and it here and there and tying one end of it to the bed he let himself down as as a cat to his s window margaret touched by the of her husband had just made up her mind to leap down at a venture when the withheld her and being very stout and active he soon made shift to lower her down safely to the ground and then followed himself like a sailor by means of the rope as soon as margaret was on her feet she sought for who by this time was as quiet as a stone and made no answer to her inquiries the therefore concluded justly that he was dead and speedily found out with his fingers that there was a great hole in the wretch s skull at first he was very much shocked and troubled bv this discovery but afterwards going behind the house and seeing the remains of a heap of straw which had lighted he comprehended the whole matter and was comforted then bringing margaret who was very loudly to the spot he showed her the ashes and told her how foolish it was to mourn so for a wicked man who had died horribly through his own against her life the devices of the bloody man said he have fallen upon his own head consider this therefore as the good deed of providence which pitying your has ordained you a happier hereafter and for your maintenance if god should fail to provide you i will see to it myself vol ii the s wife in this manner comforting her dried her fears reflecting as many women do ut with less reason that she must needs be happier as a	50
widow than she had ever been as a wife as for what he had promised her faithfully kept his word sending her from time to time a portion of his gains so that with her old trade of and the property of she was maintained in comfort and never knew want all the rest of her days the two faithful lovers of our bark at length found a quiet and the of our loves ends not alone in safety but reward tht custom of the country is the island of there lived a beautiful girl called whose father was a farmer of the in that kingdom she had several lovers but the happiest one was a young person of gentle birth but of indifferent estate which caused to be more regarded by than her father desired who had set his heart upon her with a certain wealthy merchant of the power of a parent in those being much more than in our temperate times the poor wretched girl was finally compelled to bestow her hand on the merchant whereupon took leave of his country and with a hopeless passion at heart wandered over europe as soon as she was married was taken by her husband to his country house which was situated on the sea coast towards his chief delight being to watch the ships as they to and fro on their whereas only recalled to the small white sail which bad disappeared with the unfortunate this prospect of itself was sufficient the two lovers of to her melancholy but her residence on the sea shore was yet to expose her to still greater miseries it was not uncommon in those days for the those of the to make a sudden stoop upon our and carry off with them besides other plunder both men and women whom they sold into slavery amongst the in of in this manner making a descent by night when was absent at they burnt and his house and took away whose horror you may well conceive when by the blazing light of her own dwelling she was carried off by such whose very language was a s riddle to her and might concern her life or death and then embarked upon a sea of fire for there happened that night a phenomenon not unusual in the namely the of the waters which whether caused by glowing marine insects or otherwise makes the waves roll like so many blue burning flames those who have witnessed it know well its dismal appearance on a gloomy night when the come and vanish away like of pallid fire and withal so like and that apparently the vessel or any gross substance must needs sink into its ghastly abyss with such a dreary scene therefore and in the midst of those coloured with their savage and uncouth garments and glittering arms tis no marvel if thought herself amongst and the of torture on the lake on the morrow which scarcely brought any of her fears they had lost sight of and at last she was at which is an african port over against the lovers of meanwhile was landing at where he learnt with a renewal of an his pan s the fate of his beloved mistress forgetting all enmity therefore he repaired presently to to con with him how to redeem her out of the hands of the accursed a proceeding which he would not have paused for had fortune put it in his power to proceed instantly to her the merchant his years and which forbade him to go in search of his wife readily offered himself to proceed in his behalf adding that it was only through the poverty of his means that he had not sailed already at his own suggestion but that if would him with the requisite sums he should hope to restore the unfortunate to his arms the merchant wondering very much at this proposal and asking what he could offer for such a trust alas i have nothing to pledge for my performance except an love for her that would undergo p k r her sake i am that hopeless who was made so eminently miserable by her marriage nevertheless i will forgive that as well as all other if i but approve my honourable regard for her by this self devoted service there are yet some reasonable doubts you may well entertain of my and fidelity on such a mission and i know not how to remove them but when you think ot the dangerous in whose hands she now is i have a hope that you may bring yourself to think her as safe least in mine the passionate enforced these arguments with so many sincere tears and solemn oaths and besides depicted so naturally the horrible s thb two lovers of of the lady the that at last the chant consented to his request and furnishing him with the proper authorities the generous lover with a loyal heart which designed nothing less than he had professed set sail on his adventure let us pass over the hardships and dangers of such an enterprise and above all its cruel anxieties the hopes which were raised at being wrecked again at till at last he amongst the slaves of a chief at who despairing of a began to contemplate her as his own mistress s bargain was soon made whereupon the lady was set at liberty and to her unspeakable joy by the hands of her own beloved yet when they remembered the final consequence of her freedom the brightness of their delight was with some very bitter tears the generosity of their natures however over these regrets and with sad hearts but full of virtuous resolution they re embarked to in a for and now their evil fortune still pursued them for falling in with a although they escaped a second capture by the fast sailing of their	50
ship they were chased a long way out of their course into the straits of and the wind turning contrary increased towards night to a violent tempest in this extremity it required the tenderness of to encourage whose low spirited condition made her more fearfully alive to the horrors of the raging sea f which indeed roared round them as if the watery desert had hungry lions of its own as well as the sandy of africa but ten times more terrible the ship s besides straining as if they would part asunder and the storm howling through the like the voices of those evil angels who u is believed were cast into the dreadful deep t ii two i or when the daylight appeared there was no of any but the ship was tossing in the centre of a mere wilderness of sea and under the and troubled clouds which were still driving by a fierce wind towards the south the sails were torn into and the ignorant of where they were let the ship drift at the mercy of the elements which not their fury because the prey no longer resisted but the helpless bark with rage it could be no great wrong of and if at such a time they exchanged one embrace together in everlasting farewell they then composed to die calmly as became them in each other s company not with any vain shrieks or struggles but as they had lived and loved thus sitting in a martyr like mood and listening to the rushes of the waters across the deck they heard a sudden noise overhead which caused to look forth and lo there were the drunken putting off from the ship s side in the long boat being to their fate by a glimpse of land which none but their experienced eyes could yet discover however they had not struggled far with their oars when three monstrous curling a great deal than any of the rest turned the boat over and over washing out all the poor souls that were therein the waves swallowed up one by one without letting even their dying cries be heard through the bewildering foam after this sacrifice as though it had appeased the angry deity of the ocean the storm sensibly subsided and in an hour or two the skies clearing up perceived that they were off a small solitary the ship soon after striking upon a coral about two hundred from the shore the the two lovers of skies frowning with a storm lost no time in a rude with and empty barrels upon which placing with such stores and implements as he could collect he towards the land where they landed safely upon a little sandy beach their first act was to return thanks to god for their miraculous preservation after which they partook of a that after their was v ry needful and then ascended a gentle sloping hill which ave them a prospect of the island it was a small place without any human inhabitants but there were millions of marine birds upon the rocks as tame as domestic fowls and a number of the interior country besides seemed well wooded with various trees and the ground furnished divers kinds of and some very gigantic vegetables together with many european flowers the of which to such desolate and places is a mystery to this day the weather again turning boisterous they took a rocky which the kind hand of nature had out so that it seemed to have been provided with a foresight of their wants thus with their stores from the ship they were against any present hardships but one many unlucky lovers i have sighed for such an island to take refuge in from the world yet here were two such fond persons in such an asylum whom fate had set up an eternal bar such as this could not but present themselves very sorrowfully to the minds of and a nevertheless he served her with the most tender and devoted homage and as love taught to him contributed by a thousand apt to her comfort and ease in this manner suppose them to spend five or two lovers of days the cave being their shelter and by fishing or or the providing a change of food so that excepting the original hardship of their fortune the lovers had little cause to complain their solitary condition however and the melancholy of led to many little acts of fondness from which were almost as painful to exchange as to withhold it was no wonder then if sometimes in the anguish of his heart some expressions of impatience burst from his lips to which she answered with her tears at last one day when they were sitting on a rock which overlooked the sea they both turned at once towards each other with adverse faces and so despairing a look that they cast themselves by common consent into each other s arms in the next moment however forcing themselves asunder began as follows whilst covered her face with her hands i can bear this cruel life no longer better were we far apart as when you were living in and i for peace all over the world the restraint of distance was dreadful but and nothing so painful as this your tears flow before my sight yet i must not kiss them away without trembling nor soothe your audible grief upon my nor mingle my sighs with yours though we breathe the same limited air and not in a distant we were made for each other as our mutual love and yet here where there be none besides ourselves we must be several and my heart is torn asunder by such imperative there be but us two real creatures in the world and yet the horrible phantom of a third steps in between and us miserably apart i i	50
am with doubts i dare hardly to name but if fate did not mean to unite us in of it former cruelty the two of why should we be thus together where there are none besides as eternal a bar as was set up between us is now fixed between you and your husband nature herself by this hopeless separation you from all other ties god knows with what scrupulous i have aimed at the fulfilment of my promise but it were hard to be bound to an solution it was true we might not thus think of each other in but we meet here as if beyond the grave if we are as i believe in the forlorn centre of the vast ocean what reasonable hope is there of our since then we are to spend the rest of our days together in this place we can wrong no one but a great wrong to ourselves by the union of our which are thus far already married together until the tomb the miserable wept abundantly at this discourse however she begged that would not mention the subject for at least seven more days in which time she hoped god ht save them from such a step by sending some ship to their she spent almost all this interval in watching from the coast but still there came no vessel not so much even as a speck on the horizon to her any hope of return then his arguments she answered him thus oh my dearest let us rather die as we have lived victims of fate than cast any reproach upon our innocent loves as it is no one can our affection which though violently controlled we have never but it would kill me to have to blush for its unworthy close it is true that in one point we are but there is no distance between souls we may not indeed gratify our fondness by caresses but it is still something to bestow our kindest language and looks and prayers and all lawful and the two l ver op honest attentions upon each other nay do not you furnish me with the means of life and every thing that i enjoy which my heart tells me must be a very grateful office to your love be content then to be the and protector and the very of my life which it is happiness enough for me to owe to your loving hands it is true that another man is husband but you are y guardian angel and show a love for me that as much his love as the heavenly nature is above the earthly i would not have you stoop from this as you needs must by a defect of virtue and still if you insist i will become what you wish but i you consider ere that decision the which i must suffer in your esteem nevertheless before such an evil hour i hope god will send some ship to remove us though if i might prefer my own sinful will before his i would rather of all be dead the despairing lovers at these words wished in their hearts that they had perished together in the waves that were before them when looking up towards the horizon perceived the and sails of a ship whose was still hidden by the of the waters at this sight though il had come seemingly at her own she turned as pale as marble and with a faltering voice bade observe the vessel which with a death like gaze he had already fixed in the distance for doubtless they would rather have remained as they were till they died than return to the separation which awaited them in however the ship still approached with a fair wind and at last put out a which made directly towards the island and now became a bitter from his own arguments that it was better to breathe only the same air constantly with the two lovers of than to resign her companionship to another neither did she refuse to partake of his regrets and more tears were never shed by any on the point of returning to their native land with heavy hearts therefore they descended hand in hand like the first pair of lovers when they quitted their paradise to whom no doubt these sad inwardly compared themselves as they walked to meet the boat which belonged to a vessel of and had been sent to obtain a supply of wood id water the wondered very much at their appearance and especially at who wore a cap made of rabbit skins with a cloak of the same fur to defend her from the sharp sea air and as for his garments were as as hers being partly seaman s apparel and partly his own whilst l and had grown to a savage length the sailors however took them very willingly on board where they inquired eagerly concerning although the captain knew him well having often carried his he could give no tidings of his estate he promised notwithstanding to touch at whither the ship made a very brief passage to the infinite relief of the lovers for now after all their misfortunes they were about to return to the same miserable point where they therefore spent the whole time of tne voyage in apart in her own cabin not daring to trust herself in sight of who on his part at the prospect of their separation after such an intimate communion of danger and was ready to cast himself into the sea supposing them then arrived at where with a heart than he had foreseen proceeded to complete his undertaking by rendering up to her husband he repaired therefore the two lovers of to the house and ij for whereupon being shown into his presence i am come said he to render up my	50
trust and would to od that my life were a part of the submission i have your wife at the cost of your ten thousand and some perils besides for which if you owe me any thing i leave her my for i have nothing left me now but to die the merchant looking somewhat amazed at his discourse then him thus if the lady you speak of is the wife of my brother he has been dead these three months but i shall rejoice to see her and likewise to make over the properties belong to her by his and for the eminent service you have rendered to her for my late brother s sake i will gratefully repay you his last words having been mil of concern for his dear lady and of confidence in the of the which name i doubt not you have made honourable in your own person of you therefore to lead me instantly to my that i may entertain her as she deserves the without waiting to make any answer to these ran instantly on board ship to who now without any reserve cast herself into his loving arms she did not forget however the tears that were due to the generosity of her dead husband but mourned for him a decent season after which with the very good will of her parents and all she gave her hand to the faithful thus after many trials which they endured nobly they were made happy as their long misfortunes and virtue well deserved and their names are preserved unto this day as the two faithful lovers of vol ii the the fire straight upward bears the in breath visions of horror circle in the flame with shapes and figures like to that of death the face of the in the portrait which is still in the family palace at many signs of that stern and gloomy disposition which produced such bitter fruits in the end to herself and to others the nose more roman than resembling the features of the forcibly her masculine firmness and determination of purpose her dark eyes and lowering brow the pride of her heart scarcely lower than that of the fallen angel and her curling lip the scorn and cruelty of her humour ambitious and haughty by nature she was by education subtle and a the a being constantly at her elbow and holding the secret direction of all her affairs this man coming one day into her chamber discovered the in a fit of rage a thing in her very unusual for she to show any outward signs of her emotions therefore of her own voice lest it should she held out an open letter her hand all the time like an leaf and made a motion for to read it who as soon as he had glanced at the writing gave back the paper with these words thk this affair is old news with me the blind passion of your son for the young english was well known to me months ago and nothing has been omitted to break off so scandalous a match i have many skilful agents in england but for this once they have been in their father returned the offended you are prudent and wise in most cases but would it not have been as well to have shared your information with myself the authority of a mother in such a matter might have had some weight in the scale we have not failed said to menace him in the name of the holy church the mother of his soul whose in authority exceed those of the mother of his body as for your ignorance it was a needful precaution that any acts of severity mi ht seem the of the spiritual parent rather than your own the nodded her head gravely at this speech to signify that she understood the hint of notwithstanding he felt anger enough at heart to have made her agree to any measures however cruel for the of so hateful a marriage her great confidence however in the skill and of the assured her that no means had been omitted for that design and now it only remained to concert together by what means they could separate the young people from each other in the meanwhile the artful had craft enough to discover that the meditated a match for her son which would not have suited certain political views of his own accordingly he changed his game that the marriage of and the young english lady should stand trusting that he could afterwards mould it to his purpose what you say of separating them he said is the enough as far as the mere punishment of the parties is concerned but we must look beyond that to other considerations nothing would be more easy as you know than to the marriage for which the holy church hath ample power and a sufficient but it will be a more difficult thing to their affections from each other granted then though you should even tear away your son by force from the arms of the it will be impossible to drive him against his will into any other alliance as for the girl she is of gentle birth and a large fortune and for loveliness might be one of the angels seeing which it is a pity but to think on the peril of her immortal soul such a woman as the wife of your son brings us endless sorrow and shameful annoy whereas such a convert would tend to our infinite honour and at the same time prevent the misery of the young people h re as well as the of a soul hereafter the understood clearly the drift of this discourse and after some further arguments it was agreed that she should receive the young people with an apparent kindness and induce them to reside	50
with her for some time at the palace which she was to exert her joint influence to convert the young lady to the roman catholic faith it was with many that contemplated the introduction of beautiful bride to his mother for he knew her nature notwithstanding with the fond imagination of a lover he hoped that the loveliness and gentle manners of his mistress would finally overcome even the most stubborn of prejudices trusting in this delusion he took his wife to the palace of tne who was sitting when they entered on a couch at the further end of the apartment but could perceive a look on her countenance the that filled him with despair for her dark eyes were fixed upon him quite motionless like those of a statue and her lips were utterly white through pas notwithstanding that the young pair had advanced to the middle of the chamber she never rose from her seat till coming up to her very feet with a faltering voice presented the young lady to her notice the in return merely fixed her eyes on the who at this strange reception began to shake all over with fear and the more because she felt the hand of trembling within her own after a long silence more dreadful than any words the timid creature up her courage a little began to speak as follows with great sweetness of tone and manner pray madam do not scorn to receive me as your child for i have no parent in this far off land unless the mother of my dear i cannot bear to think that i am hateful to any one that regards him with affection pray therefore do not me thus from your heart at the last of these words the rose up and with a tone at once calm and stern and a look desired the young lady to kneel down and receive her blessing the obedient girl with knees and clasped hands stooped down as she was at the feet of the haughty and in this position heard but only half comprehended in latin the following sentences from my mouth and from my heart i curse thee wicked i commend thee to flames here and to flames hereafter amen amen i have said that the did not quite comprehend these words but she saw by the ghastly countenance of that they were very horrible as for that gentle be let go the the hand of his wife and grasping his forehead between his palms as though it were about to burst asunder he staggered a step or two apart and leaned quite stunned and bewildered against the wall of the chamber his cruel mother noticing this movement cast a look than ever towards the speechless lad v and then turning towards addressed him thus son thou hast come home to me this after years of travel but in a manner that i would rather behold thee and with that she pointed to a large cross whereon was the figure of our blessed curiously carved in ivory the holy blood drops being represented by so as to form a more lively of the divine sacrifice it was made evident by these speeches that the temper of the had overcome all the counsels of who entered just at this moment to perceive that his arguments had been in vain he her with some for her spirit and her temper being by this time cool enough to be restrained by policy by dint of much there was an apparent reconciliation between all the parties thus it was arranged as had been beforehand with satisfaction to pass ome months with his wife m the palace of his mother the unhappy however though now living under the same roof with the and by her every day began soon to find this more intolerable than the former at length seeing her grow more and more dejected her beautiful being filled with tears whenever he returned after even an hour s absence began to inquire the cause alas she said i have cause enough to weep the k for i am treated with such a cruel kindness that but for your dear love i should wish myself a hundred times a day in my grave for i am assured every hour that the souls of my dear honoured parents are at this very time suffering unspeakable a saying which whether true or false ought to cost me a great deal of misery or displeasure to these feelings the me so constantly to secure myself from the like that satisfied with a heart to love thee withal i wish sometimes that i had no soul at all to care for having spoken thus with some bitterness oi manner she again fell a weeping whereupon touched with her tears declared that her peace should no longer be assailed by such arguments and in truth having some years in england his own sentiments on such matters partook of the liberality and freedom which belong seemingly to the very atmosphere of that fortunate country accordingly after making various excuses to his mother he set off with his lady to a country seat which was situated on the sea coast and here they lived together for some months very happily at the end of that time received one day a letter which required his immediate attendance at rome and taking a very tender farewell of his lady he departed his affairs detained him four or five days at the capital and then he returned home with all possible speed indulging in a thousand fanciful pictures by the of his wife s joyful at his return whereas when he reached the house he was told that she had been carried off by force no one knew whither the servants being taken away likewise in the middle of the night a which had been left in one of the	50
rooms supplied the only clue for discovery of her destiny for in those days it was a common thing for the the to make a descent on the italian the distracted therefore went instantly on and required to be carried over to africa intending at all perils to his dear lady or partake of the same there happened to be a ship in the port so that he engaged a vessel without much difficulty but he had barely been out at sea a few hours when fresh thoughts flashed on his mind now at leisure for deliberate reflection and made him alter his course it was ascertained from other vessels they fell in with that no ships had been seen near the coast and besides the very partial plunder of his own mansion in the midst of many others made it seem an improbable act to have been committed by the he ordered the therefore to be put down and returned immediately to the shore and now a dreadful question began to his mind which whether with or without reason was very to entertain for it seemed impossible at the first glance that any womanly heart could be so cruel and tiger like as to the married love of himself and his lady by a deed so but when he recalled the stern temper of his mother and above all her horrible his heart quite him and delivered him up to the most dreadful of ideas it was indeed that had lately been seen in the neighbourhood and there were other suspicious reports afloat amongst the country people but these things were very vague and contradictory and all wanted confirmation the miserable with these suspicions in his bosom repaired instantly to but the was either or else so that his thoughts became more bewildering than ever and at length through grief and anxiety the he fell into a raging fever his mother attended upon him with the most affectionate most to the removal of his doubts and especially as she seemed to consider his with a very moderate but sincere sorrow whereas to judge by the common rule if she had disposed herself of the unhappy she should have been constant and violent in her expressions of in this manner several weeks passed away being very languid from his illness at last one day after being more agitated than common he desired to take an with his mother in her coach and was observed to be particular in giving instructions to the driver as to his route the man attending to his commands with began to drive very slowly towards a certain spot and at length stopped immediately in front of those terrible lion s heads of the which have heretofore swallowed so many secret the asking with some terror why he lingered at that spot i am come here mother he said to await the result of a very curious speculation with these words he his intense eyes upon those of the who very suddenly turned aside and called out to the driver to go on but the man remained still according to the direction of the latter had now raised his hand to the coach window and pointing to th gaping jaws that received the mother said he pray fix your upon mine and now tell me have you fed yonder cruel lions v he looked upon the eyes the which seemed instantly to in and her cheek turned as pale as convinced of the of his by her looks did not wait for any other confession thb but plainly saw his lady as though through the solid stone walls in the dreary of the in in the meantime his hand had dropped rom the window to his cloak where he had concealed a small pistol loaded with two balls and setting the fatal engine against his heart without another word he discharged it into his bosom before the very eyes of his unnatural parent the servants getting at the report ran instantly to the door of the carriage which w as filled with smoke so that at first they could not perceive the nature of the calamity at length they discerned the leaning quite senseless against the back of the coach her clothes with blood and the body of stooping forward upon her knees it was plain that he was quite dead wherefore placing the body upon a kind of litter some of the people carried it home to the palace the miserable was driven back to the same place where she continued for many hours in frantic of horror and remorse and when she be came calmer it was only from her strength being so exhausted that she could neither nor herself any longer as for the he was never suffered to abide an instant in her presence though he made many such attempts the mere sight of him throwing the wretched into the most frightful some days after the catastrophe of there was a procession through the streets of which excited a lively interest amongst all classes being nothing less than the progress of certain wicked to the stake where they were to be burnt in order that the christian spirit might revive like a out of the human ashes there had not een a festival of this sort for some time before so that the people prepared for it with great eagerness all putting on their holiday clothes and crowding the into the streets almost to their mutual the day being very warm but otherwise as fine and serene as could be desired for such a ceremony the number of the wretched was nine of whom there was one woman their heads were all shaved and their feet bare with round the and wrists of each person they were dressed in long yellow robes painted all over with fiery tongues or flames except on the back where there was a large	50
blood red cross their caps were of the same colours tall and pointed in shape somewhat like though not intended for that use and each of the wretches held in the left hand a lighted though this of the show was rather by the brightness of the sun certain walked by the side of the holding up the cross at every few paces before their melancholy eyes and them to suffer patiently and without any to which the creatures made answer only by their boisterous there were two of the procession however who differed in this particular the rest the first of them having become an it was said since his imprisonment by the holy this marched along erect and silently without either sigh or groan to the sacrifice having first cast his in scorn amongst the who would have torn him in pieces for this act of contempt but for the consideration that he was to make a more adequate as for the other person who did not join in the of the rest this was a female young and beautiful and indeed the wife of the unfortunate though that circumstance wa unknown to the of the spectators her luxuriant hair had all been cut off and she thb wore the same cap and robe of humiliation with the others but in her tender white feet were tipped with bloody red like the morning through on the rugged hearted stones thus she marched beside the not a whit more than he but with a better hope looking often upward towards the merciful skies which contained the spirit of her beloved the multitude beheld her and devout submission for so it seemed to them with great satisfaction nor did the omit to point her out frequently for the of the and now being come to the appointed spot which was a convenient open space tne usual preparations were made for the burning in the middle of the area stood four goodly which as as the had been over with pitch and tar that they might blaze the the chief with the brethren of the holy office were comfortably seated in front to overlook the spectacle and on either side the court and the nobility according to their degree meanwhile the common got places as they could some of them even being hoisted up on the shoulders of their fellows and truly it was a goodly sight to look round on such a noble assemblage in their robes of state the common people having their holiday suits on ana piety and contentment shining together on every countenance after sundry tedious the abominable being the was placed foremost immediately under the eyes of the grand who desired nothing so much as the glory of his the priests of the holy office therefore used a thousand arguments to persuade him of his errors but the desperate man refused to listen to their discourse replying when thb opportunity offered only by the most scornful expressions thus although there were three constantly him at one time namely two and a they might as soon have persuaded the north wind to blow southward as the current of his to take another course in order to save him from the guilt of further the grand made a sign for the the priests having duly blessed them to be heaped around his feet hoping by this preparation to him into whereas the looked on with the greatest composure observing that he smiled the grand demanded the cause of his mirth for they were near to hold a conference together i am thinking said he how yonder bald who are from the heat of the sun will be able to bear the fiery circles of glory which they promise themselves about their crowns at this answer his case seeming truly desperate and his the fire was ordered to be applied without further delay to the which up briskly the scornful countenance of the was soon covered over by a thick cloud of smoke as soon as the flames reached his flesh a sharp cry of anguish was heard through the upper and a priest stepping close in to the stake inquired if the criminal yet repented of his errors i called out said he only for a little of your holy water the at this triumph stepped back with all haste to get some of the element and began to him nay the i meant it only to be bestowed on these at this fresh contempt the wood was stirred vol ii the v briskly up again and sent forth of fire and smoke so that it was evident he would soon be consumed the flames quickly all round and driving the smoke into the upper region the burning figure could plainly be distinguished in the midst now thoroughly dead the wretched man having been stifled in the beginning of the fire notwithstanding on a en there was a loud shout from the people he is praying he is praying and lo the black was seen plainly to lift its clasped hands towards the skies now the case was this that the which confined his arms being burnt asunder by chance before those which bound his wrists his arms by the of the were drawn upwards in the manner i have described however the multitude fancied quite otherwise and the is affirmed to have become a convert to this very day a couple of wicked perverse jews having been disposed of in the like way the rest of the save the female being who had been brought to the stake only for the sake of example there remained but the young to be dealt with during the burning of the others she had remained tied to the stake with the about her feet and the by her side who promised himself much glory from her whereas she never condescended to li ten to his but	50
with eyes turned upward and her mind absent and in a better place continued her secret prayers with much fortitude and devotion the dreadful which was made of three into one to the holy mystery being brought in readiness to the fire her to consider whether her tender body could endure such by the help of god she replied i will the thb smoke of your last offering is already in the skies and my spirit is fain to follow the grand hearing this answer delivered with such a resolute tone and look made a sign to to let him speak miserable child he cried do you believe that the souls of enjoy at the very first that blessed wretched wretched creature you will learn otherwise in and he made a sign for the torch to be thrust into the pile at least interrupted at confess the tender mercy of the holy church thou who thus by this charitable of thy body thy soul from everlasting by these flames temporary thee from flames eternal my parents replied the lady very meekly were both and it seems most becoming at this last hour of my life to continue in that faith they bred me as for your flaming charity i pray god that it may not be repaid to you in kind at the great day of judgment with which answer she closed her eyes and set herself as if she would hear no more speeches the who heretofore had been unable to make any impression on her firmness gave up all hope of prevailing over her quiet but constant spirit but as for the grand he was quite beyond his patience let her be burned he cried which command was performed without delay at the first sharp pang of the cruel flames a sudden flush as though of red hot blood mounted up into the marble cheeks of the unfortunate lady and she drew her breath with a very long shuddering sigh the reflection of the increasing fire soon cast the same ruddy hue on the countenances of all the spectators for the flames climbed the with merciful rapidity up her loose feminine garments those who were nearest saw her head drop suddenly as she choked upon her bosom and then the burning through and through the whole lifeless body tumbled forward into the embers causing a considerable flutter of dust and smoke and when it cleared away there was nothing to be seen but a confused heap of ashes and dying embers thus perished that lovely unhappy english in her prime of youth far away from all that regarded her with love and with few that looked on her with any degree of pity and now the people were about ta depart with mutual congratulations when suddenly there arose a great bustle towards the quarter of the grand and in a few moments the in deep mourning was seen kneeling at his feet her face was quite haggard and dreadful to look upon and her dress so disordered as to make her seem like a but her gestures were still more frantic like whatever her suit might be the seemed much ruffled and got up to depart but she seized hold of his gown and him whilst she continued to plead with great earnestness you are too late he said and withal he pointed his of office to the heap of black ashes that stood before him the letting go her hold went and gazed for a minute on the then stooping down and gathering up a handful of the dust she returned and before he was aware some on the head of the and the remainder upon her own let these ashes she said be in token of our everlasting repentance after this awful ceremony neither of them without signs of remorse in their countenances they separated to console themselves as they might for their parts in this melancholy tragedy the three brothers now confess and know wit without money sometimes gives the blow of had three sons the two eldest very tall and proper youths for their years but the youngest on account of the of his stature was called little he had notwithstanding a wit and very unusual to any especially of his childish age whereas his brothers w re dull and slow of intellect to an extraordinary degree now though he had money was not rich enough to leave behind him a for each of his sons wherefore he thought it best to teach them in the first instance to scrape together as much as they could accordingly calling them all to him on some occasion he presented to each a small purse with a in it by way of and then spoke to them to this effect behold here is a money bag apiece with a single for you must furnish the rest by your own industry i shall require every now and then to look into your in order to see what you have added but to that end you shall not have any recourse to or violent robbery for money is often purchased by those methods at too dear a rate whereas the more you can obtain by any subtle or smart strokes of policy the greater will be my opinion of your and abilities the three brethren accepted of the with thb three brothers great good will and immediately began to think over various plans of getting money so quickly does the desire of riches take root in the human bosom the two elder ones however beat about their to no purpose for they could not start a single invention except of begging which they would not descend to whereas the little added another piece of money to his before the setting of the sun it happened that there lived at some distance from an old lady who was bed ridden but very rich and a	50
relation of the former though at some degrees removed as she was thus lying in her chamber she heard the door open and came in but he was so little that he could not look upon the bed the lady asking who it was he answered and said my name is little and i am sent here by my father your who is called for he desires to know how you are and to wish you a thousand years the old lady wondered very much that was so much concerned for her since they had not held any correspondence together for a long while however she was very well satisfied with his attention and gave a small piece of money to desiring the slaves moreover to bring him as many as he liked the brethren showing their at night to their father the two eldest had only their apiece whereas little had thus added already to his store on the following day little paid another visit to the sick lady and was as well treated as before he repeated the same compliments very many times afterwards adding continually in his purse at last passing by chance in the same quarter of the city took it into bis head to inquire for his and when he entered her chamber lo there sat little behind the door as soon as he had delivered his com the three brothers which the lady received very graciously she pointed to little and said she had taken it very kindly that the child had been sent to ask after her health madam said who laughed all the while the little liar has not told you one word of truth i know well enough why he came here which was on none of my errands the little held his peace till his was gone whereupon the old lady asked him how he could be so wicked as to deceive her with such multiplied lies alas said pretending to very much i hope god will not punish me with a sore tongue for such it is true as my father says that bo never commanded me to come but i was so at his shocking neglect that i could not help calling upon you of my own accord and making up those messages in his name the old lady was so much touched with the seeming piety and tenderness of little that she bade him climb upon the bed and kiss her which he performed and because he had come so and not she believed for the trifling pieces of money she gave him a coin of more value to make amends as she said for s injurious suspicion the same night when he looked in s purse the old man saw that he had three pieces more at which he nodded as if to say i know where these came from whereupon being concerned for the honour of his ingenuity spoke up to his father it is not said he as you suppose these two pieces i obtained elsewhere than at the place you are thinking of and with that he appealed to his brethren it is truth said the eldest what he speaks observing that he had every night a fresh piece of money whereas we that are his elders could get nothing at all myself and my brother of the brothers little to us with his secret for making gold and silver but he would not part with it unless we gave him our two pieces and thus we have no money whatever with that the brothers turned both at once on little calling him a liar and a cheat for that when they called on the old lady instead of giving them a piece of money or two as he had reported she said that she knew what they came for and withal bade them to be thrust forth from the chamber during this relation could not help laughing secretly at the cunning of little who had thus added his brother s money to his own however he the two elder ones by declaring that had told them the truth about a month after this time the angel of death called upon and touching him on the right side bade him prepare to die accordingly the old man sent for his sons to his bedside and after embracing them tenderly one by one spoke as follows my dear children you will find all the money that i have in the world in a great pot which stands in a hole of the wall behind the head of my couch as for its disposal my will is this that it shall be equally divided between you two who are the eldest as for little he has wit enough to provide for himself and must shift can with these words he died and the sons turned his face towards the east the two eldest setting themselves immediately to divide the money between them in order to divert their grief whereas little having nothing to do shed a great many tears however it happened so that the soul of the kin woman of took flight to god the same evening and she left by her will a sum of money that made equal in means with his brethren whereupon having something likewise to the three brothers occupy his thoughts his eyes were soon as dry as the others after a decent season the three brothers desiring a change of scene and to see a little of the world determined to travel accordingly their money about their persons they set forth in company intending to go towards but before they had gone very far they were set upon by a band of thieves who took away all they had the two elder ones at this were very much cast down but little who was no worse off than he had been left by his father kept up	50
his heart at last they came to a town where who never had any of his wit took care to hire a small house without any delay but his brethren were very much dismayed at so rash an act for they knew that there was not a coin amongst them all notwithstanding by several turns made shift to provide something every day to eat and drink which he shared generously with the others from them only a promise that they would help him whenever they could at last even the inventions of little began to fail and he was walking through the streets in a very melancholy manner when he an old woman making over towards an s with a brazen pan in her arms a thought immediately came into his head therefore stopping the woman before she could step into the shop and drawing her a little way apart he spoke thus i doubt not my good mother that you were going to the to have that vessel repaired and i should be loth to stop the bread from coming to any honest man s mouth notwithstanding i have not eaten for three days here the little began to shed tears and as i know something of the if you will allow me to do such a small job for you it will be a great charity the three brothers the old woman in reply told him that she was indeed going to the s on such an errand but nevertheless the vessel having a flaw at the bottom she was very well disposed to let him repair her pan as it would be an act of charity and especially as he would no doubt mend it for half price the little agreed to the terms whereupon leading her to the door of the house he took the pan from her and desired her to call again in a certain time the brethren wondered very much to see with such a vessel when they had not provision to make it of any use but he gave them no hint of his design requiring only of them that they would go abroad and raise money upon such parts of their as they could spare the two elder ones having a great confidence in his cleverness did as they were desired but the greater part of their clothes having been pledged in the same way they could borrow but two pieces for their which were left as security as soon as he got the money ran off to the who has been mentioned before and ordered him to repair the brass pan in his best manner and without any delay which the man fulfilled thereupon made him a present of the two pieces which amounted to much more than the usual charge for such a job and made haste home with the pan where he arrived but a breathing space before the old woman knocked at the door she was very much pleased with the work for the pan had a brave new bottom perfectly water tight and neatly set in but the moderate charge that was demanded by delighted her still more wherefore she began to off with great satisfaction in her countenance when he beckoned to her to come back there is but one thing said he that i request of you which is this that you will not mention this matter to any one for otherwise as i am not a na the three brothers live of the place i shall have all the of the town about my ears the old woman promised readily to observe his caution notwithstanding as he had foreseen she told the story to every one of her neighbours and the neighbours of it to others so that the fame of the cheap travelled through the whole of her quarter thereupon every person who had a vessel or copper or a metal pan of any kind that was resolved to have it mended at so reasonable a rate and each one intending to be beforehand with the others it fell out that a great mob came all at once to the door as soon as heard the knocking and the voices and the of the vessels for the good people made a pretty concert without in order to let know what they wanted he turned about to his brothers and said that the time for their usefulness was arrived thereupon he opened the door and saw a great of people who were all talking together and holding up towards him the of and whenever he could make himself heard through the he desired every one to make a private mark of their own upon the metal which being done he took in the articles one by one and appointed with the owners to return for them on the at the same hour the things which had been brought made a goodly heap in the being piled up in one corner to the very top of the room a sight that amused and his brothers very much for the latter made sure that they were to sell the whole of the metal and then make off with the money which was quite contrary to the policy of who remembered the of as to the danger of such acts however there was no time to be wasted having such a quantity of work before their eyes accordingly bidding his brothers perform after his example sat down on the the three brothers floor with one of the brazen vessels between his legs and by help of an old knife and some coarse sand scraped nd the bottom till it looked very bright and clean the two eldest after the same manner with great patience and per severed so that by daylight the of the vessels were all shining as brilliantly as the sun now said we may lie down and rest awhile for we have	50
done the work of a score of hands at the time appointed which was about noon the people came in a crowd as before to fetch away their every one striving to be first at the door in the mean time had the vessels heaped up behind him so as to be conveniently within reach whereupon opening the door and holding up one of the articles in his right hand one of the crowd called out that is my pan immediately reached forth the vessel to the owner and without a word stretched out his hand for the money which in every case was a piece of the same amount that had been paid by the old woman and his two brothers who stood behind with faces to look like furnace men put all the into a bag in this way as fast as he could delivered all the things to the people who as soon as they saw the bright of their pots and were well satisfied and withal very much amazed to think that so much work had performed in such a little space it is wonderful it is wonderful they said to each other he must have a hundred work people in his house and with that and similar sayings ihey departed to their homes when the last of the pot was gone out of sight told his brothers that it was time for them to leave the place whereupon the dull pair began to think of their and in spite of the entreaties of being very obstinate thb three brothers as such usually are they went forth on that errand in the interval who had many at heart was obliged to remain in the house so that the event fell out as unhappily as might have been foretold in a little while some of the people who had paid for the mending of their found out the trick and these telling the others that were in the same plight they repaired suddenly to the house before had time to escape and carried him into the presence of the the furious people told their story all at once as they could to the judge and withal they held up so many shining pan of brass as well as copper that he was quite dazzled and almost as blind as justice ought to be according to the painters many of them besides to out their speech laid sundry violent upon the vessels so that such an uproar had never been heard before in the court as for though he felt his case to be somewhat critical he could not help laughing at the of the scene and there were others in the hall who laughed more violently than he it was a common thing with the of to go in disguise through his as well to overlook the administration of justice in different places as for his own private diversion thus it happened at this moment that the was standing amongst the s of the scene he laughed very heartily at the eagerness of the and their concert at last sending his royal to the with a message that it was his pleasure to try the cause himself he went up into the judge s seat as soon as the perceived the they set up a new and a fresh clatter of their so that he had much to preserve his gravity and his however when he had enough to comprehend the matter he com vol n i the three to hold their peace and then called upon to say what he could in his defence commander of the faithful said i but your gracious patience and i will answer all this and their to boot your majesty must know then that yesterday morning these people all made even such a tumult about my door as you have just heard as soon as ever i came forth they held up the of their vessels one and all towards me as they have just done to your majesty and if the commander of the faithful understands by that action that he is to mend all the of their i confess that i am worthy of the the laughed more heartily than ever at this idea of s in which he was joined by all the parties in the court whereas the an looked very much disconcerted at one of them speaking in behalf of the rest of the that the old woman be sent for whose pot had been mended by and accordingly an officer was despatched to bring her to the court as soon as she came the her by the command of the as to her transaction with whereupon she related the whole affair and proved that he had undertaken by express words to put a new bottom to her pan the was very much vexed at this turn of the case against whereas the were altogether in exultation and asked eagerly and at once of the old woman whether her pan was not merely bright at the bottom and like theirs the old woman however declared that it was no such matter but that her pan was quite water tight and repaired with a new bottom in a manner whereupon the vessel being examined it was discovered she the truth the who was at this favourable result now laughed again till he was ready to fall the three brothers out of his seat whereas the pan fell into a fresh fit of rage shaking their first old woman and then at and at last at each other every one shifting the blame of the failure from himself to his prevented the cause from being properly heard in the mean time all the and metal workers of the place who had heard of the subject of the examination thronged into the court and began to treat with the enraged people who had been for the of	50
their and these men falling into dispute with each other there arose a fresh uproar the therefore would fain have had them all thrust out of the place but the desired that the might have their way for a little longer not doubting that some fresh mirth would arise out of the accordingly before long the came forward with m fresh accusation against the that under pretence of the vessels they had thrust fresh holes in them and withal they flourished the pan once more in the eyes of the commander of the faithful little in the meantime enjoyed this uproar in his sleeve and casting a sly glance or two towards the seat of justice he soon perceived that it was not more to the the latter after laughing a while longer put on a grave look by force and commanded to relate what passed with the people at the delivery of their wares replied as soon as i had got all the together which were thus forced as it were upon me i examined them as narrowly as i could but not being a nor knowing any thing whatever of that trade i perceive only that they wanted a little which i performed by the help of my two brothers this the people came again for their pots and and seeing that they had only held up the towards i the three brothers me in the like manner i only held up the towards them wherewith they were so well contented that each gave me a piece of money without any demand on my part and they went on their way as soon as had concluded these words he was silent whereupon one of the pushed his way through the crowd and making his reverence before the spoke as follows commander of the faithful what this young man has said is every word of it true as for any sort of copper or brass work he is quite ignorant of the craft for the very morning before this he brought to me a pan of his own to be repaired by his desire therefore i put in a new bottom for which he paid me very honestly as well as handsomely so that i wish i had many more such liberal as for these foolish people that make such a clatter they are not worthy to be believed for an instant for leave it to your majesty to consider whether so many as they speak of could be put into their vessels by all the in the place in the course of a single night the thing is impossible and besides if it could be done there is no man alive that could do such a job under ten times the price which they confess to have paid to him i tim a judge and ought to know the was very much diverted with this speech of the which made all the disconcerted pan hang down their heads he then turned round to the and asked what he thought of the case the latter having giving his answer the was commanded to procure silence in the court and the stood up to give judgment your observation said he turning towards the is both learned and just i am of opinion likewise that the holding up of the of the brazen is not amongst any of the known forms of agreement thus there was no legal bar the brothers gain on either side and at these words the disappointed people raising up their hands towards the prophet in appeal against the injustice of the there arose a new flashing of brass and copper and a fresh clatter of all the notwithstanding continued the as there seems to have been some of a secret understanding between the two parties my decree therefore is this that the criminal shall receive two strokes upon the of his feet and the hands falling down again with satisfaction there ensued a fresh chorus throughout the hall however the went on thus as soon as there was silence it is necessary that justice on both sides should be equal and complete wherefore as the did but hold up their and then reckon that the order for the new was distinct it shall be sufficient for the to lift up his arm two hundred times and the criminal shall be deemed to have suffered as many of the at this pleasant decision there was a great shout of applause in the court but the departed in great with more than ever and almost in a temper to hang up their like the of the as the for a revolt as for he suffered the penalty according to his sentence the was so much delighted with his wit and address that before long he raised him to be one of his ministers of state the two elder ones on the contrary being very dull and slow very proper men rose no higher than to be soldiers of the body guard thus the expectation of was fulfilled the i though last in birth and least in stature becoming the foremost in fortune and the highest ia dignity of the three brothers the fair maid of o she is sweeter than the rose now bathed the rain and i to yon town and see the maid again the reign of king charles the second of england was marked by two great public the first of them that memorable plague which london and then followed that deplorable fire which destroyed such a large portion of the same devoted metropolis it happened shortly before the that the king had a design to serve in the city wherefore he rode that way on horseback attended only by the lord and one or two gentlemen of the court as they were riding gently in this manner up the hill of towards st paul s the earl observed that the king	50
stopped short and fixed his eyes on a certain on the right hand side of the way the gentlemen turning their heads in the same direction immediately beheld a young and beautiful woman in a very rich and fanciful dress and worthy indeed of the admiration of the monarch who with sheer delight stood as if rooted to the spot the lady for a did not observe this so that the company of our had full time to observe her countenance and dress she wore upon her head a small cap of tb fair maid of black velvet fitted very close and came down with a point upon her forehead where at the peak of the velvet there hung a very large pearl her hair which was of an colour and very abundant fell down on either side of her face in large according to the fashion of the time and clustered about her fair neck and bosom several of the locks moreover being bound together here and there by clusters of fine pearls as for her it was of white silk with a goodly of in the shape of leaves which were held together by of gold her sleeves which were very wide and hung loose from the elbow were of the same silk but there was a short under sleeve of blossom satin that fastened with of about the her were ornamented with the same but the bands were of gold as well as the that encircled her waist thus much the company could perceive as she leaned upon the edge of the window with one delicate hand at last for in the meanwhile she had been looking abroad as in a she recollected herself and observing that she was gazed at immediately withdrew the king watched a minute or two at the window after she was gone like a man in a dream and then turning round to inquired if he knew any thing of the lady he had seen the earl replied instantly that he knew nothing of her except she was the loveliest creature that had ever his eyes whereupon the king commanded him to remain behind and learn as many particulars as he could the king with the gentlemen then rode on very thoughtfully into the city where he what he had to do and then returned with the same company by where they encountered the earl the fair maid of as soon as the king saw be asked eagerly what news whereupon the latter acquainted him with all he knew as for her name he said she is called but her is swallowed up in that of the fair maid of for that is her only title in these parts she is an only child and her father is a rich and so in faith was her mother likewise to judge by this splendid of their verily i think so too returned the monarch she must come to court and with that they began to concert together how to that design and doubtless the fair maid of would have been by the devices of that but for an event that turned all thoughts of and human pleasure into utter despondency and for now broke out that dreadful which soon raged so awfully throughout the great city the increasing from hundreds to thousands of deaths in a single week at the first of the a vast number of families deserted their houses and fled into the country the remainder themselves as rigidly within their own dwellings as if they had been separately by some invisible foe in the mean time the increased in fury spreading from house to and from street to street till whole were subjected to its rage at this point the father of fell suddenly ill though not of the however the terrified could not be persuaded otherwise than that he was smitten by the plague and accordingly they all ran off together leaving him to the sole care of his afflicted child on the morning after this desertion as she weeping at the bedside of her father the fair maid heard a great noise of voices in the street wherefore looking forth at the front she saw a number of youths with horses ready and the fair maid of standing about the door as soon as she showed herself at the window they all began to call out together her to come down and fly with them from the city of death which touched the heart of very much after thanking them therefore with her eyes full of tears she pointed and told them that her father was unable to rise from his bed then there is no help for him cried god receive his the plague is hither very fast i have seen the red crosses in pray come down therefore unto us dearest for we will wait on you to the ends of the earth the sorrowful wept abundantly at this speech and it was some minutes before she could make any answer she said at last if it be as you say the will of god be done but i will never depart from the help of my dear father and with that waving her hand to them as a last farewell she closed the and returned to the sick chamber on the morrow the gentle youths came again to the house on the same errand but they were fewer than before they moved by their to come at last to the window who replied in the same way to their entreaties notwithstanding the fond youths continued to use their arguments with many prayers to her to come down but she i constant in her denial at length missing some of the number she inquired for and they answered that he had of the plague that very alas gentle kind friends she cried let this be your warning and depart hence in good time	50
both murmured and and ten in terms which drew from a cool rebuke for her want resignation to the will of god as years advanced however her dis i became even to herself and now that hope began to die away her heart gradually partook of the cold worldly spirit had upon the di of of her husband though but a which they held at a smart rent yet by the dint of and incessant diligence they were able to add m little year to the small stock of money which they had to put together still would the unhappy reflection that they were steal painfully and heavily over the wife would sometimes murmur and the husband her but in a tone so cool and that she could not avoid his own want of resignation though not expressed was at heart equal to her own each also became somewhat religious and both remarkable for a punctual attendance upon the rites of their and that in proportion a the love of things overcame them in thi manner they lived upward of thirteen years when declared herself to be in that situation which in due time rendered the of mary moan from the moment this intimation was given and its truth confirmed a faint light not greater than the dim and trembling lustre of a sin e star broke in upon the darkened and worldly spirit of had the place within any reasonable period after his marriage before he had be come sick of disappointment or had surrendered his heart from absolute despair to an spirit of it would no doubt have been hailed with all the eager light of hope and vivid but now a new and subtle habit had been after the last cherished expectation of the heart had departed a spirit of foresight and severe on descended on him and had so nearly his whole being that he could not for some time actually determine whether the knowledge of his wife s situation was more agreeable to his or to the disposition which had quickened his heart into an energy with natural and the perception of tender ties which spring up from the of domestic life b the for a considerable time struggle between the two principles went on sometimes a new hope spring up attended in die back by a thousand circumstances on the hand some gloomy and dread distress and ruin would his heart and down to positive misery notwithstanding this between growing and affection the star of the s love had risen a d as we have already said its light was dim and unsteady yet the moment a single opening occurred in the clouded mind there it was to be seen serene and pure a beautiful emblem of and solitary affection struggling with the cares and angry passions of ufe by the husband s heart became touched by the hopes of his younger years former associations revived and of past tenderness though in a heart so much changed came over like the breath of that l as nearly passed away he began there fore to contemplate the event without and by the time the looked for period arrived if the and its influences were not utterly overcome yet nature and the tenderness of a father s feelings had made a progress in a heart from which they had been long banished far different from ah this was the history of his wife since her perception of an ev so in her was no bitter and obstinate principle of affection to be overcome for although she had in latter years sank into the painful of a hopeless spirit and given herself somewhat to the world yet no sooner did the unexpected light dawn upon her than her whole soul was filled exultation and rapture the world aad its influence passed away hke a di and her heart into a habit of tenderness at once so novel sad exquisite that she assured her husband she had never happiness before such are the respective states of feeling in which our readers find and his wife upon an tbe ov occasion the of c into for us to at present whether they are ta end in happiness or misery l er a considerable time that evening the arrival of mary moan the of the family had taken up their in an inside a fire in the draught hole or what the scotch call the logic they sat and in that kind ci such an event uniformly produces among the of a family himself remained for the most part with them that is to say except while from time to time the situation of his wife his presence however was only a restraint upon their good humour and his habits caused some during his visits of inquiry it is customary upon such occasions as soon as the mistress of the family is taken ill to ask the servants to drink an easy bout to the sir and a speedy recovery not a safe l and like a christmas many of them to you both death alive but that s fine stuff oh be the can t but that in the house thank you sir an her once safe over her a better ever c e however there was nothing of the kind far s heart in the first instance was set against the expense and besides its present resembled the of pain which break out from the stupor that presses so heavily upon the exhausted functions of life in the of a severe fever he could not in fact rest or remain for any length of time in the same spot with a slow but troubled step he walked backward and forward sometimes uttering and broken sen such as no one could understand at length he approached his own servants and addressed the messenger whose name was m said i p you ought to be a happy	50
hi br ob a man is if god the safe it as i hope he will good ness vm i m poor and here s a family faith take care it s not sin you re by as you re but you know i m poor but i know you re no hut i m if god hasn t said it that your too much fixed upon the world be me it s on your knees you ought to be this same night the almighty for his goodness an not an about the place in the face of god for you an your wife a for sure i hear the says that all s a blessing if they re as an vo be to the man s bom a about his neck if he s cast into the i know you pray enough but be me it hasn t improved your morals or it s the s health we d be in a good bottle of at the present time myself wouldn t be much surprised if she had a hard twist in an if she does the t s your own aa not ours for we re as the of may to drink all sorts o good to her said the other it s truth a great you ve said maybe all of it faith i that about tho it s in one thing i ll be advised by and is i ll go to my knees and pray to god to set my heart right if it s wrong i feel s happy wo not happy you needn t go to your at all replied if you give us the or if you do pray be in that your heart may be inclined to you none for them words who felt that s upon the better ths of tliat were within him you none and get none for the present at least an only a do for to you he then retired to the upper part oi the where in a dark comer he with a troubled heart and prayed id god we doubt not but such readers as possess feeling will perceive that was not only an object at this particular period of much interest but also entitled to sympathy few m k in his circumstances could or probably would so earnestly struggle with a pre as he did though without education or such a knowledge of the world as might enable him by any of the human heart in others to the of his own he had not been ten minutes at prayer when the of his female servant was heard in loud and tones calling out ere she a the itself ca where s my i where s my come in come in you re a to your son the is till you kiss your son the last words were uttered as she entered the i he repeated the oh let a thousand go before her did you say ay did i an it s truth too but it s joy she s to see you kiss one of the young boys in all the of a over head and ears in with him he gave a rapid glance inward so much so that it was scarcely perceptible and immediately accompanied her into the house the child in the mean time had are you t t to pay one s footing means in ireland to give a present to a for any agreeable circumstance or event that happens for the first time or upon entering any particular place of an humble in to testify approval of what may see been dressed and lay on its s arm m tbe bed when its father entered he approached the bedside and glanced at it then at the mo r who lay smiling beside it she extended her hand to him while the soft tears of delight ran quietly down her cheeks when he seized her hand he stooped to kiss her but she put hot other hand up and said no no you must kiss him first he stooped over the babe took it in his arms looked long and upon it put it up near him again gave it a long intense gaze after ch he raised its little mouth to his own and then the father s first kiss upon the fragrant lips of his beloved first born having gently deposited the precious babe upon its mo ther s breast he caught her hand and upon lips a kiss but to those who understand it we need not describe it to those who cannot we could give no notion of that which we are able in no way to de than by saying that it would seem as if the of a whole life were concentrated into that embrace of the child and when this tender scene was over the commenced well if ever a man had to be thank silence woman he exclaimed in a voice which hushed her almost into terror let him alone said the wife addressing her let him alone i know what he feels no he replied ven you t know it my heart my heart went astray and there od and my is the being that will be the salvation of his father his wife understood him and was touched the tears fell fast from her eyes and extending her hand to him she said as he clasped it sure the world won t be as much in your heart now nor your temper so dark as ij of s re made no but placing his other hand over ms yes he sat in that posture for some minutes on raising his the tears were running as if involuntarily down his cheeks honor said he go out for a little you can toll mary moan where anything	50
s to he had let them all he so thai they don t take too an mary moan you won t he forgotten he then passed out and did not appear for upward of an hour nor could any one of them tell where he had been well said honor after he had left the room we re now married near fourteen years and until this night i never see him shed a tear but sure if anything can touch a father s the sight of his first child will now keep yourself and tell ihe where the an anything else may foe a is till i give these of a of to comfort at this time however mrs s mother and two who had for some hours previously been sent for just arrived a circumstance which once more touched the newly awakened of the mother s heart and gave her that confidence which the presence of one s own blood as the people express it always upon such occasions after having kissed and admired the babe and its face with the warm tears of affection they knelt down as is the custom among most irish families and offered up a short but fervent prayer of gratitude as well for an event so happy as for her safe delivery and the future welfare of the mother and child when this was performed they set themselves to the distribution of the meat groaning a duty which t e transferred to them with much pleasure this being a matter which except in cases of necessity she beneath the dignity of her profession the servants were ac s the ok in due time headed by er made their appearance in events of this nature servants in ireland we ever else are allowed a considerable stretch of good humoured license in those observations which they are in the habit of indeed this is not so much an ex indulgence of wit on their part as a mere repetition of the set phrases and which have been long established among the as they are in general expressive of present tion and good wishes for the future so would it be looked upon as and in some cases of ill luck to neglect them on the part of the servants now said honor s mother to the servants of both now that you ve a trifle you must taste in the way of it would be too bad on i above all nights that seen not to have a glass to the little stranger s health at all here this you never got a glass u warmer heart took the liquor his grave fa e charged with suppressed humour and first looking upon his fellow servants with a countenance so droll yet dry that none but themselves understood it he then directed a very sober glance at the good woman thank you ma am he be enough if our hearts wouldn t get warm now they d never warm a happy night it is for and the at any rate i ll engage the stranger was worth for too i ll a he s the beauty o the this an i ll engage it s we ll have to be for him some o these days the well here s his health any way an may p exclaimed the ist i ay the tree the fruit all the world over don t you know an bad win to you that if the was to go to morrow as good might come after him while f c of ike stocks are to the fore the mother the father aa mm the thanks to you mrs moan replied me right sure we ll know selves it comes our own turn goodness if the isn t asleep by i d in to i m her health she not said her mother proud be poor thing to hear you he said in a loud voice are you asleep ma am no indeed she ed in a good tone of voice ma am said iu in a loud voice nd scratching his head here your h an now e ice is e an so it is sure said he in aa tp the rest behave yourself he to one of the servant maids s you what s yourself yet beg pardon i m myself aad now that the ice is ma am he resumed you must be for the many a bottle goodness we u have this wi yet your health ma am an a speedy recovery to you an a sudden not the life to him what said the are you the looked her full in the face and opening his mouth without saying a word literally pitched the glass io the very bottom of his tim your pardon ma am he replied is it three you d have me with the one not indeed be long sorry to make so little of him if he was a bit of a not pie to give him a comer o the glass but b a little vol i c the or man the case he must have a for himself a said his fellow servant feeling the just offered to her sex why thin bad manners to your assurance for that same a s as well to a full glass as a any day a said good sure it s by a fine example you ought to be this mrs moan is the i was as we came along that to get myself some o these days that is if she can bring me into good humour the thief and if it does happen said you ll to look sharp him mrs moan he s pleasant enough now but i ll be bound no man ill know how to hang his fiddle behind the door he comes home to us	50
wed sure he may if he likes but if he does he knows what s afore him not lie ever will i hope for it s a case it comes to it s a happy story for half the poor wives of the parish that you are in it said sure only be your tongue and taste this said the of her handing her a glass if you to go together in the name o goodness fear god more than the if you want to have luck an grace h is it all this exclaimed the sly girl his humour behind him t this to an opinion which was in ireland with to the old class of wives that in cases similar to s they possessed the power of the penalty of woman s original guilt to the husband if ho chanced to be brutal the wife merely giving birth to the offspring the other bearing all the pain in many parts of ireland it is yet that they possess this power i the of make me hearty if i drink so it will well your health an a speedy to you an the to tiie not the long ufe an good health to him she then put the glass to her lips and after several small appearing to be so many unsuccessful attempts at her reluctance to drink it she at took courage and it down immediately aj lied her apron to her mouth making at the same time two or three faces gasping as if to recover the breath which it did not take away from her the in the mean time felt that the advice just given to and contained a somewhat more to her importance than was altogether agreeable to her and to sit calmly under any that involved a of her authority was not within the code of her practice if they go together she observed it s right to fear god no doubt but that s no why they shouldn t pay respect to that can or t says against that mrs moan replied the all fair an else a s in your eyes we suppose rejoined mrs moan but maybe there s to you could tell to the to you we suppose for your n we re not denying that for me maybe same tr very sweet or to some o she rejoined with a mysterious and somewhat indignant toss of the head well well said the other in a friendly tone that makes no one way or the other only this sure we re not goin to quarrel about it any how forbid honor more but sure it ud iu become me to hear my own no no she s claimed putting back the glass i can t take it this the a way it doesn t me you must put a o an a o to it it may da very well for tbe bat i m not used ta that i herd myself afore observed she never hard well myself never tasted punch but an be its great death alive more he continued in his most manner make us all a sup sure alive this is not a common night what god has us himself would allow you if be was here deed he as good as promised be would an you know we have the young s health to yet an you ought said the the boy says but the it s not a common night an if god has given be a little if it was only to show a grateful well well said more means great in opposition to her daughter s wife this being an epithet adopted for the purpose oc die members of a family hem called by the same name said she i li s as good my heart dear knows is in a i have my doubts about however what s can t be undone so once w mix it he ll be too late to if he comes in any way the punch was mixed and they were in the act of sitting down to enjoy themselves with t when entered as before he silent and disturbed neither calm nor stem but one would suppose under strong feelings of a decidedly opposite character on seeing the punch made his brow gathered into something like severity looked quickly at his mother in aw and was about the of i speak but pausing a moment he sat down after a little time said in a kind voice it s right it s right for his sake an on his account have it but honor a let there be no waste sure we had to make it for mrs moan whether or not said his mother in aw she can t it hard poor woman mrs moan had gone to see her patient having heard his voice again made her with the child in her a ms and with au the importance which such a burden upon persons o her call ing here said she presenting him the infant take a proper look at this fellow that i may never if a finer crossed my hands if you dead tb he d be mistaken for you your born image the thing else eh the lord love my son you ve s nose upon you any how an his chin to a turn oh thin but there s many a couple in wealth that ud be proud to the of him an that must die and let it all go to or to them that doesn t care about them to t at what they have an that think every day a year that they re about the sod what an kiss your child ive that i may never but he u the as if	50
had made on his heart as a manifest proof of much parental attachment he consequently loved his wealth through the medium of his sob and laid it down as a fixed principle that every act of on his part was merely one of prudence and had the love of a father and an consideration for his child s future welfare to justify it the first striking instance of this close and spirit appeared upon an occasion which seldom fails to open in ireland at least all the warm and generous the mi e of our nature when his wife deemed it necessary to make those hospitable preparations for their child s which are so usual in the country he treated her intention of with this old custom a a direct proof of folly and extravagance nay his remonstrance with her exhibited such remarkable good sense and prudence that it was a matter of extreme difficulty to it or to perceive that it originated from any other motive than a strong interest in the true welfare of their child will our meat and money an for health and time on his give him health or make u love him it s not the first tim honor that i ve heard yourself make little of some of our for goin b their ability in up big don t be foolish now thin when it comes to your own turn the wife took the babe up and after having gazed affectionately on its innocent features replied to him a voice of tenderness and reproof god knows an if i act as you call it in ready his surely surely you t to the mother for that little thought that your own father ud you as good a as is put over any other s child i m afraid he s not as much in your heart as he ought to be it s a poor proof of love for him honor to put to the bad what may an would be to him hereafter you only think for the present but i can t forget that he s to be settled in the world an you know yourself what poor means we have of that an that if we to be extravagant an god has sent him we may beg him afore long there s no danger of us him no she continued the pride of the mo er having been touched my bay will beg no you never will the o shame or disgrace will never come upon bim have you no trust in god god never helps them that neglect themselves honor but if it was to his will to remove him from would you ever forgive yourself not him have a like another ch d rejoined the mother the priest replied the good will do as much for the poor child as for the there s but one ment for both anything else is waste as i said an i won t give in u it you don t that your way of it ud spend as much in one day as ud clothe him two bt three years may i never sin this day but one ud you re tired of him already by not in to what s you know you ll only fret me a thing that no man half a heart ud do to any woman a baby as i am a fretted nurse makes a child sick as moan you before she went so that it s not on iy own account i m but on his pet the lord love him look at his innocent little face an how can you have the heart come give way to me this if you do you ll see how i ll nurse him an what a lump o sugar i ll have him for you in no time he paused little at thi delicate and affecting appeal of the mother but except by a quick glance passed her to their child it was impossible to say whether or not it made any on his heart or in the slightest degree changed his resolution well well said he let me alone now i ll think of it i ll turn it over an see what s best to be done di you the same honor an maybe own will bring you to my side of the question at the next day his wife renewed the subject with im anxiety but instead of change in declined even tb enter into it ai l the or all an reply was au she could from him with an assurance that he would in a day or two the resolution to which he might finally come she perceived at once that the case was hopeless and after one last ineffectual attempt to bring him round she felt herself forced to abandon it the child therefore much to the s mortification was without a unless the mere presence of the and in addition to s own family could be said to one our readers perhaps are not aware that a cause of deep hitherto unnoticed by us with latent power upon s heart but so i in ireland is the beautiful if it can wi be termed so that children are a blessing only when received as such that even though supported the hardest and most of all vices had not nerve to this most unnatural source of his distress the fact however was that to a mind so constituted the of a large family was in itself a consideration which he thought might a a future period of their lives reduce both him and his to starvation and death our readers may remember no er m s rebuke to him when he heard allude to this and so accessible was he then to the feeling that	50
on finding his heart at with it admitted his error and prayed to god that he might be enabled to overcome it it was therefore on the day subsequent to the of young for so had the child been called after his paternal grandfather that as a justification for his own conduct in ti e matter of the he disclosed to his wife with much reluctance and embarrassment source of his fears for the future it as a just for his declining to be guided by her opinion the sympathies of the mc her abashed on thia occasion the miserable and of the of li na tbe band her reproaches were open and and her moral sense of his conduct and said she i thought up to this time to this day that there was nothing in your heart but too the w hut now i m if god hasn t it that the devil there you re for of a family but has god sent us any but this one no an i wouldn t be surprised if the almighty would punish your guilty heart by making the child he gave you a curse instead of a i think as it is he has brought little pleasure to you so far and if heart as he grows up it s more unhappy you get every day you live that s very fine talk honor but to people in our condition i can see any very great in a house fill of if we re able to provide for this one we ll have to be without for more it s my you don t love the child change that then honor i do love the child but there s no for it about to every one i meet if i didn t love him i wouldn t feel as i all the that may be before him think ef what a bad or a failure of the crops might bring us all to god grant that he mi n t come to die bag and staff before he s settled in the world at all poor very well you may make yourself as unhappy as you like for me i ll put my trust in the of the my child if you can trust in any one better than god do so honor there s no use in this talk it ill do nothing for him or us besides i have no more time to about it he then left her but as she viewed his dark features ere he went an oppressive sense of something far removed from affliction weighed her down the vol i d the ki br or had been asleep in her during the foregoing dialogue and af his father had departed she placed him in ihe cradle and throwing the corner of her blue apron over her she rocked him to sleep swaying herself at the same time to and fro that inward sorrow of which among the lower classes of irish females this motion is uniformly it is not to be supposed that as the early graces of childhood gradually expanded as they did more than ordinary l e of wa not encountered in its by of love for his son it was impossible for any parent no matter how strongly the idol of mon might sway his heart to look upon a creature so fair and beautiful without being frequently touched into some thing affection the was that as the child toward youth the two principles we are describing nearly kept pace one with the other that the bad and formidable passion made rapid strides must be admitted but that it engrossed the whole spirit of the is not true the mild and gentle character of the boy affectionate disposition and the advantages of his person fail to surprise his sudden bursts of affection but these when they occurred wore looked upon by as so many proofs that he still entertained for the boy love sufficient to justify a more intense desire of ac wealth for his sake indeed ere the lad had numbered thirteen s character as a not only gone r abroad through e but was felt by the members of own with almost merciless severity from habits of honesty and a decent sense of independence he was now degraded to r and what had been by degrees into cunning and he who when life was looked upon only as a saving man become for and a such as this among a people of generous the or m md feeling like tbe is every i of life the object of intense and it ms difficulty he could succeed engaging servants either for domestic or agricultural purposes and co except the general kindness which was felt for his wife and son would have induced any whatsoever to enter into his employment honor and d d what in them lay to make the of the family experience as little of s tyranny as possible yet with all their kind hearted and y were scarcely able ts their barely tolerable it he difficult to find any language no matter what pen might it capable of the love which honor to her gentle her and her son ah there in that last lay the charm which wrapped her soul in him and in au that related to his welfare the moment saw that it was not the will os god to bless them with other offspring her heart gathered about him with a jealous tenderness which trembled into agony at the idea oi his loss her for him then itself into many hues for he was in truth the on which when it fell all the varied beauty of its colours became visible her heart gave not forth the music of a single instrument but the of sweet as heard from the blended melody of many far different firom	50
him this the draws home and or houses until the are high he of it at a price which often for him a profit to one rd and occasionally one half above the sum lent upon which in the time interest is for instance if the accommodation be twenty pounds property to that amount at a is brought home by the this perhaps for thirty thirty five or forty pounds fa mi ok that the labour of preparing it for market there is a gain of fifty seventy five or a hundred per cent besides probably ten per cent interest which is altogether distinct from the former this class of persons will also take a joint note or in fact any security they know to be and if the con tract be not fulfilled they immediately upon the they wiu in fact as a mark of anxiety to assist a neighbour in distress receive a pig from a widow or a cow from a struggling small farmer at thirty or forty per cent beneath its value and claim the merit of being a friend the bargain such are bitter enemies to paper money especially o notes issued by branch banks which they never take in t it is amusing if a person could forget the which the scene to observe one of these men producing sm old or a long black purse or a akin with the hair on and counting down as if he gave out his heart s blood drop by drop the specific sum uttering at the same time a most of hia own poverty and assuring the poor wretch he is that if he the gives way to his good nature he must ultimately become the victim of his own benevolence in no case however do they ever put more in the purse or than is t st then wanted and s they will pretend to be a guinea or ten shillings which they borrow from a neighbour or to the unfortunate in the course of the this they do in order to the obligation and give a distinct proof of their poverty let u the of the nor our p s and our s nearer home imagine for a moment that they the spirit and to themselves to the credit of the however to which they belong such persons are not so as and to t still greater honour of the be h s id the devil himself is not hated with half the which i borne them in order that the reader may understand the of our motive for introducing a description as that we have now given it will be necessary for us to request him to accompany a stout well set young man named along a green ditch which planted wi l leads to a small meadow belonging to in this meadow his son now making hay and on seeing approach he rests upon the top of his in a god help you and yours if h was in my power i take god to witness i d make up a heart for all the hardship and misfortune my father brought upon you all he then resumed his labour in order that e meeting between him and might take place with less era for he saw at once that the former was about to speak to him isn t the weather too hot to work i think you ought to on your hat how are you off or on it s the same hat or no hat it s weather the lord be praised what news not much but what you a family that was but honest to we re broken up my father and mother s both in a cabin they took from mary and s gone to an myself s just on my way to hire die last man i ought to go to your father that is we can agree as heaven s above me there s not a man in the country this day for what has happened than myself but die truth is that when my heard of ton that was your security gone to he thought every day a mon till the was due my mother an i did all we could hut you his temper twas no use god knows as i said before i m heart sorry it every one knows that if your mother an m the mi s or you had your way father wouldn t m ft he is in the mean don t forget that he is my father an above all things remember that i li allow no man to speak of him in my presence i believe you ll allow that he was a an a curse to us an that none of us ought ta like a in his skin it t be expected you would but you must grant all that he was only his own when you know what my feeling is upon the business i don t think it s generous in you to being it up between us i could bear his us out of house an home proceeded the other only for one thought that still m an me what is that god knows i can t help for you he added smote with the desolation which his father had brought upon the he lent us forty pounds proceeded the young man and when he found that tom our went to america he came down upon us the minute the note was due all we had at half price and turned us to starve upon the world now i could bear that but there is one thing that s twice you spoke about that one thing said somewhat for he felt at the of the other in continuing a subject so distress ing to him but he continued in a tone tell me for goodness sake	50
to this you ve brought them oh o the world v vol i e ac thb mi or fixed her eyes upon the victim of her husband s and in an they were filled with tears what did i do said the latter but strive to r my own how could i to lose forty pounds an i was for that your father knew was goin to when he got him to go security youve foolish a woman as this day haven t you your sins to cry for knows i have an more than my own to cry for i say yon did hear as said quietly replying to the observation of respecting his father but yon know it s a to talk about if you want a hire for as i said a while a an except you i don t know where to get one if you come to me observed the o er you go to your duty an the days not the isn t t the fast days i plied j but i always put it in the bargain tbe other as to that i don t much mind it sure it ll be the good o my any way what will you be thirty very half year that s three pounds sixty a year a great deal of money i nt sure i where it s t it s very little for a year s hard labour replied tie but little as it is to what has happened us believe an you may me i m right glad to take it well but you know there s fifteen of die ould a count still an you must allow it out o your wages if you don t it s no bargain s face became livid but he was cool indeed so much so that he smiled at this c of r of it wa a smile however o ghastly dark and frightful that by any person capable of the secret of some passion on the its purport could not hare been god knows you let that pass youve been hard i same honor is it he drop the you want to squeeze i ut the last dr what is it but my right am i him isn it due will he or can he deny f an if due isn t it but honest in him to pay it they re not can say ever them of a pen z i never broke a bargain an yet you open on me h m r as if i was a if i boy below to provide for an settle in the world what ud i care ab it s his i look my right m the aid t fight it i due i ll pay him ay will i you to the last or it if you i wo t take a it in the shape of debt them that s decent enough to make a present for that s a horse of another colour when will i come home inquired you stay at home th t you re here said tiie other an in the ma e time go help to put that hay in lap b anything you want to bring here you can bring day s work to you dinner said honor if you didn t hi get you something it p not to this time o day he d be without his dinner i suppose observed his new master you re very right rejoined vm thankful to you ma am i did ate my we l get a in the bam said his au down td an ih the or how handle both o you from this night accordingly proceeded the meadow and as was his custom throwing his great coat closely about his shoulders the arms dangling on each side of liim proceeded to another part of his farm s step on his way to join was slow and the kindness of the son and mother touched him for the line between their disposition and s was too strong and clear to allow the slightest suspicion of their in the spirit which regulated his life the ther however had just declared that his anxiety to money arose from a wish to settle his son in life and was too slightly acquainted with human character to see through this apology for he took it for granted that spoke truths and his resolution received a bias from the impression however his b ter determined to subdue in this state of mind he turned about almost to look in the direction which had taken and as he observed his figure creeping his great coat about him he felt that l e very sight of the man who had broken up their and scattered them on the world filled his heart with a deep and deadly occasioned him to pause as a would do who finds himself upon the brink of a precipice on seeing him enter the with the knew at once that the terms had been concluded between them and the excellent young heart was deeply moved at the which moved to seek for service with individual who had occasioned it r see battle said he you have agreed we have replied but if there had been any other place to be got in the parish an indeed for th state i m in i t have hired say the of self to him for nothing or for next to nothing as i have done why what did he three pounds a year an out o that fm tp pay him fifteen that my father owes him still close enough but don t be cast down i li that my mother an i will double it an as for the fifteen i ll pay them out o	50
axe naturally more than others i to go home for my other es an linen this observed but i won t go out tonight i must thin said an with the a god will too come what may why what is there to bring you out if it s a fair question to ax inquired the other a promise for one thing an my own my own heart that s nearer the for another it s the first i an her i m goin to ever had i said jt well i ll stay at home but sure it s no harm to wish you success an that is more than ever have where i wish for it most this closed their dialogue and both entered s house in silence up until twilight he darkness of the dull and heavy sky was unbroken but toward the west there was seen a streak whose could not be determined as that of blood or fire by its angry look it seemed as if the sky in that were about to burst forth in one awful sweep of observed it and very correctly anticipated the nature and consequence of its appearance but what will not youthful love dare overcome i with an heart he set forward on the of his journey which we leave him to pursue and beg permission meanwhile to transport the reader to a scene distant about two miles farther toward the inland part of the country fa ths mi er b chapter iv the dwelling of o to which now directed his steps was a favourable specimen of that better class of inhabited by our more extensive and wealthy it was a large building that told by its external aspect of the good living extensive comfort and substantial which prevailed within stretched before its hall door was a small lawn bounded on the left by a wall that separated it from the into which the kitchen door opened here were of hay and wheat all upon an immense scale both as to size and number together with and machines improved carts cars and all the other modem implements of an extensive farm very cheering indeed was the din of industry that arose from the of machinery the of the of the of ducks and all the various other sounds which proceeded from what at first sight might have appeared to be rather a scene of confusion but which on closer inspection would be found a rough yet well regulated system in which every person had an allotted duty to perform here might be seen dressed in sl gray coat breeches and lamb s wool stockings moving from place to place with that calm and contented air which an easy mind and a consciousness of possessing a more than ordinary share of property and influence with hands thrust into his pockets and a bunch of gold suspended from his he issued his orders in a grave und quiet tone very little in his from an absolute save in the fact of his hat being rather and his strong shoes with the soil of his fields or mrs o was out of the sphere of her own family a person of much greater than the her husband and though in a different manner not less so in the dis charge of her duty as a wife a mother or a in appearance she a large fat good looking woman in a of motion and bustle and as her education been extremely scanty her tone and manner though of authority and consequence were strongly marked with that ludicrous which is produced by the attempt of an ignorant person to accomplish a high style of she was a kind hearted woman but so conscious of her station in life that it in her opinion a matter of duty to exhibit a refinement and elevation of language suitable to a matron who could drive every sunday to mass on her own car when dressed on these occasions her rich rustling she had what is in ireland a ae look but at the same time a so stiff and rustic as utterly all her attempts dictated as they were by the simplest vanity at the and character of a s wife their consisted of it son and daughter the former a man of a very was at the present period of our a student in college aiid the latter now in her nineteenth year a pupil in a certain for young ladies by that notorious master of arts little or o was in truth a most fascinating and tall in stature light and in all her motions cheerful and sweet in temper but with just as much of that winning caprice a was necessary to best and to her whole character tall and slender her person was by no means ths the her limb and figure i re very rounded and gave promise of that agreeable beneath or beyond which no perfect model of female proportion can exist if our readers get glance at the hue of her rich cheek or fall for a under the of her black mellow eye or behold the beauty oi er white teeth while her face beamed with a profusion of saw her while in the act of out her invincible locks ere she bound them up with her white and delicate hands then indeed might they understand why no war of the elements could prevent o from life and limb sooner than disappoint her in the promise of this their j r meeting oh that first meeting of pure and youthful love with what a glory is it ever encircled in the memory of the human heart no matter or how melancholy the lapse of time since its existence may be still still is it remembered by our feelings when the recollection of every tie but itself has departed the charm however that murmured	50
its many toned music through the soul of o was upon the evening in question wholly free from a shade of melancholy for which she could not account and this impression did not result from any previous examination of her love for n though many such she had she knew that in this the utmost opposition from both her parents must be nor it the consequence of a co on her part that in promising him a meeting she had taken a step which could not be justified of this too she had been aware before but until the hour of appointment drew near the which pressed her down was such as caused her to admit that the sensation however pain ful and gloomy was new to her and bore a character distinct from anything that could proceed from the various lights in which she had pi considered her attachment this was however heightened by the aspect of the heavens and the dread repose of the evening the ov ci so unlike she had ever beheld before not all this she was sustained by the eager and impatient of affection which when her imagination pictured the handsome form of her young and manly lover for the time over every and feeling that was opposed to itself her mind indeed resembled a fair landscape over which the cloud shadows may be seen sweeping for a moment while again the sun comes out and turns all into serenity and light the place appointed for their interview was a small shaded by behind her father s garden and thither with trembling limbs and a heart did the young and graceful dan of proceed for a considerable time that is to say for three long years before this delicious appointment had o and been wrapped in uie of mutual love at mass at fair and at market had they and often met and as frequently did their eyes search each other out and reveal in long blushing glances the state of their respective hearts many a time did he seek an opportunity to disclose what he felt and as often with confusion and fear and delight did she afford him what he sought thus did one o after another pass away and as often did he form the towering resolution to reveal affection if he were ever to be favoured with another still would some reflection arising from the uncommon gentleness and extreme modesty of his character throw a damp upon his spirits he questioned his own penetration perhaps she was in the habit of glancing as much at others as she glanced at him could it be possible that the beautiful of he the man and his wife the woman within a large circle of the country the of whose name had alas become so odious and but then the blushing face the dark vol i f the er ok eyes and tlie long earnest glance rose before his imagination and told mm that let the difference in the character and station of their parents be what it might the fair dark daughter of o was not insensible to him nor to the anxieties he felt the circumstances which produced the first tion they ever had arose from an incident of a striking and singular character about a week before the evening in question one of s and the young colony though closely watched and pursued directed their course to s house and settled in the mouth of the chimney nor having got a clean sheet secured them and was about to commit them to the care of s servants when it was suggested that the duty of bringing them home on himself inasmuch as he was told they would not remain unless placed in a new hive by the hands of the person on whose property they had settled while on his way to the s he was in the following words by one of o s servants there s good luck before you or the bees wouldn t pick out among all the rest o the neighbours you ought to up your head man who knows what s in if why do ou that bees one is a sign o good luck surely i do doesn t every one it to be you re a good ah i need scarcely tell you that we have a girl at home can you lay that and that together be my the richest honey ever the same bees ill make is but t compared that mouth of her own a honey comb is a fool to it the settling of bees upon any house is in ireland considered to be an omen of good fortune the why did you ever t is it me if i was only high enough in this world maybe i wouldn t be sweet to her no no be my indeed for the likes o me faith but i know a young man that she does be often about s heart was in a state of instant commotion an who who is he who is that young man faith the son o one that can run a farther than e er another man in the county do you happen to be one of o that s good in the mane time don t be goin it on ua no no an even if she did it isn t to she d about any one michael no nor it wasn t to me sure i di t say it was but don t you know my b at in the s family a word o i m you if you haven t the heart to for yourself i wouldn t give knots o for you and now there s no harm done i hope moreover an by the same token you needn t go to the o up an	50
you say never flatter me while you live will always speak what i feel and i hope you u do the same if i could what i said he yon would still say i flattered you it s not in the power of any words that ever were spoken to tell how i love you how much my heart an soul s fixed upon you you know own dear how unhappy i am this minute to see you in low spirits what do you think is the of it now as you say you will do that is as you feel except it be that my heart brought me to meet you to night contrary to my conscience j i do not know nor that heart is so strongly in your favour that if you were not to be happy neither could its poor owner for a moment looked into the future but like the face of the sky above him all was either dark or stormy his heart sank but the tenderness expressed in s last words filled his whole soul with a vehement and burning passion which he felt must his destiny in life whether for good or evil he pulled her to his breast on which he placed her head she looked up fondly to him and perceiving that he wrought under some deep and powerful struggle said in a low c voice while the tears once more ran quietly down her cheeks what i said is true my heart s my heart s he exclaimed it s not love i feel for you it s more than love oh what is it this i know that i cannot long live without you or from you if i did i d go wild or mad through the world for the last the of years you have never been out of my mind i may say awake or asleep for i believe a night never passed during that time that i didn t of of the beautiful young oh god in heaven can it be that she loves me at say them blessed again oh say them again but i am too happy i can hardly bear this delight it is true that i love you and if our could think as we do ck how easy it be for them to make us happy but it s too soon it s too soon to of that happy don t we love one another isn t that happiness who or what can deprive us of that we are happy without them we can be happy in spite of them oh my own fair girl sweet life of my life and heart of my heart heaven heaven itself would be no heave to me if you weren t with me don t say that dear it s wrong let us not forget what is due to religion if we expect our to prosper you may think thi strange from me that has acted contrary to religion in coming to meet you against the will and knowledge of her parents but beyond that dear i hope i will never go but is it true that you ve loved me so long it is said he the second sunday in may ne was three years i knelt opposite you at mass were on the left hand side of the i on the right my eyes were never off you indeed you may remember it i have a good right said she blushing and hiding her face on his shoulder i ought to be ashamed to acknowledge it and me so young at the time little more than sixteen from that day to this my story has been just your own can you tell me how i d it out but i knew me many a thing was to tell you that dear sure my yes were never off you whenever you near an wherever you were there was i certain to be the mi oft i n ver missed any public place if i you would be at it an that for the sake of you an now will you tell me why it was i could a sworn you loved me hare for us both she replied as for me if i only chanced to hear your name mentioned my heart would beat if the talk was about you i i ould listen to nothing else and i often felt the colour come and go on my cheek i never thought i could be bom to such happiness now that i know you love me i can hardly think it was love i felt for you all along it s wonderful it s wonderful what is so wonderful she inquired why the change that i feel since that you love me since i had it from your own lips it has over come me i m a child i m anything anything you choose to make me it was never love it s only since i ou loved me that my heart s as it is you happy if i can she replied and keep so i hope there s one thing that will make me still h pier i am said what is it if it s proper and right i u do it v promise me that if i live you ll never many any else than me you wish then to have the promise all on one side she replied with a smile and a blush each as sweet as ever a human heart no no no my darling no i ll tiie same to you she paused and a silence of nearly a minute ensued i don t know that it s right i have taken one wrong step as it is but much as i love you i won t take another whatever i do i must	50
feel that it s proper i m not sure that is don t you say you love me i do you know i do thb i have only another question to ask could you or would you me as you do an marry i could not and would not and will not i tim ready to promise i may easily do it for god knows the very of marrying another or being deprived of you is more than i can bear well then returned her lover seizing her hand i take god to witness that while you are alive faithful to i will never marry but yourself now he continued put your right hand into mine and say the same words she did so and was in the act of repeating the form i lake god to witness when a vivid flash of light t ing shot from the darkness them and a peal thunder almost immediately followed with an explosion iso loud as nearly to both started with terror and instinctively withdrew her hand from s god preserve us she exclaimed that s awful i feel as if the act i am goin to do is not right let us it at all events till another time is it because there comes an accidental of thunder he why the thunder would come if we were to change a promise you have mine now dear an tm sure you wouldn t wish me to be und an yourself free don t be afraid give ae your hand an don t tremble so repeat the words at and let it be over he again took her hand when she repeated the form in a distinct though feeble voice observing when it concluded now i did this to satisfy you but i still feel like one who has done a wn ng action i am yours t can t help praying to god that it may end happily for us both it must darling it must end happily for us both how can it be o for my part except to see you my wife i couldn t be happier than i am this minute my heart has all it wished for is it vol i g the i ox oh is it possible that this is not a dream my heart s life but if it is if it is i more will wish to her young lover was deeply affected as he uttered these words nor was proof against the emotion they produced i pray to god this moment with a purer heart i ever had before he proceeded for my lot in life so happy i feel that i am better and firom sin than i ever was yet if we re faithful and true to one another what the world do to us i couldn t be otherwise than faithful to you she replied without being unhappy myself and i trust it s no iu to love each other as we do now let us god bless me what a flash an here s the rain beginning that thunder s dreadful heaven preserve us it s an awful night you must see me as far as the o the garden as for you i wish you were safe at home hasten dear said he hasten it s no night for you to be out in now that the rain s coming as for me if it was ten times as dreadful i won t feel it there s but one one thought in my mind and that i wouldn t part with for the wealth of the universe both then proceeded at a quick pace until they reached the comer of the s garden where with short but of attachment they took a tender and affectionate farewell or chapter v it is not often that the higher ranks can appreciate the moral beauty of love as it is experienced by those to whom they deny the power of feeling it in its refined and exalted character for our parts we differ so much from them in this that if we wanted to give an illustration of that passion in its purest and most state we would not seek for it in the saloon or the drawing room but among the green fields and the smiling of rural life the simplicity of humble hearts is more with the unity of affection l an any mind can be that is distracted by the competition of claims upon its gratification we do not say that the of rank and fashion are insensible to love because how much they may be with the artificial and unreal still they are human and to a certain extent be influenced by a principle that acts wherever it can find a heart on which to operate we say however that their love when contrasted with that which is felt by the humble is languid and sickly neither so pure nor so simple nor so intense its associations in high life are to the growth of a healthy passion for what is the of a lamp a through the of the ball room or the unnatural of the theatre when compared to th r ng of the summer sun the singing of birds the music of the streams the joyous aspect of the varied landscape the the valley the lake and a thousand other objects each of which to the peasant hearty silently and that power which at on e and the passion there ths ok scarcely such a thing as solitude in the upper ranks of an opportunity of keeping the feelings and the energies of e heart by many and petty pleasures with which fashion forces a compliance until die mind falls from its natural dignity into a habit of coldness and aversion to everything but the circle of empty trifles in which it moves	50
so but the youth who can retire to the beautiful solitude of the still to brood over the image of her he loves and probably sits under the very tree where his love was and returned ha we say exalted with the of his happiness feels his heart go in upon the delightful objects that surround for every ng he looks upon is as a friend his happy heart over the whole landscape his eye glances to the sky he thinks of the almighty being above him and though without any capacity to his own feet love the love of some humble plain but girl by degrees into the and rapture of religion let not our readers of rank then if any such may honour our pages with a perusal be at ail surprised at the expression of o when under the power of a love pure and as that bound his heart and s together he exclaimed as he did oh i could pray to god this moment with heart than i ever had fee such a state of feeling am the people is rare n r for however the great ones and the wise ones of the may be startled at our assertion we beg to assure them that love and religion more nearly related to each other thai those who have never felt either ia its truth and can as performed his journey the fearfully through u e sky and though the was deep and unbroken by anything but the ed fl of lightning yet so strongly absorbed was the of his heart by the scene we have just related that he ar at his father s house scarcely conscious of the roar of elements which surrounded him the family had retired to bed when he entered with the exception of his parents who having felt uneasy at his disappearance were anxiously awaiting his return and entering into fruitless conjectures concerning the cause of an absence sa unusual what said the alarmed mother what in the world wide could keep him so long out and on a tempest as is in it protect my boy from all and danger this fearful night oh what ud us if anything happened him as for me my heart s wrapped up in our it ud break break hut he s gone ta some neighbour s and cant come out till the storm is over he ll soon be here now that the and s past but did you never think what ud be come t f you what you d do or how you d live if anything happened him which the almighty forbid this night and for ever could you live him the old man gazed upon her like one who felt displeasure at having so painful forced upon his consideration without making any reply however he looked thoughtfully into the fire for some ai et which he rose up and with a and impatient voice said what s the use of about things lose him why i lose him i couldn t lose him i d soon lose my own life i d rather be dead at than lose him god knows your love for him is a love rejoined the wife you wouldn t give him a guinea if it ud save his life or allow him even a few now and then for pocket money that he might be to other young boys hke him no use no use in that except to bring him into drink thb oh an other bad habits a poor way honor of one n love to him if you had your will you d spoil him little scraped to to settle him in life but indeed that s time enough yet he s too young to marry for some years to come he got a fortune w l one thing if ever two people blessed in a good son praised be god we are that are honor we are there s not his in the that he is en gone hell know what i ve done for him you re gone why of sure you wouldn t keep him out of his here he is god be boy he s safe oh thin no jewel were you out this terrible night i added the father you re lost my hand to you if he s worth three an throw my about you an draw into the fire y jou re fairly lost i m worth two lost people yet said smiling mother did you ever see a pleasanter night pleasant oh thin it s you may say so i m sure father you re a worthy only your s toe for me faith mother you think i m the devil a one o me is a pleasanter night a happier night i never spent father you ought to be proud o me an stretch out a bit with the cash faith i m else than a fine handsome young fellow be my an he ought to be proud out of you re ia or not observed the mother an to stretch out the too if you want folly on folly on your mother ill back you go hail say what you will hut sure you know all i have must be yours yet money i the ow li na now sat down and bis mother stirred i the fire on which she placed additional fuel after a little time his manner changed and a shade of deep gloom fell upon his manly and handsome features i don t know he at length proceeded that as we three are here together i could do than ask your advice upon what happened to me to night why what has happened you said the mother alarmed god no harm i hope who else added the father would you be guided l if not by your	50
in service went to work with all the tact and of a the next morning after having left the bam where he slept he contrived to throw himself in the way of a girl who though vain and simple was at the same time conscientious and honest on passing from the bam to the kitchen he noticed her returning from the well with a of water in each hand and as it is considered an act of civil attention for the male servant if not otherwise employed to assist the female in small matters of the kind so did in his best manner and kindest voice bid her good morrow and offer to carry home the it s the least i may do said he now that i m your fellow servant but before you go farther lay down your burden an let us chat a while indeed replied it s little we expected ever to see your father s son goin to earn his bread another man s roof there s greater in the world than that woman alive but tell me ay is there e ct of thousand things but i say how do you like to this family why indeed only the withered ould himself a people ever broke bread yet isn t it a that the ould fellow is what he is an ould an he so full o money v there s one thing myself a th it what let us hear it why that you could be mane an shabby enough to as a servant to ate the l read of the man that ruined relied i m glad you ve said it but do you think i ve so bad a heart as to keep in against an how could i go to my knees at night if i no we must be christians well let us drop that so you tell me the mother an son are kind to you as good a pair as ever lived of course can t but be very kind to so a girl as you are said with a knowing smile very kind good looking ay indeed i m sure o that behave an don t be an any o your what ud make be kind to the likes o me that way i don t see why he t an t you re as good as him if it goes to that oh indeed f why you know you re handsome handsome replied the vain girl her apron strings and a sly look go an mind your business and let me bring home my it s time the was down nonsense very well you re not thin you ve a bad leg a bad ha the oa figure an a bad face and it would be a terrible thing l out for o to fall in you well about i could tell you tut go to you don t know them that nor s nor the they all had about it no longer ago an lai night itself i suppose they thought i was but it was like the my eyes open an it s a pity ever the same two eyes should be shut myself s to feel somehow when i look at them a glance of pretended incredulity was given in return after which she proceeded don t be yourself to the my eyes is as made them but i can tell you that before a month o sundays passes i wouldn t be surprised if you see married to you guess not i the a hap i know about who he s no less than our great beauty s daughter o for goodness sake don t let this your lips to mortal sure i heard him all to the father and mother last night they re promised to one another eh blessed saints what you you re as white as a sheet what s wrong and what did you start for replied coolly but a in my side i m subject to that it pains me very much while it lasts and my face as you say the colour of but about upon my i m main proud it she s a girl an besides hell have a fortune that ll make a man of him i am in heart proud to hear it it s a pity s father isn t as as himself where does the ould keep his money little of it in the house any way i sure whenever he tbe of a guinea he s away it to the county county man tliat keeps the money for the people the well much good may his t do him that s the worst i wish him come now and i ll lave your at home and remember you owe me for this good will i hope that for one he replied as they along hut well more about it when we have time and i ll thin tell you the truth about what brought me to hire having excited that most active principle called female both the kitchen where they found and his mother in close and apparently confidential conversation himself having as usual been upon his farm for upward of an before any of them had risen the feelings with which they met that morning at breakfast may be easily understood by our readers with out much assistance of ours on the part of there was a narrow selfish sense of exultation if not of triumph at the chance that lay before his son of being able to settle himself in life without the of making any demand upon the hundreds which lay so safely in uie keeping of the county his sordid soul was too deeply with the love of money to perceive that what he had hitherto locked upon as a proof of parental	50
affection and foresight was more than a by which he was led day after day into his prevailing vice in other words now tiiat love for his son and the hope him occupy a respect me station in society ou t to have justified the reason ing by which he had suffered himself to be it was apparent the prudence which he had still considered to be hi duty as a kind parent was nothing than mask for his own the idea therefore of seeing vol l h mi or without any aid from himself filled his whole soul with a wild which gave him as much delight as perhaps he was capable of enjoying the advice offered to his son on the preceding night appeared to him a matter so reasonable in itself and opportunity offered by s attachment so w adapted for making it an instrument to work upon the affections of her parents that he could not the life of him perceive why they should entertain any rational objection against it the warm hearted mother so largely id all that affected the happiness of her son that if we allow for the difference of sex and position we might describe their feelings as bearing in the character af their simple and vivid a very remarkable resemblance this amiable woman s affection for was reflected upon o whom she now most tenderly loved not because the fair girl was beautiful but because she had her to that son who had been during his whole life her own solace and delight no sooner was the morning meal concluded and the servants engaged at their respective than honor acting probably under s suggestion re solved at once to ascertain whether her husband could so far overcome his as to establish their son and in life that is in the event of s parents opposing their marriage and to render them any assistance with this object in view she told him as he was tl owing his great coat over his shoulders in order to proceed to the fields that she wished to speak with him npon a matter of deep importance what is it said with a hesitating shrug what is it this is ever an always the way when you want money but i tell you i have no money you bom to waste and extravagance honor and here s no you what is it you want an let me go about my business the of u na b throw that ould off o you replied honor and beg of god to give you grace to sit an have feeling an common sense if it s money to get does either for yourself or con there s no use in it i needn t sit you don t want a either of you honor without more seized the coat and it aside pushed him over to a seat on which she forced him to sit down as heaven s above me she exclaimed i what u come over you at all at all your money your your dirt an ever ever an for ever more in your thought heart and to think of it an you know there s a god above you an that yon must meet him an that your money too ay ay the money s what you want to come at but i ll not sit here to be d what is it i say you want continued the wife checking herself and addressing him in a kind and affectionate maybe i too harsh to you but sure it was an is for your own good how an ever i ll kindness and if you have a heart at all you can t but show it when you hear what i m goin to say well well go an relied the husband but money ay ay is there i feel by the way you re about me chat there is money at ae bottom of it the wife raised her hands and eyes to heaven shook her head and a slight pause in which he appeared to consider her appeal a hopeless one she at length went on in an earnest but subdued and spirit the time s now come that will show the world whether you love or not i don t care a pin about the world you an know well enough that i love him love for one doesn t come out merely in words for their benefit shows it than t you grant that yery maybe i do and maybe i don t there s times the one s than the other but go an maybe i do grant it now tell me where in this parish ay r in the next five to it you d find a boy for a father or mother to be out of aa your own as you often called him devil a one honor to the one i won you in you won t me the devil yon for you won t indeed but i if you tell yon i could now there s an kindness in that very well you say you re up all money you can for him for him exclaimed the unconscious why what do you mane for well ay yes yea i did say for him it s for i m keeping it t is tell you now you know he s ould enough to be settled in ufe on his m account an you heard last night the girl he can get if you stand to him as he ought to expect from i father that loves him why last night thin didn t i give my your tongue a while and let me go on s best he on that girl to a degree that if he doesn t get her hell never see another happy	50
day while he s alive all honor that won t pass me i know otherwise myself do you think that if i hadn t got you i d been unhappy four an twenty hours let alone my whole life i tell that s an won t pass he wouldn t ate an the less if he was to the of get her i ou seen the breakfast he made this i didn t it to him but may i never stir if that wouldn t ate a horse behind the saddle he has a stomach that ud require a king s to keep it you know nothing of what i m about replied his wife wasn t o in my best days an be the you t that has more an spirit an generosity in the nail of his finger than ever you bad in your whole i tell you if he doesn t get married to that girl he ll bis heart now how can he marry her except you take a good farm for him and stock it so that he may have a she to bring h to how do you know but they ll give her a fortune they find her bent m him t why it s not said the wife immediately changing her it s not but i can teu you it s very unlikely the best way then in my opinion ud be to to about breaking it to the family that s fair enough said the wife i myself i didn t think of it but the time was so short since last night z i it is short replied the far an away short to expect any one to make up their mind about it let them not be rash themselves for i tell you that when people marry in haste they re apt to have time enough to at well but now hear me it s and what you say but still listen now in case that the an his wife don t to their marriage or to do anything for them w hi t you take them a farm and stock it bravely think of poor the fine fellow that is oh thin but it s he ud go to the well o the world s end to the robes in the priest mass h tr u br r you if your little finger only ached he would or for and yet his own father to him it was in vain she attempted to proceed the subject was one in which her heart felt too deep an interest to be discussed without tears a brief silence ensued during which moved uneasily on his seat took the and mechanically mended ihe fire and peering at his wife a countenance as if by he stared round the house with a kind of stupid wonder rose up then sat instantly down and in fact exhibited many of those and uncouth movements which in persons of his cast may be properly termed the of human action under feelings that cannot be de either by those on whom they operate or by those who behold them yes said he is all you say an more an an an a rash act is the worst could do it s honor to to him as i about the be known to s family out of hand and thin if they you can them a by into a farm will you promise me that if you do all s right for they re not that ever knew you to break your word or your promise make no promise honor make no promise bu let the other plan be tried first now don t be me he is he is a noble boy and would as you day round the earth to keep my finger from pain but let me alone about it now let me alone about it this though slight encouragement was stall in honor s opinion quite as much as if not more than she without pressing him therefore too strongly at that moment sl e contented herself with a full length portrait of their son drawn with all the skill of a mother who knew if her husband s heart could be touched at all those points on which she stood the greatest chance of finding it ths of li na for a few days after the subject of s love was permitted to lie in the earnest hope that s heart might have caught some slight spark of natural affection from the conversation which had taken place between him and honor they waited consequently with patience for some on his part o f a better feeling and flattered themselves that his silence proceeded from the struggle which they knew a man of his disposition must necessarily feel in working up his mind to any act requiring him to part with that which he loved better than life the ardent temperament of however could ill brook the indifference of the old man with much difficulty therefore was he induced to wait a whole week for the issue though sustained by the mother s assurance that in consequence of the impression left on her by their last conversation she was certain the father if not urged beyond bis wish would declare himself willing to provide for them a week however elapsed and moved on in the same hard and insensible spirit which was usual to him wholly engrossed by money and never either directly or indirectly appearing to remember that the happiness and welfare of his son were at stake or depending upon the determination to which he might come another half week passed during which had made two unsuccessful attempts to see in order that fixed plan of intercourse might be established between them at least until his father s ultimate resolution on th subject proposed to	50
him should bo known he now deeply distressed and regretted that the of his attachment had so far borne him away during their last that he had forgotten to concert measures with for their future he had often watched about her father s premises from a little before until the whole family had gone to bed yet without any chance either of conversing with her or of letting her know that he was in the neighbour the or hood he had gone to chapel too with the hope of seeing her or a hasty opportunity of exchanging a word or two if possible but to his she was absent from mass an of duty of which she had not been guilty for the last three years what therefore was to be done for him to be detected lurking about the s house might create suspicion especially after their interview in the garden which very probably had through the of the servants been communicated to her parents la a matter of such difficulty he him of a and the person to whom the necessity of the case directed him was indeed ever since he entered into his father s service had gained rapidly upon s good will and on one or two occasions succeeded in from him a history of the attachment which between him and his good easy language and apparent friendship for young o together with his natural readiness of address or if you will of manner all marked him out as admirably qualified to act as a in a matter which required the very tact and talent he possessed poor fellow thought to himself it will make him feel more like one of the family than a servant if he can think that he s as my friend and companion he may forget that he s the bread of the very man that drove him an his to destruction ay an if we re married i m not sure but i ll have him to give me away too this resolution of permitting to share his confidence had been come to by upon the day subsequent to that on which he had last tried to see after his return home the disappointment on one hand and his anxiety concerning his father s on the other together with the delight arising from the certainty of being beloved all kept his mind in a tumult and permitted him to sleep but little the next day he decided on admitting to his confidence and this the of solemn trust in his integrity he was lying on his back in the meadow for they had been the hay from the when that delicious which arises from the three greatest to slumber want of rest fatigue and heat so utterly overcame him that forgetting us love and all the anxiety arising from it he fell into a and profound sleep from this he was aroused after about an hour by the pressure of something sharp and painful against his side near the region of the heart and on looking up he discovered standing over him with a in his hand one end of which was pressed against his breast as if he had been in the act of driving it forward into his body his face was pale his dark brows contracted and ms teeth apparently set together as if working under some fearful determination i en awoke broke out into k laugh that no language could describe the character of mirth which he wished to throw into his face so with its expression when seen by that even as the latter was he started up with alarm and asked what was the matter however laughed on peal after peal succeeded he tossed the aside and clasping both his hands on his face continued the until he recovered his composure oh said he i m sick vm as wake as a child but lord bless us after all what is a man s life worth he has an enemy near him there was i you the to you and one inch of it would have baked your bread for life didn t you feel me a bit till the minute afore i then t e a ever you danced in your life wait till i show you how your foot went he accordingly lay down and illustrated the pretended action after which he burst out into another ble fit of mirth the or twas just for au the world said he as if i had tied a string to your toe for you groaned an granted an went on like i what but what makes you so sleepy to day as well as on monday last that s the very thing replied the and candid young man i wanted to to you about what about in the meadows a hit o that not a of in the meadows is in what i m goin to to you didn t you tell me the day you hired with my father that you in love i did i did well so am i but do you know who i m in love with how the man could i well no keep the my boy i ll tell you in the mane time an that s more than you did to me you close is a sign of a wise head hard fortune to you go an and don t be me in who s the girl did you ever hear tell of one as she s called known by the name of or o daughter to one o the richest man a bom in the three par all very fair for you or ny one else to be love her ay or man alive for myself if it goes to that but are you sure that ever you ll bring her to be in love you said seriously and after	50
a sudden in his whole manner in this business i m goin to you as a friend and a brother she loves me and a solemn promise of marriage has passed between us said it s it s you couldn t believe what a fool i am fool no but a faint hearted cowardly villain the of what do you mane what the are you at at whenever i happen to have an opportunity of a drive that id hut i dash do you see here said he putting his hand to neck do you see here to be sure i do well what about there f be my i m very careful of hut sure i may as well tell you the whole truth i i was in love weu man that was an he added in a low whisper i was near no i wont but go an it s enough for you to know that i was an am in love ai that it ll go hard me if ever ant one else is married to the girl in love now that my business is past let me hear yours poor fellow an i m glad to know that that why an that you are not as i am be the that saved us i m glad of that f why love will set you mad if you don t take care of yourself an faith i but it may do the same with myself if i m disappointed however the truth is you must me in this business i to see her but couldn t an i m afraid of bein seen about their place the is you want to make me a a very well do that same on your account an do it well too i hope it was then arranged that who was personally known to some of the s servants should avail himself of that circumstance and contrive to gain an interview with in order to convey her a letter from o he was farther by no means to commit it to the hands of any person save those of herself and in the vent of his not being able to see her then the letter was to be returned to if he succeeded however in delivering it he was to await an answer provided she found an opportunity of sending one if not she was to inform through oft at what time and place he could see her this arrangement having been made immediately wrote ihe letter and after having despatched upon his errand set himself to perform by his individual labour the task which his father had out for both ere s return came ho inspect their progress in the meadow and on finding that the servant was absent he inquired sharply into the cause of k he s gone on a message for me replied with the utmost frankness but that s a bad way for him to mind his business his father have the task that you set both of us finished replied the son so that you ll lose nothing by his absence at all events it s wrong it s wrong where did you him to to s a letter to it s a waste of time an a loss of work about that business i have to say to your mother an you to night the supper when the rest goes to bed i hope father you ll do the thing still no but i hope son you ll do the wise thing still an ever let me alone now if you expect me to do an you mustn t drive me as your mother does tonight we ll make up a plan that ll before you come home throw a stone or two in that gap to prevent the cows from into the hay it won t cost you much but did you ever see such a as has he ll me out o house an home him he has a stomach for nails my word it nd be a charity to give him a dose of oak bark to make him he s a at an little good may it do him the hour of r arrived without and s impatience began to overcome him when of for the first time introduced the subject lay nearest his son s heart he beg n i ve been of this affair with o an in my opinion there s but one way of it but if you re a fool and stand in your own light it s not my fault what is the way father inquired the very same i your mother an you run away her i mane make a match of it then refuse to marry her unless they com e down the money you know after away nobody else ever would marry her so that rather than see their child disgraced never fear but they ll pay down on th nail or maybe bring you both to live em my to glory said the wife but your re a bigger an ould rogue than ever i you for by the up m me if i had a known how you d turn out the carry the ring ever you d put on my finger father said i must be to you in this at all it s plain you ll do nothing for us so there s no use in anything more about it i have no of her and i swear by the blessed i ll never bring her to shame or poverty if i had money to carry me i d go to america ah my there but i have not father it s too hard should stand in my way when you could so easily make me y who have you a right to assist as your son	50
your only son an your child too this was spoken in a of respect and sorrow at once impressive and affectionate his fine features were touched with something beyond sadness or regret and as the tears stood in his eyes it was easy to see that he felt much more deeply for his father s want of principle than for anything connected with his own hopes and prospects in fact the tears that rolled silently down his cheeks were the tears of shame and sorrow for a who could thus school him to an act of such vol i i ha the f tl as it was the genius of the er felt bv the natural delicacy and honour of the son the old man therefore shrunk back abashed confused and moved at the words which he had heard simple and though they were said the wife wiping her eyes that were into indignation we re now married goin an i think mother said the less we say about it now the better with my own good will m never on the subject you re right replied the mother you re right i ll say nothing god sees it s no use what would yon have me do said the old man rising and walking about in unusual distress and agitation you don t know me i can t do it do it you ay honor i don t care about him i d give him my blood i d give him my blood to save a hair of his head my life an happiness depend on him but who knows how he an his wife might that money if they got it both young and foolish it wasn t for nothing it came into my mind what i m will happen to me yet and what was that asked the wife doesn t come for nothing honor i ve had it and felt it over me this many a long day that i d come to starvation an i see if you force me to do as you wish that it ill happen i m as sure of it as that i stand before u i m an unfortunate man such a fate before me and yet i d shed my blood for my boy i would an he ought to know i would but he wouldn t ax me to starve for him would you would you ax your father to starve i m unhappy unhappy an my heart s the old man s voice failed him as he uttered the last words for the conflict which he felt evidently bis whole frame he wiped his eyes and again sitting down he wept bitterly and in silence for many minutes the of a look of surprise compassion and deep distress passed between and his mother the latter also was very much affected and dear maybe i sometimes too cross to you but if i do god above knows it s not that i bear you ill will but fm about poor but i hope i won t speak angry to yon at eve if i do remember it s only the mother for her son ihe only son an that god was to her father added also deeply moved don t stress yourself about me don t father dear let things take their chance but come or go what will any good fortune that might happen me wouldn t be sweet if it came by you a heart at this moment the barking of the dog gave notice of ap footsteps and in a few moments the careless whistle of was heard within a few yards of the door this is said maybe father his answer may throw some light upon the business at any rate as there s no secret in it we ll all hear what he brings us he had scarcely concluded when the latch was lifted but could not enter it s locked and said as he sleeps in the bam i forgot that he was to come in here any more to night open it for the sake of all the money you keep in the father said smiling iti s hardly worth your while to be so but rod help the county if he forgot to bar his door i m it immediately entered and with all the importance of a took his seat at the fire well said what news let the boy get his supper first said honor bar tie you must be starved the hunger the faith well i thank yon that same way replied a one o me but s as ripe for my supper as a july cherry an the o heaven upon my i ll soon show you what execution is a deep groan from gave back a fearful echo to the truth of this t you well asked i m not never was more uncomfortable in my life immediately d his su er which consisted of and new milk a luxury among the lower ranks which might create envy in an as he advanced in the work of destruction the gray eye of which followed every that entered his like that of a cat when rubbed down the back thou from a directly opposite feeling he turned an i twisted on the chair and looked from his wife to his son then turned up his eyes and ap to feel as if a entered his heart with every additional dig of s spoon into the the son and wife smiled at each other for they enjoy those petty sufferings of with a great deal of good humour said what s the news a word worth at thai i can hear i mane from s stared at him s what do i know about are you said smiling my	50
father and mother knows all about it an about your going to with the i have no from them that s a horse of another colour but you wouldn t have me as much to go to betray trust in the mane time i may as well my supper before i begin to tell you i happen to know about it another deep groan from followed the last observation t b of loi at length the work of ceased and after honor had put past the empty dish having wiped and uttered a or two thus commenced to out his intelligence i to the s said it was great an i got a sight of miss at all in regard of in regard of not that there was any message for her but to know i made to go into the kitchen to ax you know how was her aunt s family up in when who should i find before me in it but sally and miss of i shook hands her i mane an said i i was sent in a message from the master to you he s in the haggard an wants you so on out she goes an the coast bein clear miss says i herds a scrape of a from mr o read it an if you can write him an answer do if you haven t time say whatever you have to say by me she go she got all when i handed it to her an run away to me wait for a while an don t go tin i see you in a minute or two comes in as mad as the me the curse o the an yon says she why did you make me run a fool s errand for no the wasn t in the haggard an didn t want me good or bad said the impatient lover pass all that for the present an let us answer if she sent any sent any i be my she did so your an that she could on me she said that for fear of any bein made about my as i live at present in this family it would be better she thought to answer it by word o mouth tell him said she that i didn t think he wa queen o heaven from his master was so an ignorant o the customs of the country as not to know that young people want to see one another they stay ok mass an expectation that i exactly her own words but it as much as to say that she staid at home last sunday to sea you when they were all gone to mass well but what else short an sweet man why shell meet you on next thursday night god wi in in the same place an i her where she said you knew it yourself an is that au no it not all she said it ud be better to mention the thing to her father it over she says as your father has the na saints above name of bein so rich she doesn t know if a friend ud interfere but his nt might be got an all i haye to say about it that she s a girl an i advise you not to be too sure of her yet so now i m for the bam good night at my cost you do it from the again he rose and proceeded to his sleeping place in barn whither who was by his manner him said o did you take an since i saw you last only share of two my brother at s i noticed it upon you observed but i don t think they did an if they did too it s not high i hope no but i m to you you ve acted as a friend to me an i won t it to you an i m so much to you that i ll your me in this the day i have to live but weu battle i d take die that all a ring you u never put on her and what makes you think so v i don t i do know but somehow ths of z x na something or another tells it to me that you won t others is fond of her i suppose as well as yourself and of they ll stand you ay but i m sure of her der but you re not wait till i see you man and wife an thin i ll say so here s myself is in love an i don t think that ever the will or would marry me be the of heaven no other man will have her now tow do you know but you may have some one like me like me to stand against you said laughing your head s a little d give me your hand the devil take man don t my fingers off say your prayers an go to sleep i say i won t forget your kind ness to me this ni t h d now deposited himself upon his straw bed and after having tucked the about him said in the relaxed indolent voice of a man about to sleep good night n head s a little soft to good night good night didn t i stand to you to night very well good night on s return a serious was held upon the best mode of in a matter which presented difficulties that appeared to be the seizing upon the advice by herself as that which he had already suggested insisted that the most judicious course was to propose for her and without appearing to feel that there was any inferiority on the part of if they talk about	50
i liave a good to me you know i have an what we are brought down to now i have more nor you d believe to think of as much any way as ill make this box an steel useful i hope when i m spoke truth in assuring that the apology given for his on the preceding night bad escaped his memory it was fortunate for hun indeed that o like all candid and persons was utterly devoid of suspicion otherwise he might have perceived by the in the two accounts as well as by s confusion that he was a person in whom it might not be prudent to place much confidence or chapter vi the between and was held at the same place and hour as before and so rapid a progress had lore made in each of their hearts that we question if the warmth of their interview though tender and in would be apt to escape the censure of our readers both were depressed by the prospect that lay before them for frankly assured her that he feared no earthly circumstance could ever soften his father s heart so far as to be prevailed upon to establish him in life what then can i do my darling if your father and mother consent as i fear they won t am i to bring you into the miserable cabin of a day for to the son of a man so wealthy as my father must sink no dear i have sworn never to bring you to poverty an i will not she replied somewhat gravely i thought ou had a different opinion of me you know ut little of your own s heart if you think she wouldn t live with you in a cabin a thousand an a thousand times sooner she would live with any other in a palace i love you for your own sake but it appears you don think so woman can never bear to have her love nor the moral dignity of a passion which can sacrifice all worldly and selfish considerations to its own purity of attachment when she uttered the last words therefore tears of bitter sorrow mingled with offended pride came to her aid she sobbed for some moments and again went on to reproach him with forming so u air an estimate of her affection i r c of i i repeat that i loved you for yourself only and i think of what would feel if you refused to spend your life in a cottage with me if i thought you wished to many me not because i am o but the daughter of a wealthy man my heart would break and if i thought you were not true minded and pure hearted and honours le i would rather fee dead than united to you at all i lore you so well and so much that i doubt i m not worthy of you an it s fear of you brought down to daily labour that s crushing an breaking my heart but ur what is there done by any s wife that i don t do every day of my life do you think that my mother lets me pass my time in idleness or that i myself could bear to be even if she did i can milk make butter spin wash knit and clean a kitchen wh f you have no notion she added with a smile what a clever s wife i d make oh said now melted into tenderness greater than he had ever before felt dear it s useless it s useless i can t no i couldn t an i will not live without you even if we were to beg together but what is to be done now she replied while my brother john is at home is the time to propose it to my father and mother who look upon him with eyes of such affection and delight that i am half inclined to think their consent may be gained maybe darling his consent will be as hard to gain as their own now she ed fondly only you re a thing that s afraid to live in a cottage with me i could tell you some good news or rather you doubt me an fear that i t live in one with you was the reply after which he said with you my dear now that you re satisfied i vol i k live and die in a with y m with you in whatever state of life we may be placed with yoa but without you never i could i could not weu we are young you know and neither of ue proud and i am not a lazy girl indeed i am not but you forget the good news i forget that and everything else but yourself ling while vm in your company oh heavens if you were once my own and that we were never to be separated i well but the good news v what is it dear i have mentioned our affection to my brother and he has promised to assist us he has of your and of your mother s and says that it s unjust to upon you she paused you know my dear that you must not be offended i say i know my sweet treasure what you re to say replied with a smile nobody need be delicate in that my father loves the and knows how to put guinea to guinea that s no secret i wished he loved it less to be sure but it be helped in the mane time ma oh how i love them words god bless your brother he must have a kind heart dear and he must love you much when he promises to assist ua he has find wiu but	50
why did you send such a forward and person as your father s servant to bring me your message i do not like him he almost stared me out of countenance poor fellow said i feel a good for him and i think he s an honest good hearted boy an besides he s in love himself i know he was always a and i say again like him but as the case stands dear i have no one else to trust to at all events he s in our secret and the best the of hi way if he s not honest is to keep him in it at if ve put him out of it now he might be to our d s advantage there s truth in that and we must only trust him with as little of our real secrets as possible i cannot account for the strong prejudice i feel against him and have felt for the last two years he always dressed above his means and once or twice attempted to speak to me well but i know he s in love with some one for he me so poor fellow i m bound my dear to show him any kindness in my power after some conversation it was once more decided that should on the next day see the and his wife in order to ascertain whether their consent could be obtained to the union of our young and anxious lovers this step as the reader knows was every way in accordance with s inclination himself would have preferred his mother s to that of a person possessing such a slender hold on their good wiu as his other parent but upon with her she told him that the fact of the proposal coming from might imply a disposition on his part to provide for his son at all events she hoped that contradiction the boast of superior wealth or some fortunate collision of mind and principle might strike a spark of generous feeling out of her husband s heart which nothing she knew under strong excitement such as might arise from the bitter pride of the o could possibly do besides as she had no favourable expectations from the interview she thought it an unnecessary and painful task to subject herself to the which she apprehended from the s wife whose pride and far and high over those even of her husband this just and sensible view of the matter on the part of the mother satisfied and reconciled him to the father s to be accompanied by her to th ok the scene of for in tested against her assistance with a bitterness which could not easily be accounted for if your mother goes let her go by said he for not in t if she does take the and his fat wife my own way which i can t do if honor comes to be an little o me afore them maybe i ll pull down their pride for them than you think an in a way they re not prepared for them an their car neither nor his mother could help being highly amused at the of the miserable and display resorted to by in preparing for this extraordinary mission out of an old strongly locked chest ho brought a coat which bid been duly but not thrice worn within the twenty years the progress of time and fashion had left it so odd ridiculous that though he laughed could not help feeling depressed on considering the appearance his father must make when dressed or rather in it next came a pair of knee breeches by the same hand and which in compliance with the taste of the age that produced them were made to button so far down as the calf of the leg then a waistcoat whose long pointed reached nearly to the knees last au was produced a hat not more than three inches deep m die crown and so narrowly that a spectator would almost imagine the leaf had been cut off having himself out in these contrary to the strongest of both wife and son he took his staff and set forth but lest the reader should expect a more accurate description of his person when dressed we shall endeavour at all events to present with a loose outline in the first place his was surmounted with a hat that resembled a flat wanting the handle his coat from which and had caused him to shrink away would have fitted a ov twice bis size and as he had become much stooped its tail which at the best had been long now nearly swept the ground to look at him behind in fact he appeared all body the of his waistcoat he had pinned up with his own hands by which piece of exquisite taste he displayed a pair of so thin and to his small clothes that he re a boy who happens to wear the breeches of a full grown man so that to look at him in front he appeared all legs a pair of shoes polished with burned straw and and surmounted by two away to completed his costume in this garb he set out with a headed staff into which long use and the habit of fast whatever he got in his hand had actually worn the marks of his forefinger and thumb his wife and their two children were very luckily assembled in the parlour when the figure of the made his appearance on that part of the neat road which terminated at the gate of the little lawn that the door here there was another gate to the right that opened into the farm or kitchen yard and as hesitated which to enter the family within had an opportunity of getting a clearer view of his features and person who is that figure there v inquired the	50
did you ever see such a ah thin who can he be somebody to some o the i suppose replied his wife why thin it s not unlike little dick the in sober truth was so completely disguised by his dress by his hat whose and want of brim gave his face and head so wild and eccentric an appearance that we question if his own family had they not seen him dress could have recognised him at length he turned into the kitchen yard and addressing a whom he met asked k the mi er or i say which is the right way s house there s two right ways into it an you may take o them but if you want any favour from him you had call him mr o the s a name was first given to his father an he bein a man doesn t like it although it sticks to him so there s a lift for you my hip little but which is the tight door o the there it is the in that s your you re in disguise an if you be why turn o t again to that other gate strip off your shoes and pass up on your and give to the green ring that s from the door but see friend added the man maybe you d do one a how said h earnestly at him what i it r why to lave us a lock o your hair before you go replied the wag with a grin the took no notice whatsoever of this but was turning quietly out of the yard to enter by the lawn when the man called out in a commanding voice back h re you an back i say you won t be let ia that way back you into the kitchen eh you wont well well what you ll get an that ll be the way back f twas at this moment that the keen eye of the features of her lover s father and a smile which she felt it in to subdue settled upon her face which became immediately with on out of the room she plucked her brother i sleeve who followed her to the hall i can scarcely tell you d ar john she said speaking rapidly it s o s fa ther and as you know his business stay in the parlour she squeezed his hand and added with a smile on her face and a in her eye es c it s all over with me the of i don t know whether to laugh or cry hut stay john dear and fight my poor s battle she ran up stairs and immediately one of the most sordid and that ever spoke of starvation and misery was heard at the door i will answer it myself thought the amiable brother ft if my father or mother does he surely will not be allowed in john could scarcely preserve a grave face when presented himself is o inquired the himself of the hint he received from the servant my father is replied john have the goodness to step in entered immediately followed by young o j who said father this is mr o it appears has some important business with the family t be m replied to a seat i m too poor to be with this family exclaimed the father in amazement what business can have with this family john about our replied the about my son and an hat about them inquired mrs o d you to them in the same day together why not said the ay an on the same night too upon my mr o you re extremely kind now be a more so and let us you said the poor thought john all s lost he will get himself kicked out to a certainty i think it s time we got them married replied the sooner it s done the and the safer for both o them for the the or a he s cracked said mrs o one o the poor but s cracked about his money poor woman you never poor yourself i an i m not ashamed to own it hut frank she added addressing her husband there s no use in to him said o seriously what brought you here why to tell you an your wife the state that my son and your daughter s in about one another an to advise you both if you have to get them married afore worse happens it s business more than you re right said the aside to his wife he s tie added have you lost any money lately every day said the other i m broke them that won t thank me let alone me as they ought then you have lost nothing more than usual if i didn t i tell you there s good chance of it before me can a man call any money of his safe that s in another man s pocket an so you ve come to propose a marriage between your son and my daughter yet you lost no money an you re not mad a morsel o me s mad but you ll be so if you to let this match go an out him a shan shouted mrs o in a state of most dignified offence you ould is it the son of a that has an robbed the whole side that we ud let our daughter that the finish to her in a marry na this day the old rogue the of you had no scruple yourself ma am replied the bitter when you at the son of the ould an every one knows what he was he said the good woman an is it up yourself an him you are why saint wouldn t	50
of your own opinion in the choice of a husband now go up stairs or where sm till we see what can be done with with smiling face and glistening eyes passed out of the room scarcely sensible whether she walked ran or flew while the others went to renew the discussion with well said the you found out i suppose that she can t do him v provided we to the marriage asked the how will you settle your son in life who would i settle in ufe if i wouldn t settle my only son replied the other who else is there to get au i have that s very true observed the but state plainly what you ll do for him on his marriage do you to the marriage all of that s not the question said the other a word i ll answer till i know whether do or not said say at once that you and thin i ll i ll say what i u do the looked at his and son the hi er or the latter nodded we do consent he added that shows your own said the old man now what you portion your that upon what you ll do for your son returned the and that upon what do for daughter replied the sagacious old at this rate we re not likely to agree s you have only to out besides it s your business bein the s father try him and name something fair whispered john if i give her a farm of thirty acres of good land and all what will you do for more than that five times over i ll give him all i have an now when will we marry them it was best to make things clear added the and one another at when will we marry them not till you say out openly and fairly the exact sum of money you ll lay down on the nail an that before ever a ring goes upon them give it up said the wife you see there s no a promise out of him let alone a penny what ud have me do said the old man raising his voice won t he have all i m worth who else is to have it am i to make a beggar of myself to you can t they live on your farm till i die an thin it ll all come to them and no thanks to you for that said the no no i ll never buy a pig in a if you won t act by your son go home in the name of goodness and let us hear no mc e about it why why said the are mad to miss what i can lave him if you knew how much it is you d but ood help me what am i i m poorer than anybody thinks i am i am an will starve among you all if god hasn t it do you think i don t ths of x i na my son as well an a thousand times better than you do daughter rod alone sees how my heart s in him in my own that never gave me a sore heart my brave my dutiful boy he paused and the tears here ran down his shrunk and cheeks while he wrung his hands started to his feet and looked about him like a man by dangers that threaten instant destruction if you love your son so well said john mildly why do you grudge to share your wealth with him it i but natural and it is your duty natural what s natural to give away is it to love bim you mane it is it s t to give it away he s the best son the best what do you mane i say let me alone let me alone i could give my blood my blood to a boy but you want to kill me you want o kill me an thin get all but he ll cross you never fear my boy will save me he s not tired o me he d give up fifty girls sooner than see a of his father s head injured so do your best while i have i m not of thanks be to god that sent him he exclaimed oh thanks be to god that sent him to comfort an protect his father from the and of them that ud bring him to starvation for their own ends father said john in a low tone this struggle between and natural affection is awful see how his small gray eyes glare and the rises white to his thin lips what is to be done said the it s over don t ess yourself keep your money there will be no match een our won t he screamed why won t there i say haven t you enough for them until die would you see your child her heart you have no in you no for your but i ll for her argue you till this l the or time to or make you show to her if you don t if you don t the help o god the man s as ml s a march hare observed mrs o and there s no use in breath him h if it s not insanity said john i know not what it is young man proceeded who paid ho attention to what the mother and son said being merely struck by the of the latter man you re kind you have and to your father don t let him destroy his child don t ax him to starve me that never did him harm he loves you he loves you for he can t but love you sure i know how i love my own boy	50
oh to him iii go down on my two knees to you to beg as you hope to see in heaven that you ll make him not his daughter s heart she s your own sister there s but the two of an oh don t her in this this heavy heavy i won t interfere farther in it replied the young man who however felt disturbed and anxious in the extreme mrs o said he turning and haggard look to the s wife i m to you you re her mother oh think think i ll think no more about it she replied you re mad an thank d we know it of it ill run in the family for which my daughter ill never be joined to the son of a madman he then turned as a last resource to o himself i say here his voice rose to a fright ful pitch i i i command you to listen to me marry them f don t kill your daughter an don t don t don t dare to kill my son if you do i ll curse you till the marks of your feet will the ground you tread on oh hb exclaimed his voice now sinking and reason apparently from exhaustion what is come over me what am i but it s au for my the of son my son he then sat down and for more than twenty minutes wept like an infant and and sighed as if his heart would break a feeling very difficult to be described hushed his amazed into silence they felt like pity toward the unfortunate old man as well as respect for that affection which struggled with such moral heroism against the frightful vice that attempted to subdue this last virtue in the breast of the on his getting calm they spoke to him kindly but in firm and friendly terms communicated their ultimate determination that in consequence of his declining to make an adequate provision for his son the marriage could by no means take place he then got his hat and attempted to go to the road which led to the little lawn but so complete was his abstraction and so exhausted his faculties that it was not without john s assistance he could reach the gate which lay before his eyes he first turned out of walk to the right then crossed over to the and felt surprised that a wall opposed him in direction you are too much disturbed said john to perceive the way but i will show you i suppose i thought it was at home i was he replied at my own house one must turn to the right or to the left as indeed i m in the custom of the or chapter vii while engaged upon this ill managed mission his wife who felt that all human efforts at turning the heart of her husband from his wealth must fail resolved to have recourse to a higher power with this purpose in view she put on her sunday dress and informed that she was about to go for a short time from home i ll be back if i can she added before your father comes and indeed it s as good not to let him know anything about it about what mother for i know as little about it as he does why dear i m to get a couple o masses for god to turn his from that cursed it s fixed upon sure it a hard grip of his poor that it ll be the destruction of him here an here it ll kill him afore his time an then i to think of his chance above the object is a good one sure enough an it bein for a spiritual purpose i suppose the priest won t object to it why would he dear an it for the good of his sure when pat was jealous his wife got three masses for him an the help of god he was cured sound an could not help smiling at this extraordinary cure for jealousy nor at the simple piety of a heart the strength of whose affection he knew so well after her strange as h may appear are for inch the of return she informed the son that in addition to the masses to be said against bis father s she bad some notion of getting another said toward his marriage with i was goin she proceeded to slip it in along your father s business but i thought it wouldn t be fair or honest to trick his reverence that way upon the bare price of the two he is to say for it ud be two birds one stone still it t bring about the match in regard o the on my part god help you mother said laughing for i think you one of the women that ever lived but he added here s my father god grant that he may bring good news when entered he as paler or rather usual and on his thin face the lines that marked it were exhibited with a distinctness greater than ordinary his eyes appeared to have sunk back more deeply into his head his cheeks had fallen farther into his jaws his eye was and disturbed and his whole appearance trouble and care and the traces of a strong and recent struggle within him father said with a beating heart for heaven s sake what news what tidings i trust i trust in god it s good they have no they have no o you didn t succeed the father s as great a as him he was called after they re a bad pack an you t think of any one to them but tell us man dear said the wife what passed let us know it all why they would	50
do they wouldn t hear of it i went on my knees to them ay to every one of them the herself but twas all no use it s to b no match the or and why father did you go on your knees to any of them v said i m sorry you did aa i did it on your account an i d do it on your account poor boy well well it can t be helped but tell me a inquired honor was any of the fault your own what did you offer to do for let me alone said he i won t be about it my heart s broke among you all what did offer to do for r the match is knocked up i tell you and it must be knocked up s young and be time enough for him to marry this seven years to come as he said this the fire of blazed in his eyes and he looked angrily at honor then at the son but while contemplating the latter his countenance changed from anger to sorrow and from sorrow to a mild and se expression of affection said he sure you ll not blame ma in this business sure you won t blame your poor heart broken father let say what they will sure you won t don t fret on my account father said the son why should i blame you god knows you re to do what you would wish for me no honor i knew a wouldn t he shouted rising up he wouldn t make a o me save me save me he shrieked throwing his arms about his neck save me my heart s s me different ways inside i can cry you see i can cry but i m still as hard as a stone it s terrible this i m terrible all out for a weak old man like me oh what ill i do honor a what become o me t i it whatever it is don t pity me don t ye don t ye honor oh don t pity me the of li pity you said the wife bursting into tears what will become of you pray to god pray to him no one alive can change your heart but god i to the priest to day to get two masses said to turn your heart from that cursed money i didn t to tell you but i do it s your duty to pray now above all times an to hack the priest as well as you can it s the best advice father you could get said the son as he helped the trembling old man to his seat an who bid you thin to go to lavish money that way said he turning to honor and again into the spirit of o heaven but you ll kill me woman afore you have done me how can i stand it to have my hard earned an for what to turn my heart from money i don t want to be turned from it i don t wish it money i have no money an if there s not for me i u be starved yet an is it any to be me the way you re his wife clasped her hands and looked up toward heaven in silence and shaking his head passed out to seek with whom he had not spoken that day briefly and with a heavy heart he communicated to him the unsuccessful issue of his father s interference and asked his opinion as to how he should conduct himself under circumstances so disastrous to his happiness and prospects advised him to seek another interview with and for that purpose as before to ascertain in the course of that evening at what time and place i he would see him this suggestion in itself so natural adopted and as felt with peculiar the pain of the situation in which he was placed he manifested little tendency to conversation and die evening consequently passed heavily and in silence ths or dusk however arrived and prepared himself to execute the somewhat difficult commission he had so undertaken he appeared however to have caught a portion of s despondency for when about to set out he said that he felt his spirits sunk and melancholy just he added as if some misfortune was afore or both of us for my part stake my life that things will go one way or other an that you ll never call o wife replied the other i only want you to do my message an not to be ill bad news comes too soon without your us of it god knows dear i m distressed enough as it is and want my spirits to be kept up rather than put down no but you want to your mind off of this business altogether for a while an upon my it ud be a charity for some friend to give you a fresh piece of fun to think of so keep up your heart how do you know but i may do that much for you myself but i want you to lend me the loan of a pair of shoes a of these will be together soon i get them mended in time you can t that any how me them on your own business nonsense man to be sure i will stop an bring them out to you in half a shake he accordingly produced a pair of shoes nearly new and told that if he had no objection to accept of them as a present he might consider them as his own this conversation took place in s bam always slept and kept his small deal trunk astray the ts t p he i a moment when this good natured offer was made	50
to him but as it was dark no particular si could be discovered on his no said he ly may i go to il if i ought o you d turn the hut don t he angry when i offered them didn t mean to give you the offence it ll enough for you to tell me you wont have them without g into a passion have what you about why about the shoes what else t yes faith sure enough weu the shoes don of it i m hasty too much so indeed ma that s my fault like all good natured people that respect however i ll them for a day or two till i get my own patched up some way but death alive why get at this season of the year three rows of in the o them he asked running his fingers along the as he they longer of and now be off and don t let the grass grow under your feet till i see you s patience or rather his ice that night was severely hour after hour elapsed and yet did not return at length he went to his father s sleeping room and informed him of the message he had sent through to i will sleep in the bam to night he added aa never fear let us talk as we may but well be up early enough in the morning god i sleep or go to sleep till i hear what news he brings b k to me so do you rise and secure the door an iii make my shake down for this night the father who never refused him anything if we may be allowed the word did as the son requested him and again went to bed unconscious o vol i the ii oa b cloud was soon to burst upon both at length and bad l he satisfaction of bearing it bis would meet bim the next night possible at the hour of twelve o clock in her s haggard her battle told him bad laid an upon her never to see him again she was watched too and unless when the household were asleep she found it altogether to effect any appointment whatsoever with her lover she not promise with certainty to meet bim on that night but she desired him to and if be failed to be punctual not to leave the place of appointment for at least an hour after that if she appeared not then he was to wait no longer was the purport of the message which delivered bim was the first up the next morning for the purpose of keeping an appointment which he bad with whom we have already introduced to the reader on being with meanness by this weak but honest creature for having sought with the man who had ruined his family he promised to her with the true which had induced bim to enter into s employment their conversation on this point however was merely a love scene in which attempted to satisfy her that to an attachment for herself of some months standing might be ascribed his humiliation in becoming a servant to the and of his he then passed from themselves and their prospects to and o with whose affection for each other b the reader knows be was first made acquainted by bis fellow servant it s terrible said be to think of the black and heart that bears to and his merely they refuse to let him marry i m that be the of u na s dark about it on s side an if you hear of anything bad to the you ll know it comes from i don t b it nor i won t it not any way till i hear that it happens but what is il e to do to v a more i know myself replied i as much an he said till it was don nobody would be the wiser for a heart god never made think so but wait do you watch and you ll find that he won t come in to night i know myself of what he s about for he s as close as his father s purse an as deep as a draw we ay an as fair faced as the when the ould boy wants to tempt a priest but this i know that he has black business on his hands whatever it is be he i tremble to think of got tender and after pressing his with all the eloquence he was master of they separated he to in the fields and she to her employment and the task of watching the notions xxi her master s son in the course of the day suggested to die convenience of i that in the the time of meeting he said was too late and his father s family who were early in their hours both night morning be asleep they set out he also added that lest any of the o or should surprise him and he had made up bis mind to accompany him and act as a during their interview felt this devotion of to his dearest inter as every grateful and generous heart would said he when we are if it s ever in my power to make you in life may i never prosper thb iii br if i don t do it at all in way if you re ever able til have no objection to be to yoa tliat is if you re ever able as you say and if their s a just god in who my hearty however things may go against me for a time i say i will be able to you or any other friend that it but about in td of i wouldn t be up father and my poor mother	50
for no ra on so of as i said i d sleep in the barn it no difference one way or said with much solemnity if s hell many you n hia daughter as fast as he can an b why for you know about of late h s got very much out o favour in regard of not m to what people wish i m in the dark now there s goin on in the that yon and every one like you ought to be t to but you know ai i said about it now as far as i hear for i m in the dark myself nearly as much as you p out against them an not only that i m but gives them words an sets them at defiance but has all this to do with me marrying his daughter why he wants some one badly to stand his friend an if you were married to her you would on his account become one o them as it is you ought for tell you the there s talk strong talk too about him a nightly visit that t him then youve in this business ko not yet but i suppose i must if i wish the t f i to be safe in the c an so must you to for the same and if not up how do you know so much about it rom one o themselves that wishes the well ay an let me tell you that he s a marked many an the was to visit him stiu it was put back to if he could be managed but he couldn t an all i know about it is that the time to him is settled he s get it an long other things he ll be for off i l say any more about that how long is it since this not long y only since last night or you d a got it before this the best way i think o put him on his guard id be to send him a scrape of a line na name to it replied i m as to for this as if it had been myself mr my father that was marked god knows you have a good heart a if you sleep sound i m a loss to know who ought ma hard to tell good heart i d never say any one has till i d see them well at length the hour lor t ut arrived and both armed good proceeded to s haggard whither they arrived a little before the appointed hour an utter stillness prevailed round the place not a dog not a breeze blew nor did a leaf move on its stem so calm and warm was the night moon nor stars shone in the and the darkness seemed kindly to throw its du mantle this sweet and stolen of young lovers as yet however had not come nor could on the of the perceive any of light or hear a single sound however faint to break the stillness in which it slept immediately after their arrival in the haggard from im companion in order he said to give ma or notice of s be either or wed besides you know he added like nobody to be present but ee when they do be soft to one another so til just keep about from place to place my eye an ear both a an if any comes i ll give the hard word heavily and creep those during which an impatient lover e approach of his mistress and wo the of impetuous temperament is doomed like our hero to watch a hour and a half in vain m y a theory did his fancy body forth and many a conjecture did he form as to the probable causes of her absence waa it possible that they watched her even in the dead hour of night perhaps the grief she felt at her father s refusal to sanction the match had brought on and oh thought they had succeeded in prevailing upon her to him and his hopes for ever but no their was too pure and steadfast to admit of a supposition so utterly unreasonable what then could have prevented her an appointment so essential to their future prospects and to necessary for them to pursue some plan of intercourse some settled mode of communication must be between them a circumstance the necessity of waa as well known to herself as to him well thought he the reason of her not i m sure the fault is not hers at all events there a no use in s night any longer it appeared was of the same opinion lor in a minute or two he made his appearance and urged their return h was he said that no interview take place that night and the they reached the bam and got to bed the better folly me he added we can pass through the yard thb of cross the road before the hall door and get the by the near way through the fields that s i the orchard who was by no means so well acquainted with the path as his companion followed him in the way pointed out and in a few minutes they found themselves walking at a brisk pace in a direction that led homeward by a shorter cut s mind was too much depressed for conversation and both were proceeding in silence when started in alarm and p out figure of some one walking directly toward them in less than a minute the person whoever he might be had come within speaking distance and as he shouted out who comes there bolted across the i along which they had been going and disappeared a id returned in answer to the tion	50
the er man advanced and with a look of deep scrutiny peered into his face a friend he exclaimed faith hour for a friend to be out who you eh is this o it is but you have the advantage of me if your father was here he would know any way i ought to a known the voice myself said how are you an what s bringing yourself at this hour why i want to buy a couple o cows in o an i m goin to catch my horse an make it s a e ff tide from an by the time i there it ill be late enough for business i n there was some ye who was it come come said he was and doesn t wish to be known and as you had the luck to meet me i beg yon for heaven s sake not to breathe at you near s to night i have various for it it s no to me as it is half the knows i so make on tha head the mi or i wish you success any how be a happy man if you get her although from what i hear has happened you have a bad chance except herself stands to you the truth was that s visit to the thanks to the high tones of his own shrill voice had drawn female curiosity already of the circumstances to ihe of the parlour door where the issue and object of the conference soon became known in a time it had gone among the servants and from them was in the course of that and the following day to the tenants and day who contrived to it with such effect that as said it was indeed no secret to the part of the parish soon rejoined who on him with his flight was informed an appearance of much regret that a debt of old standing due to had occasioned k and upon my rather any time go up to my neck in than meet a man that i owe money to can t pay him i knew very well oven before he spoke and that was what made me cut an run what said looking toward the east can it be daylight so soon v it surely cannot replied his companion holy above what is this both involuntarily stood to ate the strange phenomenon which presented itself ta their observation and as it was y novel and startling in appearance pause a it to e it more ni t as we have already said was remarkably dark and to an unusual degree to e astonish of our travellers a gleam of extremely faint and somewhat that which the rising of the summer sun broke upon their path and passed m m g sweeps for a i le the of li before them time to the just alluded to and to reply to when the tight around them shot farther into the and deepened firom its first pale hue into a rich and purple its effect however was limited a circle of about a mile for they observe that it got faint gradually from the centre to the verge where it melted into utter darkness this must mean something extraordinary said whatever it is it appears to be behind the hill that us from s house blessed earth it as if the sky on fire the sky indeed presented a fearful but spectacle one spot s to glow with the red white heat of a furnace and to form the centre of a m which the flame was in and masses that darkened away into wild and dusky in a manner that with the same light as it danced in red and frightful upon the earth as they looked the cause of this awful phenomenon soon became visible the hill was seen a thick of burning rushing up into mid air and presently the broad point of a huge of fire wavering ih terrible and capricious power to itself far up in the depths of the ing sky on looking again upon the earth they perceived that this terrible circle was extending itself over a wider of country marking every prominent object around them with a dark tinge and throwing those that were more remote a visionary but appalling relief exclaimed i have i spoke about has paid the visit they promised him come round the hip o the hill said till we see where it really is but tell you what if you be right wo you au the water in europe wouldn t wash you free in my mind of bein connect thb c in this same business spread through the as sure as that sky sky s above us you must prove to me an others how you came to know that this business was to take place god let us run surely it couldn t e the dwelling house his speed was so great that battle could find neither breath nor leisure to make any reply thank god he exclaimed oh thank god it s not the house and their lives are safe but blessed father them s the man s whole haggard in flames j oh the was the simple tion of battle said his companion you heard what i said this minute their eyes met as he and for e first time o was struck by the pallid of his features the servant gazed steadily upon him his lips lightly but drawn back and his eye in was neither sympathy ner alarm charged with the of a cool and devilish triumph s blazed at the bare idea of his and in a fit of manly and in rage he seized and him headlong the earth at his you have hell in your face villain he exclaimed an i thought if i did d drag you down like a dog	50
and pitch you head foremost into the flames rose and in a voice calm simply god knows if i know either your heart or wine you ll be for this you ve given me for no you know yourself that as soon as i heard anything of the ill will the i it to in that in that you might let him know it the best way you thought proper for that you ve knocked me down why i believe you may be right there s in that but i forgive you the look you gave me tax of red fight was in my face maybe i m if that wasn t it i can t tell i myself at your own looks the same way but then it was that light that was in face well well maybe i m wrong i hope i am do you think we could be of any use there of use an how would we account for bein there at all how would you do it at any rate maybe bringing the into blame t you re right i m not half so cool as you are our best plan is to go and go to bed it is an the sooner there the you me a crack think no more of it think no more of it pin not often hasty so you must overlook it it was however with an anxious and distressed heart that o reached his father s bam where in the same bed with he enjoyed toward morning a brief and broken slumber that brought back to his fancy images of blood and fire all so mingled with himself and their parents that the voice of his father calling upon them to rise came to him a a welcome and manifest relief at the time laid in this story neither nor were so familiar or patriotic as the fancied necessity for working out political purposes has recently made them such in those bad and formed days were certainly looked upon as criminal rather than however it may have been to form so an estimate of human the consequence of all this was that the destruction of s property created a sensation in the country of which as are to such crimes we can entertain but a very faint notion in three days a reward of five hundred pounds exclusive of two hundred from government was offered for such as might bring the or to justice the and his were stunned as much with the ot at the occurrence of so incomprehensible to them as with the loss they had sustained for that indeed was heavy the man except with the was extremely popular and by many acts kindness had won the attachment and good will of all who knew him either personally or by character how then account for an act so wanton and they could not understand it it was not only a crime but a crime connected with some mysterious motive beyond power to detect but of who became acquainted with the outrage not one more sincerely and deeply with o s family than did o although of course that sympathy was unknown to those for whom it was felt the fact was that his own became in some degree involved in their calamity and as he in to breakfast on the fourth after its occurrence he could not help observing as much to his mother his suspicions of as to possess ing some to the melancholy business were by no means removed on the contrary he felt that he ought to have him brought before the bench of who were conducting the investigation from day day and with this determination he resolved to state fully and candidly to the bench all the hints which had from respecting the said to be held out against o and the causes assigned for them breakfast was now ready and himself altered uttering charges of and idleness against his servant he no breakfast said he not a morsel it s me by his idleness and he is what is he or what has become of him he s not in the field or about the place paused why now that i of it i didn t see him today he replied i thought he was the slap t the three acres i ll ry if he b in barn the of and be went accordingly to find liim afraid father said he on his that s a bad boy an a dangerous one he s not in the bam an it appears from the bed that he didn t sleep there last night the is he s gone at he has brought all his clothes his box an everything with him an what s more i suspect the of it he thinks he has let out too much to me an ma it ill go hard but i ll make him let out more the servant maid now entered and them that four men evidently strangers were approaching the house from the rear and ere she could thing farther on the subject two of them walked in and seizing informed him that he their prisoner your prisoner exclaimed his mother getting pale why what could our poor boy do to make him prisoner he never did hurt or harm to the s keen gray eye rested sharply upon them for a moment it en turned to honor afterward to and again gleamed bitterly at the what is this said he starting up what is you don t mane to rob us i think said the son you must be under a mistake you surely can have no business with me it s very likely you want some one else what is your name inquired he who appeared to be the principal of them my name is o an i know no why i should deny	50
it then you are the very man we came for said the so you had better prepare to accompany us in the mean time you excuse us if we search your room this is unpleasant i grant but we have no discretion and must perform our duty v vol l n the what do you want in his room aid it fl robbery you re for it s robbery you re on in open daylight too but you re late i lodged the last penny yesterday that s one comfort f ou re late you re late what did my boy do exclaimed the mother what did he do that you come to drag him away from us this question sh put to the other the first having entered her son s bedroom i am afraid madam you ll know it too soon re plied the man it s a heavy charge if it proves to be a true one as he spoke his companion re entered the apartment with s sunday coat in his hand from the pocket of which he drew a steel and box i m sorry for this he observed it what has been sworn against you by your and here i fear comes additional proof at the same moment the other two made their appearance one of them holding in his hand ihe shoes which had lent to and which he wore on the night of the con on seeing this and comparing the two circumstances together a fearful light broke on the unfortunate young man who already felt conscious of the into which he had fallen with an air of sorrow and manly resignation he thus addressed his parents don t be alarmed i see that there is an attempt made to swear away my life but whatever happens you both know that i am innocent of an injury to any one if i di i would rather die innocent than live as guilty as he will that must have my blood to answer for his mother on hearing this ran to him and with her arms about his neck exclaimed die die my brave boy my only son why do you talk death what is it for what tbe i i is it about oh for the love of god tell us what did our boy do v he is charged by replied one of ihe with burning o s haggard because he refused him his daughter he must now come with us to jail i see the whole plot said and a deep one it is the villain will do his worst still i can t but have dependence upon justice and my own innocence i can t but have dependence upon god who knows my heart k thk chapter viii stood amazed and confounded looking from one to another like a man who felt incapable of com all that passed before him his forehead over which fell a few gray thin locks assumed a deadly and his eye lost the piercing expression which usually it he threw his several times over his shoulders as he had been in the habit of doing when about to proceed after breakfast to his usual and as often laid it aside without being at all conscious of what he did his limbs appeared to get feeble and his hands trembled as if he under in this mood he passed from one to another sometimes seizing a by the arm with a hard tremulous grip and again letting go his hold of him without speaking at length a singular transition from this state of mind became apparent a gleam of wild exultation shot from his eye his sallow and features brightened the was imder his chin with a rapid energy of manner evidently arising from the removal of some secret apprehension then he exclaimed it s no robbery it s no robbery it s no robbery all but how could it there s no money here not a penny an i m at any rate for there s not a poorer man in the thank god it s not robbery oh said the wife don t you see they re goin to take him away from us take who away from us your own our boy the light of the of my heart the light of his poor mother s heart oh what is it they re goin to do to you no harm mother i trust no harm don t be fright the old man put his open hands to his temples which he pressed bitterly and with all his force for nearly half a minute he had in truth been alarmed into the very worst mood of his habitual vice apprehension concerning his money and felt that nothing except a powerful effort could succeed in drawing his attention to the scene which was passing before him what said he what is it that s wrong he must come to jail said one of the men looking at him with surprise we have already stated the crime for which he stands committed to jail o to jail it s too true father has sworn that i burned mr o s haggard said the old man approaching him as he spoke and putting his arms about his neck my brave boy my brave boy it wasn t you did it twas i did it he turning to the lave him lave him with her an take me in his place who would if i would not who ought i say an i ll do it take me i ll go in his place looked down upon the old man and as he saw his heart rent and his reason absolutely tottering a sense of the singular and devoted affection which he had ever borne him overcame him and with a full heart he dashed away a tear	50
from his eye and pressed his father to his breast mother said he this will kill the old man it will kill him said his wife feeling it necessary to sustain him as much as possible don t take it so much to heart it won t signify s innocent aa no will happen him na the or but are you us are they must they bring you to jail for a while father but i won t be long there i hope it s an unpleasant duty on our part said the principal of them still it s one we must perform your father should lose no time in taking the proper steps for your defence and what are we to do asked the mother god knows the boy s as innocent as i am yes said still dwelling upon the resolution he bad made stand for you you won t go let them bring me instead of you that s out of the question replied the the law suffers nothing of the kind to take place but if you be advised by me lose no time in preparing to defend him it would be unjust to disguise the matter from you or to keep you ignorant of its being case of life and death life and death t what do you mane asked staring at the last speaker it s to distress you but if he s found guilty its death death longed shrieked the old man as it were for the first time to a full perception of his son s situation hanged my boy hanged i don t go from me die with him said the mother die with you we couldn t live him she added addressing the strangers as is in heaven we couldn t oh what is it that has come over us and brought us this sorrow the mother s grief then flowed on accompanied by a burst of that but pathetic eloquence which in ireland is frequently uttered in the tone of wail and peculiar to those who mourn over the dead she added with her arms tenderly about the of and her streaming eyes fixed a wild and mournful look of despair upon his face no he is in his loving mother s arms the boy that never gave to his father or me a harsh word or a sore heart long were we for him an little did we think that it was for this heavy fate that the goodness of god sent him to us oh many a look of affection many a happy heart did he give us many a time did i hang over your cradle and draw out to m r the happiness and the good that i hoped was before you you too good too good doubt to be long in such a world as this an no that the heart of the fair young the heart of the should rest upon you and love you for who ever knew you that didn t isn t there enough king of heaven enough of the bad an the wicked in this world for the law to punish an not to take the innocent not to take away from us the only one the only one i can t i can t but hey do if they do your mother will die with you the stem officers of justice wiped their eyes and proceeding to afford such consolation as they could when who had sat down after having made way for honor to on the bosom of their son now rose and seizing the breast of his coat was about to speak hut ere he could utter a word he and would have instantly fallen had not caught him in his arms this served for a moment to divert the mother s grief and to draw her attention from the son to the husband who was now insensible he was carried to the door by but when they attempted to him in a posture it was found almost ble to the death like grip which he held of the coat his haggard face was shrunk and the individual features sharp and thin but earnest and stamp ed with traces of alarm his brows too which were slightly knit gave to his whole countenance a character of keen and painful determination but that which the or struck who were present most was the grasp with which he clung even in his to the person of if not an affecting sight it was one at least strongly of the and attachment which put itself forth with such vague and energy on behalf of his son at length he recovered and on opening his eyes he fixed them with a long look of pain and distraction upon the boy s countenance father said don t be cast down you need not and you ought not to be so much do you feel better when the father heard his voice he smiled his shrunk pale withered face was lighted up by a wild indescribable ecstasy whose startling expression was borrowed one would think as much from the light of insanity as from that of returning consciousness he sucked in his thin cheeks his lips and with difficulty called for a drink having swallowed a little water he looked round him with more composure and inquired what has happened me am i robbed are you robbers but i tell you there s no money in the house i lodged the last penny afore my god i did but oh what am i what is this father dear compose yourself j we ll get over this we will said honor wiping the pale brows of her husband an we won t lose him no said the old man no we won t lose well father dear there s a thing here here and he	50
placed his hand upon his heart something it is that makes me a a weight and there s a too i know i can t stand it long an it s about you it s all about you distress yourself too much father indeed you the of li na do why i hoped that you would comfort my poor mother till i back to her and you as i will god yes he replied yes i wiu i will you had better prepare said one of the officers to the sooner this is over the better he s a feeble man and not very well able to bear it you are right said i won t delay many i have only to change my clothes an i m ready in a short time he made his appearance dressed in his best suit and indeed it would be extremely difficult to meet in any rank of life a finer specimen vigour ac and manly beauty his countenance at all times and open was on this occasion shaded by an air of profound melancholy that gave a composed grace and dignity to his whole bearing now father said he before i go i think it right to lave you and my poor mother all the consolation i can in the presence of god in yours in my dear mother s and in the presence of all who hear me i am as innocent of the crime that s laid to my charge as the babe that s a comfort for you to know and let it prevent you from and now good by god be with you and strengthen and support you both had already seized his hand but the old man neither speak nor weep his whole frame appeared to have been suddenly pervaded by a dry agony that suspended the of his very heart the mother s grief on the contrary was loud and piercing and vehement she threw herself once more on neck she kissed his lips pressed him to her heart and poured out as before the wail of a wild and hopeless misery at length by the aid of some slight but necessary force her arms were about his neck and then stooping embraced his father and gently placing him upon a settle bed bade him farewell on reaching the door he paused and turning about surveyed his mother struggling in the hands of one of the the or to get embracing him again and his gray haired father sitting in speechless misery on the settle he stood a moment to look upon them and a few bitter tears rolled in the silence of manly sorrow down his cheeks oh exclaimed his mother after they had gone sure it isn t merely for him that we feel so heart broken he may never stand this roof again an he all we have and had to love no returned quietly no it s not as you say for merely him hanged god god here honor here the thought of it die it ll break oh god support me i my heart here my heart ill break my brain too and my head oh if god ud take me before i d see it but it can t be it s not possible that our innocent boy should meet a death no d ar it is not sure he s innocent that s one comfort but a the men said you must go to a lawyer and see what can be done to him the old man rose up and proceeded to his son s bedroom honor said he come here and while uttering these words he gazed upon her face with a look of unutterable and helpless distress there s his bed honor his bed he may never sleep on it more he may he cut down like a flower in his youth and then what will become of us for ever from this day out said the distracted mother no hands will ever make it but my own on no other will i sleep where his h d lay there will mine be too we can t stand this let us not take it to heart as we do let us trust in god an hope for the best honor in fact found it necessary to assume the office of the but it was clear that nothing urged or suggested by her could for a moment win back the old man s heart from a contemplation of the loss of hia the of he about for a considerable time but ever and anon found himself in s n looking upon his clothes and such other of him as it contained during the occurrence of these melancholy incidents at s others of a scarcely less distressing character were passing under the roof of o our readers need not be informed that the charge brought by against excited e utmost amazement in all who heard it so much at were his reputation and amiable manners with a disposition so dark and as that which must have prompted the of such a crime that it was treated at first by the public as an idle rumour the evidence however of and his to the conversation which occurred between him and at the time and place already known to the reader together with the circumstances arising from the correspondence of the foot prints about the haggard with the shoes produced by the all when combined together left little doubt of his guilt no sooner had this impression become general than the spirit of the father was immediately to the son and many sagacious observations made all tending to show that as they expressed it the bad drop of the old rogue would sooner or later come out in the young one he wouldn t	50
be what he was or the bitter heart of the would appear with many other of a similar import the family of the however were painfully and peculiarly with the exception of herself of them entertained a doubt that was the maintained a good character and his direct of supported by such exact evidence left nothing to be urged in the young man s defence aware as they were of the force of s attachment and apprehensive that the shock arising from the discovery of the mi or his might be dangerous if to her they themselves resolved in accordance with e suggestion of their son to break the matter to her with the utmost delicacy and caution it is better said john that she should hear of the misfortune from us for after breaking it to her as gently as possible we can at least attempt to strengthen and console her under it heaven above sees exclaimed his mother that it was a black and unlucky business to her and to all of us but now that she knows what a is sure shell not find it hard to f her thoughts for the escape had from him at any rate john bring her in said the father bring the unfortunate young creature in i can t but pity her i t but pity ma co z n o a t when entered with her brother she by a glance at the solemn bearing of her parents that some announcement was about to be made to her she sat down therefore with a beating heart cheek already pale with apprehension said her father we sent for you to mention a circumstance that we would rather you should hear from ourselves than from strangers you were always a good girl an girl and sensible your years and i trust that your good and the grace of the almighty will enable you to bear up any disappointment that may come upon you surely father there can be nothing worse than i know already she replied why what do you know dear only what you me the day was here that nothing agreeable to my wishes could take place i would give a great deal that the business was now thanks be to god t my poor the of as it was even then responded her there s far worse to come an you must be firm an prepare to hear what ll you sorely i can t guess it father but for god s sake tell me at once who do you think burned our property and i suppose if she hadn t been the one roof us that i s ourselves he d bum observed mother father tell me the worst at once whatever it may be how could guess the villain or who destroy ed our property villain indeed you may well say so returned the that villain is no er than o van as if a burden had been removed from her heart she breathed freely her depression and alarm vanished and her dark eye kindled into a proud confidence in the integrity of her lover and father she asked in a full and firm voice is there nothing worse than that to come worse is the girl s brain turned i a she s as mad i believe as ould himself said her mother worse i why she has parted all the little she ever had indeed mother i hope i have not and that my on s clear as ever but as to o he s innocent of that charge and of ev other that may be brought against him i don t believe it and i never wiu it s proved against him it s brought home to him who is his his father s servant has turned king s evidence the deep villain she exclaimed with tion father of that crime so sure as god s in heaven sure is o innocent and so sure is guilty i l it vol l o ths hi er or i know it explain yourself i mean feel it home core of my hearty my unhappy heart i feel the truth of what i say observed her brother i m afraid you have been deceived by him there s not the slightest doubt of his don t you be deceived john i say he s innocent as i hope for heaven he s and father i m not s bit cast down or by anything i have yet heard against him you re a very extraordinary girl but for my part i m glad you look upon it as you do if his appears no man alive will be better pleased at it than myself his innocence will appear exclaimed the faithful girl it must appear and father mark this i say time will yet teu who is innocent and who is god knows she added her energy of manner increasing while a shower of hot tears fell down her cheeks knows i would marry him to morrow with the disgrace of that and ten times as much upon him so certain am i that his heart and his hand are free from thought or deed that s either treacherous or marry him said her mother temper nobody doubts but you d marry him on the gallows the rope about his neck i would do it and unite myself to a true heart don t me and mother dear don t blame me she added her tears flowing still faster he s in disgrace sunk in shame and sorrow and i won t conceal the force of what i feel for hun i won t desert him now as the world wiu do i know his heart and on the tomorrow i become his wife if it would take away one of his misery if he s innocent said her father you have	50
more than any girl in europe but if he s guilty of such an act against any one connected with you the guilt of all the in hell is no match for his well j he or p u have heard all we wanted to say to you and you needn t stay as she herself says observed john perhaps time will place everything in its true light at present all those who are not in love with him have little doubt of his guilt however even as it is in principle is right putting love out of the question we should no one time will said his sister or rather will in his own good time on god i m sure he depends on his providence i rely for seeing his name and character cleared of all that has been brought against him john i wish to speak to you in my own room not that i intend to make any secret of it but i want to consult with you first exclaimed her mother what a wife that child would n e to any one that her it s more than able to do to be angry with her returned the did you ever know her to tell a lie v a lie no nor the shadow of a lie never came out of her lips the s not in her an may look down on her with this day for there s a dark road i doubt before her amen responded her father amen i pray the at all o s guilt or innocence soon be known he added the sizes begin this day week so that the business will soon be over either one way or other on reaching her own room thus addressed her affectionate brother now john you know that my grandfather left me four hundred guineas in his will and you know too the impossibility of getting any money out of the of you must see and find out how he to defend himself if his father won t allow him sufficient means to employ the best lawyers as i q far thb or doubt whether he will or just tell him the that while i have a penny of these four hundred guineas he mustn t want money an tell him too that all the world won t persuade me that he is guilty say i know him to be innocent and that his disgrace has made him dearer to me than ever he was before surely you can t suppose for a moment my dear that i your brother who by the way have never opened my lips to could deliberately convey such a message it must be conveyed in some manner i m resolved on t the best said the other is to find out what attorney they employ and then to discover if whether his father has furnished sufficient for his defence if he has your offer is unnecessary and if not a private arrangement may be with the of which nobody else need know anything god bless yon john god bless you she replied that is far better you been a good brother to your poor to your poor unhappy she leaned her head on the table and wept fi r some time at the trying fate as termed it which hung over two beings so young and so of any crime the brother soothed her by every argument in his power and after gently her to dry her tears expressed his intention of going early the next day to ascertain whether or not any professional man had engaged to conduct the ce of her unfortunate lover in this object there was little time lost on the part of young o knowing that two respectable lived in the next market town he deemed it best to ascertain whether had applied to either of them for the purposes afore mentioned or if not to assure himself whether the old man had gone to any of those who rather than appear without practice will undertake a cause almost on any terms and tub of afterward a for the recovery of a much larger bill of costs than a man of character and experience would demand in of the plan between them the next morning found him about eleven o clock at the door of an attorney named o whom he asked to see on professional business a clerk on hearing his voice in the hall came out and requested him to step into a back room adding that his master who was engaged would see him the moment he had despatched the person then with him thus shown he was from o s office only by a pair of through which every word uttered in the office could be distinctly heard a circumstance that enabled o to the following dialogue between the parties well my good friend said o to the stranger who it appeared had ar before o only a few minutes i am now disengaged pray let me know your business the stranger paused a moment as if seeking the most appropriate terms in which to express himself it is a black business he replied and the worst of it is i m a poor man you should not go to law then observed the attorney i tell you beforehand you will find it very expensive i know it said the man it s open robbery i know what it cost me to recover the little that sometimes due to me when i broke myself to people that i thought honest an robbed me in what way can my services be of use to you at present for that i suppose is the object of your calling upon me said o oh thin sir if you have the grace of or kindness or pity in your heart you can me you can save my heart r	50
t th or how how man come to the point my son sir r my only son was taken away from his mother an me an put into jail in an he innocent he was put in sir for bo o s haggard an as is above me he aft much burnt it as you then you are said the attorney i have heard of that outrage and to be plain you a good deal about yourself how in the name of heaven can you call yourself a poor man they me sir they re bitter that say i m otherwise be you rich or be you poor let me you that i would not stand in your son s situation for the wealth of the king s sell your last cow your last coat your last acre sell the bed from under you loss of time if you wish to save his life and i tell you that tor this purpose you must employ the best counsel and plenty i them the commence on this day week so that you have not a single moment to lose think now whether you love your son or your money best of earth t i an man every one i have money an me has not where would i get it where would a man like me get it instead o that i m so poor that i see plainly fu starve yet i see it s before me god pity me this day but there s my boy my boy oh god pity him say what s the lake the lowest the very lowest you could take for in for pity s sake for charity s sake for god s sake don t grind a poor helpless ould man by if you knew the if you knew him oh afore my god if you knew him you wouldn t be apt to charge a penny you d be proud to a boy you wish everything to be done for him of course of of but as an light on a poor man as you can you could the it sure an lave out a great that ud be of no use an half the paper ud do for you might make the clerks write close why very little ud be wanted if you i ban defend him with one counsel if you wish but if anxious to save the hay s life you ought to enable your attorney to secure a strong bar of the most eminent lawyers he can engage an what ud it cost to hire three or four o them the whole expense might amount to between forty and fifty guineas a deep groan of dismay astonishment and anguish was the only reply made to this for some time oh heavens above he screamed what will what will become of me i d rather be dead as soon be than hear this or know it at all how could i get it i m as poor as poverty itself oh couldn t you el for the boy an defend him on trust couldn t you feel for him it s your business to do that returned the man of law coolly feel for him me oh little you know how my heart s in him but any way i m an unhappy man everything in the world wide goes against me but oh my boy my son to be that i don t feel for you well you well you know that i feel for you and ud kiss the track of your feet upon the ground oh it s cruel to tell it to me to say a thing to a man that his heart s him for your sake but sir you said this minute that you could him one lawyer certainly and with a cheap one too if you wish but in that case i would rather decline the thing why why sure if you can him isn t it so much saved isn t it the same as if you him at a higher rate sure if one lawyer tells the truth for the poor boy ten or fifty can do no more an thin the ok maybe they d in an puzzle one another if you hired too many of them how would you feel should your son be found guilty you know the penalty is his life he will be executed o could hear the old man clap his hands in agony and in truth he walked about wringing them as if his very heart would burst what will i do he exclaimed what will i do i can t lose him an i won t lose him lose him oh god oh god is it to lose the best son and only child that ever man had wouldn t it be downright in me to let him be lost if i could prevent it oh if i was in his place what wouldn t he do for me for the father at he always loved the tears ran down his and his whole appearance evinced such distraction and anguish as could rarely be seen i ll tell you what i ll do he added i ll give you fifty guineas after my death if you him properly much obliged replied the other but in matters of this kind we make no such i ll make it sixty in case you don t ax it can you give me security that survive you why you are tough looking enough to me me tough no god help me my race is nearly run i won t be alive this day twelve months look at the differ us this is idle talk said the attorney determine on what you ll do really my time is valuable and i am now wasting it to no purpose take the offer	50
on t it ll soon come to you no no said the other coolly not at au w might shut up shop if we made such st as that i ll tell you said tell you what his eyes gleamed with a bitter light and he clasped his withered hands together until the joints t e of cracked and the perspiration from bis pale sallow features tell you he added i ll make it seventy no r no ninety with a shriek no no a a k he shouted a when i m gone when r one solemn and determined no that all hopes of any such arrangement was the only reply the old man leaped up again and looked impatiently and wildly and fiercely about him what are you he shouted what are you you re a a bom will nothing but my death satisfy you do you want to rob me to starve me to me don t you see the state i m in by you look at me look at these limbs look at the sweat down from my poor ould face what is it you want there there s my gray hairs to you you have brought me to that to more than that i m this minute i m oh my boy my boy if i had you here ay i m i m he staggered over on his seat his eyes gleaming in a ed and intense glare at the attorney his hands were his lips and his like cheeks sucked as before into his jaws in addition to all this there was a bitter white smile of despair upon hb features and his thin gray locks which were in the by his hands stood out in disorder upon his head we question indeed whether mere imagination could without having actually beheld it in real life conceive any object so of the terrible dominion which the passion of is capable of over the human heart i protest to heaven exclaimed the attorney i believe the man is dying j if not dead he is motionless r he or o what s the matter with you the old man s lips gave a dry hard then became desperately compressed together and his cheeks were drawn still farther into his jaws at length he sighed deeply and changed his fixed and motionless attitude he is alive at all events said one of the men turned his eyes upon the speaker then upon his master and upon two other who were in the office what is this said he what is this weak will you get me a o god help god direct me i m an unhappy man get me a for heaven s sake i can hardly my mouth and lips are so dry the water having been procured he drank it eagerly and felt evidently relieved this business he continued about the money i mane about my poor boy how will it be managed sir i have already told you that there is but one way of managing it and that is as the young man s life is at stake to spare no cost and i must do that you ought at least remember that he s an only son an that if you lose him lose him i can t i couldn t i d die by so shameful a death proceeded o you will not only be but y u will have the bitter fact to reflect on that he died in disgrace you will blush to name him what father not make any sacrifice to prevent his child from meeting such a fate it s a trying thing and a pitiable calamity to see a father ashamed to name the child that he loves the old man rose and approaching o said eagerly how much will do ashamed to name you the os g ashamed to name you oh if the world knew you as well as i an your poor mother knows you they d say that we ought to be proud to hear your name in our ears how will do for may god me ra do it i think about guineas it may be more and it may be less but we will say forty then i ll give you an for it on a man that s a good mark me a pen an paper fast the paper was placed before and he held the pen in his hand for some time and ere he wrote turned a look of deep distress upon o god almighty pity me said he you see yoa see that i am a poor heart broken creature a ruined man i ll be a ruined man think of your son and of his situation it s before me i know it is to die like a dog behind a ditch hunger as i ll do think of your son i say and if possible save him from a shameful death what ay surely oh my poor boy my innocent boy i will do it he then sat down and with a tremulous hand and lips tightly drawn together wrote an order on p the county for the money o on seeing it looked alternately at the paper and the man for a considerable time is p your banker he asked every p my that i m worth he has then you are a man he replied with cool emphasis p the day before yesterday and robbed half the county have you no loose cash at home r robbed who robbed why p has robbed every man who was fool enough to trust mm he s off to the isle of man with the county funds in addition to the other you t mane to	50
say replied with a hideous calmness of voice and manner you t you can t mane to say that he has run off i y money i do never see a shilling of it if you live to the age of a hebrew see what it is to fix the upon money you are now what you wished the world to believe you to be a poor man ho ho howled the he dam t he dam t wouldn t god him if he robbed the poor wouldn t him and pin him to the if he to run off the hard s of honest men where ud god be an to to do it but it s a an you re me to see how i d bear it it is it is an may heaven forgive you it s as true as the gospel replied die other why i m surprised you didn t hear it before now every one knows it it s over the whole country it s a lie it s a lie he howled again no one to do an act you have some in this you re not a safe man you re a villain an else but soon know which of these is my hat you are mad i think said o get me my hat i say i ll soon know it but sure the world s all in a me all all young an ould where s my hat i say you put it upon your head this moment said the other an my stick it s in your hand heaven upon you he shrieked whether it s or false and with a look that might him to whom it waa directed he in a wild and frantic mood out of the house the man is mad observed o or if not he will soon be so i never beheld such a desperate case of if ever the demon of money in any man soul it s in his god bless me god bless me it s the of richard tell the gentleman in the dining room i m at leisure to see him the scene we have attempted to describe spared o the trouble of unpleasant inquiry and enabled him to enter at once into the proposed arrangements on behalf of of course he did not permit his sister s name to nor any trace whatsoever to appear by which her delicacy might be or her character involved his interference in the matter he put upon the footing of personal regard for the young man and his reluctance to be even the means of bringing him to a violent and death having thus m s instructions he returned home and her of a heavy burden by a full tion of all that had been done vol i p the or chapter ix the struggle hitherto endured by was in its own nature sufficiently severe to render his suffer sharp and still they resembled the influence of local disease more than that of a malady which the strength and with the powers of the whole constitution the sensation he immediately felt on hearing that his banker had with the gains of his was rather a shock occasioned for the moment a feeling of dull and heavy and overwhelming dismay it filled nay it actually his narrow soul with a oppressive sense of exclusive misery that banished all consideration for every person and thing to his individual selfishness in truth the tumult of his mind was peculiarly wild and the situation of his son and the dreadful fate that hung over him were as completely forgotten as if they did not exist yet there lay underneath his own gloomy agony a remote of co affliction such as is frequently by those who may be drawn by some temporary and present pleasure from the contemplation of their we feel in such cases that the darkness is upon us even while the image of the calamity is not before the mind nay it sometimes requires an effort to bring it back when anxious to account for our depression but when it comes the heart sinks with a shudder and we feel that although it ceased to engage our thoughts we had been sitting all the time beneath its shadow for this reason although s own loss absorbed in one sense all his powers of still ho knew that something else pressed with additional k the of weight upon bis heart of its distinct character however he was ignorant and only felt that a dead and heavy load of ed bent him in anguish to the earth there is something more or less eccentric in the gait and dress of every s pace was naturally slow and the habit for which in the latter point he had all his life been remarkable was that of wearing a great coat thrown loosely about his shoulders in summer it saved an inside one and as he said kept him and comfortable that he seldom or never put his arms into it arose from the fact that he knew it would last a much longer period of time than if he wore it in the usual manner on leaving the attorney s office he might be seen creeping along toward the county s at a pace quite unusual to him his hollow gleaming eyes bent on the earth his about his shoulders his staff held with a tight and desperate grip and his whole appearance that of a man distracted by the intelligence of some sudden calamity he had not proceeded far on this hopeless errand when many bitter of the melancholy truth were afforded him by persons whom he met on their return from p s residence even these however were insufficient to satisfy him he heard them with a vehement impatience that could not brook the bare of the	50
report being true his soul clung with the of a death grip to the hope that however others might have suffered some chance might notwithstanding still remain in his particular favour in the mean time he poured out curses of against the guilty on whose head he the almighty s vengeance with a which appalled all who heard him having reached the s house a scene presented itself that was by no means calculated to afford him consolation persons of every condition from the and gentleman the or to the humble widow and inexperienced orphan stood in melancholy groups about the deserted mansion inter changing details of their losses their prospects and their immediate ruin the cries of the widow who mourned for the desolation brought upon her and her now destitute rose in a piteous wail to heaven and the industrious fathers of many struggling families with pale faces aad breaking hearts looked up in silent misery upon the closed shutters and of their s house bitterly conscious that the laws of the boasted constitution under which they lived permitted the of hundreds to enjoy in luxury and security the many thousands of which at one fell and he had deprived them with white quivering lips and panting breath approached and joined them what what said he in broken sentences is this can it can it be is the villain gone has h robbed us ruined us destroyed us ay too it is replied a farmer the is off to that nest of robbers the isle of man ay he s gone an may all our bad luck past present and to come go with him an all he looked at his as if he had been p himself he then glared from one to another while the white foam wrought up to his lips by the pro force of his excitement he clasped his hands then attempted to speak but language had abandoned him if one is to judge by your appearance you have suffered heavily observed ike farmer the other stared at him with a kind of angry amazement for doubting it or it might be for speaking so coolly of his loss suffered said he ay ay but did the house we ll see suffered si we ll see he immediately over to the hall door which he with the eagerness of a despairing soul at k of the gate of heaven throwing into each knock such a character of impatience and apprehension as one might suppose the soul to feel from a certain knowledge that the devil s were spread immediately behind to seize and carry him to his however was all in vain not even an echo through the cold and empty walls but on the contrary every peal was followed by a most and ominous silence that man appears beside himself observed other of the surely if he wasn t half mad not expect to find any one in an empty house a much it whether he s mad or otherwise responded a neighbour i know him well his name s the of the biggest that ever a if p did worse than aim it would never stand between him an the o heaven in the mean time finding that no response was given from the front passed hurriedly by an into the back court where he made similar efforts to get in by attempting to force the kitchen door every entrance however had been strongly secured h rattled and and screamed as if p himself had actually been hearing but still to no purpose he might as well have expected to a reply from the grave when he returned to the group that stood on the lawn the deadly conviction that all was lost affected every joint of his body with a nervous that might have been mistaken for delirium his eyes were full of terror mingled with the impotent fury of hatred and revenge while over all now for the time such an expression of horror and despair as made the spectators shudder to look upon him where was god said he addressing them and his voice naturally thin and now became and hollow where was god to suffer this to suffer p ok t poor to be ruined and the rich to be made poor it right for the almighty to look on an let the villain do it no no no i say no the group around him shuddered at the daring bias to i hich his monstrous passion had driven him many females who were in tears audibly started and felt their grief suspended for a moment by this charge against the justice of providence what do you all stand for here he proceeded like stocks an stones why don t kneel with me an let us join in one curse one no but let us shower them down upon him in thousands in millions an when we can no longer them let a think them to the last hour of my life my heart ill never be a curse for him an the last word afore i go into the presence of ill be a black heavy from hell against him an his an body while a drop o their bad blood s upon earth don t be honest said a by if you ve lost your money that s no reason why you should fly in the face o god for p s a one o myself cares if i join you in a against the scoundrel but i d not take all the money the ran away an of god as you do oh exclaimed who probably heard not a word he said i knew i knew always felt it was before me a dog s death behind a ditch my tongue out starvation and hunger and it was he brought me to it he had	50
why will you fret father when you know i am innocent surely at the worst it is better to die innocent to live guilty said the old man still clinging to him and looking wildly in his face it s broke my heart s broke at last oh won t you pity me when you hear it won t you oh when you hear it won t you pity me it s gone it s the or gone it s gone s off off to that nest of the isle of man and has robbed me and half the county p has i m a rained man a beggar an will die a dog s death looked down keenly into his father s and began to entertain a so terrible that the of his heart were in a moment audible to his own ear father he inquired in the name of god what is wrong with you what is it you speak of has p gone off with your money sit down and don t look so terrified he has robbed me and half the county he disappeared the of the very day i left my last him he s in that nest of robbers the of man an i m ruined ruined oh god how can i stand it all my s an my s an the fruits of my in his pocket an upon his back an upon at bones my brain is i what i m nor what i ll do to what hand now can i turn myself who ll assist me i what i m nor scarcely what i m my head s all in confusion gone gone gone oh see the luck that has down upon me above all men why was i out to be made a world s of why was it what did i do i robbed no one yet it s gone an see the death that s afore me oh god oh god well father let it go you have still your health you have still my poor mother to console you and i hope you ll soon have myself too between us we ll keep yoa comfortable an if you ll allow us to take our way more so than ever you did started as if struck by faint but recollection all at once he looked with amazement around the room and afterward with a pause of inquiry at his son at length a light of some forgotten memory appeared to flash at once across his brain hia countenance changed from the wild unsettled expression the of which it bore to one more stamped with the earnest humanity of our better nature oh he at la t exclaimed putting his two hands into those of his son can you pity me an forgive me you see my poor boy how i m an you see that i can t i won t be able to bear up against this long the tears here ran down his worn and hollow cheeks oh he proceeded how could i forget you my boy but i hardly think my head s right if i had you with me an before my eyes you d keep my heart right an give me strength which i stand sorely in need of saints in glory how could i forget you an what now can i do for you not a penny have i to pay lawyer or attorney or any one to you at your trial and it so near why haven t you settled all that with mr o the attorney not a bit not a bit i was him this day an had agreed but i to give him an on p he oh saints above he whistled at me an it an me that p was gone to that nest o robbers the isle of man turned his eyes during a long pause on the floor and it was evident by his features that he under some powerful and profound emotion he rose up and took a sudden turn or two across the room then his seat he wiped away a few bitter tears that no firmness on his part could repress noble girl my darling darling life i see it all he exclaimed father i never felt how bitter an dark my fate is till now death death would be little to me only for her but to leave her to leave her he suddenly buried his face in his hands but by an instant effort once more rose up and added well i ll die worthy of her if i can t live so like a man i ll die if it must be she knows i m innocent father an when others when the world will be talking of me as a villain there will be out the ki r or of my own at all events one heart and one tongue that win defend my unhappy name if i am to come to a shameful death care little about what the world think but that she knows me to be innocent will make die proudly proudly he thus spoke and the father s eyes with a fixed gaze steadily followed his motions the old man s countenance altered it first became pale as the ghastly of a skeleton anon darkened with horror which eventually shifted its hue into the workings of some passion or feeling that was new to him said he feebly i am and sit down by me you are too much distressed every way father said his son taking his place upon the iron beside him i am said calmly i am too much distressed sit nearer to me i wish your mother was here but she was not able to come she s too a good mother she was and a good	50
wife the son was struck and somewhat by this sudden and extraordinary calmness of the old man father dear said he don t be too much all will be well yet i hope my trust in god is strong i hope all be well replied the old man sit nearer me an let me lay my head over upon your breast i m a great don t the world say that i am a bad man i don t care what the world says no one in it ever say as much to me father dear the old man looked up affectionately but shook his head apparently in calm but rooted sorrow put your arms about me and keep my head a little more up i m weak an tired an s a to me let me think for a while do so father said the son with deep compassion of knows you re sufferings re enough to you out they are said they are a silence of some minutes ensued during which con perceived that the old man overcome with care and misery had actually fallen asleep with his head upon his bosom this circumstance though by no means extraordinary affected him very much on surveying the pallid face of his father and the worn thread like veins that ran along his temples and calling to the love of the old man for which even in its power failed to utterly overcome he felt all the springs of his affection loosened and his soul with a tenderness toward him such as no situation in their past lives had ever before created if my fate chances to be an one he slowly murmured we ll soon meet in another place for i know that you will not long live after me he then thought with bitterness of his mother and aad wondered at the mystery of the thai to which he was exposed the old man s slumber however not nor so refreshing as the exhaustion of a frame shattered by the of principles required on the contrary it was disturbed by heavy groans quick starts and those of the limbs which a mood of and a nervous system highly excited in the course of half an hour the symptoms of inward commotion became more apparent from being as at first merely physical they assumed a mental character and passed from and single words to short sentences and ultimately to those of considerable length gone he exclaimed gone oh god my dog my tongue out this dread of starvation which haunted him through life appeared in his dream still to follow him like a demon vol i q the h tm he said i m hunger will no one give me a morsel i was robbed an have no money don t you me vm five days mate bring me mate for god s mate mate mate i m my tongue s out look at me like a dog behind this ditch an my tongue out the son at this period would have awoke him but he became more composed for a time and enjoyed apparently a refreshing sleep still it soon was evident that he dreamed and as clear that a change had come o er the spirit of his dream who ll prevent me he exclaimed isn t he my son our only child let me i must i must what s my life take t an let him live the tears started to s eyes and he pressed his father to his heart m don t me he proceeded oh god here i ll give all i m worth an save him oh let me thin let me but kiss him once before he dim it was i it was myself that him all might a been well ay it was i that you my brave boy an have i you in my arms oh it was i that you by my but they re him they re him away to he started and awoke but so terrific had been his dream that on opening his eyes he clasped in his arms and exclaimed no no i ll him till you cut my grip to me father father for god s sake think a minute you only eh what where am i oh if you knew what i had i thought you on the but thanks be to the it was only a nothing more father nothing more but for god s sake keep your mind trust in god father everything s in his hands if it s his will to make the of is suffer we ought to submit and if it s not his will tie surely can bring us out of all our troubles that s the greatest comfort i have once more became calm but still there was on his countenance which was mournful and full of something else than simple sorrow some deeply fixed determination such as it was difficult to said he i must you for there s time to be lost what attorney would you wish me to employ go home an sell an a cow or i ve done you harm enough more you know but now i ll spare no cost to get you out of this business the tears that i saw a while run down your cheeks cut me to the heart the son informed him that a friend had taken proper measures for his defence and any farther interference on his part would only create confusion and delay he also entreated his father to make no allusion whatsoever to this circumstance and added that he himself actually knew not the name of the mend in but that as the matter be considered even a to be of confidence that might be and offensive after the trial you can and	50
ought to pay the expenses and not be under an obligation to any one of so solemn a kind as that he then sent his love and to his mother at whose name eyes were again filled with tears and begged the old man to comfort and support her with the utmost care and tenderness as she was he requested him to her against visiting him till after the trial lest an interview might increase her illness and render less capable of bearing up under an sentence should such be the issue of the having then bade farewell to and embraced the old man the latter departed with more calmness and fortitude than ho had up to that period displayed thi muse om chapter x when time approaches the miserable with in his his is than that of the eagle but alas when carrying them toward happiness his pace is slower than that the the only three persons on earth whose happiness was in that of found themselves on the eve of the by a of heart that was strong in proportion to the love they bare him the dead calm which had fallen on was absolutely more painful to his wife than would have boon the that resulted from his lust of his last interview with he never to the h s of his money unless abruptly in his dreams ere was stamped upon his whole manner a glory and mysterious composure which of itself sank her of the fate which over ih son the change visible on both and the breaking down of their strength were indeed pitiable as for it would be difficult to describe her struggle between confidence in his innocence and apprehension of the law which she knew had often punished the instead of the criminal tis true she attempted to assume in the eyes of others a fortitude which her fears and even affected to smile at the possibility of her lover s honour and character suffering any the ordeal to which they were about to be submitted her smile however on such occasions was a melancholy one and the secret tears she shed might prove as they did to her brother who was alone to her grief th extent of those terrors notwithstanding her dis the of of them wrung her soul so bitterly day after day her spirits became more and more depressed till as the crisis of s fate arrived the roses had altogether flown from her cheeks indeed now that the trial was at hand public sympathy turned rapidly and strongly in his favour his father had lost that wealth the acquisition of which earned him so heavy a portion of and aa he had been sufficiently punished ta his person they did not think it just to transfer any portion of the resentment borne against hun to a son who had never in his system of oppression they felt for now on his own account and remembered only his amiable and excellent character in addition to this the history of the mutual attachment between him and having become the topic of general the rash act for which he stood committed was good resolved a foolish of love for which it would be a thousand to take away his life in such mood was the public and the parties most interested in the vent of tory when the morning of that awful day which was q restore con nor to the hearts that loved him so well or to doom him a convicted to a and at length the came on aad our unhappy prisoner at the hour of eleven o clock was placed at the bar of his country to stand the of a common report had already carried abroad the story of s love and his many interesting accounts of which had got into the papers of the day when he stood forward therefore all eyes were eagerly upon him the judge glanced at him with calm scrutiny and the members of the bar especially the turning round surveyed him through their glasses with a gaze in which might be read something than that hard indifference which familiarity with human crime and affliction ultimately produces even in dispositions the most humane and amiable no sooner had the curiosity of the q far the ok multitude been gratified a murmur of pity blended slightly with surprise and ran lowly through the the judge again surveyed him with a countenance in which were depicted admiration and regret the counsel also to each other in a low tone occasionally turning round and marking his and appearance with increasing interest seldom probably never had a more striking s a more noble figure stood at the bar of that court his locks were rich and brown his forehead and his manly features remarkable for their his teeth were white and his dark eye full of a youthful lustre which no dread of calamity repress neither was his figure which was of the inferior in a single point to so fine a countenance as he stood at his full height of six feet it was impossible not to feel deeply in his favour especially after having j the mournful but dignified composure of his manner equally remote from indifference or he indeed to view in its proper light the danger of the position in which he stood but he viewed it with the calm energy of a brave man who is always prepared for the worst indeed there might be observed upon his broad open brow a of bearing such as is not by a consciousness of innocence and the natural elevation of mind which re suits from a sense of danger to which we may add that inward scorn which is ever felt for by those who are degraded to the necessity of defending themselves against the of the and when called upon to plead to the he uttered the words	50
not guilty in a full firm and mellow voice that drew the eyes of the spectators once more upon him and occasioned another slight hum of sympathy and admiration no change of colour was on his countenance nor any other expression save the lofty composure to which we have just alluded the of li na the trial at length proceeded and after a long and able statement from the attorney general was called upon the table the prisoner whose motions were keenly observed betrayed on seeing him neither embarrassment nor agitation all that could be perceived was a more earnest and intense light in his eyes as they settled upon his detailed with sin and accuracy the whole progress of the crime from its first conception to its indeed had he himself been in the dock and his evidence against a confession of his own guilt it would with some exceptions have been literally true he was cross examined but no tact or experience or talent on the part of the prisoner s counsel could in any important degree shake his testimony the ingenuity with which he laid and conducted the plot was astonishing as was his foresight and the precaution he adopted against detection o s attorney had out the very whom he purchased the box with a hope of proving that it was not the prisoner s property but his own yet this person who remembered the transaction very well assured that said he procured it by the desire of s bon during his whole evidence he once raised his eyes to look upon the prisoner s face until he was desired to identify him he then turned round and standing with the rod in his hand looked for some moments upon his victim his dark got black as night while his cheeks were to the hue of ashes the white smile as before sat upon his lips and his eyes in which there blazed the fire of a treacherous and cowardly heart sparkled with the red glare of triumph and vengeance he laid the rod upon s head and they gazed at each other face to face as striking a contrast as could be beheld the latter stood erect and his eye calmly bent upon that of his foe ut with a spirit in it that seemed to him the ki er or alone by it was best understood to strike dismay into the very soul of falsehood within him the villain s eyes could not stand the glance of s they fell and his whole countenance assumed such a blank and guilty stamp that an old experienced who watched them both could not avoid saying that if he had his will they should exchange situations i would not hang a dog he whispered on that low s evidence he in his face when asked why he ran away on meeting o s house on their return that night while c held his ground he replied that it was very natural he should run away and not wish to be seen after having assisted at such a crime in reply to another question he said it was as natural that should have run away also and that he could not account for it except by the fact that god always occasions the guilty jo commit some by which they may be brought to punishment these apparently so rational and satisfactory convinced s counsel that his case was hopeless and that no skill or ingenuity on heir part could in breaking down s evidence the next witness called was whose testimony s in every particular and gave t the whole trial a character of gloom and despair the who applied his shoes to the were then produced and swore in the manner as to their corresponding they then to finding the box in his pocket according to the information received from every of which they found to remarkably correct there was only one other witness now necessary to complete the chain against him and he was oi y produced because the maid positively stated and actually when previously examined that she was ignorant whether slept in hia father s house on the night in question or not thi re was no al the of therefore but to produce the father and was consequently forced to become an evidence against his own son the old man s appearance upon the table excited deep for both and the more so when the spectators contemplated the rooted sorrow which lay upon the wild and wasted features of the father still the old man was composed and calm but his calmness was in an extraordinary degree mournful and touching when he sat down after having been sworn and feebly wiped the dew from his thin temples many eyes were already filled with tears when die question was put to him if he remembered the night laid in the he replied that he did did the prisoner at the bar sleep at home on that night the old man looked into the face of the counsel with such an eye of entreaty as shook the voice in which the question was repeated he then turned about and taking a long gaze at his son rose up and extending his hands to the judge exclaimed my lord my lord he is my only son my only child these words were by a pause in the business of the court and a dead silence of more than minute if justice said the judge could on any occasion her claim to a subordinate link in the testimony she requires it would certainly be in a case so painful and as this still we cannot permit personal feeling however amiable or attachment however strong to her progress when public wrong ihe duty be painful and we admit that such a duty is one of agony yet it must be complied with and you consequently will	50
answer the question which the counsel has put to you the interests of society require such sacrifices and they must be made the or the old man kept his eyes fixed on the judge while he spoke but when he ceased he again fixed them on his son my lord he exclaimed again with clasped hands i can t i can t there is nothing criminal or improper or sinful in it replied the judge on the contrary it is your duty as a christian and a man er you have this moment sworn to tell the truth and the truth you consequently must keep your oath what you say sir may be right an of is but oh my lord i m not able i get out the words to my only if i an to hurt him my heart ud break before your eyes maybe you don t know e love of a father for an only son perhaps my lords observed the attorney general it would be ble to send for a clergyman of his own religion who might succeed in prevailing on him to no interrupted my mind s made up a word against him will never come from my lips not for priest or i d die the sooner this is trifling with the court said the judge assuming an air of severity which however he did not feel we shall be forced to commit you to prison unless you give evidence my lord said meekly but firmly i am to go to prison i am to e him if he s to die but i neither can nor will open my lips against him if i thought him guilty i might but i know he is innocent my heart knows it an am i to back the villain that s to swear away his life no whatever they do to you your father will have no hand in it the court in fact were perplexed in the extreme the old man was not only firm from motives of strong attachment but from a habitual of thb of thought which him from taking that comprehensive view of justice and authority which might overcome the of men less obstinate from ignorance of legal i ask you for the last time said the judge wiu you give your evidence because if you refuse the court will feel bound to send you to prison god bless you my lord that s a relief to my heart anything anything but to say a word against a boy that since the day he was born never vexed either his mother or myself if he gets over this i have much to make up to him for indeed i wasn t the father to him that i ought now i feel it maybe it s too late these words affected all who heard them many even to tears i have no remedy observed the judge take away the witness to prison it is painful to me he added in a broken voice to feel compelled thus to punish you for an act which however i may respect the motives that dictate it i cannot overlook the ends of justice cannot be my lord exclaimed the prisoner don t punish the old man for refusing to speak against me his love for me is so strong that i know he couldn t do it i will state the truth myself but spare him i did not sleep in my own bed on the night mr o s haggard was burned nor on the night before it i slept in my father s bam with both times at his own request but i did not then suspect his design in asking me this admission though creditable to your affection and filial duty was observed the judge whatever you think might be serviceable suggest to your attorney who can communicate it to your counsel my lord said i could not see my father punished for loving me as he does an besides i have no wish to conceal anything if the whole truth could r be known i would stand but a short time where i am nor would be long out of it there is an earnest and impressive tone in truth especially when spoken under circumstances of great where it is rather to who it that in many instances conviction by an inherent which all feel without any process of reasoning or argument there was in those few words a warmth of affection toward his father and a manly simplicity of heart each of h was duly appreciated by the assembly about him who without knowing why the indignant scorn of falsehood that so emphatically pervaded his expressions it was indeed impossible to hear them and look upon his noble countenance and figure without forgetting the of his rank in life and feeling for him a marked deference of respect the trial then proceeded but alas the hopes of s friends abandoned them at its conclusion for although the judge s charge was as favourable as the nature of the evidence permitted yet it was quite clear that the jury had only one course to pursue and that was to bring in a conviction after a lapse of about ten minutes they returned to the jury box and as the handed down their verdict a feather might be heard falling in the court the faces of the spectators got pale and the hearts of strong men beat as if the verdict about to be announced were to fall upon themselves and not upon ihe prisoner it is at all times an awful and trying ceremony to behold but on this occasion it was a much more affecting one than had occurred in the court for many years as the handed down the verdict s eye followed the paper with the same calm resolution which he displayed during the trial on	50

Subsets and Splits