ThomasBillingswasinhabitingthesamecounty,notcaredforbyeitherofthem;butordainedbyFatetojointhemoneday,andhaveamightyinfluenceuponthefortunesofboth。For,asithasoftenhappenedtothetravellerintheYorkortheExetercoachtofallsnuglyasleepinhiscorner,andonawakingsuddenlytofindhimselfsixtyorseventymilesfromtheplacewhereSomnusfirstvisitedhim:as,wesay,althoughyousitstill,Time,poorwretch,keepsperpetuallyrunningon,andsomustrundayandnight,withneverapauseorahaltoffiveminutestogetadrink,untilhisdyingday;
letthereaderimaginethatsinceheleftMrs。Hayesandalltheotherworthypersonagesofthishistory,inthelastchapter,sevenyearshavespedaway;duringwhich,allourheroesandheroineshavebeenaccomplishingtheirdestinies。
Sevenyearsofcountrycarpentering,orrathertrading,onthepartofahusband,ofceaselessscolding,violence,anddiscontentonthepartofawife,arenotpleasanttodescribe:soweshallomitaltogetheranyaccountoftheearlymarriedlifeofMr。andMrs。
JohnHayes。The\"NewgateCalendar\"(towhichexcellentcompilationweandtheOTHERpopularnovelistsofthedaycanneverbesufficientlygrateful)statesthatHayeslefthishousethreeorfourtimesduringthisperiod,and,urgedbytherestlesshumoursofhiswife,triedseveralprofessions:returning,however,ashegrewwearyofeach,tohiswifeandhispaternalhome。Afteracertaintimehisparentsdied,andbytheirdemisehesucceededtoasmallproperty,andthecarpenteringbusiness,whichheforsometimefollowed。
What,then,inthemeanwhile,hadbecomeofCaptainWood,orBrock,andEnsignMacshane?——theonlypersonsnowtobeaccountedforinourcatalogue。ForaboutsixmonthsaftertheircaptureandreleaseofMr。Hayes,thosenoblegentlemenhadfollowed,withmuchprudenceandsuccess,thattradewhichthecelebratedandpoliteDuval,theingeniousSheppard,thedauntlessTurpin,andindeedmanyotherheroesofourmostpopularnovels,hadpursued,——orwerepursuing,intheirtime。AndsoconsiderableweresaidtobeCaptainWood’sgains,thatreportswereabroadofhishavingsomewhereaburiedtreasure;towhichhemighthaveaddedmore,hadnotFatesuddenlycutshorthiscareerasaprig。HeandtheEnsignwere——shametosay——transportedforstealingthreepewter—potsoffarailingatExeter;andnotbeingknowninthetown,whichtheyhadonlyreachedthatmorning,theyweredetainedbynofurthercharges,butsimplycondemnedonthisone。Forthismisdemeanour,HerMajesty’sGovernmentvindictivelysentthemforsevenyearsbeyondthesea;
and,asthefashionthenwas,soldtheuseoftheirbodiestoVirginianplantersduringthatspaceoftime。Itisthus,alas!
thatthestrongarealwaysusedtodealwiththeweak,andmanyanhonestfellowhasbeenledtoruehisunfortunatedifferencewiththelaw。
Thus,then,wehavesettledallscores。TheCountisinHollandwithhiswife;Mrs。CatinWarwickshirealongwithherexcellenthusband;MasterThomasBillingswithhisadoptiveparentsinthesamecounty;andthetwomilitarygentlemenwatchingtheprogressandcultivationofthetobaccoandcottonplantintheNewWorld。
Allthesethingshavingpassedbetweentheacts,dingaring—a—dingaring—a—dingledingleding,thedropdrawsup,andthenextactbegins。Bytheway,theplayENDSwithadrop:butthatisneitherherenorthere。
***
(Here,asinatheatre,theorchestraissupposedtoplaysomethingmelodious。Thepeoplegetup,shakethemselves,yawn,andsettledownintheirseatsagain。\"Porter,ale,ginger—beer,cider,\"comesround,squeezingthroughthelegsofthegentlemeninthepit。
Nobodytakesanything,asusual;andlo!thecurtainrisesagain。
\"Sh,’shsh,’shshshhh!Hatsoff!\"sayseverybody。)
***
Mrs。HayeshadnowbeenforsixyearstheadoredwifeofMr。Hayes,andnooffspringhadarisentoblesstheirlovesandperpetuatetheirname。Shehadobtainedacompletemasteryoverherlordandmaster;andhavinghad,asfaraswasinthatgentleman’spower,everysinglewishgratifiedthatshecoulddemand,inthewayofdress,treatstoCoventryandBirmingham,drink,andwhatnot——for,thoughahardman,JohnHayeshadlearnedtospendhismoneyprettyfreelyonhimselfandher——havinghadallherwishesgratified,itwasnaturalthatsheshouldbegintofindoutsomemore;andthenextwhimshehituponwastoberestoredtoherchild。Itmaybeaswelltostatethatshehadneverinformedherhusbandoftheexistenceofthatphenomenon,althoughhewasawareofhiswife’sformerconnectionwiththeCount,——Mrs。Hayes,intheirmatrimonialquarrels,invariablytauntinghimwithaccountsofherformersplendourandhappiness,andwithhisownmeannessoftasteincondescendingtotakeupwithhisExcellency’sleavings。
Shedetermined,then(butasyethadnotconfidedherdeterminationtoherhusband),shewouldhaveherboy;althoughinhersevenyears’residencewithintwentymilesofhimshehadneveroncethoughtofseeinghim:andthekindreaderknowsthatwhenhisexcellentladydeterminesonathing——ashawl,oranopera—box,oranewcarriage,ortwenty—foursinging—lessonsfromTamburini,oranightatthe\"EagleTavern,\"CityRoad,orarideina’bustoRichmondandteaandbrandy—and—waterat\"RoseCottageHotel\"——thereader,highorlow,knowsthatwhenMrs。Readerdesiresathinghaveitshewill;youmayjustaswelltalkofavoidingherasofavoidinggout,bills,orgreyhairs——andthat,youknow,isimpossible。I,formypart,havehadallthree——ay,andawifetoo。
Isaythatwhenawomanisresolvedonathing,happenitwill;ifhusbandsrefuse,Fatewillinterfere(flecteresinequeo,etc。;butquotationsareodious)。AndsomehiddenpowerwasworkinginthecaseofMrs。Hayes,and,foritsownawfulpurposes,lendingheritsaid。
Whohasnotfelthowheworks——thedreadfulconqueringSpiritofIll?Whocannotsee,inthecircleofhisownsociety,thefatedandforedoomedtowoeandevil?Somecallthedoctrineofdestinyadarkcreed;but,forme,Iwouldfaintryandthinkitaconsolatoryone。Itisbetter,withallone’ssinsuponone’shead,todeemoneselfinthehandsofFate,thantothink——withourfiercepassionsandweakrepentances;withourresolvessoloud,sovain,soludicrously,despicablyweakandfrail;withourdim,wavering,wretchedconceitsaboutvirtue,andourirresistiblepropensitytowrong,——thatwearetheworkersofourfuturesorroworhappiness。
Ifwedependonourstrength,whatisitagainstmightycircumstance?Ifwelooktoourselves,whathopehavewe?Lookbackatthewholeofyourlife,andseehowFatehasmasteredyouandit。Thinkofyourdisappointmentsandyoursuccesses。HasYOUR
strivinginfluencedoneortheother?Afitofindigestionputsitselfbetweenyouandhonoursandreputation;anappleplopsonyournoseandmakesyouaworld’swonderandglory;afitofpovertymakesarascalofyou,whowere,andarestill,anhonestman;
clubs,trumps,orsixluckymainsatdice,makeanhonestmanforlifeofyou,whoeverwere,willbe,andarearascal。Whosendstheillness?whocausestheappletofall?whodeprivesyouofyourworldlygoods?orwhoshufflesthecards,andbringstrumps,honour,virtue,andprosperitybackagain?Youcallitchance;ay,andsoitischancethatwhenthefloorgivesway,andtheropestretchestight,thepoorwretchbeforeSt。Sepulchre’sclockdies。Onlywithus,clear—sightedmortalsasweare,wecan’tSEEtheropebywhichwehang,andknownotwhenorhowthedropmayfall。
Butrevenonsanosmoutons:letusreturntothatsweetlambMasterThomas,andthemilk—whiteeweMrs。Cat。Sevenyearshadpassedaway,andshebegantothinkthatsheshouldverymuchliketoseeherchildoncemore。Itwaswrittenthatsheshould;andyoushallhearhow,soonafter,withoutanygreatexertionsofhers,backhecametoher。
InthemonthofJuly,intheyear1715,therecamedownaroadabouttenmilesfromthecityofWorcester,twogentlemen;notmounted,Templar—like,upononehorse,buthavingahorsebetweenthem——asorrybay,withasorrysaddle,andalargepackbehindit;onwhicheachbyturntookaride。Ofthetwo,onewasamanofexcessivestature,withredhair,averyprominentnose,andafadedmilitarydress;whiletheother,anoldweather—beaten,sober—lookingpersonage,worethecostumeofacivilian——bothmananddressappearingtohavereachedtheautumnal,orseedystate。However,thepairseemed,inspiteoftheirapparentpoverty,tobepassablymerry。Theoldgentlemanrodethehorse;andhad,inthecourseoftheirjourney,riddenhimtwomilesatleastineverythree。Thetallonewalkedwithimmensestridesbyhisside;andseemed,indeed,asifhecouldhavequicklyoutstrippedthefour—footedanimal,hadhechosentoexerthisspeed,orhadnotaffectionforhiscomraderetainedhimathisstirrup。
Ashorttimepreviouslythehorsehadcastashoe;andthisthetallmanonfoothadgatheredup,andwasholdinginhishand:ithavingbeenvotedthatthefirstblacksmithtowhoseshoptheyshouldcomeshouldbecalledupontofititagainuponthebayhorse。
\"Doyouremimberthiscounthry,Meejor?\"saidthetallman,whowaslookingabouthimverymuchpleased,andsuckingaflower。\"Ithinkthimgreencornfieldsisprettierlookingatthanthed—————tobackyoutyondther,andbadlacktoit!\"
\"Irecollecttheplacerightwell,andsomequeerpranksweplayedheresevenyearsagone,\"respondedthegentlemanaddressedasMajor。
\"Yourememberthatmanandhiswife,whomwetookinpawnatthe’ThreeRooks’?\"
\"AndthelandladyonlyhunglastMichaelmas?\"saidthetallman,parenthetically。
\"Hangthelandlady!——we’vegotallweeverwouldoutofHER,youknow。Butaboutthemanandwoman。Youwentafterthechap’smother,and,likeajackass,asyouare,lethimloose。Well,thewomanwasthatCatherinethatyou’veoftenheardmetalkabout。I
likethewench,————her,forIalmostbroughtherup;andshewasforayearortwoalongwiththatscoundrelGalgenstein,whohasbeenthecauseofmyruin。\"
\"Theinferrnalblackguardandruffian!\"saidthetallman;who,withhiscompanion,hasnodoubtbeenrecognisedbythereader。
\"Well,thisCatherinehadachildbyGalgenstein;andsomewhereherehardbythewomanlivedtowhomwecarriedthebrattonurse。Shewasthewifeofablacksmith,oneBillings:itwon’tbeoutofthewaytogetourhorseshodathishouse,ifheisalivestill,andwemaylearnsomethingaboutthelittlebeast。Ishouldbegladtoseethemotherwellenough。\"
\"DoIremimberher?\"saidtheEnsign。\"DoIremimberwhisky?SureIdo,andthesnivellingsneakherhusband,andthestoutoldladyhermother—in—law,andthedirtyone—eyedruffianwhosoldmetheparson’shatthathadsonearlybroughtmeintotrouble。Ohbutitwasararerisewegotoutofthemchaps,andtheoldlandladythat’shangedtoo!\"AndherebothEnsignMacshaneandMajorBrock,orWood,grinned,andshowedmuchsatisfaction。
Itwillbenecessarytoexplainthereasonofit。WegavetheBritishpublictounderstandthatthelandladyofthe\"ThreeRooks,\"
atWorcester,wasanotoriousfence,orbankerofthieves;thatis,apurchaseroftheirmerchandise。InherhandsMr。Brockandhiscompanionhadleftpropertytotheamountofsixtyorseventypounds,whichwassecretedinacunningrecessinachamberofthe\"ThreeRooks\"knownonlytothelandladyandthegentlemenwhobankedwithher;andinthisplace,Mr。Sicklop,theone—eyedmanwhohadjoinedintheHayesadventure,hiscomrade,andoneortwoofthetoppingprigsofthecounty,werefree。Mr。SicklophadbeenshotdeadinanightattacknearBath:thelandladyhadbeensuddenlyhanged,asanaccompliceinanothercaseofrobbery;andwhen,ontheirreturnfromVirginia,ourtwoheroes,whosehopesoflivelihooddependeduponit,hadbenttheirstepstowardsWorcester,theywerenotalittlefrightenedtohearofthecruelfateofthehostessandmanyoftheamiablefrequentersofthe\"ThreeRooks。\"
Allthegoodlycompanywereseparated;thehousewasnolongeraninn。Wasthemoneygonetoo?Atleastitwasworthwhiletolook——
whichMessrs。BrockandMacshanedeterminedtodo。
Thehousebeingnowaprivateone,Mr。Brock,withageniusthatwasabovehisstation,visiteditsowner,withahugeportfoliounderhisarm,and,inthecharacterofapainter,requestedpermissiontotakeaparticularsketchfromaparticularwindow。TheEnsignfollowedwiththeartist’smaterials(consistingsimplyofascrewdriverandacrowbar);anditishardlynecessarytosaythat,whenadmissionwasgrantedtothem,theyopenedthewell—knowndoor,andtotheirinexpressiblesatisfactiondiscovered,nottheirownpeculiarsavingsexactly,forthesehadbeenappropriatedinstantly,onhearingoftheirtransportation,butstoresofmoneyandgoodstotheamountofnearthreehundredpounds:towhichMr。Macshanesaidtheyhadasjustandhonourablearightasanybodyelse。Andsotheyhadasjustarightasanybody——excepttheoriginalowners:
butwhowastodiscoverthem?
Withthisbootytheysetoutontheirjourney——anywhere,fortheyknewnotwhither;anditsochancedthatwhentheirhorse’sshoecameoff,theywerewithinafewfurlongsofthecottageofMr。
Billings,theblacksmith。Astheycamenear,theyweresalutedbytremendousroarsissuingfromthesmithy。Asmallboywasheldacrossthebellows,twoorthreechildrenofsmallerandlargergrowthwereholdinghimdown,andmanyothersofthevillageweregazinginatthewindow,whileaman,half—naked,waslashingthelittleboywithawhip,andoccasioningthecriesheardbythetravellers。Asthehorsedrewup,theoperatorlookedatthenew—
comersforamoment,andthenproceededincontinentlywithhiswork;
belabouringthechildmorefiercelythanever。
Whenhehaddone,heturnedroundtothenew—comersandaskedhowhecouldservethem?whereuponMr。Wood(forsuchwasthenameheadopted,andbysuchweshallcallhimtotheend)wittilyremarkedthathoweverhemightwishtoserveTHEM,heseemedmightilyinclinedtoservethatyounggentlemanfirst。
\"It’snojokingmatter,\"saidtheblacksmith:\"ifIdon’tservehimsonow,he’llbeworseoffinhisoldage。He’llcometothegallows,assureashisnameisBill———nevermindwhathisnameis。\"
Andsosaying,hegavetheurchinanothercut;whichelicited,ofcourse,anotherscream。
\"Oh!hisnameisBill?\"saidCaptainWood。
\"Hisname’sNOTBill!\"saidtheblacksmith,sulkily。\"He’snoname;
andnoheart,neither。Mywifetookthebratin,sevenyearsago,fromabeggarlyFrenchchaptonurse,andshekepthim,forshewasagoodsoul\"(herehiseyesbegantowink),\"andshe’s——she’sgonenow\"(herehebeganfairlytoblubber)。\"Andd———him,outofloveforher,Ikepthimtoo,andthescoundrelisaliarandathief。
Thisblessedday,merelytovexmeandmyboyshere,hespokeillofher,hedid,andI’ll——cut——his——life——out——I——will!\"andwitheachwordhonestMulciberappliedawhackonthebodyoflittleTomBillings;who,byshrillshrieks,andoathsintreble,acknowledgedthereceiptoftheblows。
\"Come,come,\"saidMr。Wood,\"settheboydown,andthebellowsa—going;myhorsewantsshoeing,andthepoorladhashadstrappingenough。\"
Theblacksmithobeyed,andcastpoorMasterThomasloose。Ashestaggeredawayandlookedbackathistormentor,hiscountenanceassumedanexpressionwhichmadeMr。Woodsay,graspingholdofMacshane’sarm,\"It’stheboy,it’stheboy!WhenhismothergaveGalgensteinthelaudanum,shehadtheself—samelookwithher!\"
\"Hadshereallynow?\"saidMr。Macshane。\"Andpree,Meejor,whoWAS
hismother?\"
\"Mrs。Cat,youfool!\"answeredWood。
\"Then,uponmysecredwordofhonour,shehasamightyfineKITTEN
anyhow,mydear。Aha!\"
\"Theydon’tDROWNsuchkittens,\"saidMr。Wood,archly;andMacshane,takingtheallusion,clappedhisfingertohisnoseintokenofperfectapprobationofhiscommander’ssentiment。
Whiletheblacksmithwasshoeingthehorse,Mr。Woodaskedhimmanyquestionsconcerningtheladwhomhehadjustbeenchastising,andsucceeded,beyondadoubt,inestablishinghisidentitywiththechildwhomCatherineHallhadbroughtintotheworldsevenyearssince。Billingstoldhimofallthevirtuesofhiswife,andthemanifoldcrimesofthelad:howhestole,andfought,andlied,andswore;andthoughtheyoungestunderhisroof,exercisedthemostbanefulinfluenceoveralltherestofhisfamily。Hewasdeterminedatlast,hesaid,toputhimtotheparish,forhedidnotdaretokeephim。
\"He’safinewhelp,andwouldfetchtenpiecesinVirginny,\"sighedtheEnsign。
\"Crimp,ofBristol,wouldgivefiveforhim,\"saidMr。Wood,ruminating。
\"Whynottakehim?\"saidtheEnsign。
\"Faith,whynot?\"saidMr。Wood。\"Hiskeep,meanwhile,willnotbesixpenceaday。\"Thenturningroundtotheblacksmith,\"Mr。
Billings,\"saidhe,\"youwillbesurprised,perhaps,tohearthatI
knoweverythingregardingthatpoorlad’shistory。Hismotherwasanunfortunateladyofhighfamily,nownomore;hisfatheraGermannobleman,CountdeGalgensteinbyname。\"
\"Theveryman!\"saidBillings:\"ayoung,fair—hairedman,whocameherewiththechild,andadragoonsergeant。\"
\"CountdeGalgensteinbyname,who,onthepointofdeath,recommendedtheinfanttome。\"
\"Anddidhepayyousevenyears’boarding?\"saidMr。Billings,whowasquitealiveattheveryidea。
\"Alas,sir,notajot!Hedied,sir,sixhundredpoundsinmydebt;
didn’the,Ensign?\"
\"Sixhundred,uponmysecredhonour!Irememberwhenhegotintothehousealongwiththepoli——\"
\"Psha!whatmattersit?\"herebrokeoutMr。Wood,lookingfiercelyattheEnsign。\"Sixhundredpoundsheowesme:howwashetopayyou?Buthetoldmetotakechargeofthisboy,ifIfoundhim;andfoundhimIhave,andWILLtakechargeofhim,ifyouwillhandhimover。\"
\"SendourTom!\"criedBillings。Andwhenthatyouthappeared,scowling,andyettrembling,andprepared,asitseemed,foranothercastigation,hisfather,tohissurprise,askedhimifhewaswillingtogoalongwiththosegentlemen,orwhetherhewouldbeagoodladandstaywithhim。
Mr。Tomrepliedimmediately,\"Iwon’tbeagoodlad,andI’drathergoto————thanstaywithyou!\"
\"Willyouleaveyourbrothersandsisters?\"saidBillings,lookingverydismal。
\"Hangmybrothersandsisters——Ihate’em;and,besides,Ihaven’tgotany!\"
\"Butyouhadagoodmother,hadn’tyou,Tom?\"
Tompausedforamoment。
\"Mother’sgone,\"saidhe,\"andyouflogme,andI’llgowiththesemen。\"
\"Well,then,gothyways,\"saidBillings,startingupinapassion:
\"gothywaysforagracelessreprobate;andifthisgentlemanwilltakeyou,hemaydoso。\"
Aftersomefurtherparley,theconversationended,andthenextmorningMr。Wood’spartyconsistedofthree:alittleboybeingmounteduponthebayhorse,inadditiontotheEnsignorhimself;
andthewholecompanywentjourneyingtowardsBristol。
***
WehavesaidthatMrs。Hayeshad,onasudden,takenafitofmaternalaffection,andwasbentuponbeingrestoredtoherchild;
andthatbenigndestinywhichwatchedoverthelifeofthisluckyladyinstantlysetaboutgratifyingherwish,and,withoutcosttoherselfofcoach—hireorsaddle—horse,senttheyounggentlemanveryquicklytoherarms。ThevillageinwhichtheHayesesdweltwasbutaveryfewmilesoutoftheroadfromBristol;whither,onthebenevolentmissionabove,hintedat,ourpartyofworthieswerebound:andcoming,towardstheafternoon,insightofthehouseofthatveryJusticeBallancewhohadbeensonearlytheruinofEnsignMacshane,thatofficernarrated,forthehundredthtime,andwithmuchglee,thecircumstanceswhichhadthenbefallenhim,andthemannerinwhichMrs。Hayestheelderhadcomeforwardtohisrescue。
\"Supposewegoandseetheoldgirl?\"suggestedMr。Wood。\"Noharmcancometousnow。\"Andhiscomradealwaysassenting,theywoundtheirwaytowardsthevillage,andreacheditastheeveningcameon。Inthepublic—housewheretheyrested,WoodmadeinquiriesconcerningtheHayesfamily;wasinformedofthedeathoftheoldcouple,oftheestablishmentofJohnHayesandhiswifeintheirplace,andofthekindoflifethattheselatterledtogether。Whenallthesepointshadbeenimpartedtohim,heruminatedmuch:anexpressionofsublimetriumphandexultationatlengthlighteduphisfeatures。\"Ithink,Tim,\"saidheatlast,\"thatwecanmakemorethanfivepiecesofthatboy。\"
\"Oh,incoorse!\"saidTimothyMacshane,Esquire;whoalwaysagreedwithhis\"Meejor。\"
\"Incoorse,youfool!andhow?I’lltellyouhow。ThisHayesiswelltodointheworld,and——\"
\"Andwe’llnabhimagain——ha,ha!\"roaredoutMacshane。\"Bymysecredhonour,Meejor,thereneverwasaginerallikeyouatastrathyjam!\"
\"Peace,youbellowingdonkey,anddon’twakethechild。Themaniswelltodo,hiswiferuleshim,andtheyhavenochildren。Now,eithershewillbeverygladtohavetheboybackagain,andpayforthefindingofhim,orelseshehassaidnothingabouthim,andwillpayusforbeingsilenttoo:or,atanyrate,Hayeshimselfwillbeashamedatfindinghiswifethemotherofachildayearolderthanhismarriage,andwillpayforthekeepingofthebrataway。
There’sprofit,mydear,inanyoneofthecases,ormyname’snotPeterBrock。\"
WhentheEnsignunderstoodthiswondrousargument,hewouldfainhavefallenonhiskneesandworshippedhisfriendandguide。Theybeganoperations,almostimmediately,byanattackonMrs。Hayes。
Onhearing,asshedidinprivateinterviewwiththeex—corporalthenextmorning,thathersonwasfound,shewasagitatedbybothofthepassionswhichWoodattributedtoher。Shelongedtohavetheboyback,andwouldgiveanyreasonablesumtoseehim;butshedreadedexposure,andwouldpayequallytoavoidthat。Howcouldshegaintheonepointandescapetheother?
Mrs。Hayeshituponanexpedientwhich,Iamgiventounderstand,isnotuncommonnowadays。Shesuddenlydiscoveredthatshehadadearbrother,whohadbeenobligedtoflythecountryinconsequenceofhavingjoinedthePretender,andhaddiedinFrance,leavingbehindhimanonlyson。Thisboyherbrotherhad,withhislastbreath,recommendedtoherprotection,andhadconfidedhimtothechargeofabrotherofficerwhowasnowinthecountry,andwouldspeedilymakehisappearance;and,toputthestorybeyondadoubt,Mr。Woodwrotetheletterfromherbrotherstatingalltheseparticulars,andEnsignMacshanereceivedfullinstructionshowtoperformthepartofthe\"brotherofficer。\"WhatconsiderationMr。Woodreceivedforhisservices,wecannotsay;onlyitiswellknownthatMr。Hayescausedtobecommittedtogaolayoungapprenticeinhisservice,chargedwithhavingbrokenopenacupboardinwhichMr。Hayeshadfortyguineasingoldandsilver,andtowhichnonebutheandhiswifehadaccess。
Havingmadethesearrangements,theCorporalandhislittlepartydecampedtoashortdistance,andMrs。Catherinewaslefttoprepareherhusbandforaspeedyadditiontohisfamily,intheshapeofthisdarlingnephew。JohnHayesreceivedthenewswithanythingbutpleasure。HehadneverheardofanybrotherofCatherine’s;shehadbeenbredattheworkhouse,andnobodyeverhintedthatshehadrelatives:butitiseasyforaladyofmoderategeniustoinventcircumstances;andwithlies,tears,threats,coaxings,oaths,andotherblandishments,shecompelledhimtosubmit。
Twodaysafterwards,asMr。Hayeswasworkinginhisshopwithhisladyseatedbesidehim,thetramplingofahorsewasheardinhiscourtyard,andagentleman,ofhugestature,descendedfromit,andstrodeintotheshop。Hisfigurewaswrappedinalargecloak;butMr。Hayescouldnothelpfancyingthathehadsomewhereseenhisfacebefore。
\"This,Ipreshoom,\"saidthegentleman,\"isMistherHayes,thatI
havecomesomanymilestosee,andthisishisamiablelady?Iwasthemostintimatefrind,madam,ofyourlamintedbrother,whodiedinKingLewis’sservice,andwhoselasttouchingletthersI
despatchedtoyoutwodaysago。Ihavewithmeafurtherprecioustokenofmydearfriend,CaptainHall——itisHERE。\"
Andsosaying,themilitarygentleman,withonearm,removedhiscloak,andstretchingforwardtheotherintoHayes’sfacealmost,stretchedlikewiseforwardalittleboy,grinningandsprawlingintheair,andpreventedonlyfromfallingtothegroundbytheholdwhichtheEnsignkeptofthewaistbandofhislittlecoatandbreeches。
\"Isn’theaprettyboy?\"saidMrs。Hayes,sidlinguptoherhusbandtenderly,andpressingoneofMr。Hayes’shands。
***
Aboutthelad’sbeautyitisneedlesstosaywhatthecarpenterthought;butthatnight,andformanymanynightsafter,theladstayedatMr。Hayes’s。
CHAPTERVIII。ENUMERATESTHEACCOMPLISHMENTSOFMASTERTHOMAS
BILLINGS——INTRODUCESBROCKASDOCTORWOOD——ANDANNOUNCESTHE
EXECUTIONOFENSIGNMACSHANE。
Weareobliged,inrecordingthishistory,tofollowaccuratelythatgreatauthority,the\"CalendariumNewgaticumRoagorumqueRegisterium,\"ofwhicheveryloverofliterature,inthepresentdayknowsthevalue;andasthatremarkableworktotallydiscardsalltheunitiesinitsnarratives,andreckonsthelifeofitsheroesonlybytheiractions,andnotbyperiodsoftime,wemustfollowinthewakeofthismightyark——ahumblecock—boat。Whenitpauses,wepause;whenitrunstenknotsanhour,werunwiththesamecelerity;andas,inordertocarrythereaderfromthepenultimatechapterofthisworkuntothelastchapter,wewerecompelledtomakehimleapoveragapofsevenblankyears,tenyearsmoremustlikewisebegrantedtousbeforeweareatlibertytoresumeourhistory。
Duringthatperiod,MasterThomasBillingshadbeenundertheespecialcareofhismother;and,asmaybeimagined,heratherincreasedthandiminishedtheaccomplishmentsforwhichhehadbeenremarkablewhileundertheroofofhisfoster—father。Andwiththisadvantage,thatwhileattheblacksmith’s,andonlythreeorfouryearsofage,hisvirtueswerenecessarilyappreciatedonlyinhisfamilycircleandamongthosefewacquaintancesofhisowntimeoflifewhomayouthofthreecanbeexpectedtomeetinthealleysorovertheguttersofasmallcountryhamlet,——inhismothersresidence,hiscircleextendedwithhisowngrowth,andhebegantogiveproofsofthosepowersofwhichininfancytherehadbeenonlyencouragingindications。Thusitwasnowiseremarkablethatachildoffouryearsshouldnotknowhisletters,andshouldhavehadagreatdisinclinationtolearnthem;butwhenayoungmanoffifteenshowedthesamecreditableignorance,thesameundeviatingdislike,itwaseasytoseethathepossessedmuchresolutionandperseverance。Whenitwasremarked,too,that,incaseofanydifference,henotonlybeattheusher,butbynomeansdisdainedtotormentandbullytheverysmallestboysoftheschool,itwaseasytoseethathismindwascomprehensiveandcareful,aswellascourageousandgrasping。AsitwassaidoftheDukeofWellington,inthePeninsula,thathehadathoughtforeverybody——fromLordHilltothesmallestdrummerinthearmy——inlikemannerTomBillingsbestowedHISattentiononhighandlow;butintheshapeofblows:hewouldfightthestrongestandkickthesmallest,andwasalwaysatworkwithoneortheother。Atthirteen,whenhewasremovedfromtheestablishmentwhitherhehadbeensent,hewasthecockoftheschooloutofdoors,andtheverylastboyin。Heusedtoletthelittleboysandnew—comerspasshimby,andlaugh;buthealwaysbelabouredthemunmercifullyafterwards;andthenitwas,hesaid,HISturntolaugh。Withsuchapugnaciousturn,TomBillingsoughttohavebeenmadeasoldier,andmighthavediedamarshal;
but,byanunluckyordinanceoffate,hewasmadeatailor,anddieda——nevermindwhatforthepresent;sufficeittosay,thathewassuddenlycutoff,ataveryearlyperiodofhisexistence,byadiseasewhichhasexercisedconsiderableravagesamongtheBritishyouth。
Byconsultingtheauthorityabovementioned,wefindthatHayesdidnotconfinehimselftotheprofessionofacarpenter,orremainlongestablishedinthecountry;butwasinduced,bytheeagerspiritofMrs。Catherinemostprobably,totryhisfortuneinthemetropolis;
wherehelived,flourished,anddied。OxfordRoad,SaintGiles’s,andTottenhamCourtwere,atvariousperiodsofhisresidenceintown,inhabitedbyhim。Atoneplacehecarriedonthebusinessofgreengrocerandsmall—coalman;inanother,hewascarpenter,undertaker,andlenderofmoneytothepoor;finally,hewasalodging—housekeeperintheOxfordorTyburnRoad;butcontinuedtoexercisethelast—namedcharitableprofession。
Lendingashediduponpledges,andcarryingonaprettylargetrade,itwasnotforhim,ofcourse,toinquireintothepedigreeofallthepiecesofplate,thebalesofcloth,swords,watches,wigs,shoe—buckles,etc。thatwereconfidedbyhisfriendstohiskeeping;butitisclearthathisfriendshadtherequisiteconfidenceinhim,andthatheenjoyedtheesteemofaclassofcharacterswhostillliveinhistory,andareadmireduntothisveryday。Themindlovestothinkthat,perhaps,inMr。Hayes’sbackparlourthegallantTurpinmighthavehob—and—nobbedwithMrs。
Catherine;thathere,perhaps,thenobleSheppardmighthavecrackedhisjoke,orquaffedhispintofrum。WhoknowsbutthatMacheathandPaulCliffordmayhavecrossedlegsunderHayes’sdinner—table?
Butwhypausetospeculateonthingsthatmighthavebeen?whydesertrealityforfondimagination,orcallupfromtheirhonouredgravesthesacreddead?Iknownot:andyet,insooth,IcanneverpassCumberlandGatewithoutasigh,asIthinkofthegallantcavalierswhotraversedthatroadinoldtime。Piouspriestsaccompaniedtheirtriumphs;theirchariotsweresurroundedbyhostsofglitteringjavelin—men。AstheslaveatthecaroftheRomanconquerorshouted,\"Rememberthouartmortal!\",beforetheeyesoftheBritishwarriorrodetheundertakerandhiscoffin,tellinghimthathetoomustdie!Markwellthespot!AhundredyearsagoAlbionStreet(wherecomicPowerdwelt,Milesia’sdarlingson)—
—AlbionStreetwasadesert。ThesquareofConnaughtwaswithoutitspenultimate,and,strictlyspeaking,NAUGHT。TheEdgwareRoadwasthenaroad,’tistrue;withtinklingwaggonspassingnowandthen,andfragrantwallsofsnowyhawthornblossoms。TheploughmanwhistledoverNutfordPlace;downthegreensolitudesofSovereignStreetthemerrymilkmaidledthelowingkine。Here,then,inthemidstofgreenfieldsandsweetair——beforeeveromnibuseswere,andwhenPineappleTurnpikeandTerracewerealikeunknown——herestoodTyburn:andontheroadtowardsit,perhapstoenjoytheprospect,stood,intheyear1725,thehabitationofMr。JohnHayes。
Onefinemorningintheyear1725,Mrs。Hayes,whohadbeenabroadinherbesthatandriding—hood;Mr。Hayes,whoforawonderhadaccompaniedher;andMrs。Springatt,alodger,whoforaremunerationhadthehonourofsharingMrs。Hayes’sfriendshipandtable:allreturned,smilingandrosy,atabouthalf—pastteno’clock,fromawalkwhichtheyhadtakentoBayswater。ManythousandsofpeoplewerelikewiseseenflockingdowntheOxfordRoad;andyouwouldratherhavethought,fromthesmartnessoftheirappearanceandthepleasuredepictedintheircountenances,thattheywerejustissuingfromasermon,thanquittingtheceremonywhichtheyhadbeentoattend。
Thefactis,thattheyhadjustbeentoseeagentlemanhanged,——acheappleasure,whichtheHayesfamilyneverdeniedthemselves;andtheyreturnedhomewithagoodappetitetobreakfast,bracedbythewalk,andtickledintohunger,asitwere,bythespectacle。Icanrecollect,whenIwasagypatCambridge,thatthe\"men\"usedtohavebreakfast—partiesfortheverysamepurpose;andtheexhibitionofthemorningactedinfalliblyuponthestomach,andcausedtheyoungstudentstoeatwithmuchvoracity。
Well,Mrs。Catherine,ahandsome,well—dressed,plump,rosywomanofthreeorfourandthirty(andwhen,mydear,isawomanhandsomerthanatthatage?),cameinquitemerrilyfromherwalk,andenteredtheback—parlour,whichlookedintoapleasantyard,orgarden,whereonthesunwasshiningverygaily;andwhere,atatablecoveredwithanicewhitecloth,laidoutwithsomesilvermugs,too,andknives,allwithdifferentcrestsandpatterns,satanoldgentlemanreadinginanoldbook。
\"Hereweareatlast,Doctor,\"saidMrs。Hayes,\"andhere’shisspeech。\"Sheproducedthelittlehalfpennytract,whichtothisdayissoldatthegallows—footuponthedeathofeveryoffender。\"I’veseenamanymenturnedoff,tobesure;butIneverdidseeonewhoboreitmorelikeamanthanhedid。\"
\"Mydear,\"saidthegentlemanaddressedasDoctor,\"hewasascoolandasbraveassteel,andnomoremindedhangingthantooth—drawing。\"
\"Itwasthedrinkthatruinedhim,\"saidMrs。Cat。
\"Drink,andbadcompany。Iwarnedhim,mydear,——Iwarnedhimyearsago:anddirectlyhegotintoWild’sgang,Iknewthathehadnotayeartorun。Ah,why,mylove,willmencontinuesuchdangerouscourses,\"continuedtheDoctor,withasigh,\"andjeopardytheirlivesforamiserablewatchorasnuff—box,ofwhichMr。Wildtakesthree—fourthsoftheproduce?Butherecomesthebreakfast;and,egad,Iamashungryasaladoftwenty。\"
Indeed,atthismomentMrs。Hayes’sservantappearedwithasmokingdishofbaconandgreens;andMr。Hayeshimselfascendedfromthecellar(ofwhichhekeptthekey),bearingwithhimatolerablylargejugofsmall—beer。TothisrepasttheDoctor,Mrs。Springatt(theotherlodger),andMr。andMrs。Hayes,proceededwithgreatalacrity。Afifthcoverwaslaid,butnotused;thecompanyremarkingthat\"TomhadverylikelyfoundsomeacquaintancesatTyburn,withwhomhemightchoosetopassthemorning。\"
TomwasMasterThomasBillings,nowoftheageofsixteen:slim,smart,fivefeetteninchesinheight,handsome,sallowincomplexion,black—eyedandblack—haired。Mr。Billingswasapprenticetoatailor,oftolerablepractice,whowastotakehimintopartnershipattheendofhisterm。Itwassupposed,andwithreason,thatTomwouldnotfailtomakeafortuneinthisbusiness;
ofwhichthepresentheadwasoneBeinkleider,aGerman。
Beinkleiderwasskilfulinhistrade(afterthemannerofhisnation,whichinbreechesandmetaphysics——ininexpressiblesandincomprehensibles——mayinstructallEurope),buttoofondofhispleasure。SomepromissorynotesofhishadfoundtheirwayintoHayes’shands,andhadgivenhimthemeansnotonlyofprovidingMasterBillingswithacheapapprenticeship,andacheappartnershipafterwards;butwouldempowerhim,inoneortwoyearsaftertheyoungpartnerhadjoinedthefirm,toejecttheoldonealtogether。
Sothattherewaseveryprospectthat,whenMr。Billingswastwenty—oneyearsofage,poorBeinkleiderwouldhavetoact,notashismaster,buthisjourneyman。
Tomwasaveryprecociousyouth;wassuppliedbyadotingmotherwithplentyofpocket—money,andspentitwithanumberoflivelycompanionsofbothsexes,atplays,bull—baitings,fairs,jollypartiesontheriver,andsuch—likeinnocentamusements。Hecouldthrowamain,too,aswellashiselders;hadpinkedhisman,inarowatMadamKing’sinthePiazza;andwasmuchrespectedattheRoundhouse。
Mr。Hayeswasnotveryfondofthispromisingyounggentleman;
indeed,hehadthebasenesstobearmalice,because,inaquarrelwhichoccurredabouttwoyearspreviously,he,Hayes,beingdesiroustochastiseMr。Billings,hadfoundhimselfnotonlyquiteincompetent,butactuallyatthemercyoftheboy;whostruckhimovertheheadwithajoint—stool,felledhimtotheground,andsworehewouldhavehislife。TheDoctor,whowasthenalsoalodgeratMr。Hayes’s,interposed,andrestoredthecombatants,nottofriendship,buttopeace。Hayesneverafterwardsattemptedtolifthishandtotheyoungman,butcontentedhimselfwithhatinghimprofoundly。InthissentimentMr。Billingsparticipatedcordially;and,quiteunlikeMr。Hayes,whoneverdaredtoshowhisdislike,usedoneveryoccasionwhentheymet,byactions,looks,words,sneers,andcurses,tolethisstepfatherknowtheopinionwhichhehadofhim。WhydidnotHayesdiscardtheboyaltogether?
Because,ifhedidso,hewasreallyafraidofhislife,andbecausehetrembledbeforeMrs。Hayes,hislady,astheleaftremblesbeforethetempestinOctober。Hisbreathwasnothisown,buthers;hismoney,too,hadbeenchieflyofhergetting,——forthoughhewasasstingyandmeanasmortalmancanbe,andsolikelytosavemuch,hehadnotthegeniusforGETTINGwhichMrs。Hayespossessed。Shekepthisbooks(forshehadlearnedtoreadandwritebythistime),shemadehisbargains,andshedirectedtheoperationsofthepoor—spiritedlittlecapitalist。Whenbillsbecamedue,anddebtorspressedfortime,thenshebroughtHayes’sownprofessionalmeritsintoplay。Themanwasasdeafandcoldasarock;neverdidpoortradesmengainapennyfromhim;neverwerethebailiffsdelayedonesingleminutefromtheirprey。TheBeinkleiderbusiness,forinstance,showedprettywellthegeniusofthetwo。Hayeswasforclosingwithhimatonce;buthiswifesawthevastprofitswhichmightbedrawnoutofhim,andarrangedtheapprenticeshipandthepartnershipbeforealludedto。Thewomanheartilyscornedandspituponherhusband,whofawneduponherlikeaspaniel。Shelovedgoodcheer;shedidnotwantforacertainkindofgenerosity。TheonlyfeelingthatHayeshadforanyoneexcepthimselfwasforhiswife,whomheheldinacowardlyaweandattachment:helikeddrink,too,whichmadehimchirpingandmerry,andacceptedwillinglyanytreatsthathisacquaintancesmightofferhim;buthewouldsufferagonieswhenhiswifebroughtororderedfromthecellarabottleofwine。
AndnowfortheDoctor。Hewasaboutseventyyearsofage。Hehadbeenmuchabroad;hewasofasober,cheerfulaspect;hedressedhandsomelyandquietlyinabroadhatandcassock;butsawnocompanyexceptthefewfriendswhomhemetatthecoffee—house。Hehadanincomeofaboutonehundredpounds,whichhepromisedtoleavetoyoungBillings。Hewasamusedwiththelad,andfondofhismother,andhadboardedwiththemforsomeyearspast。TheDoctor,infact,wasouroldfriendCorporalBrock,theReverendDoctorWoodnow,ashehadbeenMajorWoodfifteenyearsback。
AnyonewhohasreadtheformerpartofthishistorymusthaveseenthatwehavespokenthroughoutwithinvariablerespectofMr。Brock;
andthatineverycircumstanceinwhichhehasappeared,hehasactednotonlywithprudence,butoftenwithgenius。TheearlyobstacletoMr。Brock’ssuccesswaswantofconductsimply。Drink,women,play——howmanyabravefellowhavetheyruined!——hadpulledBrockdownasoftenashismerithadcarriedhimup。Whenaman’spassionforplayhasbroughthimtobeascoundrel,itatonceceasestobehurtfultohiminaworldlypointofview;hecheats,andwins。Itisonlyfortheidleandluxuriousthatwomenretaintheirfascinationstoaverylateperiod;andBrock’spassionshadbeenwhippedoutofhiminVirginia;wheremuchill—health,ill—treatment,hardlabour,andhardfood,speedilyputanendtothem。Heforgotthereevenhowtodrink;rumorwinemadethispoordeclininggentlemansoillthathecouldindulgeinthemnolonger;
andsohisthreeviceswerecured。
Hadhebeenambitious,thereislittledoubtbutthatMr。Brock,onhisreturnfromtransportation,mighthaverisenintheworld;buthewasoldandaphilosopher:hedidnotcareaboutrising。Livingwascheaperinthosedays,andinterestformoneyhigher:whenhehadamassedaboutsixhundredpounds,hepurchasedanannuityofseventy—twopounds,andgaveout——whyshouldhenot?——thathehadthecapitalaswellastheinterest。AfterleavingtheHayesfamilyinthecountry,hefoundthemagaininLondon:hetookuphisabodewiththem,andwasattachedtothemotherandtheson。Doyousupposethatrascalshavenotaffectionslikeotherpeople?hearts,madam——ay,hearts——andfamilytieswhichtheycherish?AstheDoctorlivedonwiththischarmingfamilyhebegantoregretthathehadsunkallhismoneyinannuities,andcouldnot,asherepeatedlyvowedhewould,leavehissavingstohisadoptedchildren。
Hefeltanindescribablepleasure(\"suavemarimagno,\"etc。)inwatchingthestormsandtempestsoftheHayesmenage。HeusedtoencourageMrs。Catherineintoangerwhen,haply,thatlady’sfitsofcalmwouldlasttoolong;heusedtowarmupthedisputesbetweenwifeandhusband,motherandson,andenjoythembeyondexpression:
theyservedhimfordailyamusement;andheusedtolaughuntilthetearsrandownhisvenerablecheeksattheaccountswhichyoungTomcontinuallybroughthimofhispranksabroad,amongwatchmenandconstables,attavernsorelsewhere。
When,therefore,asthepartywerediscussingtheirbaconandcabbage,beforewhichtheReverendDoctorwithmuchgravitysaidgrace,MasterTomentered。DoctorWood,whohadbeforebeenrathergloomy,immediatelybrightenedup,andmadeaplaceforBillingsbetweenhimselfandMrs。Catherine。
\"Howdo,oldcock?\"saidthatyounggentlemanfamiliarly。\"Howgoesit,mother?\"Andsosaying,heseizedeagerlyuponthejugofbeerwhichMr。Hayeshaddrawn,andfromwhichthelatterwasabouttohelphimself,andpoureddownhisthroatexactlyonequart。
\"Ah!\"saidMr。Billings,drawingbreathafteradraughtwhichhehadlearnedaccuratelytogaugefromthehabitofdrinkingoutofpewtermeasureswhichheldpreciselythatquantity。——\"Ah!\"saidMr。
Billings,drawingbreath,andwipinghismouthwithhissleeves,\"thisisverythinstuff,oldSquaretoes;butmycoppershavebeenred—hotsincelastnight,andtheywantedasluicing。\"
\"Shouldyoulikesomeale,dear?\"saidMrs。Hayes,thatfondandjudiciousparent。
\"Aquartofbrandy,Tom?\"saidDoctorWood。\"Yourpapawillrundowntothecellarforitinaminute。\"
\"I’llseehimhangedfirst!\"criedMr。Hayes,quitefrightened。
\"Oh,fie,now,youunnaturalfather!\"saidtheDoctor。
TheverynameoffatherusedtoputMr。Hayesinafury。\"I’mnothisfather,thankHeaven!\"saidhe。
\"No,nornobodyelse’s,\"saidTom。
Mr。Hayesonlymuttered\"Base—bornbrat!\"
\"Hisfatherwasagentleman,——that’smorethanyoueverwere!\"
screamedMrs。Hayes。\"Hisfatherwasamanofspirit;nocowardlysneakofacarpenter,MrHayes!Tomhasnoblebloodinhisveins,forallhehasatailor’sappearance;andifhismotherhadhadherright,shewouldbenowinacoach—and—six。\"
\"IwishIcouldfindmyfather,\"saidTom;\"forIthinkPollyBriggsandIwouldlookmightywellinacoach—and—six。\"Tomfanciedthatifhisfatherwasacountatthetimeofhisbirth,hemustbeaprincenow;and,indeed,wentamonghiscompanionsbythelatteraugusttitle。
\"Ay,Tom,thatyouwould,\"criedhismother,lookingathimfondly。
\"Withaswordbymyside,andahatandfeatherthere’sneveralordatSt。James’swouldcutafinerfigure。\"
Afteralittlemoreofthistalk,inwhichMrs。Hayesletthecompanyknowherhighopinionofherson——who,asusual,tookcaretoshowhisextremecontemptforhisstepfather——thelatterretiredtohisoccupations;thelodger,Mrs。Springatt,whohadneversaidawordallthistime,retiredtoherapartmentonthesecondfloor;
and,pullingouttheirpipesandtobacco,theoldgentlemanandtheyoungonesolacedthemselveswithhalf—an—hour’smoretalkandsmoking;whilethethriftyMrs。Hayes,oppositetothem,wasbusywithherbooks。
\"What’sintheconfessions?\"saidMr。BillingstoDoctorWood。
\"Thereweresixof’embesidesMac:twoforsheep,fourhousebreakers;butnothingofconsequence,Ifancy。\"
\"There’sthepaper,\"saidWood,archly。\"Readforyourself,Tom。\"
Mr。Tomlookedatthesametimeveryfierceandveryfoolish;for,thoughhecoulddrink,swear,andfightaswellasanyladofhisinchesinEngland,readingwasnotamonghisaccomplishments。\"I
tellyouwhat,Doctor,\"saidhe,\"————you!havenobanteringwithme,——forI’mnotthemanthatwillbearit,——me!\"andhethrewatremendousswaggeringlookacrossthetable。
\"Iwantyoutolearntoread,Tommydear。Lookatyourmotherthereoverherbooks:shekeepsthemasneatasascrivenernow,andattwentyshecouldmakeneverastroke。\"
\"Yourgodfatherspeaksforyourgood,child;andforme,thouknowestthatIhavepromisedtheeagold—headedcaneandperiwigonthefirstdaythatthoucanstreadmeacolumnoftheFlyingPost。\"
\"Hangtheperiwig!\"saidMr。Tom,testily。\"Letmygodfatherreadthepaperhimself,ifhehasalikingforit。\"
Whereupontheoldgentlemanputonhisspectacles,andglancedoverthesheetofwhity—brownpaper,which,ornamentedwithapictureofagallowsatthetop,containedthebiographiesofthesevenunluckyindividualswhohadthatmorningsufferedthepenaltyofthelaw。
Withthesixheroeswhocamefirstinthelistwehavenothingtodo;buthavebeforeusacopyofthepapercontainingthelifeofNo。7,andwhichtheDoctorreadinanaudiblevoice。
\"CAPTAINMACSHANE。
\"Theseventhvictimtohisowncrimeswasthefamoushighwayman,CaptainMacshane,sowellknownastheIrishFire—eater。
\"TheCaptaincametothegroundinafinewhitelawnshirtandnightcap;and,beingaPapistinhisreligion,wasattendedbyFatherO’Flaherty,Popishpriest,andchaplaintotheBavarianEnvoy。
\"CaptainMacshanewasbornofrespectableparents,inthetownofClonakilty,inIreland,beingdescendedfrommostofthekingsinthatcountry。HehadthehonourofservingtheirMajestiesKingWilliamandQueenMary,andHerMajestyQueenAnne,inFlandersandSpain,andobtainedmuchcreditfrommyLordsMarlboroughandPeterboroughforhisvalour。
\"Butbeingplacedonhalf—payattheendofthewar,EnsignMacshanetooktoevilcourses;and,frequentingthebagniosanddice—houses,wasspeedilybroughttoruin。
\"Beingatthispass,hefellinwiththenotoriousCaptainWood,andtheytwotogethercommittedmanyatrociousrobberiesintheinlandcounties;butthesebeingtoohottoholdthem,theywentintothewest,wheretheywereunknown。Here,however,thedayofretributionarrived;for,havingstolenthreepewter—potsfromapublic—house,they,underfalsenames,weretriedatExeter,andtransportedforsevenyearsbeyondthesea。ThusitisseenthatJusticeneversleeps;but,soonerorlatter,issuretoovertakethecriminal。
\"OntheirreturnfromVirginia,aquarrelaboutbootyarosebetweenthesetwo,andMacshanekilledWoodinacombatthattookplacebetweenthemneartothetownofBristol;butawaggoncomingup,Macshanewasobligedtoflywithouttheill—gottenwealth:sotrueisit,thatwickednessneverprospers。
\"Twodaysafterwards,MacshanemetthecoachofMissMacraw,aScotchladyandheiress,going,forlumbagoandgout,totheBath。
Heatfirstwouldhaverobbedthislady;butsuchwerehisarts,thatheinducedhertomarryhim;andtheylivedtogetherforsevenyearsinthetownofEddenboro,inScotland,——hepassingunderthenameofColonelGeraldine。Theladydying,andMacshanehavingexpendedallherwealth,hewasobligedtoresumehisformerevilcourses,inordertosavehimselffromstarvation;whereuponherobbedaScotchlord,bynametheLordofWhistlebinkie,ofamullofsnuff;forwhichcrimehewascondemnedtotheTolboothprisonatEddenboro,inScotland,andwhippedmanytimesinpublick。