"Hearing of Mrs. Maline's confinement, they take the "liberty of offering their congratulations on the happy "occasion; and, herewith, beg leave to request her ac"ceptance of the cradle, for the use of the young Ma❝line. "Should the house of Maline be doubly blessed in the "labour of its lovely mistress, they hope she will suffer "them to furnish the second cradle-as a slight testimony "of the gratitude which they owe her for her late noble "defence of their characters." Just as I had finished repeating the above, a pious worshipper of Bacchus happened to pass; who, despising the walk of ordinary men, was indulging his genius— like the poets of the present day-by many fanciful deviations from the right line. Being no hypocrite in his devotion, he engaged for a glass of liquor to carry the cradle and note to Mrs. Maline's. We followed him and saw it done to our satisfaction :* then, choosing the least frequented road, we left the vil lage without a sigh. For two whole hours we continued to walk with great rapidity, and in unbroken silence: for my companion seemed no way inclined to disturb me, perceiving me to be engaged with that obtrusive friend REFLECTION, whom I had picked up by the road. You may well imagine that my conference with the latter was none of the most agreeable. First REFLECTION began, and, in a reproachful voice, asked me how I could have the cruelty to leave my father in the manner I had done. This officiousness was offensive; and I answered in a tone that was meant to silence the fellow, that I did not care a straw about my father, nor did my father care a straw about me; so that nothing was lost between us. But REFLECTION is an impudent knave-as you well know, if you have ever met him "misere discedere quærens”—and was not to * To appreciate the richness of our revenge, the reader must remember that the lady was barren. be daunted so easily. "Come, come, Mr. Levis !" said he-"this bullying will not do with me, sir. How will you excuse your conduct to a fond mother?"......" By your own words. Have you not often told me, that the way to gain a child's affections, was not to indulge him to his own discomfort? Nay! further-did you not say that EXPERIENCE, who, as you are fond of boasting, acts the part of Mentor to you, had confirmed the same? Therefore, as I cared not a straw for my father, so I cared not a rush for my mother.". "Softly, sweet sir!"— exclaimed REFLECTION, in a sneering tone that almost drove me mad." Do you remember how I caught you, sir, at your father's desk—with one hand on the key, and the other on the handle-afraid to open it,-looking first over one shoulder and then over the other, like a thief as you were? Do you remember how I upbraided you; and how you answered me with the sophistry of Dick Hazard; and, when I was proving to you that Dick lied, how you began to whistle-to drown the sound? Do you remember too, how you shuddered, when you grasped the purse; and stole from the room, afraid to breatheas though your lungs might betray you? and how I cried after you, "shame! shame!" ?-O, it was a noble feat, sir! a most noble feat!"......" A most noble feat!"echoed the insinuating voice of PRIDE, who had joined us at this part of the conference-“You have finely confirmed your father's opinion of his son's villainy! And the step you are now taking-depend upon it, 'twill exalt your reputation to a dazzling height in the eyes of the charitable villagers-O, cunning Jeremy! most cunning Jeremy!" My two tormentors continued to upbraid me, in spite of all my efforts. I pushed them from me with violencethey still returned: I whistled; I sang ;-their taunts were heard far above my music: I even stopped my ears-but their cursed croaking was as plain as ever. At last I grew desperate; and I verily believe I should have burst with vexation; but, luckily for my insides, Dick turned to me all of a sudden, and spoke-when both PRIDE and REFLECTION gave a yell of disgust and scampered away. We were now at a spot where two roads branched off from the one whereon we had been travelling, and—as well as I could guess-about six or seven miles from the village. "How much money did you manage to get?" abruptly asked Dick. "I don't know," I answered; "I took the purse without opening it." 66 Suppose then," said Dick, "that we rest here, aud count it by the light of the moon?" I made no reply; but put the purse into his hand. No sooner did he touch it than he raised his fist and knocked me down; then leaping upon me, beat me without mercy, till he could beat no longer-when the villain left me-saying, as he departed, "Remember, young man, not to be so ready with your blows in future !" Sore though I was, I felt somewhat relieved as I followed his retiring figure with my eyes, and knew that the stolen purse went with him. I had no time to moralize however; for, almost immediately, I heard the sound of wheels; and, in a little while after, a wagon drove up with two men in it. It stopped as soon as it was opposite to me; and a rough, manly voice exclaimed, "Look there, George! what's that under the tree ?"......" O, drive on, Townsend !" said, in an impatient tone, the party addressed, "it's only some drunken beast of a fellar."... "It may not be," resumed the first voice. Hallo, my man! What's the matter with ye?" I tried to answer; but could not make myself heard-I was so faint. "There, Townsend! did'nt I tell you he was drunk? Come drive on! or you'll never get home to night." "Stop!" cried the first voice again, "Hold the reins, while I get out and see; for I'm sure I heard him groan." The man accordingly approached me, and raised me by the arm; but, when he learned that I had been robbed of my purse and .... nearly murdered, he lifted me with my bundle into the wagon, by the aid of the grumbling George, and, bidding the latter drive, supported me on the seat with all the tenderness of a father-I mean, a tender father. We rode for about an hour with great rapidity, sorely to my discomfort-but I would not complain; and after stopping but once, to leave George at his own home, arrived at the house of my good Samaritan. CHAPTER VI. He grew canty, and she grew fain; The Gaberlunzie Man. THOUGH furnished with a comfortable bed, I could not sleep that night, owing to my bruises. Therefore I resolved for once to obey the Samian ;* and the result was not very satisfactory. What grieved me most was the conduct of Dick Hazard. I did not mind the loss of his friendship O, no! a wise man never cries himself into an opthalmy because his bubble bursts;-he blows up another as fast as he can.-I was only sorry I had been fool enough to believe in it. I now saw the reason of Clayton's fixed aversion for my companion; and even did not scruple to give credit to Mrs. Maline's accusation -that is to say, as far as concerned him alone. To this I added the baseness of his revenge as taken on my car. * Μηδ' ὕπνον μαλακοῖσιν ἐπ ̓ ὄμμασι προσδέξασθαι, PYTHAG. Aurea Dicta, cass and casting up the account, found, as sum total, that Dick was no better than a born villain. These reflections were of so consoling a nature that I actually commenced my slumbers when the sun had finished his; and dreamed :—that Dick was some hideous, non-descript animal, on whose back I was saddled-one minute with my face to his head, and the next with my face to his tail. Onward I rode, mightily pleased with my situation, till we came to a large cooking-stove, around whose ample body several scullions, of most suspicious make, were manoeuvering,-some poking the glowing coals with pokers that looked like human bones -others, with similar utensils, stirring the contents of a huge cauldron which simmered upon the stove-while others stood by, ready to skim the frothing liquor with calabashes made of skulls, having a shank bone fitted to the foramen occipitale by way of handle. The moment we arrived there, methought my Bucephalus showed a strong family resemblance to Satan; and I had scarcely traced the likeness, when he caught me by the heel, as Thetis did Achilles, with an intent no doubt to add me to the stew. The horrid idea of being served up at table, smothered perhaps in onions, was too much to bear in silence, and I yelled most vociferously. The vision fled -I opened my eyes upon the mild countenance of Mr. Townsend. He anxiously inquired how I had passed the night, and when I told him, insisted upon my lying in bed for the rest of the day; an injunction with which I had no great difficulty in complying. He then politely intimated his desire to know who I was, and the circumstances of my misfortune. After some hesitation, I told him that I was the son of a gentleman who lived at the distance of four or five miles from the spot where he had found me; that having passed a holyday at home, I was preparing to return to my duties by the usual conveyance, my father's carriage, when a schoolmate who lived in the neighbour |