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" THE STORY OF OUR LIVES FROM YEAR TO YEAR."—SnAKESPiiAKE. ALL THE YEAE ROUND. A WEEKLY JOURNAL. CONDUCTED BY CHARLES DICKENS. WITH WHICH IS IXCORPORATED HOUSEHOLD WORDS.

N»- 497.] SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 18 [I'EICE 2d.

' No, Miss Madge," said Hester, " I will HESTER'S HISTORY. lock them all up iu my trunk, and I have half a A NEW SEKIAL TALE. mind to lose the key. I am sick of pretty gowns. I believe I shall never wear anything all my days but a very old plaiu frock. When CHAPIEa XVIIL ME5. HAZELDEAN GETS A NET this gets threadbare"—looking at her sleeve— GOWN. " it will be very nice. 1 think when I get time "WELL, I must say you need a handsome I will have a piece of sack-cloth aud make dress, Margaret!" said Lady Helen. " I am myself a new dress. I am tired of your pinks glad to find you eettinj; so miicli more like and your greens, your satins, and your gauzes." other people as to think ot it. I shall be very The Honourable Madge stood transfixed for pleased to lend you our young dressmaker for a a few moments in silence. week or so. You may trust her with anything. "My dear," she said, presently, "with such She is a most efficient person." ideas in your mind, 1 cannot thiuk where your " What are you going to have," asked Miss genius came from." Madge, in an ecstasy ot" interest. " Have cerise And then she went away sorrowful, disap­ satin—so useful tor dinner. Not very service­ pointed in her favourite. able to be sure, but then a little French chalk So it had been arranged that Hester was to is such an eseellent thing for gravy stains." be lent ont to Mrs. Hazeldean. Tlie evening " Thank you, Madge," said Mrs. Hazeldean, before her departure for the village. Lady Helen langhing; "but I believe cerise satin would and Miss Golden drove away to diue some­ take away my appetite." where at a distance; but they had uot been "Would it now?" said the Honourable gone above two hours when Miss Janet walked into Hester's tower-room with all her magnifi­ Madge, quite shocked. " WeU, do you know cent dining paraplieriialia removed, and a I tUnk I always eat better when I have a dressing-gown thrown over her muslin petti­ lively bit of colour about me." coats. "I hope you will smarten her up a little," she said to Hester. " It is a great opportunity "On sueh a night to be sent home again, for her, and I hope you and she will both take after enduring to dress in the cold 1" she ex­ advantage of it. She wears very good materials, elaimed, with her chin raised to the extreme angle of pique and indignant vexation. And you know, my dear," said poor Madge, sighing, no wonder she was vexed. She had gone to and feeUng her own flimsy gown between her the trouble of doing away with her pretty dark finger and thumb. " She is ladylike, I must curls, in place of which a snow-white edifice, say; but she selects such dowdy colours, and ornamented with roses, had been erected on she has no regard at all for Paris style. She her head. And I must say that her face looked has all her gowns made high up to her throat, very charming underneath it, surmounting her and she never puts a bit of powder in her hair. long wrapper of rose-coloured ilannel. She means well, I am sure, for she is good, you know, my dear, as good as gold; but it's a " A pretty country to live in, if it is not safe to drive a few miles along the road at night 1" 'pity to see her waste herself as she does. For continued Miss Janet. " 1 don't believe in il, for she is handsome, is Margaret, though Helen my part. I think Ihe whole fuss has come of don't see it. , T i Sir Archie Munro's talent for ordering about, " I shall miss you sadly, my dear. I have no and protecting, forsooth ! Not safe, indeed! relish now for the solitude of my own cliamber, Why, I never knew the people anything but which used to please me vastly—for ten minutes civil aud good-natured. And if it be not safe or so at a time. There is no one else in this place to drive a few miles along the road, what a who enters into the ideas that prey upon my nice prospect for my getting home to Eng­ mmd. Yet I do not grudge you to her it you land!" improve dear Margaret. You are a lady, my Miss Janet seated herself m Hesters low dear, and no one pretends to deny that. You arm-chair by the fender, and made herself as must show her a good example. Take some ot comfortable as she could. your pretty gowns, and wear them under her nose." " Give up fidgettiug about, do, and eome N^

482 [Oclolcr 31, ISCS.] ALL THE YEAK ROUND. [Conducted by ami siL down and have a talk," she said tn conclusion. If Lady Helen could get her way Hester. " What makes you so sliy of talkin<^ it might be finished off to-morrow. But she to 1110, I wonder, when I am always tcllino; you can't get her way !" said Miss Janet, with a my concerns? It is a perfectrelii;f lo me some­ lii tie g'riinace of defiant satisfaction. " No, we times to pour tliem out upou you. There is are nice quiet easy-ijoing people here, and we sometliing so demure about you. as if you don't like to be hurried. We like to take our would not repeat a word for the world; and time. We are very comfortable as we are." yet you contrive lo let so much sympathy out And Janet embraced her knee, and smiled at of your eyes as to keep oue going on! I'll pro­ the fire, and appeared as cosy as any one could mise not "to say oue word about dress, aud you wish to be. Hester looked at the luxurious couldu't have'a better offer lliau ihat in this self-coniplacent youug lady, and thouglit of place! Neither Miss Marige unrmy Lady Helen Pierce. His ring was still round Hester's neck. would Ireat, you half so liberally." That last command of tlie Mother Augustine So Hester sat down wilh idle fingers and de­ had prevented the possibility of its ever being livered horseif up for the lioui- iuto Miss Gol­ delivered by Hester to its rightful owner, den's whimsical hands. now present. She could not explain, her ac­ "It will be insufferably dull here, you know, quaintanceship with Mr. Pierce without dis­ for me during the next week," said Jauet. covering her connexion with Lady Humphrey. " I do think I should have run away long ago The intention liad long been in her mmd to ifyou bad not arrived. And it is getting more return the ring, in a letter to the young geutle­ stupid every day with us down below. I really man ; but what with letters to tbe Mother used to be a most entertaining person myself, Augustine, and letters to Lady Humphrey, but I get no eneouragemont now, and the eon- every opportuuity for her pen had hitherto been sequence is I have completely subsided. Lady fully taken advantage of. She thought about Helen pretends to know nothing abont the Pierce, and his pains, and his hopes, and bis shocking things tiiat are goiii^ ou in the country, fears, and she pitied him. And she looked and I believe she does live with her cars full of upon Janet, aud strongly desired to know the cotton woo], but a few little drops of horror secret of her heart. She did not doubt that mnst distil through, 1 tlunk, for sometliing is Pierce was forgotten, yet she could not make telling on her temper. Tlien there is Madge- up hor mind that Sir Archie was beloved. why my war of wits with the Honourable Janet's mauner in speaking of him made her Madge used to keep the household alive; but indignant. If lie did not deserve something now she is so full of mystery, she actually better than this, if the plighting of his troth grows silent—does not observe the little sluifls had not called forth some deeper sentiment 1 fling at her. As for Sir Archie, I half believe than Miss Janet seemed to feel, then the world he is concerned with the rebels, so wrapt up was turning out a place altogether not worth iu his owu thoughts has be become; except, living iu. indeed, when bis mother is present, and " Yes, be actually advised rae to go home," then it is amusing and highly edifying, I am said Jauet; " planning my journey as coolly as sure, to see the efforts he puts forth to entertain if he were my father sending me to school. her!" He said I ought to lose no time, but I said, Miss Janet tossed her bead, as if she thought 'By your leave, Sir Archie; why?' He said, there were other people whom he ought to think because there were going to be sadder doings it worth his while to entertain. yet in the country, that by-aud-by I might "TV'hy, Miss Golden," .^aid Hester—"why want to escape, when travelling mi^ht uot do you thiiik Sir Archie ]\Iunro is concerned be so easy. I was not gomg to be ordered off with the rebels?" that way. It did not suit me. So I made him " Well, I can hardly tell vou," said Miss a curtsey, and said, ' By your leave, Sir Aichie, Janet, yawning, "except tliat lie has grown so I am not a coward; and I intend to stay a dull and anxious, and seems to expect dreadful little longer.' And so I do. But 1 went to things lo happen. If perfectly loyal I don't Lady Helen, and told ber Sir Archie was turn­ see what reason he has to be uneasy. Ho is ing me out of doors. I said I should go. She making his arrangements as if he expected a sobbed into her handkerchief and declared that siege, or something of that sort. He actually she could not part with me. She promised me took au opportunity to advise mc to go home some pretty gaieties at Christmas. And I con­ the other day. A most hospitable bridegroom sented to remain." I declare!" " How willgaicties agree with the sad doings " Bridegroom !" repeated Hester, involun­ spoken of by Sir Archie ?" asked Hester, who tarily, and theu cheeked herself, shocked at her had got a little pale. own thoughtlessness, for Miss Golden hud been Janet shrugged her shoulders. "We are looking iu the (ire, and perhaps had forgotten not going to make our plans to suit grumblers," her presence. she said. " I am dying for a little excitement. "Oh yes, lo be sure, bridegroom!" said We wiil have all we can get. And I can tell Janet, looking round, no way displeased nor Sir Archie, that I will not be turned back abashed, "1 thought every ouc knew about another uight all because some ill-conducfed that pretty well. It is au old engagement, and soldiers are making a row among the people pi-omises to be older before it is lirought to a upon the road. It is dull enough here all tlie

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Charles Wckene.] ALL THE YEAR ROUND. [October 31, ISflg.] 483 time without having one's meagre bit of amuse­ True, some dark violet poplin, and some black ment taken away." velvet were sutfercd to be at her disposal for And Miss Golden, having delivered herself two or three hours every morning, but after of these aud other kindred sentiments, stood that they were sure to slip through her fingers up, sighed, yawned, gave Hester a sudden des­ in an unaccountable manner, sometimes by one perate hug, aud went away. accident, sometimes by another. And the Hester, next morning, felt a great leaping reading of choice books, pleasant cliat, invigora­ at heart when she folded up Lady Helen's yards ting rambles through the frosty glens, refresh­ of tabinet aud velvet, bombazine aud paduasoy, ing visits to the friendly poor in the cottages, laid them aside for an interval of rest, and de­ together with delicious spells of mere dreamy parted in Mrs. Hazeldean's pony phaeton for idleness, filled up the remainder of the measure of the village. This was the friend who had been the days; till Hester begiui to wonder if she promised her by the Mother Augustine, with were slill indeed Hester; not rather some other pei-son who had been born under a lucky star, whom she was now going to become more io be loved, and petted, and indulged by Mrs. closely acquainted. Hitherto she hud only had Hazeldean. Till Lady Helen, from her castle, glimpses of a bright dark face, even the mo­ began to send messages: to which Mrs. Ha- mentary vision of whose strength nnd sweet­ zeldean always replied that the work Hester ness had made her unaccouniably glad. had beeu sent to ner to do was still far from Mrs. Hazeldean's liouse stood among its being finished. And till Lady Helen begau to trees, somewhat backward, lii^h up at the oul grumble. of the village street, just where it ascended a hill with some toil; along the sides of which " I knew how it would be," she said. "I hill the houses lagged aud strangled, as if knew that dear Margaret would discover the some of them had not had strength or perse- girl's talent, and set about replenishing her whole Terance for the ascent. It had an ample, dark- wardrobe. Not that I grudge her the oppor- red, comfortable exterior, with expansive win­ luniiy I am sure,"nor yet that I think it is not dows well-lined with warm draperies, witb a needed. But Christmas is drawing near, and jovial-looking knocker on the hall door, and there is such a great deal to be done !" just enough ivy ou the gable and chimneys to Sir Archie Munro had alwnys been in the soften off the edges of the ruddy walls, and habit of paying frequent visits to his auut. She blend the homely pile into the picturesque shared allhis sympathies, she was in all his masses of the greenery around it. In the cor­ secret counsels. Tliis was but natural, since it ners of the mossy lawn, round the boles of the was true that there was not a person with au old trees, the scarlet gerauiums wove their anxiety, or a tronble, who ever came near Mrs. burning hieroglyphics. Showers of vivid amber, Hazelciean without instinctively turning to her and irregular dnt'ts of rosy brown swept over for something, he knew not what, of assistance, branches that still kept a remnant of their courage, or assuagement, which he felt blindly summer draperies; over the taU trees that but unerringly sure she had to give. Thus there was uot a matter requiring judgment, looked down upou the chimneys, the lower especially fine and strong, whieh Mrs. Hazel­ foliage of that sanctuary of sweets which was dean was not called upon, somehow, to judge; half garden, half orchard, away to the back­ not a difficulty which other people gave np iu ward ; and the denser leafiness of the sober despair wiiich was not brought to Mrs. Hazel­ grove that wandered away from the gable, dean to be solved. Above all, ihere was not a behind which the sun had a trick of setting sorrow more tlian usually burthensome to her with a particularly fiery glamour of wintry neighbour, of whieh she did not lighten the erenings. load by taking a share upon her shoulders. Within, this house was a den of wholesome But then nobody knew this except the doctor comfort, a very nest for repose. Everything and his wife; unless the people out of doors was faultless, regular, in perfect order; yet took to telling their owu secrets, and to whis­ nothing stiff, nothing monotonous, nor prim. pering iier holy fame at their firesides, among "She hath looked well to the paths of her their pravers. house, and hath not eaten her bread idle." So said her glittering tal)le, so the choice pictures So Sir'Archie was in the habit of coming to on her walls; so said ber shining rooms, with talk over the affairs of the country with his their subdued glow of colouring and their grate­ aunt, and he did not think it necessary to dis- fully tempered light; so the iew servants, in continue his visits, because it so happened that their good humour with the world and worship Hester was iu tbe house. Aud so pleasant was of their mistress. So said the poor; who asked it round that fireside of an eveiiing when tbe not in vaiu for the crumbs that fell from her miseries of Ihe country were laid aside for a while, so terribly interesting when they were board. not, that Hebter began to slip naturally into It was not easy to persuade Hester that she Iier place in the family group, to foiget for the bad come to fhis honse a great deal more to rest time that she was a dressmaker, and to almost than to do work. But very soon she began to lose her awe of that grand goodly gentleman, realise that this wonderfully fine gown of Mrs. Sir Archie Munro. The only thing that sur­ Hazeldean's, about which tlierc had been some prised and disappointed her in him a little was talk, was little but an excuse to bring ber there, nis anxiety about Mrs. Hazeldean's new dress. a peg on which to hang a deed of kindness.

j^ 481 [October 31, ISCS.] ALL THE YEAK EOUND. [Conducted b7

She was so tired of this among the women at have been made iu dear Margaret's wardrobe the castle, that it was rather a dismay to her to by this time. hear Sir Archie on the subject. This proposal had its effect, and Hester was "Is tliis the new gown, Auut Margaret?" he packed up and returned to her employers. Aud would ask, touching her sleeve. " I do assure a few days afterwards Mrs. Hazeldean eameto you I am very anxious to see you in that dine at the cattle. dress." " How do you like my new dress ?" whispered And theu he would look from Mrs. Hazel­ she to her nephew, as she took her seat by his dean to Hester, and from Hester to Mrs. Hazel­ side at the dinner-table. And she slightly held dean, till Hester would shrink back into her up as she spoke a silken purple fold of her chair and feel intolerably guilty, being so con­ right royal-looking robe. scious as she was of her strange idleness. But Sir Archie flashed a bright look into her Mrs. Hazeldean would say, smiling, smiling face, and helped her to turkey. Thia " Patience, patience ! I am in no hurry with was no time for sentiment. But it was re­ that gowu, Archie." marked by Lady Helen, when the ladles reached And there were times as well when Sir the drawing-room, that dear Archie had been Archie happened in after he had seen his more like himself during dinner-time to-day aunt's cloak fluttering alone upon the road, and than ever she had seen him since these hideous gave Hester still further lessons in making doings bad begun in the country. friends with him. I have not time now to set "And she sewed all this, did she?" he said, dowu the conversations which passed between having found his way to Mrs. Hazeldean's side them, but they were quaint enough and simple immediately on his reappearance in the draw­ enough to put to shame the would-be wiser ing-room. " Every stiteh of it ?" he asked, ex­ gossip of many people who would have liked to amining the long-expected gown. "And what hear tliem. There was not a compliment in the verdict have you brought me wrapped up in the whole of them, and yet, liaving assured Mrs. folds of this handsome skirt ?" Hazeldeau that he would not disturb Hester, Sir " Here is my answer," said Mrs. Hazeldean, Archie was hardly so careful as he might have as the door opened and Hester appeared, led by been. Hester's simplicity begau to wonder. the Honourable Madge, who had seconded, quite She began to tremble when she saw Sir Archie rapturously, dear Margaret's request that the coming down the avenue alone, and to wish young inmate of the tower-room should be in­ that Mrs. Hazeldean would not go out without vited to the drawing-room; this being only a her. I do not know how it was that he be­ family party, no high-born guests present to trayed himself so far oue day as to send Hester, be shocked. And Hester, in her trepidation at after his departure, flying up the stairs on tbe sueh condescension, had quite forgotten her tip-toe of terror lest the very walls should hear resolution announced to Madge, of confining her heart beating with delight, sadly wrong, herself to the use of threadbare garments for but also with houest fear and remorse. What the remainder of her life, and had recognised way was this that the sun had begun to shine, the expedience of clothing herself in the pretty catching up all the colours of the world, and grey silk, and long coral ear-rings, whieh had so weaving them together with its rays iu an inex­ nearly brought her iuto trouble with tbe Mother tricable confusion of enchantment? Oh, Miss Augustine. And in these, and with her hair Janet Golden, what would you think of this ? packed round her head like so much twisted Oh, Sir Archie, the splendid and the great, why onllion, and with her face as fresh and fair as could you not remain the hero you used to be ? it could be, it were quite hopeless to find a Sat down Hester and wept. But the next day sweeter-looking young thing than our Hester she arose up in amazement at her silly mistake. looked on the occasion. And she set to work to extol every oue except herself. And this strange blunder which she CHAPTER XIX. MISS MADGE'S REBEL. had fallen into was not to be cleared up in her LADY HELEK MUNRO might live with her own mind, without leaving some traces which ears full of cotton wool, and Miss Jauet Golden might endure many a day. It was a great pity might toss her head at liaving her horses turned she had been born sueh a fool, Hester thought. on the road when going out for an evening's But having set herself somewhat to rights, she amusement ; but there were fierce doings acknowledged that she had received a proper making a hot progress through the country, check for her forgetfulness of matters most im­ the perpetrators of which were but Uttle con­ portant. And she tasked herself to improve her cerned for the convenience of fair ladies. present opportunity of learnuig the political Dire tidings did the daily post now bring to feelings of Sir Archie Munro. And she wrote the peaceful lishlng village, that had sat, grate­ many |)iteous letters on this subject to Lady fully, for so many hundred years, in the lap of Humphrey. its fertile glens, at the feet of its bountiful bay. Mrs. Hazeldean was so persistently ingenious A hostile soldiery, utterly unchecked iu their in delaying Hester's operations on her dress that terrible license, scoured the land. The flower it required a very startling threat to bring her of the population was melting off the mountain­ to her senses. Lady Helen and Miss Madge sides ; dales and hamlets were giving up their volunteered a sisterly excursion to her dwelling strength aud pride to the prison, the torture, to inspect the many improvements which must and the gibbet. Even already in our glens the >^ ^r

Cliarlea Dickens.] ALL THE ZEAR ROUND. [October 31,18C8.] 485

wail of desolation had arisen among the cottages. late, be found himself driven by the very Sir Archie Munro, in anguish for iiis peo[)le, scourge of approaching death to creep down a strove in vain to shield tliem from the horrors little lower on the mountain bide, were it even ofthe times. Day by day one disajipearcd and to warm his shivering Umbs by the sitles of the another disappeared from among the hearty wandering kine, or to crave a handful of meal glensmen. Frantic tales of distress came flying out of a roving beggar's wallet. 10 the castle. The servants clenched their No such comfort forthe hunted rebel. The hands and cursed over their work. Miss Madge soluiers espied his meagre stooping form, creep­ sat up in her solitude and weiit herself neai5y ing along under the shelter of the whin-bushes blind. Lady Helen went into hysterics at every and heaihery knolls. It would have been diffi­ fresh piece of news. Miss Golden blanched cult for eyes less practised in man-hunting to and was silent for a while, but refused to believe recoguise the stalwart youth who had fiowu to one half the stories. And Hester t-at np in her the hills from the bayonet, in the bent shud­ tower with her needle trembling in her tingeis; dering creature who sougiit shelter from the for thestltchin^ aud ornamenting, the embroider­ hfjunic braes that had carried his feet with pride. ing and flouni.ing, had all to go on the same, But these soldiers were right skilful at their just as if a rain of blood had not begun to fall work. over the land. The game was scented ; the cry was up. Oh, Miss Golden began to think that it had been that a jovial ruddy sun should ever look down better she had taten Sh* Archie's advice and aud smile upon such a piteous scene \ A brave returned to England; but she was, as she had son of the mountains, liunted like a fox to the said, not a coward, aud she made up her mind, death among tliose mountains, t!ie pure love of bravely enough, to see the worst to its end. mother-land being his crime. Bui t!n:n Lady Lady Helen lamented sorely that she should Helen said he was very much to blame. He have been the means of bringing her darling had been right well off in his cottai^'C in the Janet to so miserable a country. Yet, in the glens. Why need he take to troubling himself same breath, her ladyship quarrelled with her about the misery of his country ? And certainly son, because he proposed for the women of the it was most inconsiderate of him to throw her household a prudent retreat to England or ladyship iuto hysterics on her sofa. France till such time as tliese miseries should The cliase lasted long, for the rebel knew the he over. No, why should they go flying over secrets of his hills. But. bloodhounds will not the world, to hide themselves, as if tbey were a be balked when they have once scented blood, set of rebels? She believed that Archie made neither would our brave soldiers miss their the most of things. They could not get so bad prey. Yet, notwithstanding, when it was late as he seemed to expect. She would uot set ofl' in the aftcinoon this rebel, having been started on a journey in such times, to be dragged out some seven times siuce morning, gave them the of her coach and shot. She would just lie by on slip, and was lost sight of iu the neighbourhood the cosiest couch in her drawing-room, with the of the castle. most interesting novel she could lay hands The cook had just sent up an afrernoon cup npon ; and If^t no one come telling her frightful of tea to the several bedrooms of the ladies. stories till this panic should have subsided, and The red setting sun was warnjiiig up the com­ the world have come to its senses! fortable haunts of Ihe kitchen, pantries, house­ One day a terrible cry arose throughout the keeper's room, and the various closets and pas­ glens, rolled along the valley, rang through sages of the servants' quarters. Several of the the mountains. The name of a man, a rebel, servants were gatherea together iu a passage hunted by the soldiers, was shouted from rock diseu'^sliig in whispers the latest ne\vs ofthe to rock, tiil the very echoes bandied it about rebel hunt. Pretty Polly, Lady Helen's maid, with shuddering shrieks—was muttered In was pale and red-eyed, strugsling to put in her prayers by tongues that quivered and clove to word between recurring agonies of tears. But the mouth with terror. This man was tbe joy then the rebel in question was her lover. When and pride of his friends, foremost among the last she had seen him he had been handsome and stout, bringing her a bunch of gay ribbons favourites of the lowly gleuspeople. They from the fair. Now he was a shadow, a spectre hunted him in the morning, and they hunted of starvation, wilh a price upon his head, and him in the evening, and days went past, and bayonets lying in wait for lum at every poiut even his own kinsfolk had no clue to his from which the blessed wind could blow. Good hiding-place. And a montii weut past. A si ray God ! who was this, iiere amongst them ? goat nad given him milk, and the heath had given him its berries; but these resources having Pat the butler had opened a back door of failed, he was at last driven by starvation fr(jm the premises, leading into a thick grove, into his lair. Pallid, shivering, his clothing .<;atu- whicli evening shadows were already creeping. rated with the damps of the dripping cavern in A flying phantom, somewhat like a galvanised which he had Iain, tottering upon his feet with skeleton, had leaficd past him thniugli the the weakness of hunger, fearing to meet the doorway, clasped its hands in his face, and sped form of a man lest an enemy should make him on furtfier into the castle. his prey, or to draw near a dwelling lest de­ Poor Polly sank in a little pale heap in hor struction should come with- him over the corner, and was a trouble to lio one till such threshold of a fellow-creature; sick and deso­ time as people had leisure to look to her. 486 [October 31,18G8.] ALL THE YEAR ROUND. [Oonducud by •unasked. It was the best thing she could have tea-stains. She was sipping her tea with her done in the interests of her lover, for had she eyes upon her book, when the door was a second been conscious of what followed, her shrieks time thrown opeu, and a gentleman, an officer or her moans might have betrayed iiim. The in the King's service, appeared. other servants fell back on each side as our I say a gcntlemau, for this officer had been rebel dashed amongst them. No one spoke, bred to some of the habits of a gentleman, but they signed to him to pass up the stairs. though he bad a taste for rebel blood. And he And up the stairs he fied. was a little taken aback when he saw a simple- "To the tower!" some one whispered. looking lady with astonished eyes raised at his What tower, aud where ? Poor rebel dashed intrusion, with her innocent cup of tea dropplug blindly onward, upward, beat the doors right sideways iu amazement from its mincing uold and left wilh his feeble hands, burst over Miss ill her genteelly arranged fingers, aud with her Madge's threshold in the eud, and precipitated fashionable novel on her knees. himself iuto the middle of her floor; stood iu " I beg pardon," be began, "you are sur­ her very presence, quivering, supphaut. prised—tlie iact is " The Honourable Madge was at her afternoon " Oh, pray, don't apologise !'* said the Ho­ cup of tea, A cup of tea was a thing that had nourable iladge, making violently graceful always comforted her greatly, and was the only ell'orts to overcome a ladylike surprise and bash- medicine she fouud soothing during the sorrows fulness, very creditable to any spinster on such of tliese times. She was seated on a settee iu au occasion. "It, is I who should apologise for the corner of her room, wiih a table drawn uj) my stupidity. You have the advantage of me before her; a table on which were placed a tray, truly, though I have no doubt you are quite an ancient silver tea-pot, some thin bread aud familiar to me If my memory were not so oad. butter in a dish, some sweet winter apples aud To what do I owe the pleasure of such a a tea-cup with its saucer. And Miss Madge's charmingly unceremonious visit ? Pray have feet were on a footstool. Nothing could he a cup of tea, 1 always do of an afternoon. So more comfortable and placid thau fhe appear­ refreshing! A cup of lea with sueh a book as ance which she presented amongst these kiudly- this delightful Evelina in one's hand, I call it looking arrangemeuts. a luxury, nothing less. And really, ha, ha ! do The settee ou which Miss Madge was sit­ you know I gel so ridiculously absorbed in a ting was long and low, and was placed in a story, ha, ha! I actually tiiought when I looked coruer with its back to the wall. It was up that you were the hero, walking into the covered very amply with chintz of a large room." pattern, Chinese pagodas on an amber grouud, And she reached down an ornamental cup nuindarius seated apparently upon tea-chests, and saucer of precious china, which was sitting presenting roses to hmgiiishing ladies with most eouveniently ou a bracket above her head, curled-up toes aud very arched eyebrows. And poured some fragrant tea from her httle silver the settee was draped down to Ihe ground with [lot, enriched it deliglitfully wilh thick cream and a garniture of that flouncing well known to be glistening sugar, aud presented it with her so dear to the Homjurable Madge's iieait. sweetest smile to her gallant guest, as she was Now if the Honourable Madge were mad, as pleased to call him. had soinetiines been wliispercd, most certain it Now this soldier had heard tell that Miss is that she kept her madness fur the amuse­ Madge was a litlle " cracked." She was not ment of her friends. On sueh au emergency a lovely woman, and her sweetness and her as this she was found to be exceedingly sane. wkiningness were not much after his taste. "My friend ! my friend!" cried Miss Madge, However, her cup of tea was tempting, and clapping her mittens, and upsetting her Ica-eup the soldier was fatigued. He drank and he into the lap of her yellow silk dress. But apologised. that was nothing eveu to Miss Madge, at sueh *' The fact is, madam," he said, " we have a moment. She whirled up the fiouuce of her been searching for a rebel, supposed to have settee with prmnpt hands. takeu refuge iu the castle." " Get under!" she cried. In a frantic whisper. Miss Madge gave a piercing little scream, and "Crawl 1 Get iu aud lie chise. lu, iu!" And her cup fell with a crash upou the tray. she pushed him in and packed him away till " Ah, ah !" she shrieked, " they will be tho there was not a vestige of him to be seen. death of me, tliose rebels! Oh, sir, be so " Now, God's mercy be with you, and keep as good as not to go till you tell me. A rebel in still as if you were dead !" the castle! Ah, my sad fate, a rebel! Pro­ " Aud it may be that mocking will be catch­ mise me that you will search, or I shall uot ing," iiuillered Madge to herself, as she cleared sleep a wink. Not a wink lor a mouth!" up the signs of her own confusion, " lor I think And the Honourable Madge's eyes began to Death would have little to do but close your roll, and her nostrils to quiver, aud she b^on eyes[" to flutter up aud dowu iu her seat. She had Down on her knees she went, drying up the observed these ominous workings in Lady spilt tea. She arranged her little tray, she Helen on sundry occasions, and a hint was drew her table nearer tu her couch. She spreail never lost upon Miss Madge. The officer made out her silken skirts, and iiiekcd up a novel, her rapid protestations as to his activity, aud which she pluccd open in her lap to hide the terrified at the prospect of approaching hya- *^

Ofakriea Dickens.] ALL THE YEAR ROUND, [October ai, ISCS.] 4S7 terics, rang the bell violently, bowed, and then reveal the "abysses of his soul." He retired. IS slovenly in his attire, but alwavs gentle­ But Polly mounted guard over her lover that manly, hke one who values himself, but de­ evening, in a very retired corner of the castle. spises the world's opinion, aud lils smile (for he And he was nursed aud fattened unknown to smiles sometimes) is witliering and convulsive mastCT or mistress; unknown to auy but the Afler about three hundred lines of blank verse servants, Hester, and Miss Madge. And when devoted to a vague summary of his early life, he was able to go furth, he weut in search of and a long adilress to the Muse, without which better fortune. no Italian |)oem is complele, we find Armando wandering about the Apeuuiues during a storm: THE ITALIAN LAUKEATE'S LAST POEM. The forest frees, tnrmented by tln' wind, Throw up tlieir hundrea bands and shrielt aloud. AFTER Manzoni, wbo, however, can hardly * * * * be said to belong to the present generation, The waters leap like tigers from tbe rocks, Giovanni Prati, author of Armaudo, takes the and Armando gets wet. He approaches a hut, first place among the living poets of Italy. His antl is about lo enter, when a shepherd rushes bemg made poet-laureate over the head of a out and asks him to be quiet, as his children^ superior bard is an accident, of which no one— Nello and Kosetta—are asleep. It turns out not even Manzoni—has a right to complain. that they are dead. "The tempest will awake Prati came in wilh the house of Savoy. He them," says Armando. "I think not so," re­ has been the king's "poet royal" for twenty plies the shepherd. The usual comparisons are years. We have only to read his Ode on made between Death and Sleep, and the traveller the Marriage of Prince Humbert, to be con­ is admitted to a view of the eiiildren. Two or vinced that eagles, even when they are born three days after this, Armando meets ji gipsy among the mountains of Tyrol, as Prati was, girl called Paehita, and has his fort une told. can learn the cackle of the farm-yard. It is Her song is oue of the gems of the book, and true that eagles of this sort have to be tamed ought to be set to music. He visits the buttle- by kings. tields of San Marliuo aud Muntebello, meets But Prati is somethiug more than a poet- a soldier with a wooden leg aud the Cross of laureate—he is a poet. Wituess Armando, his St. Helena—a veteran of "Vaterlo"'—who slugs new work, as fresh and brilliant as Edme- a song and di.-appears, kissiug his ribbon. Ar­ negarda, his boyish production; as vigorous mando himself never slugs, but he is the and thoughful as his ballads and hrics. Wit­ cause of song in others—and indeed his ness, too, the esteem in which he is held by his life and adventures would be nothing without countrymen. the songs. He goes south aud loses his way Armando is a sort of life-drama—a poem and in a Calabrian valley, where he meets a wolf, a play combined, with sougs and ballads inter­ but no wolf-hunlcr,'which is a pily: a Wolf spersed. It is a book for ladies and gentle­ Hunter's Song would have been acceptable. men, but it is also a book for men of letters. He gazes on the setting sun. "Take the salute The extravagance of the nightmare scene, of an Immortal!" he exelainig, raising his hat where the Devil, alias Mastragabilo, is crucified, to it. He visits a seaport town, wiiereanumber ia rather far fetched but it is, perhaps, war­ of fishermen are amusing themi.elves at tho ex­ ranted by the subject. We object to Prati's pense of a poor idiot, wiio has lost his wits iu saying (as he does in the preface) that he fears consequence of the oppression of the Bourbons. his work is too original, and that he hoj>ed, The fool's song is as witty as fools' sougs (in but hoped in vaiu, that "some great master, print) usually are, and the ensuing conversation ancient or modern," would have come to his is so " wisely absurd " fhat we arc afiaid it was assistance. Modesty of this sort provokes in­ intended for a bit of metaphysics. Armando gets quiry, and inquiry shows that he has been in­ iuto a boat and hears a boatman's song, which is debted to Manfred for suggestion of his fresh aud bright, sailor-like, and full of ten­ spectre scenes, while Hamlet has suggested one derness and love, with the splash of the waves at least of his soliloquies. in it. His subicqucnt adventures are rather numerous. He visits a churchyard and makes The story of Armando is rather complicated, the acquaiutanee of a grave-digger (\^ho sings but it is worth telling. Armando is an Italian a song); he enters a wayside inn, where a of high birth and great fortune, who has be­ drunken man, called Joshua, flic butt of his come sceptical and cynical from too much companions, is tampering wilh a clock, say- learning and goodness of heart—a dreamer who that he is the Joshua of the Bible and is is half a madman and half a poet, but who ^oiug to make the suu staud stiU; he strolls might have remained a very sensible person if mto the forest and meels a brigand, who is talk- he had not fallen in love. He is described as a tive but songless; and on his way to some libertine iu the decline of his youth—a "pale obscure hut. Ins resting place lor the night, he and weary shadow," wandering about the world overheai's a fine song iu praise of poverty sung in search of happiness and finding it uot. He by a labouring man on his way home, lu the is rather tall, with brown hair streaked with middle of the night he is r'.\akeued by the grey, aud dark piercing eyes, which now aud

y •P-S [October 31, ISee.] ALL THE YEAR ROUND, [Condacted by sound of a lute and wild ecstatic cries. It is that it Is Armando and not the author of the Paehita "singing herself to death" outside the book who is speaking. It must naturally hut. Her death has such an effect ou Armando, bother a gentleman (sensible ou all other whose maduess is growing upon him, that he at points) to believe that he and the Devil are onee leaves the neighbourhood : and soon after­ making love to the same young lady, aud that wards the story aud the author have a bout the Devil is getting the best; of it! Signer of singing ou their own account, under the Prati says. head of Iiyrlcs, iucluding Jupiter, or the Voice From a variety of causes inherent in the human of the Air; Saturn (the Earth) ; Vulcan (Fire); Boul and having an exi-stence in the outer world, Neptune (AVatcr) ; Androgens (the Voice ofthe certain natures, even strong ones, fall at certain Spirit); aud Pan (All Tilings). We cannot say tiine.^, and in the midst of certain conditions of we think much of these specimens, but perhaps society into a state of sloth, spleen, and dreaminess, they are intended to show what Armamlo which assumes the character of a malady; and if to could do if he lost his head. When he re­ this malady is coupled the remembrance of a lost illusion or a. tendency to dream and give way to appears on the scene he is in Rome, and about gloomy thoughts, the consequences may be very to pay a visit to his old frieud Pagolo the deplorable and even lead to frightful catastrophes. sculptor. In a long and wearisome soliloquy lie mentions (for the first time) the name of This is the text on which Prati has Clara—that " liend in angel's mould" wdio has written bis book. He thinks his countrymen blighted his existence. He becomes a suitor require a little talking to, and that the strength for the hand of Arbclla, the sculptor's daughter, and vigour of the upper classes of Italian and half forgets "extinct Clira;" a dreadful society are being sapped by moral cowardice, state of tilings when we remember that he has aud the dolce far nicnte for which as a nation a rendezvous with her ghost, in the later jjart they are so remarkable. He thinks they ought of the story. He falls asleep iu Pagolo's studio to work more than they do, and tells tliem how and dreams he is on Olympus. The statues of to get well when they are suffering from spleen. the gods and goddesses sing, or when they "Work," says Signor Prati; " make a statue, cannot sing, oblige the company with a recita­ or a book. Be a tailor, a blacksmith. Do some­ tion. "Achilles," "Psyche," and "Prome­ thing ; you will have no time to be miserable." theus " are the best of their middling perform­ This is the spirit of his teaching, and Armando ances. Is the type of the man who would be all the Up to this point the reader has had very little better for hard-handed toil; his hands being insight into the madness of Armando. The rea­ soft, so is his head. The scenes iu whieli he son is that Armando has hitherto shunned the fancies he sees that the devil is destroying his society of ladies. His brain is oppressed by happiness, under the name of Mastragablto, ladies. They remind him of Clara's perfidy. alias a Spanish traveller, alias a German Prince, The fairer tliey are the more likely they are to alias Cardcnius the sculptor, occupy nearly two be false, and when he is most in love with himdred pages, that is to say a third part ofthe Arbclla he is most suspicious of her good book. They lead on to a startling climax. The qualities. In fact he secretly suspects her author cau summon goblins into his presence, of being a "flirl," and something worse, but he docs uot know what to do with them and it is only when she talks to him and when they arrive. He goes too far. The re­ thrills him with a glance of her beautiful eyes, sult is a jumble of loftiness and absurdity that he is persuaded of ber innocence and which it would be dilBcult to match in litera­ wishes to prove his good opinion of her by ture. Some of the ghostly business is so badly committing suicide. There is a garden scene done that it provokes laughter instead of awe. in the second part of the poem which is worthy The fiends go off iu blue lights; the fairies of the hand of Fouque. The Voice of the strut and stagger about the stage as if their Rose, is charming; so is The Butterfly Song. wires were broken; and the showman (i.e. the But Arbclla has discovered that her lover has author) destroys all perspective by allowing his a secret. It appears that Armando has been hands to be seen among the puppets. Mastro- delirious between the first aud second parts gabito himself is put away in his box long be­ of the story, and has called his kind nurse fore the play is over, and the reader is left face (Arbclla) the most awlnl names: "Clara," fo face witli the real characters of the story "damnable Clara," "fiendish Clara,"&c., which (Pagolo, Arbella, and Armando) in a very unsa­ she didn't like. tisfactory manner. Perhaps the most success­ Wc now come to the last part but one of the ful part of Ihe entre-acte is the crucifixion of book, the part which details, at great length, the the devil. This nimble Mastragablto, this Italian delirium or madness of Armando. It sccins like Mephistopheles seeks an interview with Ma- one protracted iiiglitmare. The "Eumcnides" dredcn (tlic Spliynx), and asks her how long he and a number of artizans sing songs on alternate (the devil) may torment mankind. He pleads pages. Mastragablto (a "spiritualist" who for another thousand years of life, but is sen­ obtains mouey nnd palaces by a kind of fraud tenced to death. He is conducted to the place uot rccogniscti iu the police-courts) figures as of exeeutiou,where thieves, murderers, and liars; the Devil, and makes, love wilh great success, the spirits of pestilence and war — hunger, to Arbella. The reader here should have I fire, aud misery, pass before him iu grim pro­ been forwarncd that Armando is crazy, aud | cession. To attempt this and to succeed iu it is to >^ ^r

Gbu-les DickenB.J ALL THE YEAR ROUND. LOctoLer 31,1863.1 4S9 produce something altogether new and startling. Her virtue keeps my boat secure, The remarks of Mastragablto al-e sometimes so Her name ha.s made me proud and pure; horrible and so impious that it is impossible to In storm and shine her fame is mine, print them in English, and now and then the And God will guard the foaming brine! phantoms speak in such a ghastly and impres­ And night and day the boatman brave aud strong sive manner that the blood is chilled, and tbe Singeth his song. extravagance of the scene is for a moment or two lost sight of. When the devil rises from EAB.WESTERN GAMBLERS. the dead it is in the quality of a conjuror; that is to say, the conjuror having ceased to play the . IN Fur-Western " society " it is no hmgcr part of the devil (in Armando's distempered reputable to be known as a professional gam­ fancy) reappears in his own shape, and foretells bler, yet men who remember the days when the dreamer's deaih. The story winds up with everybody played will be apt to look lightly a bridal scene, which is changed into a scene of upon the vice. It is not uncommon, there­ mourning by the announcement that Armando fore, to see merchants (especially American) is dead. He has drowned himself in the Adri­ having a social game of " cut-throat montc," atic by mistake, or in a sort of wishy-washy ful­ "cucrc," or "poker," with piles of gold be­ filment of the prophecy which forewarned him fore them. In the mountain towns it Is still to avoid water, and his body is washed up on worse, and the ante-rooms of the Nevada and his wedding day. California legislators used to be a perfect car­ The book is full of great beauties and glaring nival of gambling In the eveniugs, and even defects. The nightmare scene, which occupies during the day, when they were not intent on 80 much space, has nothing whatever to do with gambling in the public weal. The tolerance of gambling and the wide-spread liabit of betting the story, and the devil, so far from bringing show through many of the slang phrases iu about a crisis, never appears on the scene at all, general use on the coast. Ctmlinually you will except in the morbid imagination of a sick mau. hear men, and even women aud children some­ Last not least, the author—aud uot the critic— times, adding, after makin"; some positive asser­ is to blame for auy absurdities or mysliOcations tion, " You bet," or " You bet yer Hfe," or which may exist iu this resume. If he wants " You bet yer bones," while to " bet ver boots" his critics to understand bis story throughout, is confirmation strong as holy writ—in the perhaps he will be good euough to write a mines, at least. A miner is always particular key to it. Perhaps he will say (as Cole­ about his " butcs," their form and durabilit-y, ridge said of Christabell) that he does not and they are a commou subject of conversation understand it himself. But we must be lenient in the places where diggers nmst do congregate. with Armando. As au epic it is a failure, but Again, nobody in the North-West will have any as a story in verse introducing some of the most hesitation in telling you that sueh and sueh a charming lyrics which have been produced in statement Is "played out" when he means to Italy of late years, it is a great success. This convey au imputation that you are somewhat is a part of the Boatman's Song, in almost beside the truth, or that the proposals you a literal translation : may be making to him are not suitable to his ideas of things right and fitting. If he further informs you that "this has been played out My lady has such lovely eyes, since '49," he meaus that since the first coloni­ She is the altar of my vows. sation of the Pacific coast bv " smart men," She seems a Saint of Paradise, such a thing was never believed in: 1849 But she shall be my tender spouse ; being the year of the commencement of the Cali­ The ro.se is not so red as she, fornian gold digging. A vote being takeu on The lily's not so white as she; an important measure in the Indiana senate, a Around her head the beams are spread grave and reverend senator, who had not been Which light the world when day is dead! attending to the "biz" in hand^ did not know And night and day the boatman brave aud strong what the question was when his name was Siogeth his song. called by the secretary. He looked puzzled II. for a momeut, and then rapping the desk with One day a stranger kissed her hand his knuckles after the manner of card-players, And heaved a sigh, but all in vain; said, " I pass!" An audible titter ran through The girl was true to love's command, the hall, and the president of the senate " took And would not smile upon his pain. it up." Said she: " My lover's poor and low. His house is not tbe best I know; But when he stands upon the sands A divine in a Far-Western State visited a He seems tbe lord of all the lands!" distant town for the purpose of preaching the And night and day the boatman brave and strong dedicatory sermon in a new church. Court was In Singeth his song. session, and on Saturday the judge and lawyers congrecated together in a room, and amused themselves by card-playing and story-telling. Her name is like a charm to me, Her voice is like a silver bell; The divine, at the request of a lawyer, visited When I'm aloue upon the sea the room. He came into the room so suddeuly 1 think of her and all is well. that they were unable to hide their cards aud 490 [October 31, 1808.] ALL THE TEAR ROUND. [Conduoted by whisky. The divine looked on awhile, andlhen with him in a boat into the middle of the bay, jiolitcly invited the gentlemen present to attend where, for every twenty-dollar gold piece the church next day and hear liim preach. This Jew should toss overboard, the other should they agreed to do, and Sunday found them, toss over five dollars, and let tliera see wbo judge and lawyers, seated in the " amen would be first to cry " Hold." Both being ex­ corner." Tbe sermon over, the minister an­ cessively ijurse proud, the bet was accepted, nounced : "Friends, the citizens of this town aud the scene was witnessed by hundreds. The have built a fine church. There is still fifteen Jew's opfionent was the first to save his dollars. hundred dollars due. We jiropose fo raise Ihe The " Gridley sack of flour," whieh became money by subscription to-day, and" (eyeing the glorious about the time of the American Sani­ judge) " I go one Iiundrcd" (imitating the style tary Commission for the benefit of the wounded of the gamblers of last night). The judge, glauc- soldiers in the army, was the effect of a bet, and ing at I he lawyers, slowly responded, "1 see your the story of its sale and re-sale is thoroughly hundred." "Thank you, brother," said the illustrative of this wild extravagance. There divine, " will any one raise it ?" looking at the were two candidates fur the mayoralty of the same time at atlorney number one. The lawyer village of Austin, in Nevada—a "eity" in the saw he was in for it, and quietly replied, " I go wildest part of the desert, and not then two a hundred blind," and so on through the list. years old, but with five thousand inhabitants. The divine raked dowu both the bar and their Each candidate bad agreed, if defeated, to carry money, until the scene closed by a ^harp, shrill a sack of flour on his back from Austin to a voice announcing, "I see the hist hundred, and neighbouring village in broad day. Accord­ call you." The astonibhmcnt of the congrega­ ingly, when Mr. II. G. Gridley lost hb election, tion can be imagined. I venture, however, to he preiiarcd to fulfil his engagement. Headed think that these lawyers will not soon invite the by a band of music in a waggon, leading his divine to witness another social game of encre, little boy, clad iu the national uniform, by the when men "see" each other, "go it blind," hand, and with the sack of flour ou his back, and " call" the hand. followed by a mongrel procession of miners and I cau vouch myself for the exact truth of citizens, Mr. Gridley took up his foot journey that story; the next T toll from hearsay, and to the appointed place. Arrived there, the don't answer for, but as I have seen something thought struck him that the gay spirits and very like it, I believe it may be true. pat riotic feelings of the crowd, which grew as he At a Far-Western court, the case of Smith v. travelled, might be turned to humane account. Jones was called up. He instantly proposed now to sell the sack of " Who's for the plaintiff?'^ inquired the flour, for the benefit of the sick and woundedm judge, impatiently. the army, to the highest bidder. The humour " May it please the court," said a rising took. The sack was sold aud sold again, netting member of the le<:al fraternity, "Pilkins is for five thousaud dollars. The'amount realised fired the plaintiff, but I left him just now over iu the the iugenious Gridley with a resolve to make tavern plaving a game of poker. He's got a the most of his lucky idea. Accordingly he sucker there, and he is sure lo skin him, right started for a journey of three hundred nules to smart, if be has only time. He's got everythiug Virginia cily, with the sack of flour in company. all set to ring a ' cold deck,' in wliieh case he'll Arriving ou a Sunday, and finding a Sanitary deal for himsidf four aces and his opponent four Commission meeting going on in the theatre, queens, so Ihat your honour will i)erceive that he ]noeeeded to the place, got admitted to the he must 'rake the persimmons.' "* stage, and there, telling his story to the audience, " Dear mc !" said the judge, with a sigh ; sold 1 he sack to the audience for five hundred " that's too bad I It happens at a very unfor­ aud eighty dollars. The next morning, having tunate time ! I am very anxious to get ou procured a baud of music, he proceeded to with ihis case." make a tour of the neigbbourhig towns, Gold A brown study followed, and at length a Hill, Silver City, aud Dayton, selling the sack hajipy idea struck the judge : wherever he could find bidders, and adding the "Bill," said he, addressing the friend of the price labelled ou the face of this more than absent Pilkins who had just spoken, " you Fortunalus purse. At Gold Hill the sack sold nndcrsfand poker abont as well as Pilkins. for five thousand eight hundred and twenty-two Su]ipose vou go over and play his hand !" dollars fifty cents; at Silver City, for eight And Bill dhl it. hundred aud thirty dollars; at Dayton, for We have anolher phase of the gambliug spirit eight hundred aud seventy-three dollars. Finally, iu the extraordinary bets which are now and returning to Virginia city again, the sack, putting again recorded iu the ]iapers. An old Jew forward all its attractions, won a prodigious sub­ miser in San Francisco, being irritated on one scription of twelve thousand and twenty-five occasion by jests at his love of money, proposed dollars. Mr. Gridley, pursuing his successfid that the man who was baiting him should go way, arrived at Sacramento just as a " Sanitary Commission pic-nie" was in progress. Iu the midst of the festivities be marched into the * A Southt'i-n fruit, Imt here of course applied to money. An cxpiTWHivc WesltTu phrase is, " the crowd, a baud of music leading the way, a longest pole (poll) will luork dowu the persimmons" stalwart negro walking by his side Ciirrying the — i.i\ the lon^^csl head will win. | sack, and au extempore' procession following

yy' r ^ ^

Obirles Dickens.] ALL THE YEAR ROUND. [October 31, ISCS.] 491

him, which grew larger every moment, and pre­ "I have no business." sented himself for uew conquests to the officfrs " What are you travellln' for, then?" of the day and the president of the conmiission. "Only for my own pleasure." Notwithstanding the stimulus of pairloiism and " Don't yer do any bisuness ? How do you champagne, the sack did not fare so well here get yer livin', Ihen ?" as betore. But here several supplementary " It isn't necessary for me to work for my wrinkles of humour were suggested by J lie supjiort. My father is a man of property, and sack. Among others, a good woman, finding gives me an allowance sufficient for my wants." a small island of a few rods square in the " But s'pose the old man should die ?" swamp, had erected a bridge of one plank, and " In that case, T dare say he'd leave mo established sueh a rate of toll that, to see enouG:h to live upon." nothing there, cost the curiosity of some hun­ " But .f'pose he should b-t'st vp ?" dreds a half-dollar each. Then tlie president Here the conversation ended : his lordship of the commission was invited to shake bands walking away, apparently struck by a new idea. with some hundreds of the compauy, who houffht the privilege at from fifty cents to a Travel is safe on most Far-Wes'ern roads, double eagle (ten dollars) a piece, making his where there are no hostile Indians about; yet, hat his till, until it was literally half-full of partly through old habit, partly as a precaution silver and gold. Carried thence to Sacramento, absolutely necessary iu some places, nearly the sack was sold again at a public lecture by everybody goes armed, and it is wonderful how the Rev. Dr. Bellows, for several hundred dollars many pistols will flash out when a street fight and finally transported to San Francisco; it arises in any Western towu, or even in San added moderate gains to its enormous harvest Francisco itself. A San Franciscan, who is even in that comparatively staid CDmmunity. justly proud of having helped to rear up so Six months later the sack, with ils Irrepressible polite a town in a comparailvely short lime, Is owner, arrived in New York, en route for the very jealous on this point. He eoiitinually im- great fair at St. Louis. He did not stop here, pre?ses on a stranger that " Nobody, .S7>, carries and I believe the sum realised by the sub­ weapons now-a-days." And he would jierhaps scription given iu this odd way to the Sanitary couvince you of I his abstract doctrine, did not Fund, was not much short of forty thousand one ofthe chilly forenoon winds blow np Mont­ dollars, or eight thousand pounds. gomery-street aud expose a neat "Colt" at the waistband of his trousers. I saw a nian kneel­ ing before me in a certain church in San Closely allied to the spirit of gambling is the Francisco, and as his coat-tail divided, the reckless and mercurial temperament of the handle of a huge navy revolver showed itselt. Western man. Wheu Sacramento was being The knowliii: men, however, carry " Derringer" destroyed by fire, and many a man saw his l)istols in their coat-pockets. " You can always whole worldly substance going to ruin, some of know," a shrewd old miner explained to me, the merchants managed to save some champagne, " when a man has a pistol lu his pnpket, by the and, goiug outside the town, drank " Better way he sits down in a chair. If he ])lumpsriown, luek next time. This is a great couutry." he's safe; but if he sits down cautiously and Next day a tavern-keeper had a space clearer! looks arter his coat-tails, he's on the shyot— among the ruins, and over a liitle board shant.v certain!" The same with a knile. Horsemen, hastily run up was this inscription: "LAFAYETTE when travelling, carry it In the boot, and foot­ HOUSE. Drinks two bits. AVho cares a darn for men dowu ihe neck; hence a bowie-knife is afire!" pojiiilarly known as a '•' Kansas neck-blister." What energy these people have! I know a carpenter who arrived in a village one morning But as for the Far-Western rowdies, Montana with his wife and child and chest of tools, but and Idaho territories arc at present the only havingno "lumber" (wood), he pawned most of region.s iu the North Pacific globe where they the tools to buy some. He Ihen obtained the have anything like full swing for their playful­ privilege of building on a vacant lot, and eom- ness. \n Idaho region, I heard of a man who menced at three o'clock in the afrernoon. At came rushing down tbe one street of a mining five o'clock the house was enclosed. At sunset village on a Sunday morning. He had been his family moved into the house; and in less attracted by a uoise, and came ou shouting, than an hour afterwards the good wife had sup­ "What's the matter?" Presently his excite­ per ready. The family slept ui the house that ment abated: "Oh! oulv a man shot! Why, night. 1 tho'it it wus a dorg fight!" In that locality they used to ask at breakfast, in a careless, un­ Men who can work like that, believe iu work, concerned way, with their mouths full, "Who and have no fear of "busting up." A young was shot last "night?" And they generally had English nobleman, heir of one of the rlehest "a dead man t) breakfasl." Nevada has be­ peers in England, while waiting at a remote come raiher more peaceable since it was ele­ country station one day, entered into conversa­ vated to the dignity of a state ; but at one time, tion with one of the neighbouring settlers. and in some places yet, if one gcutleiiian " riled" "Been in these parts consid'able, stranger?" another, it was the correct thing that the " Yes, lor some length of time " gentleman who was vexed at hlin should ask " How long have ye bin here r" in a piquant tone wliether he was " heeled"— " A few weeks." and if he replied. Yes, why then it was cti- " What's yer bisuness ?" x^:^

492 [October 31,18G8.] ALL THE TEAR ROUND. [Conducted b7 quette to Icll him to "turn loose." An Stevens and Spanish Bob, when Davis raised oliicial went to a certain nameless state and the revolver and fired twice. Stevens fell, and inquired of one of the leading men forthe sight Spanish Bob jumped over him on to the side­ of a copy of the state laws. The leading man walk and fired. Davis staggered, but recover­ was very polite, went to a drawer, and, pro. ing, they (Davis and Spanish Bob) commenced ducing a bowie-knife about a foot and a half ir in good earnest, each striving to fire a deadly length, most sententiously replied, " Here, sir, shot. Davis was laughmg. Then they com­ is a complete edition of them !" menced firing at each other about twenty feet San Francisco is now a very peaceable town^ apart. After Davis had fired two shots, he and no longer would you, when taking an airing threw the revolver at Bob, and changing the in front of your door, be startled by a bullet revolver he took from Ball iuto his right hand, whizzing past your ear, and a gentleman emerg­ he raised it, and it snapped three times; the ing from the dark to apologise for disturbhig you fourth time it went oS, and Bob fell (Davis "having mistaken his man." In the old day; had fallen before this, and was lying with his a culprit was hung for stealing an ounce of face on the banquette). Davis threw the re­ gold, out was only fined heavily for killing a volver into the street (with blasphemies duly man. A rowdy would take a bet that he would reported). He then pulled a Derringer, and both bring down a mau ou the other side of the having oue shot each, began crawling towards street. If the mau shot had no friends, and if each other on their stomachs. When about there were enough hard swearing and bribery, five feet apart, they both raised partly up, and it was almost certain that the murderer would fired simultaneously, when Bob's head fell, and get ofl' with slight punishment. These were he remained perfectly still. Davis then said, the days wheu Ned M'Gowan was judge—than crawling towards Bob, 'He's gone; I've cooked whom no greater scoundrel was ever expelled his goose,* and then partly tumed on his side, San Francisco by the Vigilance Committee. and tried to rise. On examination. Ball and Still, street fights are not over. Only re­ Spanish Bob were dead, Dutch Abe and Stevens cently, a man was publicly shot down in San mortally wounded, the first having been shot Francisco; but his murderer got off because through the right lung, causing internal hsem- several witnesses swore that they saw the orrliagc, &c., the latter was shot through the assassinated man " put his hand behind, as if left breast. Spanish Bob had four wounds on intending to draw." In the same street—the him, two iu the rigiit breast, ou the right arm,, most fashionable and crowded thoroughfare in and one between the eyes. Ball had a ball in San Francisco—^there was a figlit lately de­ his heart. Davis had six wounds, two in the scribed in this cool matter-of-fact way by a right leg, one in the right breast, one in the morning paper: left shoulder, one in the left wrist ^through), "There was a serious shooting affray in our and one on the right cheek, where a nuUet had principal street. (Montgomery), which resulted struck the cheekbone and glanced off, cutting in the death of four persons. It seems, one out a piece of flesh of the size of a ten-cent Bill Davis, a noted gambler, who resides iu piece. Stevens died on the 24th at forty Y'reka, was interested in and drove a horse-race, minutes past ten A.M. ; Dutch Abe died yes­ which came off at Placerville on the 15th inst., terday. Doctors say Davis will certainly re­ and 'throwed' the race, makiug four thousand cover." five hundred dollars by it. Hank Stevens, Ball, It used to be at one time (and is yet in the Dutch Abe, and Spanish Bob, four 'sports,' rougher places), a signal for shooting, if a backed Davis's horse, and got broke, swore man refuse to drink with another, whether vengeance, killing at sight, &c. Ou the 18th an acquaintance or not, or whatever his cha­ they all came to this city except Davis, aud racter. Behind the bar of a hotel at Reese publicly said tbey were going to shoot Davis River, iu 1863, was the following announce­ on sight, &c. On the 21st Davis came in town, ment : " All guests iu the house to be up by and at two p.u.was getting his boots polished seven o'clock; all in the barn by six o'clock. in a black's, adjoining the Fashion, when Ball Every man to sweep out his owu sleeplng-piace. aud Dutch Abe came to the door, and looking No fighting at the tables. No quartz taken at in, exclaimed, * Here's the dirty thief now!' the bar. Any man violating these rules will and, drawing their revolvers, commenced shoot­ be snoT." ing. Davis jumped out of the chair, with one Sociability may, like hostilities, in the Far boot polished, nnd drawing his revolver, fired, West, be carrletf too far. I was once caUed aud Ball fell dead across au iron grating. Davis "an unsociable sort of a beggar" by the land­ theu jumped out ou the side-walk, laughingly lord of a roadside hostelry In British Columbia, sajing, ' You've made a mistake,* and fired at because, after having had a general " lay out" on Dutch Abe, the ball taking efi'ect in his right the floor with four Gentile miners, I objected to breast. He fell, when Davis ran aud caught the company of a fifth companion iu the shape the revolver from B;dl's hand, saying, as he of a Jew pedlar. But the Far-\Vestern instinct walked to the dour of the Fashion, ''Where's recognises that the line must be drawn some­ the rest of your murderers now ?' Blood was where. There was ouce a Western governor running down Davis's left hand from the arm, named Powell, famous for chewing and spittmg, and also down the right cheek. As he was on of whom somebody remarked that he was a the poiut of enleriug the door, he was met by very sociable man. "Sociable!" replied the >^ ^^

CbarleB Dickens.] ALL THE YEAR ROUND, [October 31,1868.] 493 individual addressed, " I rather think he is— putting up strong timber railings; while a darned sociable! I waa introdooced to him crowd, talking and gesticulating, constantly over to Grayson Springs last fall, and he hadn't pressed in upon the workmen, and were driven been with me ten minutes before he begged all back by officials in uniform and a few soldiers. the tobacco I had, got his feet up in my lap, Inside the massive walls, other workmen were and spat all over me! Darn-

Ohtrlfla Diekeoe.] ALL THE YEAR ROUND. [Octobor 31, 1568.] 495

field by the river, where the plough lay, and farmer, in a low voice. " About that cow you having yoked them he began turning up the were spakin'to me, sir," be added, for the maid­ farrows afresh. servant's benefit. " It's a fine mornin', glory be to God!" he " Come iuto my study here, Moran," said his soliloquised, " on'y fer the poor sowl that's lo landlord. see the last of it. Musha! What's that? Woa, " Be your lave, sir, I'll shut the door," said thin," he cried, suddenly catching sight of some­ Morau. Then walking over to the table he put thing which looked like a heap of niuddy clothes. his clasped hands on it. "Lord save ns!" And without losing a mo­ "Misther Raymond, I cau thrust you. I'm ment, he ran down to where the unconscious in a great hobble, sir, an' I dunno what to do man was lying, face downward, on the sedge. at all. Mibther Raymond, you was always a Pat Moran's first impulse was to run for help ; kiud friend, and a good friend, and you'll not his next to raise the body gently and drag it betray me ? It's another man's saycret, an' further up. The motion aroused the poor half- you must give me your word, sir, else I'd be dead creature. afeard to let mortal man hear me." "Who, iu heaven's name, are ye, an' what "Moran, if you tliink I can promise as a brought ye here ?" inquired tbe farmer, lookiug man and a Christian, Iwill. You may trust me, in terror at the handcuffs. whatever it is," said Mr. Raymond. " I'm—aren't you Pat Moran ?" Thus assured the farmer unfolded bis story, "Yes." and begged his landlord's counsel. "Pat, ye knew me poor father. I'm Tim "I hardly know how to advise you, Moran," Webb, the poor fellow that's to be hanged to­ paid he, as soon as he could speak coherently day, Won't ye thry au* save me, for the love of iu his astonishment. " The poor fellow will be God? I've come through the sewer. I'm all found out, I'm afraid, in spile of all you can night creepin* through it, an' I swam the river, do, and you'll get into ^rcat trouble. Have his an* I'm 'most goue! Wou't ye thry an' save handcuffs filed off at all events," he went on in me, Pat Moran, and the Lord '11 remimber it a low tone. " Martin Leary will do it, and you to you an* your childher for iver." cau trust him, and maybe the best you cau do "Tim Welsh! Lord be good to me. What is to give the fugitive some of your clothes, am I to do wud ye ? I'm done for, if you're and some food, and this." He took a guinea found wud me, an' liow cau I save ye ? What from a drawer. "Bury his prison clothes care­ am I to do? Sure 'lisn't in the regard of fully in the manure pit, and start hira on the sayin' that I wouldn't do a good turn for ye, road to Wexford. That is all you can do safely, Tim, but the counthry '11 be roused afther ye, but be quick!" an* where'll I hide ye, or what'll I do at all?" The fanner left the house aud ran ou to the Thus groaned the farmer as he opened the little blacksmith's forge, where the smith and hia sou gate and led hiin iuto the kitchen, where Kate were getting to work. was bakmg a griddle cake for breakfast. " Martin, I'm in a great hurry, goin' to the " Father, honey! 0 lor ! What's that!" she fair, an' I wan't ye to ruu over wud somethin' cried, as the tottering figure in the soaked dis­ to cut a chain for me; 'twou'L take you five coloured garments came into the cheerful light minutes. Martin you niver did a betlier day's ofthe turf fire. work in your life if you'll come as fast as yere " Whisht, acushla! It's Tim Welsh," he legb'll carry ye!" lie said this in au under whispered. Kate sprang up from her knees, tone while the son's back was turned, "and and her face grew white. whisht for all sakes!" he added, clenching his " Kate, honey, what are we to do wud him ?" hand and shaking it at the unconscious young said her father, trembling, as he recounted the Vulcan; then he rushed out, leaving the father manner of Tim's escape. grasping a bar of iron and slariug alter him. " Hide him, father!" she cried, with all a Tiie sinilh, with the freeinansory that exists woman's impulsive generosity. " The Lord among the Irish peasantry, perceived that there pity you!" she added, bursting into tears at was secresy and trouble in the way, and that sight of the wretched object before her. his good fail h was relied ou. He picked up some "I'll do what I can, Tim. Give him a bit to tools, muttered au excuse to his sou, nud fol­ ate, Katie. I'll spake to some one I can lowed, hastily. thrust." When Pat Morau reached home he was met " Pat, me life is in your hands," broke in at the door by Kate. the fugitive. "Is he safe?" "Never fear, avick. I'll do me best for ye." " Yes, father, he's in the room atin' a bit." He hurried away a few Iiundrcd yards to the Her father went in, and going up to his house of his landlord, a Protestant minister; strange gue^t said, " I'm goin' lo do what I cau he knocked furiously at his front door, and was for you, Tim," Then they all began discussing admitted by a sleepy maid-servant. eagerly the best way for the fugitive to take. "Somethin* I want to spake to the raasther '" But Lord ! Tlic whole counthry'il be roused about—I'm goin' to the fair this mornin'—tell afther hlin !" broke in the farmer, dejectedly, as him I'm in a great hurry, af ye plase." they suiigcsted various lonely hill-paths and cross-cuts. "Lord! They'll root up the grouud Afterarainute'sdelaytlie gentleman appeared. after him I I must thry though, I must thry. " Somethin* very particular, sir," said the

-^ 496 [October 31,18«8.1 ALL THE YEAR ROUND. [CpBdQCted by

Heaven mend me ! Aff I didn't lave the horses know where the plough is, Maurice Skttery. all this time, an' niver," he ejaculated, catching You've a new piece of iron to melt, Martin. An*, sight of his forgotten team, who had dragged Kate, you've to bury them clothes. Come an' PU tbe plough after them to the adjoining meadow, show you where." and were grazing there. Half an hour afterwards he was riding slowly A sudden thought struck him, and be hastily to the fair on his young horse which was to be returned to the house with his face fiushed. As sold, casting cautious glances backward at the he entered the kitchen he ran against the smith, field by the river, where he could see his horses Martin Leary, who was staring about him. ploughing, and his new servant boy toilmg "Martin,you're thruean*honest, I know,an' quietly after them. you'd do a good turn as soon as any man I know," said Pat Moran, abruptly. Such confusion and excitement had not been " There's me hand on it," returned the smith, known for years in the old cathedral town. bringing down his black fist on the other's Police there were none in those days; but the shoulder. In a few words he was told what was whole garrison had tumed out m search of required of him, and also of the bright thought the escaped felon. Groups of red-coats peram­ that had just occurred to Pat Moran. bulated the streets, the roads leading to the " Here ! Let me at it," cried the smith, country, and even the lanes and meadows. enthusiastically grasping his chisel and ham­ Hundreds of country folk who had come in to mer. Thereupon the farmer led him into the see the execution, also crowded the town. The little room, wliere Kate was administering hot throng ou the prison-hill was so dense that the tea and smoking griddle-cake to the poor fellow, farmer couljl scarcely proceed a step. They who ate and drank almost mechanically, with were all talking vociferously in Irish or English, his eyes fixed on the pretty face and busy hands every one giving his or her version of the won­ that ministered to him. derful story. Some declared that the prisoner " Here, Tim's some one to do you a good turn. had not escaped, and that it was a device of Hould out your hands, me boy! Peggy," turu­ the authorities to conceal some foul play. ing to his wife, who was devoutly groaning aud When Pat Moran had elbowed his way witli telling her beads in a corner, "go an' get me great difficulty almost to the prison-gates, he ould clothes, an* Kitty, ruu for that yellow clay looked eagerly for the objects of his search, in the kitchen-garden ! Run!" She did as she some of Tim's own people, whom he discovered was bid, and when she returned with the clay, sitting and standing together in an excited group. was desired to keep out of the room for a few "Pat Moran, d'ye bleevethis?" said one of minutes. the men, hoarsely, clutching the farmer's coat. " Mother, honey, what are they doing?" she " D'ye bleeve that poor Tim has got out of their inquired. cursed thrap ?" " Sorra bit o' me knows, acushla On'y your " Johu Welsh, Tim did get out!" father has some plan in his head. Oh ! Kitty, " Whisht! Lord save us !" they all broke agra, I'm thrimblin to think of the throublc he iu with oue voice. may be glttln Into.—Ocli, Pat, honey, what are "'Tisu't safe to say more. I'm thrimblm* ye goin' to do at all ?" she cried, addressing that some o' them fellows wid the brass buttons her husband, who eame out of the bedroom, will hear me," glancing towards the turnkey, dressed In his best blue swallow-tailed coat, dimly visible behind the iron grating; "but corduroys, aud new grey stockings. you, John Welsh, au* you, Mick Power, come " I'm goin' to show this new sarvint boy wud a car to-night to the cross-roads beyant where he's lo plough, afore I go to the fair;'* the ferry, at twelve o'clock, an' there'll be a said the farmer, with a wink to the two women, friend to see ye. Whisht, for your sowls!" who stared open-eyed at the change of the con­ The prisou warders were not long in disco­ demned man with the fatal prison garb dripping vering by what means the captive had effected with mud and sand, and fettered wrists, into a his escape, and from the opening, the search careless easy-going looking young labourer, iu was carried above-grouud to the mouth of the a suit of well-worn and patched frieze and sewer where it emptied itself into the river. corduroy, dirty and clayey, with lumps of A venturesome spirit even crept up a few clay slicking on his brogues, a rakish "cau- dozen yards of the black passage, but speedily beeu" slouched over his eyes, and a black returned, vowing that nothing could live half " dhudecn" between his lips. an hour in it. Nevertheless, they sought for " Now come on ! 'Tis lime you were at your footmarks on the river brink; but the friendly work ; his name's Maurice Slattcry, Kate, an' tide had been before them. StiU, on the sup­ he's wud us this month hack !" position that he might have lived to reach the "Oh, father, honey! Oh, Pat, acushla!" river, and swim across, a party of prison cried the wife and dfiughler, with admiration. officials and soldiers was ferried over, and The young man taking the pipe from his inarched in a body to Farmer Moran's house. mouth, said solemnly, " .May God for iver bless Kate was busy feeding chickens, and her you, Pat Moran, an' yon Mrs. Moran, and you. mother peeling potatoes, when they both caught Kale, an' yon, Martin Leary," and he grasped sight of the gleam of scarlet and white cross- their hands all round. belts, and heard loud tones and'footsteps. " Come, 'tis six o'clock," said the farmer. " You " Lord, be good and marciful to us ever- "<^ ^^

Ctiftrles Utokens.] ALL THE YEAR ROUND. [October 31,13GS.] 497 more, amin! Protect and save us!" muttered merely asked two or three questions in an Pegijy Moran, dropping the potato she was peel- Irrelevant way, staring np at tbe sky, and down iiig,and turning with a face ot lerrorto her daugh­ at the clay, as if they expected to 'discover Ihc ter, who whispered, without tiiriilng her head, prisoner transformed into a spirit of earlh or " Mother, darlin', don't purtend anything, for air. Then they ran off again; and \\'elsh all sakes. Chueky, chucky! Chuck, chuck, breathed freely until he spied six other soldiers chuck!" she went on, raising her voice gaily, advancing towards hini, with the officer in as she scattered the food. charge, and two others in dark frock-coats with " Servant, sir," she said, wiping her hands shining buttons aud red collars. and curtseying to a tall stout officer, who "God help mc! Sure lean only die!" he strode up to the door, scattering the chickens murmured. by the clanking of his spurs and sword. " How long have you been ploughing ?" said " Is Ihis Farmer Moran's, my good girl ?" the officer. "Yes, sir." " Seiice daybreak, sir. Woa! An' hard work " Are you liis daughter ?" I have had, every one ruunin' to me sence " Yes, sir, and this is my mother." breakfast, axin' me did I see ihe man that run " Where's your husbaucl, Mrs. Moran?" said away. Steady there !" The labourer sulkily the officer, turning to the poor woman, who keeping his back towards the prison warders. was endeavouring to look calm. " He is supposed to have swum the river," "At the fair, sir—oh sure, 'lisn't got into any said the officer; " and if so, and you have been harm Pat has, sir ?" here since daybreak, he could not have got over "What harm should he get into—about this without you seeing him." runaway prisoner you mean ?" said the officer, " Sorra haporte I see, sure, if he did; an' trying to startle her into some admission. he must be a brave swimmer to come across "Whatman,sir?"cried Kate. "Law, mother, that river this time o' year, ain' the wailier like honey! Tliat's what that boy was telling us!" ice," said the ploughboy, with an incredulous " What boy ?" said the officer, now off bis grin; "sure be might land down farther, it's a guard. i^rad'a'al narrer, but auyhow I see nothiu'— " A boy, sir—oh! a ra'al httle chap—a gos­ Conshurae ye, straight!" he growled at the soon—run in here a while ago an' said the man horses, and bending donble over the plough, that's to be bung's got out an' run away—an fuiTOwed on. The officer called his men sure we didn't bleeve him!" said Kate, with hurriedly back to the country road. such an air of self possession and innocent The long day drew to a close, aud when Kate inqulsitiveness that the officer was completely eame to call the ploughboy to his sui)per, deceived. A boy had come in as she had said, whispering that there was uo one in but her and told the wonderful story, so she spoke father and mother, he felt as if he had lived a the tmth in that part of her asserlion. lifetime in the past twenty-four hours. " Well, Mrs. Moran," said the officer," you've The farmer laughed heartily in telling some no objection to have your premises searched, I of the stories which were rife about the pri­ suppose ? It is suspected that the prisoner is soner's disappearance. His body had been hidden somewhere about here." picked up four miles down the river, his clothes '*Musha, what put that into yere heads?" had been found by a turnkey under a bush, aud said Peggy Moran, angrily. " Faith ! it's some­ his handcuffs had been picked up—filed half thin' else we'd be thinkin' of, an' not med- across—in a bog ten miles away. dhn* wud the law; but you're welcome to sarch " Faith I bursted lauphin'," said Pat Moran', away, sir, as long as ye like, on'y its a quare " when I knew that Martin Leary had 'cm thing to have an houest man's house sarched welded into linch-plns, an' that Katy had the like a rogue's!" clothes buried in last year's manure hape !" "I must do my duty," said the officer. So they chatted pleasantly and securely, " Sure the gintleman won't do us any hurt, while the rescued mau sat silent from thankful­ mother," said Kate. "Please don't let 'em ness and gratitude, only casting side looks at thrample the potatoes, sir!" she called out as Kate and sighing heavily. the men turned into the little garden. "Musha, man, don't be sighin'!" cried the Pat Moran's words were almost fulfilled, that farmer, jocosely ; " you'll be kiekiu' up yere liccls the pursuers would root up the ground In search at your weddin' in Ameriky this time twelve­ ofthe fugitive. Not a bush or a hollow about month, plase God!" the ground, not a loft or cranny iu the house " No, Misther Moran, I'll never marry any or out-building but was thoroughly investigated. one in Ameriky," answered Welsh. At last with a sickening feeling of apprehension Kate got up to put on fresh fuf 1 immediately. Kate saw the band disperse themselves over the " Och, niver fear, you will," replied the far­ fields, and three soldiers run across the ploughed mer, wilh good-natured obtuseness. field to queslion Ihe mau who was ploughing. "Musha, Misther Moran, *t'sn't every man Welsh's blood ran cold as he saw them 'ud give his daughter lo ouc like me," said coming; but recollecting that they did not Welsh, in a low tone. know his face, he glanced over his shoulder, " Arrah, Tim, agra, who'd think tbe worse o* and shouted in a feigned voice to the horses. you for havin' got into Ihrouble an' got out The soldiers were young and careless. They | agin' ?" pursued the farmer.

^ NS«

498 [October ai, 16«8.] ALL THE YEAR ROUND. [Conducted by

" Ah, 'tisn't every one is like you," said Welsh, bled and her dim blue eyes sparkled, as of sighing, yore, with excitement in her recital of the "Oil, sure no one will know anything iu perils undergone by Welsh, the lover of ha* Ameriky, Tim ; that's where you're g

y^ ^ ^r

Cbttlei DickeDB.] ALL THE YEAR ROUND, [Octoljor 31,18C8 ] 409

times five on other days. He hears the office said he was not; and he then inquired ' What everyday in the queen's chamber; that is to sort of legs has he ?' I replied, ' Spare.' Where­ aay, vesper and compline. He is very fond of upon he opened the front of his doublet, and, hnnling, aud never takes his diversiou without placing his hand on his thigh, said, ' Look tiring ei^ht or ten horses, which he causes to here; and I have also a good^ealf to my leg.' be siationcd beforehand along the line of He then told me that he was very fond of this country he means to take; aud when oue is king of France, aud that, on more"^ than three oc­ tired lie mounts another, and, before he gels casions he was very near him wilh his army, bnt home, they are all exhausted. He is extremely that he would uever allow himself to be seen, fond of tennis, at which game it is the and always retreated; which his majcstv at­ prettiest thing in the world to see bim play, his tributed to deference for King Lewis, who did fair skin glowing through a shirt of the finest uot choose an engagement to take place." texture." Francis the First, of whom this was said, had And in perfect accordance with this, is the ascended the French throne only four months testimony of another Venetian, PasquaUgo, a previously: ayoungand dashing king, in whom year or two earlier: "His majesty is the men looked for a revival of somethiug of the old handsomest potentate I ever set eyes on; above s])irit of chivalry. Henry evidently regarded the usual height, with an extremely flne calf lo him as a rival, whom he was anxious to out-do, bis leg; his complexion very fair and bright, mind, body, and legs, in the eyes of the world; with auburn hair combed straight aud short in aud this thought must have been frequently in the French fashion, and a round face, so very his mind during the negotIatIon.s for the grand beautiful that it would become a pretty woman, interview between them, whieh had begun to be his throat being rather long aud thiek." talked about almost as soon as Francis became A muscular frame ; good animal spirits ; and king. The proposal for It, indeed, seems general good humom*. \\'ho is not captivated by originally to have come from Francis; hut it such qualities ? Aud Ihough Henry had kingly met with tbe most cordial response from Henry, dignity, too, which not the very boldest would who, there can be little douiit, was anxiou-,not have ventured for a momeut to slight, hehad yet only to see his rival, but to exhibit his own mag- a familiarity and condescension at limes, which nlfiecnce, and personal accomplishments, before would have scorned the restraints of a cold and his rival's subjects; to siiow heads and legs lifeless etiquette. In a household book of the wilh Francis before France itself. Earl of Devon, we find an entry which brings For two or three years, however, the project these characteristics out iustrongrelief; where, cooled. Francis, at the beginning of his reigu among a multitude of other petty payments, is set off on an Italian expedition which did not the following : " To a lad at Charletou, for lend- please Hcnrv, and the relations between thcin mghis cap to my lord when the king and his were not altogether cordial. But the clouds lords threw snowballs, fourpence." seemed to have dispersed when, at the end of But though Henry was no slave to etiquette, three years, a treaty was made, which was there were fashions in that day as in this ; and, supposed to rivet firmly the alliance of the two it would seem that in that day as in this, the kiugs, by a project of marriage between the fashions came from France. Not only was it daui)hin aud the infant princess Mary. Then "on hearing that Francis the First wore a the place of emperor fell vacant, and Francis beard,'* that Henry allowed his own to grow, was an unsuccessful caudidate. He applied to bnt, as we have seen above, PasquaUgo found his new ally of England to support liim in his that he combed his hair "straight and short candidature, and Henry not only promised him all sorts of testimonials, but afterwards assured in the French fasliion.'* PasquaUgo also re­ him, through Sir Thomas Boleyn, that, though ported of him as follows : " He speaks French, his efforts liad been nnsuecepsful, he had done all Enghsh, and Latin, and a little Italian; plays he could to help his election. Nevertheless, well on the lute and harpsichord, sings from one of the French kiug's agents, being behind book at sight, draws the bow with greater the tapestry when the Marquis of Brandenburg strength than any man iu England, aud jousts gave audience to Richard Pace, the English marvellously." The day after this was written ambassador, distinctly overheard a speech from happened to be May-day, and the ambassador was that diplomatist, urging, that none but a German called at an early hour, to see the king go a-May- should have the imperial dignity. Francis ing. He found the king's bodyguard dressed was therefore quite well aware that Henry, for ail in green, like foresters, with bows and all his assurances, instead of trying to promote arrows ; and Henry himself wore a suit entirely his election, had really used every efi'ort to defeat ofthe same colour. Even his shoes were green. it; the fact being that he was a double dealer Breakfiist was served iu the bowers of Green­ in this matter, both to Francis and to his com- wich Park, and Pasqualigo bad a further jietitor Charles. For with less than his usual mterview with Henry, which he describes as wi^dom, Henry himself entered the field, as foUows: a third candidate; and, thongh he bad at first ad­ " His majesty eame into our arbor, and ad­ vocated the claims of Charles, he afterwards did dressing nie in French, said, * Talk with me all he could I'or himself only. awhile. The king of France, is he as I all as I am?' 1 told liim there was but little difi"c- That Francis was iudignant, as well he might rence. He continued, ' Is lie as stout ?* I be, at this perfidy, we know from the conve'"^a- 500 [October ^1,1863.] ALL THE YEAR ROUND. [Conducted by

tious he had wilh the Venetian ambassador, than two months before it actually took place, Giustinian, on liIs return from England. But she had a conference about it, with some of the he thought it prudent to dissemble his real English nobles who were strong against a feelings, and to profess much friendship. For French alliance. For Catherine was anxious various reasons, it seems that he could not afford that her husband should rather cultivate the to fall out wuh his brother of England. So, the friendship of her nephew, Charles the Fifth, language of diplomacy between the two courts then newly made emperor, who also talked of continued as sweet as honey; nor was the project a meeting with Henry; but a really cordial ofa meeting one whit the less genuinely enter­ union with France would have prevented any tained, because the professions of cordiality on cordiality with Charles. And, in truth, Henry's both sides were empty wind. When it was own wishes were not very different from hers. deferred for a year. Sit* Thomas Boleyn, who He, too, wished for an afliance with the em­ was ambassador at the French court, was in­ peror, only he wished the emperor to seek it structed to tt'll Frauds, that the King of England of him. But the eaiperor's proposals for an had resolved to wear his beard lill the interview interview with Henry were as cool, as those of should take place, as a proof of his desire for it. Francis were warm and eager; so, under the The rps]>onse to this was a matter of course. knowing policy of Wolsey, all encouragement Francis at once laid his hand upon his own was given to the French advances. beard and said, " Surely he would never put it Under these circumstances, however, Bo- off till he had .seen the king of England.*' leyn's answer to Madame Louise had just one Alas, for the promises of princes! These fault. The excuse was a little too probable. mutual pledges were given In August, and Louise asked Boleyn, significantly, if the Queen Henry had shaved by the following November ! of England were not Charles's aunt. " Madam," The fact was most unquestionably ominous, he replied, "he is her sister's son; but the and it was not long, before the shaving of King King of England has greater affection for yoar Henry the Eighth was known at the court of son than for auy king living." It was impos­ France, where it seems to have had a more de­ sible to press the ambassador further. Madame pressing influence than any one cared to avow. expressed the greatest satisfaction and said: F''rancis himself, indeed, does not appear to have " Their love is not in the beards, but in the taken any notice of it, but be betrayed some hearts." But it was not there either. When anxiety to learn news from Sir Thomas Boleyn, Henry the Eighth appeared without a beard at and when Sir Thomas replied that he had none, the Field of the Cloth of Gold, the love was on '• By the faith of a gentleman," he said, laying his lips aud nowhere else. His lips were lying his hand upon his bosom, "but for my con­ while he told truth with his chin. fident expectation of this interview, I would at this moment have been at Milan.'* But Louise of Savoy, the French king's mother, ventured to speak more plainly, and to press the English DUEL FIGHTING. ambassador for an explanation. She told him that IN TWO CHAPTEES. SECOND CHAPTEE. she had been distinctly informed by Montpesat, WE resume the adventures of the Marquis a French nobleman who had just returned from de Lignano and his most particular and intimate England (where he had been kept as a hostage friend, Lucien Clavcaux. for the fulfilment of the last treaties) that the One summer's evening, towards seven o'clock, King of England had been shaving, and asked and at the moment when the inhabitants of Bor­ if Boleyn knew what he meant hy it. The deaux turn out of doors to breathe the cool ambassador's ingenuity seems to have been taxed refreshmg air, at the close of some sultry day, for an excuse, but he managed tolerably well. the Marquis de Lignano, accompanied by a "I said," he wrote to Wolsey, "that Mont­ couple of his creatures, took up a positiou in pesat had bceu with mc at my lodging and lold the Hue Sainte Catherine, at the corner of the me likewise; and further said that, as I sup­ gallery. The marquis was elegantly dressed posed, it hath been by Ihc quccu's desire; for and delicately gloved, according to his habit, I told my lady that I have here afore time and carried iu his hai^d a thin flexible switch, known when the king's grace hath worn long with which he played like a man who is happy his beard, that tbe queen hath daily made hiin and contented with himself. From time to great instance, and desired hlin to put it off, for time, however, he showed signs of impatience, her sake." and, eventually, abruptly quitted his position at French politeuess could not but be satisfied the angle of two streets, and goiug into the with such an explanation. It was impossible middle of the road, gazed for a minute or two to hold the King of England to his promise iu Ihe direction of the Place de la Comddie. when the queeu wanted bis chin smooth. And, Evidently disappointed in his expectations, he returned to his two comrades, exchanged a few very likely, the excuse oll'cred was the true words with them, and resumed his scrutiny. one ; for there is no doubt at all, that if Cathe­ After a few turns backwards and forwards, tne rine of Arragon was uot against the English marquis again approached his acolytes, and said beard movement, she was against the imme­ to Ihem in an undertone : diate cause of it, and did not greatly conceal her dislike to the proposed interview of Henry " Now, pay particular atteuilon; here comes the Eighth and Francis. Indeed, Utile more my man."

•^^ ^^

ObarleB Dichena] ALL THE YKAR ROUND. [October 31,18GS.] 501 The individual whom the marquis styled hia struck more than oucedanccd about and stormed, man, was a distiuguished-looking personnge, and his rage prevented him I'rom uttering a young, handsome, and well dressed, and was en­ single intelligible word. Meanwhile his two gaged in humming a lively tune while leisurely accomplices endeavoured to appease him, for a pursum^ his way, apparently indifferent to crowd had collected around. The young officer, everything around. He was much surprised who had not lost his composure for a moment, when, at a few yards from the corner of Ihe having given his address, prepared to elbow street, our bully advanced towards him and his way through the throng, scemimrly utterly m- saluted him with mock politeness. The young different to the scnqie in which he had thought­ man stopped suddenly, but, before he had time lessly involved himself. to speak, the marquis, holding out his switch on The following day, about eight o'clock iu the a level with his knees, said to him : morning, the Marquis dc Lignano and his two "I beg your pardon, sir, but give yourself seconds repaired to a little wood in the com­ the trouble to jump over this." mune of Pessac, quite close to Bordeaux, The young man looked hard at his inter­ where they found their adversary of the night rupter for a moment, then smiled, aud jumped before, wlio had brought with him two officers over the switch and, still smiling, went his way, and the docto'r of his regiment. It bad been fully believing the marquis to be a lunatic. arranged that the duel should be fought with This mistake simply saved his life. The Ihe small-sword, and, on the part of the mar­ marquis on bis part, stupefied at the charm­ quis, it had been stipulated, ihat slight wounds ing complacency shown by the young man in were not to count, and that the contest should so readily acquiescing in his demancl, became only terminate when one of them had fallen. furious. His design had signally failed, and In short, enough blood was required to wipe might fail a second, and eveu a third time. out the injuries which the marquis considered Under any circumstances aU had to be gone he had sustained. through again, and as It was necessary that he According to the universally recognised code should select his intended victim, hehad to wait of the duel, from the moment when the seconds before he coxdd renew his experiment. place the swords in the hands of the two adver­ At length the wished for momeut arrived. saries, each combatant, no matter what may be While the marquis was looking towards the I he reason that h;is brought them face lo lace, Place de la Coinedie, he observed, some dis­ is alike sacred against insult on the part of tance off, a young officer of the garrison the other. The Marquis de Ijiguano, neverthe­ advancing along the footpath. This time less, had the insolence to hold out his switch it was more than probable something serious again in frout of his adversary, aud to say to him, would result, and the marquis therefore made a "Monsieur le Ca)iitaine, there is yet time. sign to his friends, so that they might be pre­ WiU you jump now':" pared for any emergency. Each moment brought " Sir," replied the officer, coldly, " he w ho the officer nearer to these three scoundrels. He insults his adversary on the grouud is a con­ proved to be a young man about five-and- temptible scoundrel." twenty years of age, who was already a captaiu, "You will not jump, then? Well, all the and consequently carried his head high. With worse for you;" and with a rapid movement his left hand resting on the hilt of his sword, he he drew his switch across the officer's face. strolled along, with that easy carelessness which The marquis's seconds laughed; as to the ia the soldier's privilege under all circum­ officer's seconds and the doctor, they reddened stances. with indignation at having to do with such When he had arrived within a few yards scum of society. of the marquis, the latter advanced towards The two opponents took up their positions. hun with his accustomed air of politeness, ai:d The marquis was a peculiar, bnt uot a lirst-rale, holding out his switch as he had done before, swordsman. In order, therefore, that he might repeated his invitation in these terms : finish oft' his adversary as quickly as possible, " Monsieur le Capitaiue, be kind euough to be sought to tire him during the first two or three minutes, harassing hlni with all manner jump over this switch." of feints until, overcome with fatigue, he should The officer halted and haughtily suiTeyed the lay himself open to an easy thrust. Watching insolent individual before him from head to hia opportunity, the marquis gave a terrible foot, at first without the slightest symptom of lunge, which drove his sword right through the anger, but also without fear—in truth, he unfortunate officer's body. The unhappy man was not quite certain that he had not a madmau reeled back on the grass. The doctor placed to deal with. When the marquis observed this his hand upon his heart and fouud it had already temporary hesitation, he saw the officer was ceased to beat. prepared to resist him, and believing be had found the man he wanted, drew him­ The dead man's seconds, overcome with grief, self up, and in a haughty tone ordered lum grasped his hand for the last time; they were to jump forthwith. Indignant at this insolent both friends of his of long standing. One of provocation, the officer thought the proper them, kneeling down, was about to close the thing to do was to send the switch with a kick vacant eyes, wlieu Lignano touched hiui on the into the middle of the road, and then to soundly shoulder, and repeated iu bis car the sinister box the marquis's ears. The latter on being words: N^ 502 [October 31,1S68.J ALL THE YEAR BOUND. [Condacted by

" Monsieur, will you jump ?" bedroom, the man-servant who waited upon Tbe latter looked for a moment at the mar­ them both, hearing nothing whatever of either quis, and, without replying, seized the sword of his masters, began to feel rather uneasy. upou which the corpse of his friend had fallen, His orders were never to disturb them, but and at once placed himself iu position. At always to wait until he was summoned. Ac­ the end of some seconds, during which the customed to their irregular mode of life, he officer had showu much useless resolution, he was not in the habit of sitting up for them received a sword thrust in the breast, and rolled of an evening, still he always knew, on enter­ expiring ou the ground. He had, however, a ing the sitting-room the next day, either by few minutes yet to live. some directions written in pencil, or by aome The doctor quitted the dead man to hasten clothes being placed there for him to bnisli, to the wounded one, and called the other second whether or not the two friends were at home. to his assistance, but Lignano, now grown in­ Now on that morning he had found, according furiated, threw himself iu the unhappy man's to custom, a short pencilled note which proved way, and was about to repeat his offensive pro­ that the ))air had retunied overnight. How posal for the third time. He was, however, then was the continued silence in their bedroom saved the trouble. to be accounted for? Like a good and failhful "I understand you," calmly obseiwcd the servant he had of course applied his ear to the officer, seizing his comrade's sword, and placing door, and his eye to the keynole, and had more­ himself face to face with the terrible marquis. over turned the handle, and found the door to be Some seconds later he sank down in his blood. locked on the inside. As the day advanced he Only the doctor now remained. Would any grew alarmed, and proceeded to force the door. human being credit it, the bloodstained bullv, Entering the room on tiptoe, he felt somewhat brutala3 he naturally was, was rendered positively reassured when on leaning over each bed he saw fiendlikc by the intoxication of the slaughter by the dim light which penetrated through the which he had already perpetrated, and longed closed shutters, Ihat his masters were to all ap­ for more blood to shed ? Addressing himself pearance peacefully sleeping. He was about to the doctor ill a tone of command, he required to retire as he had entered, with the greatest him to jump over the switch. caution, wheu his foot struck against some­ The doctor did not hestitaie. He did what thing, that gave forth a ringing sound as it most other men would have done in his phice. rolled along the floor. He had evidently kicked He jumped over the switch, and by so doing against a sword. was able to continue his attentions to two A frightful suspicion crossed the valefs mind; wounded men, and to save the life of oue of Wiihout losing a moment he groped his way to them. the window, threw opeu the shutters, and saw at a glance that the room was in a frightful The intimacy which existed between the Mar­ state of disorder. Clothes were strewn abont^ quis de Lignano and Lucieu Claveau, instead furniture was overturned, candlesticks, vases, and of growing weaker after the last sanguinary various knick-knacks scattered over the floor, freak seemed to constitute itself on an entirely while by the side of each bed was a sword, the new basis, aud to assume the proportions of bloody stains on which too clearly indicated that a siucere and lasting friendship, if one may dare a desperate encounter, a horrible and deadly thus to degrade the term. They were always struggle, had takeu place between these men, to be seen together, rivetted as it were to the who, as if in bitter derision of their miserable factitious attachment which they professed to destiny, reposed side by side like two brothers feel for each other, like a coujde of galley slaves under the same roof. united by the same chains. At last they took At the sight of all this havoc tbe valet to inhabiting the same suite of rooms, as though uttered a terrified cry, on heariug wbich the each wanted to have the other constantly in marquis and Lucieu, both of whom had ap­ reach. It woidd be difficult to explain friend­ peared dead, rose up, at the same instant, in ship between two men so utterly opposed to their beds. Both were ghastly pale; their eacli other on the score of birth, education, and bloodstained shirts were torn to rags; their manners, for the Marquis de Lignano, spite of cliests punctured with wounds; the right arm his misdeeds, had always kept up the outwanl of one was dreadfully hacked, while the neck appearance of a man born and brought up in of the other showed a aeries of gashes sickenmg good society, whereas Lucicn Claveau was of to contemplate. Spite, however, of all the pain obscurcorigin, brusque in maimers, and deficient they were enduring, spite, I oo, of their weakness, in education. His handsome face and muscular and of the burning fever whieh consumed them, figure were, moreover, strikingly in contrast they preserved their sitting posture, glaring at w ith the marquis's repulsive features and feeble each other out of their glassy-looking eyes, en­ frame. We have mentioned that the pair lived feebled it is true, bnt still not vanquished. So together in the same suite of apartments, but long as they had sufficient strength left them to omitted to state that they occupied tho same injure, they would coutinue to defy each other sleeping room, in which each had, of course, with proud disdain. bis separate bed. They remained thus for several seconds. One summer's morning, long after the hour Suddenly Lucien Claveau, overcome by some at which the two friends usually quitted their painful impression, fell heavily back and gave Chules DkikeoB.] ALL THE YEAR ROUND. [October 31, ISC^.] 503 Tent to a loud sob. At this cry of despair the enable him to withdraw himjclf comijletely marquis bounded on his bed, as though he had from all association witii his old companions, been shot; a shrill sinister laugh escaped from it was decided that he and his young wife should his thin ghost-like lips. "Oh, you are crying, leave Bordeaux, if only for atime. But just are you?" said he in a firm voice; " then you before they left, chance brought them, in spite confess yourself vanquished, and I can now of all {u-ecautions, face to face with the JIarquis pronounce you to be a coward." dc Lignano, who accosted Lucien, raying, At tbe word " coward" it was Lucicn's turn "I had heard that you were convalescent; to spring up, and the valet, sole witness of but have always maintained the contrary, be­ this frightful scene, had to keep him from cause, coward as I have pronounced you to be, throwing himself upon the marquis. " I, a I did not believe you coward enough to bide coward !" cried Claveau, held firmly back by yourself behind a petticoat." the servant, "a coward! Ah, I have com­ Lucien merely replying " Never mind," mitted my share of crimes, been guilty of count­ passed on. less follies, have possibly rendered many per­ The marquis followed, and again hissed his sons unhappy, but never has a living soul been taunt into Luclen's ear. entitled to say that Lucien Claveau was a The excitement consequent upon this meeting coward, and feared to face danger, even though kept Lueien's wife awake that night, and next death might be the result. You, marquis, are day she was too ill to leave her room. Her & far greater villain than I am, for you are In­ husband sat moodily by her bedside until the capable of repentance aud impotent for good. afternoon, when, fiudmg that she had dozed off Amonient ago whenlwas looking at you, covered lo sleep, he determined to so to Bordeaux and with wouuds, I forgot my own sufferings, of exact revenge. Chafing with anger he hastened which you are the cause, and I forgave yon, and to the cafe, which Lignano was in the habit of felt a real pity for you, which fouud vent in the frequenting, rushed np the stairs, and disregard­ first tears I have slied for many years. And yet ing the salutations of several of his old ac­ you laugh at me, and taunt mo, and still dare quaintances who advanced to greet him after tolauijh at all lam saying. You are Incapable his long absence, made straight for the table at of understanding a heart that can repent and which his enemy was seated. The marquis im­ forgive. Well, know that I again hate and mediately rose. despise you. You have styled me a coward, "Well, here I am," said Lucien, savagely, wounded as we bolb are, we have neither of and hardly aide to restrain himself from clutch­ us strength sufficient to hold a sword, still ing Lignano by the throat. both of us ought not to remain alive. We " Pshuw !" said the marquis, contemptuously. are only a few paces distant from each other. " Go back to your jiettieoat; you are too great Have you sufficient strength to hold a pistol ?" a coward for my notice." The marquis made a movement and replied, Lucien seized him by the coat collar wilh one "Ah, I understand you, aduel with pistols, and hand and by the skirts with the other, carried then we shall have done with each other. liim to the open wiudow, and held him over the Joseph," said he, addressing the servant, who balcony, then said coldly to him, " If you do not was pale wiih fright, "take those two pistols ask my pardon, and withdraw your words 1 shall on the mantelpiece, load them before our eyes, let you drop." and hand one to each of us, then give the the n)arf|uis, in the grip of an adversary signal; or, better still," said he, turning with whom he knew to be thoroughly unrelenting, evident pain towards his adversary, "let us h;id nevertheless the audacity, or It may be the draw lots who shall blow the other's brains courage, to reply. out.* " li' you are simply acting, and do not intend "So be it," answered Claveau. "Joseph, to let me drop, you are a coward." you have heard what has passed, load one of At that moment an old servant of Lueien's, the pistols." who had made his way on to the balcony, whis­ Joseph made a pretence of going out to exe­ pered something into his master's ear, where­ cute the orders which he had received. No upon Lucien instantly carried the marquis sooner, however, did he find liimself on the back into the apartment aud released his hold other side of the bedroom door than he quietly of him. Hardly was the marquis upon his feet again before he sprang towards Lucien, and dealt looked it, and ran off to a doctor, into whose him a sharp blow iu the face. To the surprise hands Lucien and the marquis were compelled of tliose present, Lueieu Claveau offered no kind to resign themselves. Their cases required of response to this new insult, and the marquis perfect quiet. retired, saying, "To-morrow, wherever you Lucien was conveyed by his friends to the please." house of a distant relative, a widow lady, with several children. Assisted by her eldest Madame Claveau, on awaking after her hus­ daughter, a kind, simple, country giri, she at­ band's departure, had been seized with fainting tended him with so much care, that Claveau fits, and was become delirious. Claveau held a recovered. brief conversation with a couple of acquaint­ His heart was touched, he spoke of marri­ ances, and then quitting the cafe in company age, promising a thorough reformation of his with the old man who had beeu sent to look for former course of life; and he did marry. To him, drove with all speed home. In little 50i ALL THE YEAR ROUND. [October 31,18081] more than half an honr he was at his wife's bed­ advanced a single step, and who remained im­ side ; calmed by the sight of him, she slept. movable while he received the marquis's fire. W hen she woke np in the middle of the niglit " It is now my turn," said he, and advancing Claveau was still watching over her. After five paces towards the marquis, he dehberately conversing affectionately wilh him for upwards took aim at hiin. of an hour, she gradually dozed off again, and " Claveau," exclaimed one of the seconds, Claveau, so soon as she was sound asleep, "this will never do; it is nothmg less than stealthily left the house, and proceeded on foot murder." to Borueaux to a rendezvous, which he had Lucien turned round and faced hira. " Look arranged with two of his friends at the cafe, here," said he, pointing to a hole in his shirt on the preceding afternoon. at the shoulder, from which drops of blood He was first at the appointed spot, but had were oozing, showing that his opponent's ball not long to wait, for his two seconds shortly had taken elfect. The next moment he fired, afterwards arrived, and, following close upon and the marquis fell with his face to the ground. them, came the marquis, accompanied by his When they raised him he was dead; the ball seconds. had pierced his forehead and entered the brain. During several minutes these two men fought Lucien, after having bad his wound dressed with considerable ardour; they developed all (it was but a graze) hastened back to his wife's tbeir more cunning tricks, aud eacheudeavoured, bedside to find that, alarmed anew at his in accordance with the approved rules of fence, second absence, she had relapsed. At night neatly to spit the other upon his sword's point. she was in the utmost danger. Next morning, While tlie engagement was thus proceeding while Claveau had gone to steal a few mmutes' Lucien still pressing his adversary closely, said rest in an adjacent chamber, a commissary of to him, " You gave me a blow yesterday with police, arrived at the house to arrest him on your fist; as yet I have not deigned to return information furnished by one of the marquis's it, but I intend doing BO before I send you, as I secouds. This new shock killed his wife. shortly shall, lo your last home." The pair Lucien, in the bitterness of his grief, threw were still in close confiict with each other, himself upon her lifeless form, and was only wheu Lucien rapidly passed his sword under removed from it with difficulty. Then, assummw his left arm, and, at tbe same moment, dealt aa air of calmness, he said he was ready, and the marquis a violent blow in the face. Then, the next momeut, as if by some sudden thought, regaining hold of his weapon, he assumed a de­ seized one of a pair of pistols which were fensive position before Lignano had time to always kept loaded, on the top of a small recover himself, for the blow he iiad received cabinet, aud placing it to his car, disposed with had sent hiin reeling to the ground. This his own hand of the last of the Bordeaux daring feat, the most audacious, perhaps, that duellists. has ever occurred in a duel, astounded the seconds. Tbe marquis was beside himself, and, Early in December will be readj in a fit of rage, sprang with raised sword upon THE COMPLETE SET Lucien Claveau, who calmly aud confidently awaited his onslaught. OF "Monsieur le marquis," said he, "we are TWENTY VOLUMES, now quits." With GENEEAL IXDES to the enthe work from its commencement; in April, 1859. Each volume, with The marquis renewed his attacks again and its own Index, cau also bo bought separately as again, but always to find himself foiled. Pre­ herctoforo. sently, by a rapid movement, Lucien disarmed the marquis, then, thrusting hia own sword downwards, pinned him by his right foot to FAREWELL SERIES OF READINGS. tbe grouud. After a few secouds Lucien drew BT his sword out and handed the marquis his own MR. CHARLES DICKENS. weapon. The seconds came forward ; Lignano made MESSRS. CUAPPELL AND Co. have the honoor vain efforts to continue standiug upon both to onnouDco that Mn. BICKENS will read as fol­ feet. " It is useless," said the seconds to him, lows : Saturday, October 31, Manchester; Monday, " it is quite impossible that you can go on." November 2, Brighton ; Tuesday, November 3, St. James's Ilall, London; Saturday Morning, No­ Glaring at his adversary with a savage expres­ vember 7, Brighton; Tuesday, November 17, St. sion, he said to him, " It is not over yet. I James's Hall, London; Tuesday, December 1, St. have still the chance of putting a bullet through James's Uall, London; Monday, December 7, Thurs­ your head." day, December 10, JPriday, December 11, Monday, December 14, and Saturd^ Morning, December 19, The pistols w ere loaded. The Impetuous mar­ Edinburgh; Wednesday, December 9, Tuesday, De­ quis, regardless of the pain he was enduring, cember 15, Wednesday, December 16, and Thursday, hobbled along until he arrived at the point December 17, Glasgow. where he was compelled to halt; he was theu All communications to be addressed to MsasBs. ten paces distant from Claveau, who had not CuAPPBiiL AND Co., 50, New Bond-street, London, "•

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