Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 272: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

a mene Se 2S ee ee ee JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. fifty, or a couple of hundred pounds, to this enten- prise, it is rather for the purpose of obtaining a suitable guarantee for his own respectability, and to rivet his interest as it were in the welfare of the establishment, than that the amount is of any real consequence to the success of the specula- tion.” “T thank you most sincerely, Mr. Dorchester,” I said, “for these frank explanations. Assuming, therefore, that the gentleman who is already in treaty with you, should fail to fulfil his share of the bargain, I shall most cheerfully embark in the enterprise—with this condition, however, that if at any time circumstances should transpire v “ You are only about to anticipate, Mr. Wilmot,” interruptéd the clergyman, “the very remark which I was on the point of making as an addition to my previous explanations. It is this—that if at any time the gentleman associating himself with me in this undertaking, whoever he may be, should wish to retire, he may do so, and shall at once receive back the amount which he may have originally disbursed. For I repeat that such amount is re- garded by me as a substantial guarantee for his own good qualities, rather than as an absolutely necessary addition to my own resources.” ' “Nothing can be fairer,’ I observed; “and I am only sorry that the previous application of another should stand in the way of my own suc- cess.’ At this moment the maid-servant entered the room, and presented a letter to Mr. Dorchester. I was rising to take my departure, thinking that I had already sufficiently intruded upon his time— when, as he glanced at the writing of the address, he said, “ Wait awhile, Mr. Wilmot: this comes from the very gentleman of whom we have been speaking.” Mr. Dorchester read the letter with grave and business-like attention; while I resumed my seat with some little degree of suspense: for after all I had heard from that gentleman’s lips, and from what I saw of him, I was indeed most anxious to become his partner in the contemplated enterprise. He laid down the letter; and with a benevolent smile, said, “It seems destined, Mr. Wilmot, that you and J are to co- operate. The gentleman to whom T have alluded, is unable to raise the requi- site sum of money. Those relations on whom he depended, are unwilling to assist him in the matter. Now, it occurs to me that I have perhaps had a somewhat fortunate escape: for he frankly admitted to me that he had been a little extrava- gant and wild, but gave me the assurance that he was anxious to settle down in an honourable and respectable mode of life: therefore, in a true Christian spirit did I believe him. But this refusal on the part of his friends to advance him a comparatively small sum of money, appears to argue a total want of confidence in his promised reformation: and hence is it that I begin to sus- pect his unsteadiness has been greater than he chose to admit, and that I have experienced a for- tunate escape.” “There being no farther obstacle, Mr. Dor- Denier to an arrangement with me,” I exclaimed, « perhaps you will now seriously consider my application.” “T wil! at once give you a definitive response,” answered the reverend gentleman; “and that is in ——_—$—$—<—$—$——— ee ee ee 259 the affirmative. the leading banker in this town; and it would be as well that your money should be paid into the same account.” “T have it not with me,’ I said,—“ but will call upon you to-morrow with one hundred and fifty pounds—which sum constitutes the whole of my means.” “Be it so,” rejoined Mr. Dorchester. “ Per- haps you will make arrangements to dine with me; and we can employ an hour or two in looking at a house which I have already agreed to take, and which, I think, will answer our purpose. It belones to Mr. Pointer, a leading manufacturer in this town, whose friendship I ‘have the good fortune and honour to enjoy; and he has not merely promised his own three sons as pupils for my opening, but has so generously interested himself that he has secured me nine or ten others from amongst his friends: so that with a dozen pupils as a commencement, you perceive, Mr. Wilmot, it is no yery hazardous speculation.” . I was delighted with this intelligence, and pro- mised to be with Mr. Dorchester by noon on the following day. I was rising to take my leave, when he insisted on offering me refreshments; and ringing the bell, ordered the maid to bring up a tray for luncheon,—adding in a blandly grave tone, “You may furnish malt-liquor, and wine also: but forget not the spring-water for myself.” In a few minutes the maid returned, bearing a tray containing refreshments, together with the drinkables to which Mr. Dorchester had alluded. I partook of the malt-liquor: 1 did not ‘however touch the wine—for my habits were remarkably temperate: but it appeared that those of Mr. Dorchester were far more so. He drank water only,—informing me that for ‘the last twenty years of his life alcoholic fluid had never passed his lips. I further observed that while I was eating cold meat, pickles, and so forth, Mr. Dor- chester partook of nothing more substantial than a crust of bread and a few water-cresses; so that I judged his habits to be frugal to a degree. I was all the more satisfied with these’ demonstrations of the simplicity of his taste, and thence derived ad- ditional good auguries for the success of our scholastic speculations. I returned to Manchester, well pleased with the result of my journey to Oldham; and on the fol- lowing morning I packed up my trunks and repaired to the latter town. Leaving my boxes at an inn, I bent my way to Mr. Dorchester’s abode, and found him dressed in readiness to receive me: but on this occasion, instead of being busied with his letters and papers, he was profoundly engaged in the study of Drelincourt’s work on Death. I certainly thought the employment a somewhat melancholy one: but its effect on Mr. Dorchester appeared to be beneficent, inasmuch as ‘he assured me that it inspired him with a holy and: pious resignation when he thought that he might full soon be called upon to meet the Destroyer face to face. Closing the book however as I made my appearance, he put on his hat; and we walked forth together. He conducted me to a house situated in the environs,—having a~nice garden (so far as I could judge of it in the winter-time) and a large space in the rear fitted for a play- ground. The dwelling was in good repair, and —_. eee encanta - — = My funds are all if the hands of CORNIECLOOC Ss (Cc) im