Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 387: what you’re looking at

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

ee ae 374 JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE The Mathewsons attended me over the house: I did not attempt to conceal from them the feelings which I experienced: I saw that they were kind and worthy people—and I was not ashamed that in their presence tears should thus bedew my cheeks. When the inspection of the premises was over, they besought me to partake of refresh- ments; and I accepted their invitation, because I saw that it would afford them pleasure. I told them how their good-hearted servant had wept when I left that house a few years back, and under circumstances so forlorn that it appeared ineredible how they could have engendered other circum- stances which should have wrought this wondrous change in my position. I learnt from Mrs, Ma- thewson that the good-hearted creature who was the subject of our present discourse, had been for some time engaged to a small struggling trades- man in the town: but that inasmuch as he had found himself compelled to combat against misfor- tunes, they had not yet dared to venture upon mar- riage. I learnt that the man was of an excellent character; and my mind was made up how to act: but on this point I said not a word to the Ma- thewsons at the time. On rising to take my leave, I begged that for the following day there might be an entire suspension of studies—or, in other words, that the scholars might enjoy a “whole holiday.” On departing from the school, I bent my way into the town of Leicester. There I at once pro- ceeded to the shop of the tradesman who has just been referred to. I concisely told him the motive I had for wishing to ensure the happiness of a good-hearted woman who had displayed her gene- rous sympathy on behalf of a poor friendless boy, as Lonce was. I left with the man a jhundred guineas; and I rushed from the shop in order to escape the expressions of that gratitude which was so wildly joyous. I will here add—although it is not precisely its place—that I subsequently learnt the results of the boon I had thus conferred. By the aid of that money all the tradesman’s difli- culties vanished: it was to him a fortune: the marriage was solemnized with the object of his affections—the alliance has proved a happy one— and there is not at this moment a more thriving tradesman in the town of Leicester than he to whom [ allude. But let me take up the thread of my narrative at the point where I for a moment dropped it. I rushed away from that grateful tradesman’s shop; and I proceeded to a pastrycook’s,—where I ex- pended many pounds in the purchase of all the cakes and confectionary which I deemed most suitable for the regalement of the boys at the school on the following day. All these articles I ordered to be sent up to the Mathewsons’. I then proceeded to the hotel; and thence I despatched a quantity of wine to the same destination,—to- gether with a note to Mr. Mathewson, requesting that his pupils might be allowed to accept the little banquet thus furnished them by one who in former times had been a schoolboy at the same place. : Having partaken of the refreshments which William my valet had ordered, I proceeded in a hackney-vehicle to the railway station. "When the “fly ’ drove up to the entrance, a wretched-looking man, clothed almost in rags, hastened forward to a MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. open the door in the hope of receiving a few pence for his officiousness. * Now then, you feller, stand back !” said a rail- way porter, in whose charge my luggage had been left at the station, and who had therefore seen by the cards which my valet had placed upon the trunks, who I was. “Don’t you see his lordship has got his own servant here?” The wretched man shrank back; and just at that instant I caught a full view of his counte- nance. Good heavens! was it possible >—was the once stout burly form reduced by misery to this emaciation ? and had that harsh sternness of coun- tenance which had once so terrified me, become changed into an expression of mingled misery and dissipation? Yes—it was he! I was shocked beyond measure: though it could not be supposed I entertained much sympathy for one who had leagued himself amongst my enemies. onward into the station, with the intention of sending out a few shillings by my valet to the miserable mendicant. | “ Here’s your luggage, my lord,” said the rail- way porter. I took oué my purse; and on glancing round, perceived that the mendicant had followed into the booking-office, and that he was now stooping down to read the card upon one of the boxes. “ Now then, you be off!” exclaimed the railway porter; “or it will be the worse for you, my man.” “Do not speak harshly to him,” I said: and then turning towards the wretch, I looked him fixedly in the face,—inquirizg in a low tone, “ Do you know me?” He took off his battered old hat; and being evi- dently astonished at the question, he stammered forth, “ I know your lordship is the Earl of Hecles- ton—but what your lordship means “ “T know you!” I interrupted him, name is Jukes,” He started and looked at me with a bewildered air, with which the grovelling entreaty of the mendicant was visibly and painfully blended. “You do not recognise me,” I continued. “ No matter! Take this:”—and I placed a sovereign in his hand. “I at least have the satisfaction of re- turning good for evil.” At that instant a light broke in unto the man’s mind; and he exclaimed, “Isit possible? You, my lord—Joseph—an Earl - “ Knough !” I interrupted him, “ You see that heaven’s justice eventually fulfils itself. You, from comfort and competency, have come down to want and beggary: I from that friendless wretchedness which excited not your compassion, have been raised up to what you now behold me.” Jukes, in a whining, snivelling tone, began a story about “unavoidable misfortunes:” but I turned my back upon him: I had relieved a fellow creature in distress—but I had no sympathy for the individual himself. He was about to follow me out upon the platform: but the railway official ordered him back; and this time I did not inter- fere on his behalf. I entered the train; and in @ few minutes was being whirled rapidly away from Leicester. Your Giook I hastened - (EO)