The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 301: what you’re looking at

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

( a. Si i ~) (7 : ©} 280 ° THE YOUNG APPRENTICE. “Now, then,” cried Leicester, with a brutal laugh, “now, then, Blacklock, let us go and prepare my uncle's bath.” The Alsatian captain saw that there was some- thing in the wind, but he could not understand, por the life of him, what his companion intended 0. He wasted no time in questions, however, but followed Leicester, who, taking up the lamp and leading the two old men in complete darkness, made way down the stairs towards the kitchen, This kitchen, as well as the rest of the old house, had a dingy and unwholosome smell, as if it had not for many years been used. In fact, the kitchen for many a long day been a stranger to the merry crackle of a fire, which the old miser would have regarded as the most horrible extravagance. In one corner, however, was a pile of wood, sufficient to form a fire, and soon a large rusty caldron was filled with water and swing- ing over a merry blaze, which roared up the great chimney asif in bewilderment and alarm at we har ppeiegansogierniary are you going to do with this water?” asked the Alsatian, who was quite amazed. “Tam going to bathe my uncle’s feet,’’ said Leicester, laughing, ‘I'll warrant me before we’ve used up this caldron of water, that he'll be glad to give his whole fortune to escape us.” As soon as the water boiled Leicester and the Alsatian ascended the stairs, and brought the old man down to the room which adjoined the kitchen, Here they placed a tub, and seated the old man in a chair before it, “ Now,” said Leicester, with a smile, “we're cog to give you ® path. ae you object to 4 Ww e and we'll spare you ¢ involuntary ablution,” mane “T have spent it ; I have it not,” returned the miser. “Of with his stockings, Blacklock,” cried Leicester, “and in with. the water.” The order was promptly obeyed. Ina few moments the tub was nearly filled with scalding hot water, and into this the old man’s feet were forced. A low and discordant yell burst from his lips as the cruel jest began to be perpetrated. 6 Help, mercy, help | he shrieked in piteous on two villains only langhed the louder at 8. ““ Confess,” cried Leicester, “tell us where is the money, or I will dash your brains out,” The old miser grinned horribly, , His face was distorted with pain, but he nevertheless succeeded in expressing a terrible et AR Tah!” b : ah!” he cried, “you dare not kill me.” ‘Dare not ; why not? ° “ if you kill me you will for ever lose all chance of my treasure, Release me and I will give you half,” “No! no!” said Leicester, “no, no; Iam not such a fool as to be duped by such a man as you. I know well how much I should get if I trusted you. Tell me where this treasure is, or by heavens this night will be your last.” ao) oo HOTICE.—ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL C/)LOURED PIOTURE WAS GIVEN AWAY WITH NO. 83, Othess will follow in af ew weeks. The old man was silent, His pain was great, but his love for his gold was greater still. ‘‘ Bring in some hot water,” said Leicester, “ this cools, We'll scald the old wretch till he faints, and then we'll set fire to the accursed place, and burn him and all together.” Blacklock at once obeyed his friend’s order, and, returning in a moment, flung a quantity of acalding liquid over the legs of the wretched old man, who shrieked and shouted in agony, and made contortiong with his face which, under other circumstances, would have been ludi- crous, but which at this time seemed terrible. His poor old wrinkled face, his staring eyes, his thin limbs expressive of his rapid decline towards the grave, had no effect, however, upon his persecutors. The more he shrieked and shouted, the more he struggled and writhed abont, the more they laughed, and the more hot water they poured upon him. And yet he would not yield the place of his treasure, He loved his gold better than his life, At least, till the last moment. At length Leicester uttered a loud and blas- phemous exclamation. ‘Curse youl” he cried. “I will stand this folly no longer. Here, Blacklock, give me your istols, and let us blow this dotard’s brains out, e makes the fierce blood rise into my head. Quick ! quick ! the pistols !” Blacklock at once obeyed his superior’s orders. Leicester put the pistol at fall cock, and held it close to his uncle’s face. “Now,” he said, “speak or die! Of what use will your gold be to you, if you are dead 7 Can you revel in gold if the worms are revelling in your body? Oome, dotard, speak or die !” he old man looked up. His expression was ead and painful. There was now no hope in the old man’s mind. He was compelled either to part with his money or his life, and in this extreme moment he felt as if the blessed existence which had been granted him by his mother was better than the vile dross which is, after all, but the second- ary means by which our shreds of life are kept together. “For the love of Heaven, stay,” he gasped ; “ for the love of Heaven, stay. I will confess. I will tell you, believe me—believe—me—let— me—me——. ” “Stop the hot water,” cried Leicester ; oy believe him.” Blacklock laughed, and withdrew the huge can from which he was pouring in the scalding water, “Now, then,” said Leicester, “where is the money ?” the old man glanced at him with a ghastly loo “T must tell you,” he answered, in a hollow voice, “‘I must tell you. But may the curse of my race follow you for ever.” “Curse away, old man,” cried Leicester, ‘ but tell] me where is the money.” He held him tightly as he spoke. Sir Loftus Latimer saw that he was foiled. I—I—— GOVE OO © <S) CO lin