Читать книгу Grand Deceptions - G. S. Willmott - Страница 9

Oxford University 1856

John Davies was the son of a Church of England Minister, the Reverent James Davies. His parish was King’s Walden in Hertfordshire.

(The author’s ancestors lived in King’s Walden from the 1600s)

St Mary's King Walden

James was very proud of his church, which had been constructed in the 13^th century. He was also proud of his son John, who was studying theology at Christ College, Oxford. James’s father was the previous minister at St Mary’s; therefore, the minister had the expectation his son would follow the family tradition.

John was a tall, slim man with red hair and blue eyes. He enjoyed University life, and although theology wasn’t his first choice, he felt he owed it to his parents to continue the lineage at St Mary’s.

John was an active sportsman, playing in the college rugby team in winter and the first eleven in the cricket team in summer. Another interest John had was chess; he became a chess master in his second year; consequently, he was appointed team captain leading Oxford in the annual chess tournament against the traditional foe, Cambridge. Oxford won for the first time in ten years under John’s leadership.

The other extra curricula activity John enjoyed was being a member of the Oxford theatre group. He had roles in a number of Shakespearean plays, including The Merchant of Venice where he played the role of Shylock. He also played Lady Macbeth, due to a shortage of female actors at the time.

The aspiring minister also developed a love for playing cards, in particular; five-card poker. Every Friday night a poker game was held in one of the college’s student union halls. To allay suspicion, they called themselves The Oxford Bridge Club.

John won significantly more than he lost, and he banked his winnings in a private bank account accumulating interest over the three years at university.

After three years studying theology and coming first in his year, John completed his degree.

James and his wife Sarah were very proud of their only son, so they arranged a celebration in the church hall, inviting parishioners and a few of John’s friends from the village.

August 6, 1856

Sixty villagers attended the graduation party and John, although not keen to be there, greeted everybody with believable enthusiasm.

The time came for his father to address the group. ‘Welcome friends! As you all know, we are gathered here tonight to help my son John celebrate his graduation. Our family has a long history at St Mary’s. Some of you would remember my father who was the minister at this church for over forty years. The Davies family has worshipped at St Mary’s since the fifteenth century. It is our hope that John will become minister here in the future and carry on the Davies family tradition. May I ask you all to raise your glasses and drink to his future.’

Everyone in the hall raised their glass saluting the graduate and wished him well.

The next morning, John requested a meeting with his father in the rectory’s office.

‘Father I know you have high hopes that I will succeed you as minister of St Mary’s in the near future. However, I have decided not to be ordained… or at least not yet.’

‘I don’t understand, John.’

‘I’m still young, sir. I want to experience life before committing to the ministry.’

‘So, what are your intentions?’

‘I’m going to go to Australia, sir.’

‘Australia! That’s half a world away! Why Australia?’

‘I believe I can make my fortune there.’

‘So, money is more important than God.’

‘No, not at all, I still intend to return to England and become a minister at this church. I’m just not ready for it at the moment.’

‘Do you have enough savings to travel there and live until you find gainful employment?’

‘Yes, I have saved a reasonable amount.’

‘When do you intend to sail?’

‘September 1. I’ve already purchased the ticket.’

James frowned. ‘That’s only a few weeks away. You haven’t given us much notice.’

‘I’m sorry, Father. I did think this over.’

‘You can announce your intentions to your mother at dinner tonight.’

‘Yes, sir.’

John waited until the evening meal had been consumed before raising the subject of his departure to his mother. She was also stunned by the news, and even after her son explained his reasons she was no more accepting of his plan. Nevertheless, James and Sarah knew they had no alternative but to accept that their son would be living in Australia for who knows how long before returning to England and the church.

John had saved £2000 from his poker playing over the previous three years and he felt comfortable arriving in Australia with sufficient funds.