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"A fellow in a market town

Most musical cried razors up and down."

PETER PINDAR

The next morning, Quintus's first thoughts and enquiries related to the time that Dixon's cart left Chester, and when it was likely to reach Liverpool; for he much wished to accept an offer that had been made him the preceding evening, to remain for the day at his present quarters, and to take a seat in a traveller's gig early the following morning to Liverpool; but aware how much more easily impressions are made than effaced, it was a material point with him to arrive at Mr. Trotter's, before the runaway; and he felt a difficulty in deciding his course, until these important particulars were ascertained. It was therefore with real satisfaction he learnt that Dixon had left Chester several hours—that the truant was with him, and, still farther, that the cart, being heavily laden, must make a considerable circuit to avoid the ferry; consequently the carrier would not complete his journey till the succeeding afternoon.

Pleased with the intelligence so obtained, he entered the room where he had spent the preceding evening, and where a substantial breakfast was now prepared for its inmates, whom, in the mean time, he had been told were a party of commercial travellers. One of them, a fat, merry looking man, full of glee and good-humour, joined the others, just as the meal was about half over, thowing the door open with a swing, and saying hastily, "Hell and the devil! where d'ye think I've been this morning? I called to leave a card at old Crabtree's, and just to say, I would see the old codger again, by-and-by, and d—n him, if he did not absolutely turn me out of his shop, telling me, that I and my principals might go to the devil for him, as he never allowed a bagman, curse his impudence, to cross his threshold on a market day."

"I could have told you as much," replied another of the fraternity. "I have been obliged to lose a whole day before now, in dancing attendance upon the old gentleman, for he is too large a dealer and too good a paymaster to be missed. I finished with him last night, as I knew how 'twould be with him this morning."

"By all the saints in the calendar," answered the first speaker, "I'll conquer him and make him give me an order at his busiest hour of the day, spite of his teeth and of his d——d nonsensical custom."

"You will!" replied the other; "no! not if you get the Mother of all saints and old Father Beelzebub in the bargain, to help you. I knew old Crabtree, before to-day."

"I never saw, nor heard of him, nor of his singularities, before this morning," said the fat, merry traveller, "but I'll lay you a rump and dozen for the company, that I'll make him give me an order for goods to the tune of fifty pounds, at the very throng and bustle of to day's market, and I'll make him remember me as long as he lives, into the bargain."

"Take it! take it!" was heard on all sides. "Plausible does not know Crabtree as we do, and he should pay for being made free of Chester, and for being taught to deal with the old fellow."

"Well, gentlemen, let the bet be regularly made; honour and fair play's the word, and I'm your man."

The wager was accordingly completed, the stakes deposited, and, as whoever won, there must needs be a loser who would have to pay the piper, honest Boniface received instructions to outshine himself, at three o'clock.

Quintus amazingly enjoyed this scene. He thought to himself, "if this man win, against such odds, it must be by energy and perseverance, or some other equally active quality, from either of which, I may derive a useful lesson."

After breakfast, Mr. Plausible, for so the traveller who had laid the wager was named, renewed his visit to Crabtree, and apologising for having troubled him in the morning, alleging, that he had not been aware of his wish never to be disturbed on market days, added, very pleasantly, "however, if I cannot sell to you to day, you may perhaps have a customer in me; I want a ring for my watch-chain, and there's one in your window, which I think will suit me. Allow me to look at it."

Crabtree was ever most obsequious and obliging to his customers, although so much the reverse to those who sought favours from him, and he instantly exhibited a tray whereon were several rings, saying "don't like to be disturbed when country folks are about, but call again to-morrow, and we'll see what we can do together."

Presently, Plausible made choice of two, one of which was of remarkable appearance, and which he pointed out to Crabtree, adding, "I shall buy this, in remembrance of the drilling you gave me this morning, and pray look at it, so as to know it again, if you see it."

"Ah! ah!" replied the shopkeeper, "nothing like teaching folks a bit,—sure to remember another time—but I see you are a merry chap and a'n't like some of 'em—I see we shall do well together, next time we meet."

After a few more mutual civilities, they bade each other good morning, and Plausible returned to the inn.

In some of the Northern counties, are what are called great markets, in distinction to the regular weekly market day, and at which large quantities of cattle and farm-produce are brought for sale, being a good deal of the nature of fairs, although not sanctioned by statute.

This happened to be one of that description, and as the day advanced, the throng of farmers with their wives and daughters, of bustling graziers and other dealers, became considerable; all flocking to Crabtree's, who, being a general shop keeper of long standing, and always well supplied with every article in common use, was much resorted to by all classes. He resided in rather a narrow street, and the entrance to his house, was by ascending four or five stone steps, at the top of which was a door way, just wide enough to allow people to pass and repass without jostling, but no more. At the very busiest hour of the forenoon, a poor, decrepit, old man, lame, and nearly, if not altogether blind, the very picture of misery, wretchedly attired, and wearing a large patch over his forehead, made his appearance in the street, led by a boy of about ten years old, and began scraping a cracked violin, accompanying his horrid noise by the still more discordant tones of his voice, as he sang some interminably long and dismal ballads. By and by he advanced towards Crabtree's shop, and standing immediately in front of it, entirely obstructed his customers, and gathered around him a crowd, which of itself, independently of the noise he made, proved an intolerable nuisance. Old Crabtree came to his door in a great rage, ordering him to go about his business; but the ballad-singer being afflicted by deafness as well as other infirmities, took no other notice of him than to hold out his hat, as if to receive a contribution. Crabtree, although acting under the influence of any other motive, than charity, threw him a few coppers saying, "there! there! go along about your business, that's a good man, step a little farther down the street;" but to his sorrow found that the Ballad-singer, appearing to misunderstand him, redoubled his exertions. The shopkeeper became dreadfully enraged, having paid the price of what he considered the fellow's withdrawing, and at length, wearied by his obstinacy, bade one of his shopmen go and bargain with him, even at the sacrifice of a crown, for betaking himself off. Still the endeavour was ineffectual; for the fiddler seemed to disregard all that was said to him, until all at once, looking wistfully at the messenger, and interpreting his words in his own way, although widely different from Crabtree's meaning—he coolly and deliberately gave his fiddle to the boy, and walked straight into the shop. Ere the by-standers could recover their surprise at so unlooked-for an occurrence, the ballad-singer advanced to the counter, and leaning forward, shewed Crabtree the ring he had sold Plausible that same morning, saying, "Hark ye, old Gentleman! don't you know me as well as this ring? Now I say, old Gentleman, give me an order for goods to the tune of Fifty Pounds, and my ballad-singing and fiddling shall be at an end in a minute. Otherwise, I give you my word, I'm only just beginning. A Fifty Pound order under your hand, will secure me a wager dinner of a rump and dozen, and I shall be d——d glad if you will make one of the company; but the order I must and will have, and the sooner you give it, the sooner you'll get rid of my company. Now that's what I call fair and above board, and I hope we understand each other."

Crabtree was a bit of a humourist, and as he had really purposed dealing with Plausible the next morning, entered into the joke better than might have been expected, and glad to purchase a riddance of the annoyance upon no worse terms, immediately complied by giving the desired order, bidding the traveller to call the next day for more particulars. The effect of this upon the other's infirmities was instantaneous, for he had no sooner received the trophy than he left the shop, walking briskly along, and made his way to the inn in triumph.

Quintus drew a moral from this adventure, as well as from those of the preceding day, which, in after-life, he had abundant opportunities of applying, viz., that there are no difficulties, however seemingly great, that are not to be conquered by perseverance.

He spent the principal part of the forenoon in rambling about the ancient city he was now in, regarding with particular attention its massive walls, which, heretofore used as a means of defence, are now only remarkable as a specimen of fortifications of this nature, and, as affording a promenade to the inhabitants, from which they can command extensive views of the surrounding country. As he contemplated this instance of our forefathers' mode of entrenching themselves against their enemies, he could not help associating in his mind what he had read in the classic authors with whom he was familiar upon such subjects; for boys of his age are ever, a little romantic, particularly when, as was now his case, they feel themselves rising into importance, on account of their acquirements. He also visited the cathedral and chapter-house, and was much pleased with the various beauties, and the light, elegant architecture of the latter, which he was told was superior to any thing of the kind in England.

Thus loitering away the hours, until the public clocks reminded him of the approaching wager dinner, he turned his steps towards the inn, and joined the large party who were already assembled at the table. The rude and boisterous mirth that attended the merry-making of the choice spirits, who seemed disposed to render ample justice to the occasion, was very little to Quintus's taste. Any thing like a public dinner, was new to him; and although, out of regard to his years, he was left perfectly at liberty as to the bottle, the loud horse-laugh that followed each song, the overwhelming chorus, and the rude jokes that freely circulated, as the evening advanced, gave him a disrelish to the scene, and induced him to make his escape from the room as early as possible. At day-break next morning, the veteran bacchanalian who had promised to be his charioteer, having shaken off all the effects of the over-night's festivity, had his gig at the door, and handing Quintus into its vacant corner, they were speedily on the road to Liverpool.

The drive was performed with all the steady regularity that marks the movements of an experienced roadster, and arriving at the ferry in good time, they crossed without difficulty, and entered the town about two in the afternoon. Here then, was Quintus in this large and populous place, having happily accomplished a fatiguing journey, and, thanks to the fortunate chances that had befallen him, still in possession of more than half the small pittance of which he was the owner when he left Rundleton. Taking leave of his guide as he alighted from the carriage, he gave a porter nearly his last remaining shilling, to shew him the way to Mr. Trotter's residence, of whom he knew nothing more, than that he was an Attorney. Upon reaching the house, he knocked at the door, which immediately flew open as of itself, when he heard a voice from a room in the passage cry out—"Come in"—a summons he forthwith obeyed, and in an instant found himself in an office, where seven or eight smartly dressed young men were sitting at desks, engaged in writing. Scarcely raising their eyes to see who had entered, so accustomed were they to visitors, one of them presently turned round, and casting towards him a kind of surveying glance, inquired in rather a supercilious manner, what he wanted. Quintus, although completely countryfied by his long residence in so secluded a spot as Rundleton, had that sort of ease about him which never wholly leaves good birth, and assuming an air rather of consequence, as if to check the speaker, replied, "I want to see Mr. Trotter." Immediately, a short, middle-aged Gentleman, who was standing near the fire-place, reading a newspaper, looked up and said, "With me, my young man? pray what may your business be?"

"I come from Dr. Simpson's, Sir," was the reply, "and I am charged with a private message to you, or Mrs. Trotter." He was then requested to walk into an inner room, where he fully explained the object of his mission, taking care to speak in the highest terms of Dr. Simpson, and of every thing connected with the school, and saying nothing to young Trotter's prejudice, beyond what he could avoid.

Mr. Trotter listened to him with attention, and then replied, "And pray my lad, who may it be, that the Doctor thus employs on his hue-and-cry errands? You do not seem to have understood your calling well, to have missed Richard on the road, as you are here before him; but I suppose we shall see him presently."

Quintus replied in a manner that quite satisfied Mr. Trotter, who made answer, "Do not mention your business to any other person at present, but oblige me by staying in this room. When Richard comes, we shall hear what he has to say for himself, and I will then bring you together. I am afraid he is a sad idle boy, but I hope nothing worse; but by-and-by we shall see. I once had the pleasure of meeting your father in London, upon some business connected with a bank that failed, and we will do our best to make you comfortable, whilst you remain with us. You must excuse me for the present, I will see you again presently." With these words, he left the room, and shortly afterwards, a man servant, wearing a plain undress livery, entered, bearing refreshments on a tray, and an hour or two slowly passed, without his hearing any thing farther from the family. At the end of this time however, the fugitive made his appearance, accompanied by the carrier, who was ready to bear testimony as he said, to the poor lad's grievances, doubtless under the expectation of a liberal reward for his care and trouble. Mr. Trotter received them in the hall, and desiring the carrier to call again, led the boy to his mother, who loaded him with caresses, making many anxious enquiries, and bewailing his ill-treatment.

In good truth, Richard played his part admirably, and had a lie ready for every occasion. He gave a wretched account of the school—told his parents that the boys were half starved—that there was a fever among them, of which two had died, and several were still dangerously ill—that no attention was paid to their education—altogether, drawing a most highly coloured and false picture of the establishment.

Mr. Trotter heard with patience all he had to say, nor did he betray any other feeling as his wife repeatedly exclaimed,—"Poor dear child!" "Dear me, how cruel!" "I'm so glad he's come away!" "Well, he shall never go there again!" "Only think how the darling must have suffered!"—and much more in a similar strain; but, when he conceived there was nothing more to be imparted, left the room, presently returning and introducing Quintus.

"Here is a young Gentleman of your acquaintance, Richard; please to repeat in his presence what you have just told your mother and me, respecting Rundleton."

Richard, perfectly abashed and confounded at this unexpected rencontre, could not say a single word, but began to cry and sob bitterly; when Mr. Trotter, turning to his wife, observed—"My dear, I am sorry to find that Richard, as well as being an idle boy, is a story-teller. What he has told us about Rundleton is untrue. I will explain more to you by and by; but in a day or two, when he and this young Gentleman—who is a Master Servinton—have sufficiently recovered their long journey, and Master Servinton has seen a little of Liverpool, I shall send him back under proper charge. In the mean time, his school-fellow is the son of a Gentleman whom I know; pray, therefore, do what you can to make his stay with us agreeable."

Mrs. Trotter was a mild, amiable, lady-like woman, whose husband's wishes were always her chief rule of action. She received the communication, so far as it regarded her son, with sorrow; but said nothing in reply likely to pursue the painful subject, rather turning her attention to Quintus, whom she welcomed with ease and good-nature. From her husband also, he received much and very kind notice. He devoted the chief part of the following day, to taking him to such public buildings as were worth seeing, and afterwards showed him over some of the large manufactories, which have so mainly contributed to the fame of this spirit-stirring town; pointed out its magnificent docks, explaining at the same time the facility they afford to trade, by the dispatch with which the largest vessels are thus loaded and unloaded; and in the evening accompanied him to the theatre. The wide, handsome streets they traversed, with their splendid shops, and extensive warehouses rising story upon story—the long train of carts and carriages, and the never-failing stream of foot-passengers he every where saw, were all in turn sources of wonderment, creating in his mind the highest interest. He remained one other day under this hospitable roof, when he returned to Rundleton, attended by a confidential domestic of Mr. Trotter's and the runaway, and bearing a letter to Dr. Simpson, speaking of him in the most favorable terms; but in allusion to Richard, begging that he might be kept under a strict course of discipline, and particularly, that his late conduct might not go unpunished. When they reached Wrexham, and while the carriage and horses were being changed, Quintus could not forbear making a call upon the landlady who had given him her kind cautions a few days previously. Entering her humble dwelling almost breathless with haste, he exclaimed, "Now, you will believe me another time, won't you? for you see here I am, and I have been all the way to Liverpool."

"The blessing of God be upon you, my lad, whoever you are, for coming to tell me so. I somehow or other did not think muckle harm of you."

Shortly explaining his errand, and how accomplished, and then bidding her a good-natured adieu, he resumed his journey, and which was completed just as the sun was making its last dip in the horizon, in all its varied splendour. When they passed the gate that opened from the road to farmer Lademan's, Quintus could not help casting an anxious look towards the cottage, and at its door, could just discern four females standing in a group, apparently in conversation. His heart leaped at the very idea of how much he should have to talk about, descriptive of all that he had seen and heard, in the course of his travels; and he felt disposed to chide the tardiness of the driver in having so prolonged their arrival at the village, as would now oblige him to defer his anticipated pleasure till the next morning, well knowing that he should have no opportunity of leaving the school earlier. Dr. Simpson received the party with much satisfaction, and bestowed upon Quintus many highly flattering expressions, in approbation of his zeal and diligence; listening also attentively to the account he gave of his adventures.

It was his first thought the following morning, to call at the Lademan's. "Why, goodness gracious! where have you been, Mister Quintus? the sight of you is good for sore eyes," said the eldest daughter, as he entered the cottage.

"I have been to Liverpool," he replied; "but where," looking around the room, as he spoke, "are your sisters?"

"Bridget is not come home from her aunt's," said the mother, "and she likes the place so much, that she has asked to stay another fortnight. Betsey is only in the dairy, and will be here in a minute; but law! how you look! why, this journey has strangely altered you."

"Has it?" replied Quintus, with an air of vacancy,—"I wonder what can make Bridget stay away so long."

"Pleasant company, I suppose," replied her mother. "Bridget likes pleasant company, like other young folks, at least so I'm told," giving at the same moment, a very expressive nod and wink, "but come now, Master Quintus, do tell us all about Liverpool."

"Wasn't Bridget here last night," replied he, not heeding the latter part of what had been said to him, "I certainly saw four of you, standing at the door, as we drove by in the chaise."

No: it was Jane Smith, who had been drinking tea here; Bridget is happer elsewhere, I assure you; but do let us know about your journey."

"I have nothing to tell," said Quintus, in a peevish tone, his quickness of temper being excited by his disappointment, "I have something else to do;" and with this, abruptly walked off, scarcely deigning to say, good morning, to either of the party.

The mother was the only one, who rejoiced to see this behaviour; she alone, truly guessed it's cause, and she pleased herself with thinking that, her plans had hitherto succeeded capitally; and that, if she could but keep the young people a little longer apart, her apprehension of danger, would be over. As for the rest of the family, Quintus had always been rather a favourite with them, particularly with the daughters; and, as none of them could comprehend what had produced his present ebullition, they were sorry he had left them in so uncourteous a manner.

The real truth, with regard to Bridget was that, from the very first moment of her visit at her aunt's, she had been anxiously contemplating the promised return to Rundleton; but her matronly guardian, although constantly talking of it in general terms, was still careful not to name any precise period; and thus, day after day succeeded each other, with nothing more than, "Well, dear! was there any thing ever so provoking—always something happening to prevent our going to Rundleton—but there—it shan't be longer than next week;" and the utmost she could draw from her aunt being, "We'll see about it, to-morrow." Thus, was the poor girl kept living upon hope deferred, till Quintus returned from his expedition; and the fame of his success, having reached dame Lademan's ears, she had sense enough to conceive that, something more than she had hitherto plotted, was yet necessary in order to keep the young people apart, should he once entertain the idea of seeking an interview with her daughter; as a lad of the character he had more than once exhibited, was not likely to be deterred from a favourite pursuit, by any seeming difficulties. She saw how readily he had swallowed her insinuations, respecting "pleasant company;" and so long as he might remain under the influence of the feeling that was evidently animating him at present, she had little fear of the result. The next step that occurred to her therefore, was to set similar leaven at work in her daughter's bosom, so as to create in each, a feeling of indifference towards the other; and with the view of perfecting her scheme, she resolved to take her good man with her to Overton, and talk to her daughter; for she was correctly informed of the girl's wish to return home, and was desirous of preventing it ere too late.

Arriving at uncle Humphrey's, she expressed great delight at seeing her daughter look "so well and happy;"—words, to which Bridget did not heartily assent, but, blushing perhaps at what was passing within her bosom, enquired for all her friends, and then ventured timidly to ask, "and how is master Quintus?"

"The young gentleman is well enough, I believe, but we don't see much of him, and we hear he spends his time with idle company, and has been running up and down all over the country; and we heard t'other day too, that he is after sweethearting a trumpery creature who's no better than she ought to be."

"I didn't think that of him," said the girl, looking at her own fine face and form, in an old-fashioned glass over the chimney-piece, as she spoke, "but I'm sure if that's his fancy, I wish him joy of it."

"Oh! I forgot, child," interrupted her mother, who perceived in a moment that the bait had taken, "he gave me a message for you."

"For me!" cried the half-delighted Bridget, her countenance instantly suffused by modest blushes, "What message did he send me, mother? pray tell me."

"Why, my child, he bade me tell you, to be sure to bring home a good husband with you; and that if you wasn't so far off, and if he had'nt lots of other things to do, he'd come and see you; but he can't spare time."

"The more like his impudence," said the offended fair one, "to send me his messages. Let him keep them for somebody else, and tell him so, from me—I neither want him nor his messages neither."

"Who are you talking about?" quietly, and with the utmost simplicity, interposed aunt Humphrey.

"A young gentleman at the Doctor's," was the mother's reply. "One master Quintus, as we calls him; he's a terrible idle lad I'm thinking, for he seems always playing truant, running about the country, or something or t'other; and then he's such a temper you can't think. I fancy he belongs to some great squire or another, and I suppose as how the Doctor finds his account in letting him do as he does, instead of minding his lessons."

"I'm sure mother, he's no such thing," cried Bridget, who had shown throughout her mother's speech, evident impatience, "and I'm sure you always used to praise him, and to say what a nice young gentleman he was, when he used to bring the newspapers and read them to you; and I mind how often too of a Sunday, when you asked him to read a sermon to you, you always said when he was gone, that he was a very sweet-tempered and obliging young gentleman: I'm sure you did, mother."

"Well, well, whatever he is," replied the dame, somewhat posed at being thus reminded of her former opinions, so different to what she had now uttered, "he's too fond I take it, of running after a parcel of trumpery girls to please me, and there's an end of it."

Dame Lademan had quick discernment, and presently saw that to attempt to depreciate Quintus, had an effect directly contrary to what she had intended. She saw, also that an allusion to his seeming indifference, and to his being under the influence of some other attractions, was her right chord; and, so well therefore, did she manage her part in the further conversation that ensued, that Bridget in the end, entreated to stay at her aunt's some little time longer, rather than return home. Well satisfied upon the whole, with the result of her ride, the careful matron now re-mounted old Smiler to proceed homewards, settling with, or rather for her husband, as they jogged along their way chatting upon the subject, that they had only to keep Bridget's real abode concealed a short time longer from Quintus, and to continue the present game of cross purposes, for all danger to be removed. But, what says a Spanish authority, well acquainted with the secret springs of human nature?

Ser la privacion Causa de appetito,

which has been translated,

Still will confinement's rigid hand Inflame the wish to stray.

And what right was there to expect that in this case, there would be a departure from an all-subduing principle of action? But the sequel will explain for itself.