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diff --git a/41916-0.txt b/41916-0.txt index feba752..c9c5b2d 100644 --- a/41916-0.txt +++ b/41916-0.txt @@ -1,36 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Nestleton Magna, by J. Jackson Wray - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Nestleton Magna - A Story of Yorkshire Methodism - -Author: J. Jackson Wray - -Release Date: January 26, 2013 [EBook #41916] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NESTLETON MAGNA *** - - - - -Produced by Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh, Matthew Wheaton and -the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41916 *** NESTLETON MAGNA. @@ -10611,360 +10579,4 @@ By R. M. BALLANTYNE. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Nestleton Magna - A Story of Yorkshire Methodism - -Author: J. Jackson Wray - -Release Date: January 26, 2013 [EBook #41916] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NESTLETON MAGNA *** - - - - -Produced by Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh, Matthew Wheaton and -the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - NESTLETON MAGNA. - - [Illustration: NATHAN AT WORK.--_Page 294._] - - - - - NESTLETON MAGNA. - - A STORY OF - - _YORKSHIRE METHODISM._ - - BY - - J. JACKSON WRAY. - - - Thirtieth Thousand. - - LONDON: - - JAMES NISBET & CO., 21 BERNERS STREET. - - - _Printed by_ BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO - _At the Ballantyne Press_ - - - TO THE - - METHODIST CHURCHES - - THROUGHOUT - - THE WORLD, - - NUMBERING SOME FIFTEEN MILLIONS OF ADHERENTS, - - This Book is respectfully Dedicated, - - IN HEARTY ADMIRATION OF THEIR NOBLE LABOURS IN - - THE HIGHEST INTERESTS OF HUMANITY, - - AND IN THE EXTENSION OF THE REDEEMER'S KINGDOM; - - WITH THE EARNEST HOPE THAT, - - UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE, THEY WILL - - SPEEDILY BE ABLE TO - - ADOPT SOME PRINCIPLE OF CONFEDERACY, - - BY MEANS OF WHICH THEY MAY PRESENT - - A UNITED AND RESISTLESS FRONT AGAINST EVERY FORM OF - - ANTI-CHRIST, AND - - IN LOVING CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN CHURCHES, - - MAY SOON - - "WIN THE WORLD FOR CHRIST." - - - - -PREFACE. - - -In this book I have sought to present a faithful picture of village -Methodism--a picture which I do not hesitate to say is being -reproduced to-day, as far as Church work and beneficent piety is -concerned, in many a village in this country. I have had, for more -years than I care to count, an intimate knowledge of Methodist rural -life. Nathan Blyth, Old Adam Olliver and his wife Judith, and some -other characters in the book, not excepting Balaam, have, -unconsciously, stood for their portraits; and I dare to say that those -parts of the story which have to do with Methodist operations and -influences, will not be considered as overdrawn by those who are most -conversant with the inner life of the Methodist people. If it be asked -why I have presented my pictures in fictitious frames, my answer is, -that I was bound to follow my natural bent, and to allow my pen to -pursue the lines most congenial to the hand that wielded it; that, of -all kinds of literature, fiction is the most attractive, and as it is -utterly useless to try to prevent its perusal, wisdom and religion, -too, suggest that it should be provided of so pure a quality, and with -so definitely a moral and religious bias, that it may not only do no -harm but some good to the reader, who would otherwise go further and -fare worse. I have honestly endeavoured so to write as to be able to -quote dear Old Bunyan, and say,-- - - "This book is writ in such a dialect - As may the minds of listless men affect; - It seems a novelty, and yet contains - Nothing but sound and honest Gospel strains." - -The rapid sale of the former editions of "Nestleton Magna," and the -numerous criticisms to which it has been subjected, have given me a -welcome and unexpectedly early opportunity of giving it a careful -revision, especially in the rendering of the East Yorkshire dialect. -It is now presented to the public in a new and much improved form, and -at a price which will bring it within the reach of all classes. The -liberal and spontaneous patronage, and the highly-favourable reviews -which this my first venture has received, merit my hearty thanks, and -encourage me to a new trial of skill in the same direction. According -to the unanimous and emphatic testimony of a large jury of reviewers, -"Aud Adam Olliver" is fully worthy of the esteem I have sought to win -for him; I cannot, therefore, do better than quote the words of the -godly old patriarch, in acknowledgment of their verdict and the -popular approval, "Ah's varry mitch obliged te yo'." - - J. JACKSON WRAY. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - PAGE - CHAPTER I. - Nestleton Magna 1 - - CHAPTER II. - "Blithe Natty," the Harmonious Blacksmith 5 - - CHAPTER III. - "Master Philip" 11 - - CHAPTER IV. - "Aud Adam Olliver" 16 - - CHAPTER V. - "Black Morris" 22 - - CHAPTER VI. - Philip's Visit to the Forge; or, Love's Young Dream 28 - - CHAPTER VII. - Kesterton Circuit and the "Rounders" 33 - - CHAPTER VIII. - Adam Olliver Begins to Prophesy 40 - - CHAPTER IX. - The Progress of Master Philip's Wooing 47 - - CHAPTER X. - Black Morris is More Free than Welcome 53 - - CHAPTER XI. - Both Philip and Lucy Make a Clean Breast of it 59 - - CHAPTER XII. - Adam Olliver in the "Methodist Confessional" 66 - - CHAPTER XIII. - Squire Fuller Pays a Visit to the Forge 76 - - CHAPTER XIV. - Aud Adam Olliver "Sees About It" 83 - - CHAPTER XV. - Nathan Blyth is the Victim of a Gunpowder Plot 89 - - CHAPTER XVI. - Squire Fuller Receives a Deputation 98 - - CHAPTER XVII. - Dr. Jephson Gives an Unprofessional Opinion 106 - - CHAPTER XVIII. - Philip Fuller Makes a Discovery 112 - - CHAPTER XIX. - Black Morris is Taken by Surprise 119 - - CHAPTER XX. - Kasper Crabtree Falls Among Thieves 126 - - CHAPTER XXI. - Squire Fuller Hears Unwelcome News 133 - - CHAPTER XXII. - Lucy Blyth Makes a Conquest 140 - - CHAPTER XXIII. - The Dark Deed In Thurston Wood 150 - - CHAPTER XXIV. - "Balaam" is Taken into Consultation 157 - - CHAPTER XXV. - Nathan Blyth is in a Quandary 163 - - CHAPTER XXVI. - Dr. Jephson's Prescription Works Wonders 170 - - CHAPTER XXVII. - Hannah Olliver's "Young Man" 177 - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - Bill Buckley Sees an Apparition 183 - - CHAPTER XXIX. - The Story of the Dead-Alive 191 - - CHAPTER XXX. - Midden Harbour has a New Sensation 198 - - CHAPTER XXXI. - "Balaam" Declares Himself a "Spiritualist" 206 - - CHAPTER XXXII. - Piggy Morris Hears "A Knock at the Door" 212 - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - Squire Fuller Introduces an Innovation 221 - - CHAPTER XXXIV. - Lucy Blyth has an Eye on Landed Property 230 - - CHAPTER XXXV. - Aud Adam Olliver to the Rescue 239 - - CHAPTER XXXVI. - Sister Agatha's Ghost 247 - - CHAPTER XXXVII. - Philip Fuller Boldly Meets his Fate 257 - - CHAPTER XXXVIII. - Black Morris "Wants that Brickbat Again" 267 - - CHAPTER XXXIX. - Nestleton Puts on Holiday Attire 276 - - CHAPTER XL. - An Episode in a Methodist Love-feast 285 - - CHAPTER XLI. - The Revolution in Midden Harbour 292 - - CHAPTER XLII. - Aud Adam Olliver's "Nunc Dimittis" 299 - - - - -NESTLETON MAGNA. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -NESTLETON MAGNA. - - "The cottage homes of England - By thousands on her plains, - They are smiling o'er the silvery brooks, - And round the hamlet fanes. - Through glowing orchards forth they peep, - Each from its nook of leaves, - And fearless there the lowly sleep, - As the bird beneath their eaves." - - _Mrs. Hemans._ - - -Nestleton Magna is as "canny" a little village as can be found in any -portion of the Three Kingdoms; and that is saying a good deal, for -there are rural gems within British borders which are quite unequalled -for cosiness and beauty by anything you can find within the four -quarters of the globe, even if you take "all the isles of the ocean" -into the bargain. Situated in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and -nestling like a brooding bird in the fertile valley of Waverdale, at -the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds, it possesses rare and quiet charms, -which elicit the spontaneous admiration of those not numerous -tourists, who prefer to explore the rich resources of English inland -scenery, rather than fag through the hurry-skurry and unsatisfactory -whirl of Continental travel. There is many a jaded man of business, -many a brain-worn student, who foolishly squanders the precious hours -of his brief holiday in rushing insanely over weary miles, through hot -and dusty cities, among tiresome hills and rugged mountains--returning -home again weary and worn--who would have found real rest and health, -and equally varied and charming landscapes, within the borders of his -motherland. - -Nestleton Magna is surrounded by emerald hills, which slope gently -down to the valley in which the hamlet lies, displaying a varied -surface of wood and glade, of cornland and pasture-ground, and -surmounted by a stretch of moorland, whereon the sheep crop the -scantier herbage, and the morning mists hang like silver curtains -until the "rosy fingers of the sun" draw them aside, and then purple -heath and golden gorse gleam and glitter on them like a royal crown. -Most of the cottages are thatched and white-washed, and not a few are -embowered in honeysuckle and jasmine. Here and there a more -pretentious dwelling lifts its head, and these with their red bricks -and tiles give piquant variety to the picture. Through the village -there flows a babbling brook, in whose clear, transparent waters the -speckled trout may be seen poising themselves with waving fin, or -darting like an arrow above the gravelly bed, while sticklebacks and -minnows disport themselves in their crystal paradise. Along its -borders are two rows of unshorn willows, and here and there a poplar -lifts its stately head. On either side, in and out among the cosy -cottages, are little patches of garden ground, small tree-shaded -paddocks, and orchards which in sunny spring-time are flush with the -manifold blossoms of apple, plum, pear, and cherry-trees, which add a -peculiar charm to the attractive scene. - - "Far diffused around - One boundless blush, one white impurpled shower - Of mingled blossoms; where the raptured eye - Hurries from joy to joy." - -The quaint old church stands on rising ground in the centre of the -village, and its short, square Norman tower, ivy-clad and pinnacled, -is almost overtopped by the gables of the ancient rectory which stands -close by. The church, the rectory grounds, and the pretty little -churchyard are enclosed and shadowed by a circle of fine old elms, in -which a colony of rooks have been established from time immemorial, -and their monotonous and familiar cawing gives a sylvan finish to the -scene. Near the little wych gate of the churchyard a spacious and open -green affords a pleasant playground for the chubby children, of whom -Nestleton Magna provides quite a notable supply, a gossipping place -for the village rustics in the evening hours, and pasturage for two or -three cows, a donkey or two, and, last not least, a flock of geese, -whose solemn-looking gander oft disputes possession of the field with -the aforesaid chubby children, who flee motherward before it in -undisguised alarm. - -Neither is Nestleton Magna without its lions, and of these the -Nestletonians are justly proud. In Gregory Houston's "Home-close," on -the Abbey Farm, there are the veritable ruins of the ancient cloisters -wherein, in darker times, the Waverdale nuns led ignoble and wasted -lives. The crumbling walls and tottering archways, and grass-grown -heaps of stone, are all covered with ivy bush, bramble, and briar; but -if tradition is to be believed, there are underground passages to the -parish church on the one hand, and reaching even to Cowley Priory on -the other, where, in "the good old times," a fraternity of Franciscan -friars ruled the roast and played queer pranks in Waverdale, -according to the manner of their tribe. Nestleton Abbey, for by that -name are the ruins known, is reputed to be haunted. It is said that -long, long ago, a certain nun called Agatha, having been placed under -penance, did in wicked revenge stab her offending Lady Superior to the -heart, and then, in bitter remorse, did plunge the fatal knife into -her own. From that day to this she has never rested quiet in her -unhallowed grave, but ever and anon "revisits the glimpses of the -moon," attired in a white robe with a crimson stain upon the breast, -and flits among the ruins with uplifted hands, wailing out the -unavailing plaints of her unshriven soul. Surely it is given to few -villages to possess so veritable and renowned a wonder as "Sister -Agatha's ghost." Then there is St. Madge's Well, in Widow Appleton's -croft--once a far-famed shrine, to which devout pilgrimages were made -from far and near, and which is credited to this day with certain -healing virtues second only to those of Bethesda's sacred pool. Pure, -bright, cold and crystalline, its waters strongly impregnated with -iron, it bubbles up unceasingly in the cool grot, overshadowed by -flowering hawthorn, fragrant elder, and purple beech, and no visitor -to Waverdale could ever think of neglecting to visit this charming -nook, or drinking from the iron cup chained to its stone brink, a -refreshing draught from its crystal spring. At least, if he did, Widow -Appleton's money-box would be defrauded, and that brisk and cheery old -dame in neat black gown and frilled white cap, would wish to know the -reason why. - -Time would fail to tell all the beauties of Nestleton Magna, and of -that lovely valley of Waverdale, of which it is the loveliest gem. For -the present, Waverdale Park, Thurston Wood, Cowley Priory, and a host -of minor marvels must be content with passing mention--content to wait -their several occasions in the development of this simple and -veracious story of Yorkshire village life. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -"BLITHE NATTY," THE HARMONIOUS BLACKSMITH. - - "Under a spreading chestnut tree - The village smithy stands; - The smith, a mighty man is he, - With large and sinewy hands; - And the muscles of his brawny arms - Are strong as iron bands. - - His hair is crisp, and black, and long, - His face is like the tan; - His brow is wet with honest sweat, - He earns whate'er he can; - And looks the whole world in the face. - For he owes not any man." - - _Longfellow._ - - -Nearly at the eastern end of Nestleton stood the village forge, a -spacious low-roofed building, in which Nathan Blyth, the blacksmith, -and his father before him, had wielded the hammer by the ringing -anvil, fashioning horse-shoes, forging plough-shares, and otherwise -following the arts and mysteries of their grimy craft. Close to the -smithy stood Nathan's cottage, though that is almost too humble a name -to give to the neat and roomy dwelling which owned the stalwart -blacksmith for its lord and master. True it was thatched and -white-washed like its humbler neighbours, but it boasted of two good -stories, and had a latticed porch, which, as well as the walls, was -covered with roses, jasmine, and other floral adornments. At the gable -end was a tall and fruitful jargonelle pear-tree, which not only -reached to the very peak of the gable, but like Joseph's vine, its -branches ran over the wall, and were neatly tacked with loops of cloth -behind the house, and almost as far as the lowlier porch which -screened the kitchen entrance thereto. Both "fore and aft," as the -sailors say, was a spacious and well-managed garden, whose fruits, -flowers, and vegetables, trim walks and tasteful beds, testified to -the fact that their owner was as skilful with the spade and the rake -as he was with the hammer, the chisel, and the file. - -And that is saying much, for Nathan Blyth had a wonderful repute as -the deftest master of his handicraft within twenty miles of Waverdale. -You could not find his equal in the matter of coulters and -plough-shares. Farmer Houston used to say that his horses went faster -and showed better mettle for his magic fit in the way of shoes; and as -for millers' chisels, with which the millstones are roughened to make -them "bite," they were sent to him from thirty miles the other side of -Kesterton market town to be tempered and sharpened as only Nathan -Blyth could. Then, too, he was handy in all things belonging to the -whitesmith's trade. He could doctor the smallest locks, and understood -the secrets of every kind of catch and latch; the farm-lads of the -village would even bring their big turnip watches to him, and the way -in which he could fix a mainspring or put to rights a balance-wheel -was wonderful to see. - -Natty Blyth was a fine specimen of humanity from a physical point of -view. He stood five feet eleven in his stockings, and at -five-and-forty years of age had thews and sinews of Samsonian calibre -and power. A bright, honest, open face, had Nathan; a pair of thick -eye-brows, well arched, surmounted by a bold, high forehead, and -quite a wealth of dark brown hair. His happy temper, his merry face, -and his constant habit of singing at his toil, had got him the name of -"Blithe Natty," and justly so, for a blither soul than he you could -not find from John-o'-Groats to Land's End, with the Orkneys and the -Scilly Isles to increase your chances. Whenever he stood by his smithy -hearth, his clear tenor voice would roll out its mirthful minstrelsy, -while the hot iron flung out its sparks beneath his hammer, defying -the ring of the anvil either to drown his voice or spoil his tune. - -One fine spring morning, Blithe Natty was busy at his work, and, as -usual, his voice and his anvil were keeping time, when old Kasper -Crabtree, a miserly old bachelor, who farmed Kesterton Grange, stole -on him unobserved. Natty was singing away-- - - There never was a man. - Since first the world began, - If he only did his duty, and kept his conscience clear, - But God was on his side; - It cannot be denied, - So, whatever may betide, - We'll do our honest duty, boys, and never, never fear. - - Then as you go along, - Ring out a merry song; - A good heart and a true is better far than gear. - In every time and place, - He wears a smiling face, - Who goes to God for grace. - Who does his honest duty, boys, need never, never fear. - -"Aye, that's right," said Kasper Crabtree. "Honest duty, as you say, -is the right sort of thing. I only wish my lazy fellows did a little -more on 't." - -"A little more" was Kasper Crabtree's creed in a word. - -"Why, you see," said Blithe Natty, "its often 'like master like man'; -pipe i't parlour, dance i't kitchen; an' maybe if you were to do your -duty to them a little better they would do better by you. 'Give a pint -an' gain a peck; give a noggin' an' get nowt.'" - -Kasper Crabtree did not relish this salutary home-thrust, and made -haste to change the subject. - -"What a glorious morning it is!" said he, "it's grand weather for t' -young corn." - -"Aye," said Natty, "I passed by your forty-acre field yesterday, and -your wheat looked splendid. The rows of bright fresh green looked very -bonny, and the soil was as clean as a new pin." - -"Hey, hey," said old Crabtree, for he was proud of his farming, and -boasted that his management was without equal in the Riding, "I'll -warrant there isn't much in the way of weeds, though it's a parlous -job to keep 'em under. It beats me to know why weeds should grow so -much faster than corn, and so much more plentiful." - -"Why, you see, Farmer Crabtree, weeds are nat'ral. The soil is their -mother, an' you know it's only stepmother to the corn, or you wouldn't -have to sow it; and stepmothers' bairns don't often thrive well. -However, I'm pretty sure that you are a match for all the weeds that -grow--in the fields, at any rate." - -"Hey, or anywhere else," said the boastful farmer. - -"Why, I don't know so much about that," said Natty. "There's a pesky -lot o' rubbish i' the heart, Maister Crabtree, an' like wicks an' -couch grass there's no getting to the bottom on em. The love of money, -now, is the root of"---- - -But Kasper Crabtree was off like a shot, for Blithe Natty's metaphor -was coming uncomfortably close to a personal application, and his -hearer knew of old that Nathan was in the habit of striking as hard -with his tongue as he did with his hammer, so he rapidly beat a -retreat. Natty's face broadened into a smile as he pulled amain at -the handle of his bellows, and then drawing from the fire the red-hot -coulter he was shaping, he began thumping away amid a shower of fiery -spray, singing, as his wont was-- - - Put in the ploughshare and turn up the soil; - Harrow the seed in and sing at the toil, - Hoe up the ketlocks and pull up the weeds; - Toiling and hoping till harvest succeeds. - - Hearts are like fallow, and need to be tilled; - Nothing but evil things else will they yield. - Plough them well, sow them well; crops of good deeds - Follow, if only we keep down the weeds. - - Keep down the weeds, brothers, keep down the weeds! - God sends His sunshine, and harvest succeeds. - -The coulter was again thrust into the fire, and once again the long -lever of the blacksmith's bellows, with a cow's horn by way of handle, -was gripped to raise another "heat," when a second visitor crossed the -smithy threshold, as different from the grim, gaunt, wrinkled and -forbidding form and features of old Kasper Crabtree as a briar-rose -differs from a hedgestake, an icicle from a sunbeam, or a polar bear -from a summer fawn. - -Gathering her skirts of neat-patterned printed calico around her to -keep them from the surrounding grime, the new-comer stole noiselessly -behind the unconscious smith, laid her dainty hands on his brawny -shoulders, and springing high enough to catch a kiss from his swarthy -cheek, landed again on _terra firma_, and, with a ripple of laughter -which sounded like a strain of music, stood with merry, upturned face -to greet Blithe Natty's startled gaze. - -"Give me that back again, you unconscionable thief!" said Nathan, -laying his big hand on her dainty little wrist. "It's flat felony, and -I'll prosecute you with the utmost rigour of the law." - -"Can't do it, sir. You've no witnesses, and the offence isn't -actionable;" and the doughty little damsel took another from the same -place with impunity. - -There was a wondrous light in the eyes of Nathan Blyth, as he looked -in the fair face of the beautiful girl, the light of a love surpassing -the love of women, for was she not his only child, and the very image -of the wife and mother, now a saint in heaven, and still loved by him -with a tender fidelity that seemed to deepen and strengthen with the -lapse of time? No deeper, truer, more concentrated affection ever -glowed in the breast of man, than that which filled the heart of -Nathan Blyth for his peerless Lucy, and sure I am that none was ever -more richly merited. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -"MASTER PHILIP." - - "A Knight there was, and that a worthy man, - That from the tyme that he first bigan - To ryden out, he loved chyvalrie, - Truth and honour, freedom and curtesie. - - * * * * * - - With him ther was his sone, a yong Squyer, - A lovyer and a lusty bachelor, - With lockkes crulle, as they were laid in press. - Of twenty year he was of age, I guess." - - _Chaucer._ - - -The brief spring day had faded into night. Nathan Blyth raked out his -smithy fire, laid aside his leather apron, locked up the forge, and -after an extensive and enjoyable ablution, was seated by the little -round table in the cosy kitchen, discussing the tea and muffins which -Lucy had prepared for their joint repast. That young lady presented a -very piquant and attractive picture. In what her winsomeness consisted -it would be difficult to say: certainly, she was possessed of unusual -charms of face and form, but it is equally certain that these -constituted only a minor element in the glamour of a beauty which -commanded unstinted admiration. With much wisdom and at much -self-sacrifice, Nathan Blyth had sent his daughter to a distant and -noted school for several years, and thanks to this and her own clear -intellect and singular diligence, she had obtained an education -altogether in advance of most girls of her age in a much higher rank -of social life. Her pleasant manners and maidenly behaviour made her -justly popular among the villagers, and many a farmer's son in and -around Nestleton would have gone far and given much for a preferential -glance from her lustrous hazel eyes, and for the reward of a smile and -a word from lips which had no parallels amid the budding beauties of -Waverdale. - -Lucy's mother, a quiet, unpretentious woman, whose solid qualities and -amiable disposition her daughter had inherited, had died some five -years before the opening of my story; but the well-kept grave, the -perpetual succession of flowers planted there, and the fresh-cut -grave-stone at its head, gave proof enough that the widower and orphan -kept her memory green. - -For a long time after his wife's death Nathan Blyth had lived a lonely -and a shadowed life. His anvil rang as loudly, because his hammer was -wielded as lustily as before, but his grand, clear, tenor voice was -seldom lifted in cheerful song. Time, however, that merciful healer of -sore hearts, had gradually extracted the sting of his bereavement, and -loving memories, sweet and tender, took the place of the aching vacuum -which had been so hard to bear. In his blooming daughter, lately -returned from school in all the fair promise of beautiful womanhood, -Nathan saw the express image of his sainted wife. So now again his -home was lighted up with gladness, and from the hearthstone, long -gloomy in its solitude, the shadows flitted: for as Lucy tripped -around, performing her domestic duties with pleasant smile and cheery -song, Nathan waxed content and happy, and no words can describe the -joy the sweet girl felt as she heard the old anvil-music ringing at -the forge and saw the olden brightness beaming on his face. And so it -should ever be:-- - - Be sure that those we mourn, whom God has taken, - Have added joys, the more our sorrows die; - They would not have us live of peace forsaken, - While they are joysome in their home on high. - - Could we but hear again their loving voices, - Comfort and cheer upon our hearts would fall; - Be sure each sainted friend the more rejoices, - The more we can the olden joy recall. - - Down look they on us from their regal glory, - Or, by Divine permit, come hov'ring near; - Fain would they tell us all the golden story - Of their high bliss our mournful hearts to cheer. - - Nor are they voiceless--spiritual whispers - In sweetly silent music thrill the breast; - Then soul communes with soul, exchanges Mizpahs, - And their soft saint-song bids us, "Be at rest!" - -"Father," said Lucy, as the pleasant meal proceeded, "What has become -of Master Philip? Before I went to school he used to come riding up to -the forge on his little white pony nearly every day. You and he were -great friends, I remember, and I have never seen him since I came -back." - -"Why, little lassie," said Nathan, "you and he were quite as good -friends as we were. Indeed, I'm pretty sure that his visits were quite -as much for your sake as mine. At any rate, Master Philip would never -turn his pony's head towards Waverdale Park until he had seen 'his -little sweetheart,' as he called you, and I'm bound to say, Miss Lucy, -that you were quite as well pleased to see his handsome face and to -hear the ring of his merry voice as ever I was--though I did not mean -to make you blush by saying so." - -The concluding words only served to deepen and prolong the ingenuous -blush which now dyed the face of Lucy with a rosy red. - -"Well, father," said Lucy, laughing, "I own I liked the bright -open-hearted boy, who brought me flowers from his papa's conservatory, -and gave me many a ride on his long-maned pony, but I was only a -little girl then"---- - -"And now you are a big woman, and as old as Methusaleh, you withered -little witch," said Blithe Natty, as he drew his heart's idol to his -side, and planted a kiss upon her brow. "Well, Master Philip went to -college soon after you went to school, and his visits to Nestleton -have been few and far between. He has grown into a fine young man now, -and they tell me that he has borne off all the honours of the -university. The old squire is as proud of his son as a hen with one -chick, and small blame to him for that. He has just returned home for -good; but," said he, in a tone so serious as to surprise the -unconscious maiden, "my little lassie must not expect any more pony -rides or accept hothouse flowers from his hands again." - -"Of course not," said my lady, arching her neck and fixing her dark -eyes on her father in innocent amaze, "I don't think Lucy Blyth is -likely to forget herself or bring a cloud on 'daddy's' face." - -"Neither do I, my darling," said Nathan, as another and still another -osculatory process proclaimed a perfect understanding between the -doting father and his motherless girl. - - * * * * * - -Master Philip, the subject of the foregoing conversation, was the only -son and heir of Ainsley Fuller, Esq., of Waverdale Park, who owned -nearly all the village of Nestleton, many a farm round, and half the -town of Kesterton into the bargain. The squire, as he was called, was -rich in worldly wealth, but poor in human sympathies and the more -enduring treasures of the heart. In early life he had essayed to run -a political career; but his first constituency turned their backs upon -him, and on the second he turned his back, disgusted at the pressure -brought to bear upon him by a predominant radicalism. Unfortunate in -his wooing, his first and only true love was taken from him by death, -and a lady to whom he was subsequently betrothed was stolen from him -by a successful rival on the eve of the bridal day. After living to -middle age, and developing a disposition half cynical and accepting a -creed half sceptical, he had suddenly and unwisely married a youthful -wife, whose tastes and habits of life were altogether foreign to his -own. A brief span of unhappy married life was closed by the death of -that lady, leaving the new-born babe to the sole guardianship of the -seemingly cold and irascible father, whose whole affection, small in -store apparently, was fixed on the infant squire--the Master Philip of -this story. - -Those, however, who depreciated the measure of Squire Fuller's love -for his only son were much mistaken. His immobile features and -piercing eyes, peering from beneath the bushy brows of silver grey, -told nothing of the mighty love that lurked within. Nor did Philip -himself, for a long time, at all discern, beneath his father's cold -exterior, how the old man really doted on his boy. That remained to a -great extent a secret, until a strangely potent key was inserted among -the hidden wards of the parental heart, and a rude wrench flung wide -the flood-gates, and set free the imprisoned stream. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -"AUD ADAM OLLIVER." - - "Though old, he still retain'd - His manly sense and energy of mind, - Virtuous and wise he was, but not severe; - He still remembered that he once was young; - His easy presence checked no decent joy, - Him even the dissolute admired; for he - A graceful looseness, when he pleased, put on, - And, laughing, could instruct." - - _Armstrong._ - - -The nearest neighbour to Nathan Blyth was an old farm labourer called -Adam Olliver, who for forty years and more, as man and boy, had toiled -and moiled on Gregory Houston's farm. He had now reached an age at -which he was unequal to prolonged and heavy labour, and so he spent -his time in cutting and trimming the farmer's hedges--his thoughtful -master giving him to understand that though his wages were to be -continued as usual, he was at full liberty to work when it pleased -him, and to rest when he chose. The old man used to ride to and from -his labour on a meek and mild old donkey, which rejoiced in the name -of Balaam, and which was never known to travel at any other pace than -a slow jog-trot, or to carry any other rider than his master. No -sooner did old Balaam become conscious that he was bestridden by any -unfamiliar biped, than he curved his neck downwards, placed his head -between his knees, elevated his hinder quarters suddenly into mid-air, -and ejected the unwelcome tenant of the saddle, and with so brief a -notice to quit, that he had generally completed an involuntary -somersault, and was landed on Mother Earth, before he knew the nature -of the indignity to which he had been subjected. - -Adam was somewhat short in stature, thick-set in form and frame; his -hair was short and grizzly, and his thick iron-grey eyebrows -overarched a pair of twinkling blue eyes, full of keen insight and -kindly humour. His fustian coat and battered "Jim Crow," like his -wrinkled and sun-browned features, were "weather-tanned, a duffil -grey," and, like his own bending frame, were a good deal worse for -wear. A pair of old corduroy nether garments, buttoned at the knees, -with gaiters of the same material, affording a peep at the warm, -coarse-ribbed, blue worsted stockings underneath, with hobnailed boots -armed with heel and toe-plates, all helped to make up a very quaint -and favourable picture of his class--a class common enough upon the -Yorkshire farms. - -Adam Olliver's talk was the very broadest Doric of the broadest -dialect to be found amid all the phonetic fantasies of England, and -his responses to the inquiries of tourists and others, not "to the -manner born," who asked the old hedge-cutter the way, say to Kesterton -or Hazelby, were given in what was, to all intents and purposes, high -Dutch to the bewildered listeners. They would have been left in -glorious uncertainty as to his meaning, but that Old Adam's energetic -and oratorical action generally sufficed to speed the querist in the -right direction. He was an honest, upright, intelligent Christian, was -Adam, and an old-standing member of the little Methodist society, -which had managed to hold its own in the village of Nestleton, and -which, for want of a chapel, held its meetings in Farmer Houston's -kitchen. All the villagers held the old man in respect, and few there -were who did not enjoy "a crack o' talk" with the old hedger. His odd -humour, sound piety, and practical common sense, were expressed in -short, sharp, nuggety sentences, which hit the nail on the head with a -thump that drove it home without the need of a second blow. But I hope -to give Adam Olliver abundant opportunity to speak for himself, and -will say no more than that his "Aud Woman," as he called his good wife -Judith, or Judy in Yorkshire parlance, had been the partner of his -joys and sorrows for nearly forty years, and was still a buxom body -for her age; that of his three children, Jake the eldest, was Farmer -Houston's foreman; Pete, the second, was seeking his fortune in -America; and Hannah, a strapping good-looking lass of nineteen, was -under-housemaid at Waverdale Hall, and that all of them will ever and -anon appear in the true and impartial village annals I am here -recording. - -On the evening of a fine spring day, Old Adam, having made Balaam snug -and comfortable in a little thatched, half-tumble-down outhouse which -did duty for a stable, and having despatched his frugal evening meal, -was seated on a small wooden bench outside his cottage door, enjoying -the fragrance of some tobacco which Pete had sent him, using for that -purpose a short black pipe of small dimensions, strong flavour, and -indefinite age. - -"Hallo! Adam; then you are burning your idol again," said Blithe -Natty, who had sauntered round for a little gossip. - -"Hey," said Adam, "you see he's like a good monny idols ov another -sooat. He tak's a plaguey deal o' manishin'. He's a reg'lar -salimander. Ah've been at him off an' on for weel nigh fotty year, an' -he's a teeaf 'un; bud," said he, with a twinkle in his eye, "Ah'll -tak' good care 'at he ends i' smook." - -"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Natty, as he leaned his arms on the little -garden gate, and swung it to and fro. "I can't tell how it is you -enjoy it so. It would soon do my business for me." - -"Why, 'there's neea accoontin' for teeast,' as t' aud woman said when -she kissed 'er coo, bud ah reckon you've tried it, if t' truth wer' -knoan; an' y' see, it isn't ivverybody," with another twinkle, "'at ez -eeather talents or passevearance te mak' a smooker. Like monny other -clever things, its nobbut sum 'at ez t' gift te deea 'em. There's Jim -Raspin, noo; he's been scrapin' away on a fiddle for a twelvemonth, -an' when he's deean 'is best, he can nobbut mak' a grumplin' noise -like a pig iv a fit. Ah can't deea mitch, but ah can clip a hedge an' -smook a pipe, an' that's better then being a Jack ov all trayds an' -maister o' neean." - -Here the old man blew out a long cloud of curling smoke, and laying -down his short pipe by the side of him, he gave a low chuckle of -satisfaction at having come out triumphant from an attack on the only -weakness of which he could be convicted. - -"Ah see," said he, "'at you've getten Lucy yam ageean, an' a feyn -smart wench she is. They say 'feyn feathers mak's feyn bods,' but -she's a bonny bod i' grey roosset, an' depends for her prattiness mair -on 'er feeace an' manners then on 'er cleease." - -"Yes," said Natty, well pleased with this genuine compliment on his -darling; "Lucy is a fine lass and a good 'un, and makes the old house, -which has been gloomy enough, as bright as sunshine." - -"God bless 'er," said the old man, warmly; "an' if she gets t' grace -o' God she'll be prattier still. There's neea beauty like religion, -Natty, an' t' robe o' righteousness sets off a cotton goon as mitch as -silk an' velvet." - -"Hey, that's true enough," said Nathan Blyth; "an' Lucy's all right on -that point. She isn't a stranger to religion. She loves her Bible and -her Saviour, and her conduct is all that heart can wish." - -"Ah's waint an' glad to hear it," said Adam. "Meeast o' d' young -lasses noo-a-days seeam to me te mind nowt but falderals an' ribbins. -They cover their backs wi' tinsel an' fill their brains wi' caff till -they leeak like moontebanks, an' their heeads is as soft as a feather -bed. - - 'Mary i' the dairy - Wad fain be a fairy, - Wi' wings an' a kirtle o' green; - Mary spoils 'er butter, - Puts t' good wife in a flutter, - A lazy good-for-nothing quean. - - Silly, silly Mary! - Bid good-bye te the fairy, - Leeak te the butter an' the cheese; - Be quick an' 'arn the siller. - Marry Matt the Miller, - Then live as happy as you pleease.'" - -"Who's going to marry Matt, the miller, I wonder, Adam Olliver?" said -Lucy Blyth, suddenly peeping over her father's shoulder by the garden -gate. - -"Odd's bobs," said the startled hedger; "'you come all at yance,' as -t' man said when t' sack o' floor dropt on his nob. Why, Lucy, me' -lass, is it you? Ah's waint an' glad to see yer' bonny feeace ageean. -Come in a minnit. Judy! Judy! Here's somebody come 'at it'll deea your -and een good te leeak at." - -Out came Judith Olliver, in her brown stuff gown and checked apron, a -small three-cornered plaid shawl across her shoulders, and with her -white hair neatly gathered beneath a cap of white muslin, double -frilled and tied beneath the dimpled chin--as comely and motherly an -old cottager as you could wish to see. - -"Dear heart," said Mrs. Olliver, as Lucy kissed her cheek, looking on -the bright girl in unconstrained admiration, "Can this be little Lucy -Blyth?" - -At that moment a fine, tall, gentlemanly youth of some two-and-twenty -summers, paused as he passed the garden gate. Turning his open -handsome face toward the speaker, his eyes fell on the radiant beauty -of the blacksmith's daughter; he recognised the features of his -childish "sweetheart" with a thrill of something more than wonder, -and, resuming his walk, "Master Philip" repeated again and again -Judith Olliver's inquiry, "Can this be little Lucy Blyth?" - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -"BLACK MORRIS." - - "What dreadful havoc in the human breast - The passions make, when, unconfined and mad, - They burst, unguided by the mental eye, - The light of reason, which, in various ways, - Points them to good, or turns them back from ill." - - _Thompson._ - - -At the opposite end of the village to that where Nathan Blyth resided, -there was a cluster of small tumble-down cottages, whose ragged -thatch, patched windows, and generally forlorn appearance denoted the -unthrifty and "unchancy" character of their occupants. This -disreputable addendum to the charming village of Nestleton was known -as Midden Harbour, a very apt description in itself of the unsavoury -character of its surroundings, and the unpleasant manners and customs -of most of the denizens of that locality. Squire Fuller had often -tried to purchase this unpleasant blotch, which lay in the centre of -his own trim and well-managed estate. Its owner, however, old Kasper -Crabtree, a waspish dog-in-the-manger kind of fellow, could not be -induced to sell it. Indeed, there is every reason to believe that -"Crabby," as the villagers fitly called him, found sincere -gratification in the fact that the property and its possessors were a -universal nuisance, for Crabby was one of that numerous family of -social Ishmaelites whose hand was against every man, and so every -man's hand and tongue were against him. - -Of the colony of Midden Harbour, one family was engaged in the sale of -crockery-ware, which was hawked around the country in a cart, -accompanied by both man and woman kind. The former were clad in -velveteen coat and waistcoat and corduroy breeches, all notable for -extent of pocket and an outbreak of white buttons, with which they -were almost as thickly studded as a May pasture is with daisies. The -latter were clad in cotton prints notable for brevity of skirt, -revealing substantial ankles, graced with high laced-up boots which -would have well served a ploughboy. A second family were besom-makers, -whose trade materials were surreptitiously gathered on Kesterton Moor -and from the woods of Waverdale; the "ling" of the one and the -"saplings" of the other sufficing to supply both heads and handles. A -third family was of the tinker persuasion, travelling about the -country with utensils of tin. They were great in the repair of such -pots and pans as required the use of solder, which was melted by the -aid of an itinerant fire carried in an iron grate. Midden Harbour also -boasted a rag-and-bone merchant on a small scale, a scissors-grinder, -who united umbrella-mending with his primal trade, and a pedlar also -had pitched his tent within its boundaries; altogether, its limited -population was about as queer a medley as could well be found. Most of -the Harbourites had the character of being more or less, chiefly more, -given to making nocturnal excursions in quest of game, and Squire -Fuller, Sir Harry Everett, and other large land-owners in the -neighbourhood were being perpetually "requisitioned" by clever and -successful poachers, who either defied or bribed all the gamekeeperdom -of the country side. - -Just behind Midden Harbour was a much larger and somewhat more -respectable house, though discredited by being in such an -unrespectable locality. It stood in what might by courtesy be called a -garden, but, like that which dear old Isaac Watts stood to look at, -and which belonged to a neighbour of his who was late o' mornings, you -might see "the wild briar, the thorn and the thistle grow higher and -higher." The garden-gate was hung by one hinge, and was generally so -much aslant that one might imagine, that, like its owner, it was given -to beer. The garden wall, the house, the outbuildings were all first -cousins to Tennyson's Moated Grange. - - "With blackest moss the flower-pots - Were thickly crusted, one and all; - The rusted nails fell from the knots - That held the peach to the garden wall. - The broken sheds looked sad and strange, - Unlifted was the clinking latch; - Weeded and worn the ancient thatch - Upon the lonely moated grange." - -In this house lived a man, well known for many a mile round as "Piggy" -Morris, so called by reason of his pig-jobbing proclivities, though he -varied his calling in that direction by dealing in calves, sheep, -dogs, old horses--in fact, he was quite ready to buy or sell anything -by which he could gain a profit, or, as he put it, "finger the rhino." - -Piggy Morris was once a respectable farmer, a tenant of Squire -Fuller's, but his drinking habits had been his ruin. His farm -deteriorated so much that his landlord gave him notice to quit, and -had threatened to prosecute him for damages into the bargain. From the -day he was expelled from Eastthorpe to the time of which I am writing -Piggy Morris had nursed and cherished a deadly hatred to Squire -Fuller, and though some years had now elapsed, he still thirsted for -vengeance on the man who had "been his ruin." - -The victims of intemperance are marvellously skilful in laying the -blame of their downfall on men and circumstances, and Piggy Morris -attributed all his melancholy change of fortune to a hard landlord and -bad times. - -After the loss of his farm, Morris had taken his present house because -of a malt-kiln which was on the premises, and he hoped to gain a trade -and position as maltster, which would equal if not surpass the -opportunity he had lost. But alas! the ball was rolling down the hill, -and neither malt-kiln nor brewery could stop it; indeed, as was most -probable, they gave it an additional impetus, and poor Morris was fast -descending to the low level of Midden Harbour. He was a keen, clever, -long-headed fellow, and could always make money in his huckstering -fashion, but he was sullen, sour, ill-tempered; at war with his better -self, he seemed to be at war with everybody else, which is perhaps one -of the most miserable and worriting states of mind into which sane men -can fall. His wife, poor soul, an amiable and thoroughly respectable -woman, was cowed and broken-spirited, and lived an ailing and -depressed life, sighing in chronic sorrow over the happiness and -comfort of other days. - -This misfitting pair had four children. The eldest, a fine stalwart -fellow of twenty-four, had made some proficiency in the art and -science of farriery. He had received no special training to equip him -as a veterinary surgeon, but in practical farriery he was accounted -very clever, and might have done well in that particular line. But the -sins of the fathers are often visited upon their children. Young -Morris was sadly too frequent a guest at the Red Lion, and in spite of -his education and native talents, was only a sort of ne'er-do-weel, -very popular in the taproom and similar centres of sociality; -"nobody's enemy but his own," but, withal, slowly and surely -gravitating towards ruin, "going to the dogs." He had an intimate -acquaintance with dogs and guns, snares and springs, and was oft -suspected of carrying on a contraband trade in fish, flesh, and fowl, -captured in flood and field. His coal-black hair and beard, and his -swarthy though handsome features, had gained for him the soubriquet of -Black Morris; and though he did not much relish the cognomen, it -speedily became fixed, and there is no doubt that his wild and -reckless conduct made the name, in some degree at least, appropriate. -His two brothers, Bob and Dick, were in the employ of Kasper Crabtree, -and his sister Mary, a quick and amiable girl of eighteen, was the -loving helper, nurse, and companion of her ailing mother. - -Since Lucy Blyth's return home, Black Morris, who had seen her oft, on -his visits to her father's forge and in other parts of the village, -had ventured at length to accost her, receiving, as her wont was, a -pleasant smile and a courteous reply. Black Morris was made of very -inflammable material, and speedily fell over head and ears in love -with the blacksmith's daughter. With his usual impetuosity of -character, he swore that he and no other would capture the charming -village belle, and took his steps accordingly. To carry out his -purpose, his visits to the forge increased in number, his conduct was -thoroughly proper and obliging, and his manners at their best, which -is saying much, for when Black Morris chose he could be a gentleman. -He often wielded the big hammer for Blithe Natty with muscle and -skill, and that shrewd knight of the anvil was more than half inclined -to change his opinion of his voluntary helper, and come to the -conclusion that he was a "better fellow than he took him for." - -One evening, after Black Morris had been rendering useful and unbought -aid in this way, Nathan Blyth felt constrained to thank him with -unusual heartiness, and with his usual plainness of speech, he blurted -out,-- - -"Morris, there's the makings of a good fellow i' you. What a pity it -is that you don't settle steadily down to some honest work, and give -up loafing about after other folks' property! 'A rolling stone -gathers no moss,' and 'a scone o' your own baking is better than a -loaf begged, borrowed, or taken.'" - -Black Morris's swarthy features flushed up to the roots of his hair, -his old temper leaped at once to the tip of his tongue, and his hand -was involuntarily closed, for "a word and a blow" was his mode of -argument. The remembrance that the speaker was Lucy's father -restrained him, and he replied,-- - -"Look here, Nathan Blyth, when you say I loaf about other folk's -property, you say more than you know; an' as for settling down, give -me your daughter Lucy for a wife, and I'll be the steadiest fellow in -Nestleton, aye, and in all Waverdale besides!" - -"Marry Lucy!" exclaimed Natty, shocked at the idea of entrusting his -darling to the keeping of such a reckless ne'er-do-weel, "I'd rather -see her dead and in her grave! and so, good-night!" - -Turning on his heel, Nathan Blyth went indoors, and Black Morris stood -with lowering brow and flashing eyes. Shaking his fist at the closed -door, he thundered out an oath, and said,-- - -"Mine or nobody's, you ----, if I swing for it;" and strode homeward -in a towering rage. - -O Nathan Blyth! Nathan Blyth! Your hasty and ill-considered words have -sown dragon's teeth to-night! The time is coming, coming on wings as -black as Erebus, when you will wish your tongue had cleaved to the -roof of your mouth before you uttered them. You have beaten a -ploughshare to-night which shall score as deep a furrow through your -soul as ever did coulter from the ringing anvil by your smithy -hearth. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -PHILIP'S VISIT TO THE FORGE, OR LOVE'S YOUNG DREAM. - - "Love is a plant of holier birth - Than any that takes root on earth; - A flower from heaven, which 'tis a crime - To number with the things of time. - Hope in the bud is often blasted, - And beauty on the desert wasted! - And joy, a primrose, early gay, - Care's lightest footfall treads away. - But love shall live, and live for ever, - And chance and change shall reach it never." - - _Henry Neele._ - - -"Can this be little Lucy Blyth?" said Philip Fuller to himself, as he -wended his way to Waverdale Park. His memories were very pleasant, of -the bright and piquant child, whom as a boy he had known and romped -with in that freedom from restraint, which his youth, the lack of a -mother's care, and the pre-occupied and studious habits of his father -rendered possible. The attractive little girl and the merry geniality -of Blithe Natty had induced him when he was barely in his teens to -take his rides almost constantly in the direction of the Forge, and -fruits and flowers and pony rides, as far as Lucy was concerned, were -the order of the day. Who can say that love's subtle magic did not -weave its unseen but potent spell around those two young hearts in -those early days of mirthful childhood? At any rate, Philip's heart -responded at once to the sound of Lucy's name, and now her superadded -charms of face and feature fairly took him captive. Whether there be -any truth or not in the poet's idea of - - "A first, full, sudden Pentecost of love," - -it cannot be denied that Philip there and then knew that he loved Lucy -Blyth, knew, moreover, that it was a love that would be all-absorbing, -a love that time would not lessen, that trial would not weaken, that -death would not destroy. No other idea could get in edgewise during -that memorable walk. The radiant vision floated before his eyes, and -thrilled him to the heart: the very trees seemed to whisper "Lucy" as -they trembled in the breeze, and Philip Fuller knew from that hour -that he had "found his fate." - -Difference of rank, social barriers, his father's exaggerated family -pride, Nathan Blyth's sturdy independence, Lucy's possible denial, and -kindred prosy considerations, did not occur to the smitten youth; or -if they did they were wondrously minified by love's inverted telescope -into microscopic proportions, and through them all he held the -juvenilian creed that "love can find out the way." In his dreams that -night, he re-enacted all the scene at Adam Olliver's garden gate; saw -again the sweetest face in the world or out of it to his -glamour-flooded eyes; heard again the question, "Can this be little -Lucy Blyth?" Men live rapidly in dreams, time flies like a flash. -Difficulties do not count in dreams, they are ignored, and so it was -that Philip answered the question in a _veni-vidi-vici_ kind of -spirit, and shouted in dreamland over the garden gate, "Yes it can, -and will be Lucy Fuller, by-and-bye!" Then, as John Bunyan says, he -"awoke, and behold it was a dream." Ah! Master Philip, Jason did not -win the golden fleece without sore travail and fight; Hercules did not -win the golden apple of Hesperides without dire conflict with its -dragon guard, and if you imagine that this dainty prize is going to -fall into your lap for wishing for, you will find it is indeed a dream -from which a veritable thunderclap shall wake you. Will the lightning -scathe you? Who may lift the curtain of the future? I would not if I -could--better far, as honest Natty sings, to - - Do your honest duty, boys, and never, never fear. - -The next morning Master Philip left the breakfast-table to go out on a -voyage of discovery. Bestriding a handsome bay horse, his father's -latest gift, he rode down to Nestleton Forge, and arrived just in time -to hear the final strophes of Blithe Natty's latest anvil song. That -vivacious son of Vulcan was engaged in sharpening and tempering -millers' chisels, and as the labour was not hard, and the blows -required were light and rapid, Natty's song dovetailed with the -accompaniment:-- - - Every cloud has a lining of light, - Morning is certain to follow the night; - Eve may be sombre, the shadows shall flee, - Sunny and smiling the morrow shall be. - Cheerily, merrily, sing the refrain, - Setting suns ever are rising again. - - Hearts may be heavy and hope may be low, - Pluck up your spirits and sing as you go. - Hope now, hope ever, though dark be the sky, - Night brings the stars out to glitter on high. - Cheerily, merrily, sing the refrain, - Setting suns ever are rising again. - - Larks fold their wings when daylight is done, - Spread them to-morrow again to the sun. - Gloomiest shadows shall lift by-and-bye, - Smiles of contentment shall follow the sigh. - Cheerily, merrily, sing the refrain, - Setting suns ever are rising again. - -"Good morning, Mr. Blyth," said Philip; "I'm glad to have the chance -of hearing your merry voice again. I've been intending to ride round -ever since my return from college, but my father has managed to keep -me pretty much by his side." - -"I'm heartily glad to see you, sir," said Nathan, "and mighty pleased -to see that college honours and gay company have not led you to forget -your poorer neighbours. You know the old proverb, 'When the sun's in -the eyes people don't see midges.'" - -"Why, as for that," said Philip, with a laugh, "I am not aware that -the sun _is_ in my eyes. At any rate I can see you, and you are no -midge by any means. 'Should auld acquaintance be forgot?' As for gay -company, that is not at all in my line. By-the-bye, what's become of -your little daughter? I hope I may have the pleasure of seeing her, -too. I suppose she has grown altogether too womanly to accept a ride -on Harlequin, the pony, even if I brought him. Is she at home?" - -Now, I am quite sure that Nathan Blyth would much rather have -preferred that Master Philip should not resume his acquaintance with -Lucy. On the other hand, he had the most unbounded confidence in her, -while he had no shadow of reason for suspecting Philip of any ulterior -motive; hence he could scarcely avoid calling his daughter to speak -with the young squire. That young lady soon appeared in graceful -morning garb, and the impressible heart of the youthful lover was -bound in chains for evermore. There was neither guile nor reserve in -his greeting. The light that beamed in his eye and the tone that rung -in his voice, could scarcely fail to betray to far less observant eyes -and ears the unmeasured satisfaction with which he renewed his -acquaintance with the charming girl. Lucy, however, seemed to have -retired into herself; her words were few, constrained, and -inconsequent, but the tell-tale blush was on her cheek, and there was -a singular flutter at her heart, as she saw the ardent admiration -which shone in the eyes of her quondam friend. It was with a profound -sense of relief that she was able to plead the pressure of domestic -duties as a reason for shortening the interview and retiring from the -scene. After a brief conversation with Nathan on trivial matters, -Philip mounted his horse and rode homewards, in that frame of mind so -admirably depicted by Otway:-- - - "Where am I? Sure Paradise is round me; - Sweets planted by the hand of heaven grow here, - And every sense is full of thy perfection! - To hear thee speak might calm a madman's frenzy, - Till by attention he forgot his sorrows; - But to behold thy eyes, th' amazing beauties - Would make him rage again with love, as I do; - Thou Nature's whole perfection in one piece! - Sure, framing thee, Heaven took unusual care; - As its own beauty, it designed thee fair, - And formed thee by the best loved angel there." - -Such were the emotions Philip Fuller felt as he turned away from the -Forge of Nathan Blyth. Rounding the corner in the direction of -Waverdale Hall, he was suddenly confronted by the scowling face and -suspicious eyes of Black Morris. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -KESTERTON CIRCUIT AND THE "ROUNDERS." - - "A good man there was of religioun, - And he was a poor parsoun of a toune; - But rich he was of holy thought and werk. - He was, also, a learned man, a clerk - That Christe's gospel gladly wolde preche; - His parischens devoutly wolde he teche. - Benign he was and wondrous diligent, - And in adversite full patient." - - _Chaucer._ - - -Methodism was introduced into Kesterton in the days of John Wesley -himself, and in the plain, square, old-fashioned chapel, with its -arched windows, brick walls, and hip roof, red tiled and high peaked, -you might see the very pulpit in which the grand old apostle of the -eighteenth century preached more than a hundred years ago. The chapel -stood back from the main street, and to get at it you had to go -through a narrow passage, for the fathers of the Methodist Church, -unlike their more self-assertive successors, seem to have courted a -very modest retirement for the Bethels which they built for God. -Behind the chapel there is a small burial-ground, in which are the -honoured graves of those to whom Kesterton Methodism owes its origin, -and who did its work and bore its fortunes in its earlier struggles -for existence. On the other side of an intervening wall, in the midst -of a little garden, capable of much improvement in the matter of -tidiness and cultivation, stands the "preacher's house." It is not by -any means an imposing structure, and taxes to the utmost the -contrivance of its itinerant tenants to find sleeping accommodation -for the "quiver full" of youngsters with which they are commonly -favoured in an unusual degree. In the matter of furniture the less -said the better; suffice it to say that it could not be regarded as -extravagant in quality or burdensome in quantity. Indeed, it was open -to serious imputations in both those directions; at least so thought -the Rev. Theophilus Clayton, who had latterly become located there, -and seemed likely to go through the maximum term of three years, to -the high satisfaction of the people, and with a moderate measure of -contentment to himself. - -Kesterton rejoiced in the dignity of being a circuit town, and at the -time to which these annals refer, the circuit extended from Meriton in -the east to Amworth Marsh in the west; and from Chessleby on the north -to Bexton on the south, an area of nineteen miles by twenty-one. There -was a circuit horse and gig provided for the longer journeys, but as -the "better days" which both of them _had_ seen smacked of the -mediæval age, the gig was as little remarkable for polish or paint as -the horse was either for beauty or speed. - -The Rev. Theophilus Clayton was an admirable specimen of an -old-fashioned Methodist preacher. He was of middle-height and somewhat -portly figure; had an intelligent and pleasant face, a broad forehead, -a pair of piercing black eyes surmounted by dark thick eyebrows and -hair fast whitening, but more with toil than age. His whole appearance -was calculated to win attention and respect, and his piety and force -of character were almost certain to retain them after they had been -won. He was "in labours more abundant," and in addition to being an -effective preacher, he was a capital business man, one under whose -management a circuit is pretty sure to thrive. - -His colleague, the Rev. Matthew Mitchell, was young in years, and not -yet out of his probation. Though he was not equal to his -superintendent in pulpit ability, he largely made up for it by his -diligent pastoral visitation, and the earnest and vigorous way in -which he went about his high and holy calling. It is not given to all -men to possess high intellectual abilities and oratoric strength, but -it is given to every man to be able, as the Americans say, "to do his -level best," and that by the blessing of God may be mighty in pulling -down the strongholds of Satan and the lifting up of the Church to a -higher altitude of spirituality and a broader gauge of moral force. Of -an enthusiastic temperament and with strong revivalistic proclivities, -the Rev. Matthew Mitchell was remarkably successful, especially among -the village populations, in winning souls for Christ. He was a young -fellow, of somewhat prepossessing appearance, lithe, agile, and strong -as an athlete. As both these worthy men will have to play an important -part in this history, nothing further need to be said at present; I am -much mistaken, however, if the reader does not find that they were -both of them made of sterling stuff. - -The small society of Methodists in Nestleton, numbering some -five-and-twenty members, owed its origin to the love and labours of -Old Adam Olliver. Many long years before, when the quaint old hedger -was foreman on old George Houston's farm, Adam, with two or three -fellow-servants, used to walk to Kesterton to the Sunday preaching. -Through the ministry of a grand old Boanerges of the early age they -had found peace through believing, and for some time used to attend a -class-meeting held after the afternoon service for such outlying -members as could not attend during the busy week days. One Sunday, -after the quarterly tickets had been renewed by the superintendent -minister, Adam plucked up courage to address him,-- - -"Ah wop you'll excuse ma, sor," said he, "bud we're desp'rate fain te -get ya' te cum te Nestleton. Meeast o' t' fooaks is nowt bud a parcel -o' heeathens. There's neea spot for 'em te gan teea bud t' chotch, an' -t' parson drauns it oot like a bummle bee; summut at neeabody can mak' -neeather heead nor tayl on, an' t' Gospel nivver gets preeach'd frae -yah yeear end te d' t' other. - -"Well, but have you a place to preach in, Adam?" quoth the minister; -"is there anybody who will take us in?" - -"Why, there's d' green," said Adam, "neeabody'll molest uz there, -unless it be t' oad gander, an' ah wop yo' weeant tohn tayl at him. -An' i' mucky weather yoo can hae mah hoose. Ah've axed Judy, an' sha' -sez 'at you can hev it an' welcome. It isn't mitch ov a spot, but it's -az good az a lahtle fishin' booat, an' oor Sayviour preeached upo' -that monny a tahme; ah reckon 'at best sarmon 'at ivver was preeached -was up ov a hill-sahd, an' the Lord gay another te nobbut yah woman -fre' t' steean wall ov a well. It isn't wheear yo' stand, bud what yo' -say 'at 'll wakken Nestleton up, and gi'd folks a teeaste o' t' Gospel -trumpet. When will yo' cum?" - -Adam Olliver gained the day, and services were held on Nestleton Green -and in Adam's cottage. Eventually the village was placed upon the -plan, the local preachers were appointed on the Sunday evenings, Adam -Olliver was made a leader of the class, and from that day Methodism -had kept a foothold in Nestleton. Nay, more than that, for Adam's -cottage grew too small for the congregation, and the large kitchen of -Gregory Houston was placed at their disposal. At the time of which we -write, that good farmer and his family were all in church communion, -and he, Adam Olliver, and Nathan Blyth, who was a popular and -successful local preacher, were the props and pillars of the Nestleton -Society. - -It was a very inviting nest of rural piety. In their lowly services -there was felt full often the presence and the power of God, and their -mean and homely sanctuary was the palace of the King of Kings! Such -little patches of evangelic life are happily common in Methodism. Her -village triumphs have been amongst her greatest glories, and it is to -be hoped that this Church, so remarkably owned of God in the rural -districts, will never forget or neglect the rustic few, among whom its -brightest trophies have been won, and from whom its noblest agents -have been obtained. - -One Sunday, Philip Fuller was walking from the Rectory, whither he had -been to dinner after the morning and only service at the parish -church. The evening was calm and fine, so he prolonged his walk by -making a detour round the highest part of the village, and was passing -Farmer Houston's gate just at the time that the little Methodist -congregation had assembled for worship. Philip, who was not aware of -this arrangement, heard the hearty singing of a hundred voices, and in -pure curiosity drew near the open door, for the weather was of the -warmest, and listened to the strain,-- - - "Behold Him, all ye that pass by, - The bleeding Prince of Life and Peace! - Come see, ye worms, your Maker die, - And say, was ever grief like His? - Come feel with me His blood applied; - My Lord, my Love, is crucified. - - Is crucified for me and you, - To bring us rebels back to God; - Believe, believe the record true, - Ye all are bought with Jesus' blood, - Pardon for all flows from His side; - My Lord, my Love, is crucified." - -Philip was greatly struck, alike with the warmth and energy of the -singers and the directly evangelical character of the hymn. During his -residence at Oxford he had, at first, been half inclined to accept the -almost infidel views which at that time were tacitly held by not a few -of the tutors and even the clerics of that famous university. A candid -perusal of the Scriptures, however, for he was a genuine seeker after -truth, and an attendance on the ministry of a godly and effective -clergyman, who had rallied round him the evangelical element of the -various colleges, rendered Philip utterly dissatisfied with the loose -tenets he had been accustomed to hear. When he left college he was the -subject of unavowed but strong conviction as to the importance and -necessity of experimental religion, but as yet was very much at sea as -to the Gospel plan of salvation. Philip noiselessly entered the -kitchen, and took an unnoticed place among the rural worshippers. - -Much to his surprise, he saw Nathan Blyth standing in the moveable -pulpit, and, in obedience to his solemn invitation, "Let us pray!" -Philip knelt with the rest, while Natty, who knew from happy and long -experience how to talk with God, led their devotions in an extempore -prayer, the like of which he had never heard before. Nathan's sermon -that night was founded on the text that stirred the heart and baffled -the mind of the Ethiopian eunuch: "He was led as a sheep to the -slaughter: and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not -his mouth:" and included the sable nobleman's inquiry, "Of whom -speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?" - -Of that "Other Man" Natty spoke as one who knew Him. He placed the -atonement in a light so clear, and the love of the Atoner in a manner -so impressive, that Philip found himself listening with a beating -heart and a swimming eye. In plain, but powerful language, the speaker -urged his hearers to accept the proffered gift of God. The -congregation joined in singing that stirring hymn,-- - - "All ye that pass by, - To Jesus draw nigh; - To you is it nothing that Jesus should die? - Your ransom and peace, - Your surety He is; - Come see if there ever was sorrow like His." - -Nathan Blyth called on "Brother Olliver" to engage in prayer. At the -first Philip was inclined to be amused at the rude and rugged language -in which the old man poured out his soul to God, but as he proceeded, -bearing with him the subtle power and sympathy of a praying people, -the listener was moved to wonder and to awe, and felt with Jacob, -"Surely God is in this place and I knew it not." "Thoo knoas, Lord," -said Adam Olliver, "'at we're all poor helpless sinners; but Thoo's a -great Saviour, an' sum on uz ez felt Thi' pooer te seeave. - - 'Oor Jesus te knoa, an' te feel His blood floa - It's life ivverlastin', it's heaven beloa!' - -Lord! There's them here to-neet' at's strangers te d' blood 'at bowt -ther pardon up o' d' tree. Thoo loves 'em. Thoo pities 'em. Thoo dee'd -for 'em. Oppen ther hearts, Lord. Melt their consciences an' mak' 'em -pray, 'God be massiful te me a sinner.' Seeave 'em, Lord! Rich or -poor, young or aud. Put d' poor wand'ring sheep o' Thi' shoother an' -lead 'em inte d' foad o' Thi' infannit luv." No sooner was the -benediction pronounced than Philip stole silently away. As he trod the -shady lanes and crossed the park his mind was full of serious thought. -During the entire evening, he was silent and abstracted, and as he -laid his head upon his pillow the plaintive appeal still rung in his -ears,-- - - "To you is it nothing that Jesus should die." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -ADAM OLLIVER BEGINS TO PROPHESY. - - "If bliss had lien in art and strength, - None but the wise and strong had gained it; - Where now, by faith, all arms are of a length; - One size doth all conditions fit. - - A peasant may believe as much - As a great clerk, and reach the highest stature; - Thus dost thou make proud knowledge crouch, - While grace fills up uneven nature. - - Faith makes me anything, or all - That I believe is in the sacred story; - And when sin placeth me in Adam's fall, - Faith sets me higher in his glory." - - _George Herbert._ - - -Gregory Houston, Adam Olliver's master, and, as far as means and -position were concerned, principal member of the little Methodist -society in Nestleton, was crossing his farmyard one summer's day, when -his aged serving-man was engaged in getting together a few "toppers." -These are long screeds of thinly-sawn larch fir, to be nailed on the -top of stakes driven into weak places in the hedgerows to strengthen -them, and to secure the continuity of the fence. - -"Well, Adam," said the genial farmer, "how are you getting on?" - -"Why, ah's getting en all reet. It's rayther ower yat for wark; but -while it's ower yat for me, it's grand for t' wheeat, an' seea ah -moan't grummle. It's varry weel there isn't mitch te deea at t' -hedges, or ah's flaid 'at ah sud be deead beeat." - -"Oh, they're all right, I've no doubt," said Mr. Houston; "I didn't -mean that. I was thinking of better matters." - -"Oh, as te that, bless the Lord, ah've niwer nowt te grummle at i' -that respect, but me aun want o' faith an' luv. T' Maister's allus -good, an' ah's meeastlin's 'appy. Neeabody sarves the Lord for nowt, -an' mah wayges is altegither oot of all measure wi' me' addlings, -beeath frae you an' Him." - -"How did you like Nathan's sermon last night, Adam?" - -Adam picked up one of the larch strips, and handing it to his master, -he said, "It was just like that." - -"Like that?" said the farmer--"In what way?" - -"Why," quoth Adam, "Nathan Blyth's sarmon was a reg'lar 'topper.' He'd -a good tahme, an' seea 'ad ah. T' way he browt oot hoo Jesus was t' -Lamb o' God, 'armless an' innocent, an' willin' te dee, was feyn, an' -ah felt i' my sowl 'at if it was wanted ah wer' willin' te dee for -Him. Bud wasn't t' kitchen crammed! Ah deean't knoa what we'r gannin -te deea wi' t' fooaks if they keep cummin' i' this oathers. Ah've -aboot meead up me' mind 'at we mun hev a chapel i' Nestleton." - -"A chapel!" said Mr. Houston; "no such luck. I should like to see it, -Adam; but there's no chance of that, you may depend on't." - -"Why, noo, maister, ah's surprahsed at yo.' What i' the wolld are yo' -talkin' aboot? 'Luck' and 'chance' hae neea mair te deea wiv it then -t' 'osspond hez te deea wi' t' kitchen fire. 'Them 'at trusts te luck -may tummle i' t' muck;' an' 'him 'at waits upo' chances gets less then -he fancies.' For mah payt, ah'd rayther put mi' trust i' God, put mi' -shoother te d' wheel, an' wopp for t' best." - -"Yes, that's true," said Mr. Houston, somewhat rebuked. "Still, you -know, it isn't likely." - -"Noa, ah deean't say 'at it is; bud what o' that? It wahn't varry -likely 'at watter sud brust oot ov a rock at t' slap of a stick, or -'at t' axe heead sud swim like a duck, or 'at a viper sud loss its -vemmun; bud they were all deean for all that, an' fifty thoosand -wundherful things besahde. It altegither depends wheea undertak's em." - -"But where is the money to come from? And if we had the money how are -we to get the land?" - -"That's nowt te deea wiv it," said Adam. "T' queshun is, de wa' need -it? An' is it right to ax God for it? T' silver an' gold's all His, -an' He can tonn it intiv oor hands as eeasy as Miller Moss can oppen -t' sluice of his mill-dam. As for t' land, it were God's afoore it -were Squire Fuller's, an' it'll be His when Squire Fuller's deead, an' -He can deea as He likes wiv it while Squire Fuller's livin'. Ah reckon -nowt aboot that. Next Sunday, t' congregation 'll hae te tonn oot inte -d' foadgarth, an' ah want te knoa whither that isn't a sign that the -Lord speeaks tiv us te gan forrad." - -"Oh, there's no doubt that a chapel is wanted, and if it was four -times as big as the kitchen it would soon be full. I would give -anything if we could manage it." - -"There you gooa, y' see," said Adam, laughing. "There's payt o' t' -silver an' gowld riddy at yance. Ah sall set te wark an' pray for 't, -an' seea mun wa' all. It'll be gran' day for Nestleton," said Adam, -rubbing his hands in fond anticipation, for he never dreamed of -questioning the "mighty power of faithful prayer." - -Farmer Houston shook his head as he turned away saying, "It's too -good to be true, Adam. It's too good to be true." - -"What's too good to be true?" said Mrs. Houston, who now appeared on -the scene. A large and shady bonnet for "home service," of printed -calico, protected her from the sun. In her hand was a milk-can, -containing the mid-day meal of certain calves she was rearing, for -Mrs. Houston was a thrifty, bustling body, who not only saw that all -the woman folk of the establishment did their duty, but was herself -the first to show the way. Crossing the farmyard just at that moment -she overheard the words, and hence her inquiry, "What's too good to be -true?" - -"Why," said Adam Olliver, "t' maister's gotten it intiv 'is heead that -if the divvil an' Squire Fuller says we aren't te hev a Methodist -chapel i' Nestleton, t' Almighty's gotten te knock under an' leave His -bairns withoot a spot te put their heeads in." - -"Nay, nay," said Farmer Houston, deprecatingly, "I was only saying -that there was small hope of our getting a chapel at all." - -"An' ah was sayin'," persisted Adam, "'at we mun pray for it, an' ah -weean't beleeave 'at prayer's onny waiker then it was when Peter was -i' prison, or when t' heavens was brass for t' speeace o' three years -an' six months. It oppen'd t' iron yatt for Peter an' t' brass yatt -for t' rain, an' it'll oppen d' gold an' silver yatt for uz. Missis, -we're gannin' te hev a Methodist chapel!" - -"Well done, Adam! I think you're in the right. I don't see how it's -going to be done, but if the way is open, you may depend on it I'll do -_my_ best." - -A fourth party here appeared upon the scene. This was none other than -Mrs. Houston's eldest daughter, Grace, a genteel and pleasant-looking -girl of twenty--one who could play the piano and milk a cow with equal -willingness and skill, could knit a wool cushion or darn a stocking, -and did both with deft fingers that knew their business. She, too, -sided with Adam Olliver, and, with the sanguine impulsiveness of -youth, began to discuss the ways and means, and even hinted at so -unheard-of a marvel as a Nestleton Methodist bazaar. - -"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Adam Olliver, as he shouldered his "toppers," -and strolled away with them. "As seeaf as theease toppers is gannin' -to Beeachwood Pasther, there'll be a Methodist chapel i' Nestleton cum -Can'lemas twel'month. Seea we'd better leeak sharp an' get things -riddy." - - The divvil says, "You sahn't," - An' man says, "You can't, - It's ower big a job for lahtle fooaks like you. - But t' Maister says, "You sall," - An' seea say we all, - For what t' Maister says, you knoa, is sartain te be true!" - -Old Adam went about his work full of the new idea, and we may depend -upon it that Balaam's back was, as truly as the borders of Brook -Jabbok or the house-top at Joppa, the place of prayer, and that -Beechwood Pasture witnessed that day the pleadings of one whose name -was not only Adam Olliver, but "Israel, for as a prince had he power -with God to prevail." - -The sun was sinking in the West, flooding the evening landscape with a -mellow glory, reddening the foliage of the hoary beech-trees until -they seemed to be a-glow with mystic fire, concentrating its beams -upon, here and there, a window in distant Nestleton, which flashed -back like a mimic luminary, while Nestleton Mere, just above the -white-washed, odd-built water-mill, shone like burnished silver -flushed with crimson, beneath the cloudless sky. The feathered -choristers had not yet gone to their repose, and tree, copse, and -hedgerow were vocal with their vesper hymns, as Adam Olliver, having -disposed of his toppers and repaired the gaps, was jogging homeward -on his imperturbable donkey, after the labours of the day. - -Jabez Hepton, the village carpenter, and two of his apprentices, -returning from their labours at a distant farmhouse, overtook him as -he was communing, according to his wont, with his four-footed -retainer. - -"Balaam," said he, "we sall hev a chapel at Nestleton"--though how -that fact should concern his uncomprehending companion it is difficult -to see. In all probability the promise of a few carrots or a quartern -of oats would have been far more acceptable information, for, like -many other donkeys we wot of, Balaam's preferences were all in favour -of carnal pleasures. - -"When?" said Jabez Hepton, suddenly. - -"Consarn it!" said the startled hedger, "you gooa off like a popgun, -neighbour Hepton. You oppen yer mooth an' bark, just like a shippard -dog. Then you're toddlin' yam." - -"Hey," said the carpenter, "but what were you sayin' about a Methodist -chapel at Nestleton?" - -"Why, nobbut 'at we're gannin' te hae yan. Ah reckon you'll be glad te -see it!" - -"Hey, but ah shan't see it, till two Sundays come i' yah week, or till -crows begin to whistle 'Bonnets o' blue.'" - -"Jabez Hepton," said Adam, seriously, "deean't joke aboot it; ah -beleeave it's God's will 'at we sud hev a chapel, an' be t' help o' -God ah meean te try. T' wod o' God's _God's Wod_, an' He says 'ax an' -you sall hev.' Ah meean te ax, an' there'll be a chapel i' Nestleton a -twel'month cum Can'lemas-day. Ah's an aud fowt, neea doot, an' monny a -yan beside you'll laugh at ma'. At deean't care t' snuff ov a can'le -for that. Wi' God o' me side, ah isn't freetened hoo things 'll turn -out. 'Let God be true, an' ivvery man a liar.'" - -There was that in Adam's tone and manner which conveyed a dignified -rebuke to the flippancy of Jabez Hepton, who not only lapsed into -silence, but was bound to confess to himself that he was a pigmy in -presence of a faith so beautiful and great. - -"Good-neet, Adam," said the carpenter, eventually, "Ah only wop your -wods 'll cum true." - -"Good-neet, Jabez," said the old man, "an' deean't fo'get te pray for -'t, an' when yo' begin, deean't tire. T' unjust judge had te give in -'cause t' poor widow wadn't let him be, an' you may depend on't," said -Adam, reverently, "'at t' Just Judge weean't be sae hard te move. -We're His bairns, His aun elect, an' if we cry day an' neet tiv Him, -He'll help us speedily. Prayse the Lord! ah's seear on't." - -Adam Olliver's beautiful simplicity of trust inoculated Hepton with -the same hopeful spirit shown by Mrs. Houston and her daughter, and -that worthy man went home to calculate, as he sat in his "ingle nook," -the cost of the chapel, the idea of which he had just met with sarcasm -and scorn. Such is the commanding influence of a good example. - - "Example is a living law, whose sway - Men more than all the written laws obey." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE PROGRESS OF MASTER PHILIP'S WOOING. - - "Although thou may never be mine, - Although even hope is denied; - 'Tis sweeter for thee despairing, - Than aught in the world beside." - - _Burns._ - - -Lucy Blyth retired from her brief interview with Philip Fuller, glad, -as I have already said, to be relieved from an ordeal which taxed all -her powers of self-command. Philip's love for her was clear to a -demonstration, and as she bravely and boldly took her own heart to -task upon the subject, she had to confess to herself that she felt a -sense of delight and satisfaction in his tacit declaration. "I love -him!" was the language of her own soul, written there in characters so -clear that she made no foolish attempt to cast the thought aside. Like -a clear-conscienced, high-principled girl, as she was, she looked the -whole matter fairly in the face, and soon came to the conclusion that -duty and propriety demanded a firm resistance to the dangerous -fascination. She resolved that never, by any word or deed of hers, -would she give encouragement to what she knew would be an impossible -affection, an unpardonable offence to the proud and stately squire, -and a grievous sorrow to her beloved and doting father. - -When Natty came in to dinner she had regained full command over -herself, for Lucy had that secret supply of strength which is given to -all those who walk with God, and Blithe Natty's suspicions, if he had -any, were, at any rate, temporarily laid to rest. Neither of them -mentioned the events of the morning, and wisely so, for stout -resistance in such a case is more easily accomplished under the silent -system. Opposition, interference, condemnation, are sadly apt to fan -such sparks into a more fervent flame, and to supply fuel to a fire -which might haply die away for want of it. Nathan Blyth was quite -right in placing implicit confidence in the religious principles and -firm character of his right-minded girl. - -Philip Fuller, however, was subject to no such restraining influences; -at any rate, they remained as yet undeveloped. His all-engrossing love -led him to seek an opportunity to declare it, and to nurse the hope -that he should hear from her own lips the response he so much desired. -On two or three occasions he sought an interview with her, but Lucy's -woman's wit had seen his design and foiled it. Twice, when Adam -Olliver was returning from his daily toil, he had descried the -youthful squire following Lucy, and had seen that young lady start off -at a rapid run to avoid the meeting. - -One evening, as Lucy was returning from a solitary cottage at some -distance from the village, whither she had been on a good Samaritan -kind of errand, Philip Fuller suddenly met her face to face. It was -impossible to elude him, or to evade the announcement which she knew -was trembling on his lips. With a lover's impetuosity he entered at -once on the subject nearest to his heart. - -"Miss Blyth," he said, "for I suppose I must not call you 'Lucy' -now;"--Here the cunning young gentleman paused, hoping to "score one" -by hearing the coveted permission. In vain, however, for though I -don't pretend to deny that "Lucy" from his lips had a music of its -own, she remained tremblingly silent, waiting for what should follow, -in that odd mingling of hope and fear which baffles psychologists to -analyse or metaphysicians to explain. - -"Do you remember," continued he, "those pleasant hours of 'auld lang -syne?' I wish they could have lasted for ever." - -"Nothing does last for ever in this world," said Lucy, with a -constrained smile, "and it would not do to be always children, you -know. When childhood's over we have to put away childish things." - -"Lucy,--forgive me for calling you by the old familiar name--I cannot -get any other from my lips. I believe my love for you _was_ a childish -thing, for it was born in childhood's days. But it has grown with my -growth and strengthened with my strength, and the one dearest wish of -my soul is that the 'little sweetheart' of old times would be my -sweetheart now! Lucy, my darling"---- - -"Mr. Fuller!" interposed Lucy, "I must not, will not hear you any -further. I will not appear to misunderstand you. I will not for a -moment wrong you with the thought that you mean anything but what is -true and honourable; but I must ask you, nay, command you, never again -to speak to me like this. What you hint at can never, never be. The -one thing for you to do is to leave me alone, now and ever, and let me -go my way while you go yours. All the old times are over now--and you -must forget that they have ever been." - -Poor Lucy found it hard work to get that last expression out, but she -was not given to half measures where duty was involved, and she meant -all she said. - -"Don't be cruel," he pleaded. "I can never forget, and I will never, -never give up the hope"---- - -But Lucy had sprung from him, for, seeing Old Adam Olliver jogging -along on his lowly steed, she instantly resolved to instal him as her -escort to the village. The old man had seen the sudden departure, had -recognised the young squire, and, reading Lucy's flushed cheek and -excited tone, came to his own conclusions, the nature of which we -shall understand by-and-bye. Very little was said on their homeward -way, and on arriving at the forge Lucy wished the old man "good -evening." - -"Good-neet, mah bairn," said Adam. "Ah's waint an' glad ah met wi' -yo'. Ah wadn't be oot varry leeat if ah were you. There's them aboot -'at's up te neea good." With this enigmatical utterance he rode off, -leaving Lucy to wonder what he meant, and how much he knew. - -No sooner had the old hedger stabled his steed and sat down to his -supper than he opened his mind to his dear "aud woman," who was in -truth as well as name a helpmeet for him, his loving and trusted wife -for forty years. - -"Judy, my lass, I isn't ower an' aboon satisfied aboot that young slip -ov a squire." - -"What, Master Philip, d'ye meean? What's matter wiv 'im, Adam?" - -"Why, ah's freetened 'at he's settin' sheep's e'en at Lucy Blyth. Thoo -knoas she's parlous pratty. Ah've seen him efther 'er 'eels three or -fower tahmes latly. Te-neet my lord was talkin' tiv her doon t' park -looan, an' as seean as sha' saw me sha' shot awa' frev him like a -'are, an' comm wi' ma' all t' way yam. He steead an' leeak'd hard, a -goodish bit dumfoonder'd, an' then wheel'd roond an' went tow'rd t' -park." - -"Hey, but that's a bad 'earin', Adam," said Judith. "Lucy Blyth's a -gell 'at would tonn ony yung fellow's head. But ah don't believe that -she'll do owt wrong, won't Lucy." - -"_She_ deea owt wrang? Nut she," said Adam; "bud ah's vastly misteea'n -if _he_ weean't; an' ah deean't think it's right nut te let Nathan -knoa." - -"Nay, ah hoap there's nowt in it, efther all, Adam. Lucy's a lass 'at -'ll allus tak' care of hersen, an' ah's sure t' young squire's as nice -and fine a young fellow as you can finnd atween here an' York." - -Judy was a true woman, it will be seen, and the possible loves of two -young people found a certain favour in her eyes. - -As for Lucy Blyth, she went home the subject of feelings very -difficult to describe, and for many days the struggle between love and -duty was very severe. She found herself utterly unable to "cast his -image from her heart," and, like the fair maiden described by Dryden, -she might have said-- - - "I am not what I was; since yesterday - My strength forsakes me, and my needful rest; - I pine, I languish, love to be alone: - Think much, speak little, and in speaking sigh. - - * * * * * - - I went to bed, and to myself I thought - That I would think on Torrismond no more; - Then shut my eyes, but could not shut out him." - -Lucy, however, had "strength to worldly minds unknown," and set -herself to "conquer in this strife." - -Matters continued thus for several days. Then Adam Olliver again -chanced to meet Master Philip, who was walking along with bended head, -and with his mind so pre-occupied that he did not hear the old man's -courteous salutation, "It's a feyn neet, sur," and passed on without -response. Further on he came upon Lucy Blyth, who had just undergone -an ordeal similar to the last. Maintaining her usual firmness of -denial, she had sent her lover away in such evident sorrow and -distress that she was indulging in a quiet little cry of sympathy. -Adam surprised her with her 'kerchief to her eyes, and waxed wroth -against the rude offender who had thus distressed his favourite. - -"Why, Lucy, mi' lass, what's matter wi' yo'? Ah can't abide to see -yo' like that. Hez onnybody been upsettin' yo'? 'Cause if they hev, it -mun be putten a stop tae, an' it sall, if ah hev te deea it mysen." - -Poor Lucy, dreadfully afraid that Philip's persistent wooing should be -known, hastened to assure him that there was no need to trouble. - -"I've been a little low-spirited," she said, with a smile, "but it's -all over now. A good cry, you know, does one good sometimes." - -So, making a vigorous effort, the charming maiden chatted merrily on -until Adam's garden gate was reached, and so it was impossible for him -to refer to the matter any more. - -"Judy," said Adam to his aged spouse, "it weean't deea. That young -Fuller's worritin' that poor lass te deead, an' ah's gannin' te see -aboot it." - -Adam Olliver did "see about it," in a very peculiar fashion indeed, -but how he set about it, how he fared, and how he proved his right to -be called "the old man eloquent," must have a chapter to itself. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -BLACK MORRIS IS MORE FREE THAN WELCOME. - - "Ah me! for aught that ever I could read, - Could ever hear of tale or history, - The course of true love never did run smooth." - - _Shakspeare._ - - -The stern and ungenial way in which Blithe Natty had repulsed the -advances of Black Morris in the matter of his suit for Lucy had only -served to make that young "wastrel" more than ever eager and -determined in his pursuit of the fairest prize in Waverdale. He had -never known what it was to be fairly thwarted in anything upon which -he had set his heart, and in addition to an uncontrolled self-will -which threatened to be his ruin, he was possessed of a certain -bull-dog tenacity of purpose, which was only strengthened and -intensified by opposition. He was, undoubtedly, a tall and -good-looking fellow, well endowed by nature, both as regards physique -and brains; hence the village maidens of Nestleton were quite inclined -to show him favour, and in some cases to make a tacit bid for his -preference. All this tended to convince him that he was a sufficient -match for the blacksmith's daughter, and I must do him the justice to -say that he was thoroughly fascinated with her beauty, and quite -honest in his wooing. - -Black Morris watched his opportunities, and on several occasions -managed to hap on Lucy Blyth, both by night and day, pressing on her -his unwelcome suit in such a hot and inconsiderate fashion, that the -scared girl scarcely dared to cross the threshold of her home, for -fear of being subjected to his wild and passionate mode of wooing. She -was positively alarmed, for there was something so lawless and -desperate about his method of proceeding, and his headstrong character -was so well known, that she did not think he would scruple at any -excesses to gain his ends. - -One evening, as Lucy was returning from Farmer Houston's kitchen, -where the fortnightly preaching had been held, Black Morris met her in -a shady nook by the churchyard wall, and as usual pressed upon her his -undesired attention. She did her best to make her escape, but being -emboldened by certain copious libations at the "Red Lion," he seized -her hand, put his arm around her, and strove to steal a kiss from the -indignant maiden. - -"Never!" screamed the startled girl, and bursting from him with the -strength of a wild terror, she flew homeward like a hunted deer. Her -persecutor uttered an oath and started off in hot pursuit. On she flew -through the silent lane, but there was no possibility of escaping the -stalwart runner, who followed fast behind. Once more his hand was laid -upon her shoulder, once more Lucy gave a scream of fear, and at that -instant, Philip Fuller ran to the rescue, and confronting the excited -bully, bade him "Stand off!" - -"Who to please?" said Black Morris, turning his attention to the -unwelcome intruder, and aiming a decisive blow. - -"Oh! don't!" said Lucy. "O Philip!" and her terror vanishing in -presence of her lover's danger she threw herself between the hostile -two, affording to the quick-witted young squire a welcome insight into -her regard for him. - -"Lucy, dear!" said Philip, "who is this fellow?" and his attitude -betokened such vengeance as his indignant soul and well-knit frame -made possible. Other voices were heard and other feet approaching. - -"Ho, ho, Master Fuller! 'Philip,' and 'Lucy, dear!' eh? Sits the wind -in that quarter? Then look out for squalls!" said Black Morris, and so -saying he sped rapidly away. - -"Who's that?" said Philip, as he walked by the side of the panting -girl on the way to her father's door. - -"His name's Morris, Black Morris," said Lucy, "and for months past he -has followed me about in spite of all that I could say, but he never -behaved so rudely as he did to-night. The man terrifies me almost to -death." - -Philip bade her not to fear, and expressed his intention of having an -early interview with Black Morris, to put an end to his unwelcome and -distasteful advances. - -"There will be war," said he, "between him and me. The bully must be -taught to know his place." - -"Philip," said Lucy, "do not quarrel with that man. I always feel when -I see him as though he is doomed to bring me misery and sorrow. Don't -go near him! Promise me you won't." - -What would he not promise her? He did his best to reassure the anxious -girl, and promised her he would not seek a quarrel; "but," said he, -"you must be protected at all hazards. Lucy, give me the right to -protect you! Only say that you love me, and I'll soon make it -impossible for Black Morris or anybody else to fling a shadow on your -path! Lucy, can't you see that I cannot live without your love?" - -Philip's earnest tones, instinct with a yearning that could not be -mistaken, found an answering chord in Lucy's heart; but, summoning her -self-command, she replied, "No! no! no! It is you that distress me -now. It cannot, cannot ever be. For your own sake as well as mine, I -beseech you, say no more; such a thing would rob you of your father's -love for ever. I thank you with all my heart for coming to my -help--Good-night," and straightway opening the garden gate she swiftly -ran along the path and entered the house without one backward look. - -Philip's ponderings were of a varied character as he entered the -narrow lane which led to Waverdale Hall, and slowly trod the light and -springy turf in silence. He felt half inclined to forgive Black Morris -for unwittingly securing him the delicious interview. "She loves me," -thought he, "she loves me, I am sure; and if I can get my father's -consent, my darling Lucy will yet be mine." - -Castles in the air began to rear their gleaming but deceptive turrets, -and in the delusive glamour of a lover's Paradise, Philip approached -the lodge by the gate which led through Waverdale Park. The night was -dark and still, and his path was made more gloomy by the overarching -trees, which almost converted the lane into an avenue, and shut out -the glimmer of the watchful stars. He thought of Lucy and his -all-engrossing love; he thought of his father and of the interview he -must summon courage to seek, that he might reveal his tender secret as -in duty bound; he thought of Black Morris and his final threat; and -then his mind reverted to the interview he had had, that evening, with -the rector of the parish, the Rev. Bertram Elliott. - -Philip's visit to the Rectory had been connected with those mental -troubles which had more and more disturbed him since the Sunday -evening when he had heard Nathan Blyth discourse on "the Lamb of God," -and joined with the rural worshippers in singing of the love of a -crucified Christ. From then till now no day had passed without -bringing to his mind the sweet and touching lines-- - - "All ye that pass by, - To Jesus draw nigh, - To you is it nothing that Jesus should die?" - -To the clergyman Philip had confided his spiritual anxieties, and -from him had sought the ghostly counsel which his troubled heart and -conscience did so greatly need. The worthy rector was a gentleman and -a scholar, and for the space of five-and-twenty years had christened, -married, and buried the villagers of Nestleton; had read the grand old -liturgy with some earnestness and irreproachable accent; had given a -fifteen minutes' homily every Sunday morning of the most harmless -character; and, altogether, was a genial and worthy member of his -class. But to Philip, in his moody anxiety and distress of soul, he -was of no use whatever. He simply urged him to live a moral life, -attend the church and take the sacraments, to go into company and -engage in field sports as a sure way of dissipating the "vapours" and -getting rid of "the blues." That sort of teaching, let us be thankful -to say, is by no means common in this year of grace, but there was -more than a sufficiency of it fifty years ago. - -Philip reached the lodge and let himself gently through the gate, so -as not to disturb Giles Green, the lodge-keeper, who with his little -household had retired to rest. On his way through the park he heard -the sound of human voices from a coppice to the right, and, pausing a -moment, caught the mention of his own name. Almost immediately -afterwards, another voice said,-- - -"Nivver mind 'im, owd chum. Lucy Blyth's ower poor a dish for 'im to -sit down tae. Why, Squire Fuller would shutt 'im if 'e was to tak' up -wi' a blacksmith's dowter." - -Here another voice rapped out an ugly oath, "If'e dizzn't I will, as -soon as look at 'im. Ah mean to hev that little wench myself, an' I'll -give an ounce of lead to anybody that gets into my road." - -Here the voices became more distant, and Philip lost the remainder of -the conversation. He had heard enough, however, to convince him that -mischief was brewing, and that Lucy Blyth was right in warning him -against the reckless revenge of Black Morris. Resuming his walk, and -burdened by this new complication, he entered the portals of Waverdale -Hall. His favourite Newfoundland dog, Oscar, rose from his mat, shook -his shaggy sides, and received a kindly pat and friendly word from -Philip, who straightway entered into his stately father's presence. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -BOTH PHILIP AND LUCY MAKE A CLEAN BREAST OF IT. - - "The voice of parents is the voice of gods, - For to their children they are Heaven's lieutenants; - To steer the freight of youth through storms and dangers, - Which with full sails they bear upon, and straighten - The mortal line of life they bend so often. - For these are we made fathers, and for these - May challenge duty on our children's part. - Obedience is the sacrifice of angels, - Whose form you carry." - - _Shakespeare._ - - -The squire was seated in his well-furnished and luxurious library, by -the side of a handsome reflector lamp, with a book written by a -popular free-thinker on his knees, for in works of a kindred sceptical -character the thoughtful but cynical student had latterly taken great -delight. - -"Well, Master Philip," said he, "you keep late hours, and return as -stealthily as if you had been keeping an assignation." Here he lifted -his shaggy eyebrows, and peered into his son's ingenuous face, into -which this chance home-thrust brought a rush of blood, and that "index -of the mind" grew as red as the crimson curtains which hung in heavy -folds behind him. - -The squire's suspicious nature was instantly aroused. Laying down his -book he rose from his seat, and stretching out his hand in solemn -earnest, he said,-- - -"Son Philip, you will not be other than a gentleman? You will not -sully your father's name? You will not dim the honour of an ancestry -which has held its own with the noblest through a hundred generations? -You will not grieve your father by a base and unworthy deed? In the -day you do, you'll"--here the firm lip quivered--"you'll break his -heart!" - -"Father, dear father," said Philip, taking his father's hand, "that -will I never, by the help of God." - -"Forgive my momentary doubt, my son. You have never given me cause to -fear. But what meant that tell-tale blush at the mere mention of the -word assignation? Phil, my boy, there are few things that I hate more -than the loose notions about morality and virtue which disgrace too -many of the wealthiest youth of modern times. I have small faith in -priests and in the cant of religion, but unsullied honour and true -manhood, _sans peur et sans reproche_, _that_ should be the motto and -the creed of all. Phil, are you worthy of that character to-night?" - -There was no mistaking the honest "Yes, father!" which this question -elicited, and the old man returned to his book with a sigh of infinite -relief. - -That sensation of relief, however, was by no means shared by poor -Philip, who, though perfectly innocent of anything in the direction -suspected by his father, felt his own peculiar secret weighing on his -honest heart all the more heavily, because of what had passed between -them. He longed to cast himself at his father's feet and tell him all, -but he was restrained by the consciousness that the revelation would -be like gall and wormwood to one whose escutcheon was his _fetish_, -and whose blue blood was sure to boil in aristocratic wrath at the -bare idea of its commixture with the plebeian corpuscles of a village -blacksmith. - -Had the moment been opportune, Philip would then and there have eased -his soul by a full confession; but the old man had lapsed into -pre-occupied silence, and, as if repentant of his unusual burst of -emotion, his face resumed its aspect of reserve to a more than usual -degree; so, after glancing through the pages of a book, but whether of -poetry or prose, of fiction or philosophy, he knew no more than the -man in the moon, Philip silently withdrew and retired to his bedroom, -torn with anxiety and fear. - -I hope my readers are prepared to award their sympathy to my youthful -hero. His mind was harassed by religious convictions and distressed by -spiritual yearnings for a rest he could not find. His heart was filled -with the force of an impossible love, a love which had laid an abiding -hold upon his life, and these, with the dread, not so much of his -father's anger as his father's grief, all tended to distract and -sadden him. Seated in his bedroom he reviewed all the events of the -evening, and put the question to himself, "What shall I do?" That was -followed instantly with, "What ought I to do?"--always one of the -wisest questions in the world. The answer came clear and full, like a -revelation: "Go and tell your father." - -Yielding to the impulse of the moment, and resolved to rid himself of -the secrecy, which was so foreign to his nature, Philip straightway -retraced his steps, and once more stood before his father, and said,-- - -"I should like to speak with you a few minutes, father, if you -please." - -The old gentleman laid aside his book, slowly and deliberately placed -the ivory paper-knife in it to mark the page; taking off his -spectacles, he carefully folded them and put them in the case, then -lifting his keen eyes upon his son, as if he would look him through, -he said,-- - -"Hadn't you better take a seat while you make your communication?" - -Philip found that he was getting frozen up, and that if he did not -make a spurt, he should soon be unable to tell his story. - -"Father," said he, "I entreat you not to be angry with me. Hear me -through, and--and--help me if you can." - -Beginning at the beginning, Philip told him of his visits to the -forge; how he was captivated by his childish playmate; how since his -return from college she had returned from school, and how, having seen -her again and again, he felt that he loved her with all his soul, as -he could never love anybody else on earth. At this point, inspired by -the afflatus of a deep and true affection, Philip waxed eloquent. - -"Father," said he, "Lucy Blyth is, in worldly wealth and status, far -beneath me; but in wealth of mind and the riches of goodness and -piety, she is infinitely my superior. Of her beauty I say nothing, one -sight of her will show you that it is peerless. Father, dear father, I -love her with as deep and true a love as ever mastered man. You I feel -bound to obey, not in filial duty only, but because I love and -reverence my father; but I beseech you to pause before you forbid this -thing, for, in the day when this hope dies out into the dark, my life -will alter, and the Philip Fuller of to-day will be a different man. -How the difference will be felt or borne, God only knows!" - -The depth of intensity, the mournful voice in which that last sentence -was uttered sent the blood back from the father's heart. It told him -that this was no passing fancy, but the master-love of a life. - -The squire sat silent for several moments. His features were fixed and -firm and immovable as usual, but there was a pallor on his face which -showed that he had received a blow--a blow from which he would not -soon recover. - -"Have you anything more to say?" asked the squire, in a voice quiet -and low. - -"No, father," said Philip, "only this--that you must not doubt either -my love or my duty. But, oh remember, the happiness of my life is in -your hands," and bidding him "good-night," Philip once more retired to -his room. That night his sleep was troubled. He dreamed that he was -spurned by his father, pursued by Black Morris, while Lucy, bright as -an angel, stood before him with outstretched arms, and then, -struggling vainly with some invisible power, was borne for ever from -his view. - - * * * * * - -Nor were matters much more promising in the house of Nathan Blyth. -After Lucy's unpleasant experiences with Black Morris, and her -exciting interview with Philip Fuller, she was a good deal flustered -and disturbed, and when she entered the house, Nathan was constrained -to notice her flushed face and disarranged attire. - -"Why Lucy, lass, you look as though you had been at work in a -hayfield, and as warm as a dairymaid at a butter churn. If it had been -any other girl I should have said that she'd been 'gallivanting;' but -that's not in my Lucy's line, is it?" - -Lucy was not quite prepared for this sort of thing, but she never -stooped to an evasion, and her maidenly intuitions led her at once to -tell her father the events of the night. - -"Black Morris seized hold of me," said she, "as I passed the -churchyard. I think he was tipsy, and he ran after me. Philip heard me -scream, and he brought me safely home." - -Wrath against Black Morris rose high in the blacksmith's heart, but -the unconscious familiarity with which she mentioned "Philip," as if -there could be but one in the whole wide world, struck him so forcibly -that he said,-- - -"Philip? Philip who? Do you mean Master Philip, at the Hall?" - -Poor Lucy saw in a moment all the force of her thoughtless slip of the -tongue, and she could not for the life of her prevent her fluttering -heart from imprinting its secret cipher on her cheek. The bashful, -"Yes, father," tore away the flimsy veil that hid her heart's idol -from her father's view. - -"And how comes Philip Fuller's name to flow so glibly from my lassie's -lips?" said Nathan, seriously. "My Lucy hasn't learnt to listen to -words of love from one who can never be aught to her, and whose life -and hers must always be wide apart--has she?" - -The tears were in Lucy's eyes, and her sweet lips quivered as she -knelt by her father's knee. - -"Father," said she, "I can have no secrets from you. I have never -seen, never met him, of my own accord; and since he told me of his -love to me, and he couldn't help it--[That's right, Lucy, defend him -to the last!]--I've done my best to avoid him. I have told him that it -can never be, and I would sooner die than grieve you, my dear, kind -father. But I do love him with all my heart, and he loves me--I know -he does--and I'm very miserable! Oh, tell me, tell me, what am I to -do?"--And the girl flung herself into his arms in a paroxysm of tears. - -"My poor lass!" said Nathan Blyth, stroking her hair and kissing her -fair forehead. "It is as I feared. I am thankful that you have told me -all about it. I can help you to bear your trouble, and we must both -take it to God. Those who seek to do right and keep an honest -conscience are sure to find comfort from Him. But, Lucy, my dear, you -must not see him any more. It must be put a stop to, and if Master -Philip will not keep away, I must go and see Squire Fuller myself. -Cheer up, my darling! Let us do right, and God's good Providence will -pull us through. Now it's getting late, so bring the Bible and let us -hear what God the Lord doth say concerning us. I always find that He -has a word in season for a heart in trouble." - -The book was brought Nathan turned to the thirty-fourth Psalm, and -read, "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are -open to their cry.... The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth and -delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto all -them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite -spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord -delivereth him out of them all." Then, kneeling down, he made his God -their confidant, and "talked with Him face to face as a man talketh -with his friend." Lucy's trouble, and her need of strength and -guidance--her lack of a mother's loving counsel and care--were all -laid before the Throne of Grace. They rose to their feet in the sweet -hush of a great calm. Lucy was comforted; her filial confidence had -quickly brought its reward. - -Happy parents they, whose children count them their truest friends and -hold from them no secret reserves! Happy children, whose parents win -their confidence and make common cause with them in their joys and -sorrows! Happy both parents and children who are accustomed to take -their needs to a loving and gracious God! - -So Lucy dried her tears, resolved to govern her heart like a -heroine--to do the duty that lay next her, and leave the rest to -heaven. True, she went to bed to dream of Philip, but communion with -her love had no embargo there. Thanks to her father's love and her -Redeemer's care, no shadow of Black Morris or of overhanging trouble -disturbed her repose. - - * * * * * - -Here for the present we leave the youthful lovers, assured that high -principle, the love of Right and Truth, will hold them scathless; and, -should the course of events widen the gap and intensify the obstacles -between these two, we may rest content that both will bear their -burdens with a loyal spirit and in submissive strength, and will come -through the fire refined and purified, as it is the nature of sterling -gold to do. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -ADAM OLLIVER IN THE "METHODIST CONFESSIONAL." - - "When one who holds communion with the skies, - Has filled his urn where the pure waters rise, - And once more mingles with us meaner things, - 'Tis even as if an angel shook his wings; - Immortal fragrance fills the circuit wide, - And tells us where his treasure is supplied." - - _Cowper._ - - -In addition to the Sunday services conducted by local preachers, and a -fortnightly Thursday meeting, when the Nestletonian Methodists were -favoured with a sermon from one of the "itinerants," two weekly -class-meetings were held, the one in Adam Olliver's cottage, the other -in the kitchen of Nathan Blyth. In each case the owner of the place of -rendezvous was the "leader" of the little band which gathered from -week to week to give and obtain mutual cheer and encouragement in the -Christian life. Old Adam's class consisted chiefly of the older -members of society, and numbered a dozen or fourteen men and women who -were "asking their way to Zion with their faces thitherward." - -The lowly and tidy little room was always made as neat as a new pin by -the diligent Judith for the class-meetings, though that state of -things was by no means exceptional; for Judith, like most of the East -Yorkshire peasantry, prided herself on the cleanliness of her cosy -cottage. A strip or two of carpet was laid here and there upon the -well-washed brick floor. A hearthrug made of short strips of cloth, -knitted in many colours and neat of pattern, lay upon the white -hearthstone, on the borders of which, uncovered by the rug, a little -red sand was strewn, to facilitate future sweeping operations, and to -give a looser tenancy to dirt. The grate, hob, and oven were brightly -polished with black-lead, and the iron bar, and "reckon" over the -fire-place, used for suspending culinary pot and kettle, were as -bright as burnished steel. Half a dozen wooden chairs made of birch or -ashwood, a small old-fashioned "dresser" and platerack, a clock of -contemporary age, whose long case stood bolt upright against the wall, -and had had to suffer partial decapitation to make room for it -underneath the joists of the boarded chamber floor, an odd-looking -corner cupboard perched more than half-way up an angle of the room, -and a little round table covered with glazed American cloth, completed -the furniture. Not quite, though, for there were two old-fashioned -arm-chairs, with spindled backs, from which the green paint was -largely worn away by constant use, and two or three odd little -Scripture prints and an antique "sampler" adorned the whitewashed -walls. On class-meeting nights, the sitting accommodation was -increased by the introduction of two little wooden forms of Adam's own -construction, which at other seasons were set up on end in the little -back kitchen to be out of the way. A well-worn Bible and the -ubiquitous Wesleyan hymn-book were laid upon the table, and Adam's -spectacles, in a wooden case, were placed by their side, as regularly -as Wednesday night came round. - -I have a great desire that my readers should peep into Adam's cottage -on one of these occasions, and witness the proceedings at a genuine -Methodist class-meeting. - -As the clock strikes seven, eight or nine members have arrived, and -each, having bent the knee in silent prayer, sits silent until the -patriarchal leader dons his glasses, opens at a favourite hymn, and -says,-- - -"Let us commence t' worship ov God be' singin' t' hym on t' fottid -payge, common measure." - - "Jesus the neeame 'igh ower all, - I' hell or 'arth or sky; - Aingels an' men befoore it fall, - An' divvils fear an' fly." - -The first two lines are then given out again, and Jabez Hepton starts -the tune. A few verses are thus disposed of, two lines at a time, and -then the old man leads them at the Throne of Grace, in a quaintly -earnest prayer. Adam always had "a good time" on these occasions, and -two or three of the more enthusiastic members interpolate their -"amens" and "halleluias," varying in number and vehemence according to -the current character of their own feelings and experiences. Adam -pulls off his glasses as the members resume their seats, and folding -his hands on the open book, says,-- - -"Ah's still gannin' on i' t' aud rooad, an' ah bless the Lord 'at ah's -nearer salvation noo then when fost ah beleeaved. Ah finnd 'at t' way -dizn't get 'arder bud eeasier as ah gan' on. Ah used te hev monny a -tussle wi' me' neeamsake, t' 'Aud Adam,' an' he's offens throan ma', -but t' Strangger then he's aboot tonnd him oot, an' ah feel 'at the -Lord's will's mah will mair then ivver it was afoore. Ah's cummin' -fast te d' end o' my jonna, an' ah's just waitin' at t' Beautiful Gayt -o' t' temple, till the Lord cums an' lifts ma' up, then ah sall gan in -as t' leeam man did, loupin' an' singin' an' praisin' God.--Noo, -Brother Hepton, hoo is it wi' your sowl te-neet?" - -Jabez Hepton, as we have seen, is the village carpenter. He is rather -a reticent and thoughtful man, troubled now and then with mental -doubts--a kind of Nicodemus, who is given to asking "How can these -things be?" - -"Well," he says, "I'm not quite up to the mark, somehow. I have no -trust but in Jesus, an' I don't want to have. But I've a good many -doubts an' fears,--why, not fears exactly, but questionings an' -uncertainties, an' they disturb me at times a good bit. I pray for -grace to overcome 'em. May the Lord help me!" - -"Help yo'," said Adam, "te be seear He will. But you mun help yersen. -If a fellow cums inte my hoose o' purpose te mak' ma' miserable, an' -begins te pull t' winder cottain doon, an' rake t' fire oot, tellin' -ma' 'at darkness an' gloom 's best fo' ma'; ah sudn't begin to arguy -wiv him. Ah sud say, 'Cum, hod thee noise an' bundle oot. Ah knoa -better then that, an' ah'll hev as mitch dayleet as ah can get.' Noo, -theease doots o' yours, they cum for neea good, and they shutt t' -sunleet o' faith oot o' yer heart. Noo, deean't ax 'em te sit doon an' -hev a crack o' talk aboot it, an' lissen tiv 'em till you're hoaf oot -o' yer wits. Say 'Get oot, ah deean't want yo,' an' ah weean't hae -yo'!' an' oppen t' deear _an' expect 'em te gan_. Meeastly you'll -finnd 'at they'll tak t' hint an' vanish like a dreeam. Brother -Hepton, doots is neea trubble, if yo' weean't giv 'em hooseroom. -Questionin's weean't bother yo' if yo' deeant give 'em a answer. An' -whativver yo' deea, fill your heead wi' t' Wod ov God. 'It's written!' -'It's written!' _that's_ the way te settle 'em.--Sister Petch, hoo are -_you_ gettin' on?" - -Sister Petch is an aged widow, poor amongst the poorest, an infirm and -weakly woman, living a solitary life, but ever upborne by a cheerful -Christian content which is beautiful to see. - -"Why, I've nothing but what's good to say of my gracious Lord and -Saviour. Sometimes ah gets a bit low-spirited an' dowly, especially -when my rheumatism keeps me from sleeping. But I go straight to the -cross, and when I cry, 'Lord, help me!' I get abundant strength. The -Lord won't lay on me more than ah'm able to bear, an' sometimes He -makes my peace to flow like a river. My Saviour's love makes up for -all my sorrows." - -"Hey, mah deear sister, ah'll warrant it diz. You an' me's gettin' aud -an' creaky, an' the Lord's lowsin' t' pins o' wer tabernacle riddy for -t' flittin.' Bud if t' hoose o' this tabernacle be dissolved, we knoa -'at we've a buildin' ov God. Till that day cums, 'Lord, help me!' is a -stoot crutch te walk wi', an' a sharp swoord te fight wi', an' a soft -pillo' te lig wer heeads on, an' a capital glass te get a leeak at -heaven through. The Lord knoas all aboot it, Peggy, an' He says te -yo', 'ah knoa thi patience an' thi povvaty,' but thoo's _rich_, an' -bless His neeame you'll be a good deal richer yit. - - 'On all the kings of 'arth, - Wi' pity we leeak doon; - An' clayme i' vartue o' wer berth, - A nivver fadin' croon.' - -Halleluia! Peggy. You're seear ov all yo' want for tahme an' for -etarnity.--Brother Laybourn, tell us o' the Lord's deealin's wi' -_you_." - -Brother Laybourn is the village barber, and like many others of his -fraternity is much given to politics, an irrepressible talker, great -at gossip, and being of a mercurial temperament befitting his lithe -little frame, he is a little deficient in that stedfastness of -character which is requisite for spiritual health and progress. In -answer to Adam's invitation, he runs down like a clock when the -pendulum's off---- - -"Why, I hev to confess that I isn't what I owt to be, an' I isn't -altegither what I might be, but I is what I is, an' seein' things is -no better, I'm thenkful that they're no worse. I've a good monny ups -and doons, and inns and oots, but by the grace of God I continny to -this day, an'"---- - -"Ah'll tell you what it is, Brother Laybourn," said Adam, cutting him -short in his career, "Fooaks 'at ez sae monny ups and doons is varry -apt to gan doon altegither; an' them 'at ez so monny ins an' oots mun -take care they deean't get clean oot, till they can't get in na mair. -'Unsteeable as watter thoo sall nut excel.' It's varry weel to be -thenkful, bud when wa' hae te confine wer thenks te nut bein' warse -than we are, it dizn't seeam as though we were takkin' mitch pains te -be better. 'T' kingdom o' heaven suffers violence, an' t' violent tak' -it be _foorce_,' Leonard. Ah pre' yo' te give all diligence te mak' -your callin' an' election sure: an' if yo'll nobbut pray mair, yo'll -hev a good deal mair te thenk God for then ye seem te hev -te-neet.--Lucy, mah deear, hoo's the Lord leadin' you te-neet?" - -Lucy Blyth's experience is generally fresh and healthy, and her -utterances are always listened to with gladness and profit, for Lucy -is a favourite here as everywhere else. - -"I thank God," says Lucy, "that the Lord _is_ leading me, though it is -often by a way that I know not. I often find that the path of duty is -very hard to climb, and the other path of inclination looks both easy -and pleasant. If it were not for the real and precious help I get by -prayer, I fear that I should choose it. I am trying to do right, and -desire above all things to keep the comfort of a good conscience, and -to walk in the light. I find that one of the best means of resisting -temptation and mastering self and sin is to work for God and to try to -benefit others. I pray every day of my life that I may be a lowly, -loving disciple of my Saviour, and His conscious love and favour are -the joy of my heart. - - 'Blindfold I walk this life's bewildering maze, - Strong in His faith I tread the uneven ways, - And so I stand unshrinking in the blast, - Because my Father's arm is round me cast; - And if the way seems rough, I only clasp - The Hand that leads me with a firmer grasp.'" - -"Hey, mah bairn," Adam makes reply, and there is a wealth of -tenderness in his tones, "t' way o' duty is t' way o' seeafty. It may -be rough sometahmes, an' thorns an' briars may pierce yer feet, but if -yo' nobbut clim' it patiently, you'll finnd 'at t' top on't 'at God's -gotten a blessin' riddy fo' yo' 'at pays for all t' trubble an' pain. -Besahdes that, He's wi' yo' all t' way up, an' He's sayin' te yo' all -t' while, 'Leean hard upo' Me!' 'Sorrow may endure for a neet,' Lucy, -'bud joy cums i' t' mornin'.' A trubble-clood brings a cargo o' -blessin', an' t' bigger the blessin' the blacker it leeaks. Nestleton -Brig settles doon strannger for all t' looads 'at gans ower it, an' -you'll be better an' purer for t' boddens yo' hae te carry. Ah's glad -yo' finnd a cumfot an' a blessin' i' trying te deea good; for there's -nowt oot ov heaven 'at's sae like Jesus as wipin' tears and soffenin' -trubbles, an' takkin balm to bruis'd hearts. Besahdes, you can't mak' -music for other fooaks withoot hearin' it y'ursen. Them 'at gives -gets, an' as seean as ivver we begin te watter other fooaks' gardens, -ivvery leeaf i' wer aun is drippin' wi' heavenly dew. May the Lord -bless yo', mah bairn, ivvery hoor i' t' day!"----To this every member -of the class responds with a genuine and warm "Amen." - -"Judy, mah dear aud wife," continues Adam, "tell us hoo yer gettin' on -i' t' rooad te t' New Jerusalem." - -Judith's words were always few, but they were always fit. She sits by -the side of her grand old man, in her clean white cap, and smoothing -down the folds of her apron, answers,-- - -"Why, thoo knoas, Adam, 'at ah's growin' old, an' feelin' more an' -more the infirmities of age, but it doesn't trubble ma.' The Lord -fills me wi' joy an' peace through believin'. Ah've only one -unsatisfied desire, an' that is te know that me three bairns hev giv'n -their hearts te God. Jake's a good lad, an' Hannah's a steady lass, -but ah feels te fret a bit now and then aboot Pete. He's in a forren -country away ower t' sea, an' I do long to see his face agen. But ah -could deny myself o' that, if I knew that he loved his Saviour, and -was sure to meet me i' heaven. This is my prayer ivvery day, 'at we -may meet an unbroken family at God's right hand." - -There is a very perceptible tremor in Old Adam Olliver's voice, and a -couple of tear-drops on his cheeks, as he takes Judith by the hand, -and says,-- - -"God bless tha', mah dear aud wife. A muther's luv hugs her bairns -varry near her heart; bud thoo knoas 'at God's luv's eaven bigger -still; an' He's promised thoo an' me lang since 'at He'll give us all -wa' ax Him. Deean't be frighten'd, Judy, my lass, all thi' bairns hae -been gi'n te God, and nut a hoof on us'll be left behint. The Lord's -in America as weel as here, an' t' prayers o' Pete's muther mak's t' -sea nae bigger then a fishpond, an' ah's expectin' sum day te see wer -lad, sittin' by wer hearthstun'. Bud whither or no, be seear o' this, -'at thoo an' me'll stand i' t' prizence o' wer Saviour we' wer bairns -wiv 'us, sayin', 'Here we are an' t' children Thoo ez given us.' Here -Adam's voice fails him, and Jabez Hepton strikes up,-- - - "O what a joyful meeting there, - In robes of white arrayed; - Palms in our hands we all shall bear, - And crowns upon our head!" - -Then follows a universal chorus,-- - - "And then we shall with Jesus reign - And never, never part again." - -"Noo, Sister Houston," says Adam, resuming his leader's office, "hoo -is it wi' you te-day?" - -Mrs. Houston is, as I have previously noted, an energetic and bustling -woman, of strong will, naturally quick temper, and given to a good -deal of needless anxiety as to the management of her dairy and other -domestic affairs. A good woman is Sister Houston, candid as the day, -and often a good deal troubled over certain constitutional tendencies -in which nature is apt to triumph over grace. - -"Well," says she, "I find that the Christian life is a warfare, and I -often have hard work to stand my ground. Family anxieties and -household cares often put a heavy strain on me, and I get so busy and -so taken up with things, that religion seems to fall into the second -place; and then I get into trouble over faults and failings that I -ought to cure. I do mean to try, and I pray for grace to be more -faithful to the Saviour who has done so much for me." - -"Hey," says Adam, with a sigh, "this wolld's sadly apt to get inte d' -rooad o' t'other, isn't it? Like yer neeamseeak, Martha, yo' get -trubbled aboot monny things. 'Be careful for nowt,' said Jesus; that -is, deean't be anxious an' worrit aboot 'em. Seek _fost_ the kingdom -ov heaven, and keep it _fost_. Iverything else'll prosper an' nowt'll -suffer if yo' deea that. As for t' trials o' temper an' other faults -an' failin's, an' lahtle frettin's an' bothers o' life, tak' 'em -bodily te t' Cross, an' ax _on t' spot_ for grace te maister 'em. -Deean't be dispirited wi' yer failur's; leeak back at t' way God's -offens helped yo' through. When David killed Goliath, he said, 'The -Lord 'at delivered ma' frae t' lion an' t' beear 'll deliver thoo inte -me' hands te-day.' That's it, arguy frae t' lion te t' giant an' he's -bun te fall. When ah was a lad an' wanted to jump a beck, ah went -backwa'd a bit te get a good spring; an' seea when yo' want te loup -ower a difficulty, step back a bit te t' last victory God gav yo', an' -then i' faith 'at He'll deea it ageean, jump, an' you'll clear it, as -seear as mah neeam's Adam Olliver." - -Then follows another hymn, a brief concluding prayer, and the secrets -of the "Methodist Confessional" are over. The names are called, each -one contributes weekly pence according to their means for the support -of the Kesterton Circuit funds, and the little company retires, all -the better for an hour's intercourse with each other, and of -communion with God. - -For nearly a century and a half the Methodist class-meeting has been -one of the most potent means of conserving and intensifying the -spiritual life of the Methodist people. It is earnestly to be hoped -that they will never be guilty of the suicidal policy of slighting -this admirable institution. In the day when it allows the -class-meeting to occupy any other than a foremost and vital place in -its Church organisation, Methodism will be largely shorn of its -strength, and "Ichabod" will be traced in fatal characters on its -crumbling walls. Adam Olliver's class-meeting has been drawn in strict -consistency with facts, and many a thousand similar green oases amid -the arid sands of weekly toil and trial, are to-day refreshing and -encouraging thousands of humble pilgrims whose faces are set towards -the Celestial City. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -SQUIRE FULLER PAYS A VISIT TO THE FORGE. - - "I ask not for his lineage, - I ask not for his name-- - If manliness be in his heart, - He noble birth may claim. - I care not though of world's wealth - But slender be his part, - If _yes_ you answer when I ask, - Hath he a true man's heart?" - - _R. Nicholl._ - - -After that memorable interview which Philip Fuller had with his father -when he revealed the dearest secret of his heart, the squire sat -motionless and immersed in thought, long after his household had -retired to rest. - -The revelation made to him by his son had come upon him with all the -force of a thunderbolt, and for a while bereft him of the power either -to think or act. His clear perception had seen that Philip's -attachment to Lucy was no child's play--no fleeting fancy to be chased -away by the advent of some newer face of beauty. He knew that his son -and heir was the subject of a master passion--a love that no -diplomacy could lessen, that no counter policy could uproot, and that -direct opposition could only intensify and confirm. His deep and -mighty love for Philip, largely hid under a cold exterior, led him to -sympathise with and pity him to a degree altogether unwarranted by -external evidence; at the same time he felt that such an alliance as -the ardent youth contemplated was simply impossible and absurd, and -must be put an end to at all hazards, for his son's sake, as well as -from regard to the traditions of his family tree. He was convinced -that the only method of preventing so glaring a mistake lay in an -appeal to Philip's filial obedience and love, and he came to the -conclusion to use that potent engine without delay. - -The next morning, as he and Philip were seated at the breakfast table, -the squire opened the conversation by saying,-- - -"My son! Does your evening declaration commend itself to your morning -reflections? I have gone through a sleepless night, trying to hope -that I should meet, this morning, your wiser self. Philip, my boy, I -would do much to please you, for you little know how great is my love -for you. But you ask me what I cannot grant, and what, if you do -without my permission, will go far to shorten my life and break my -heart. You are all I have in the world, and having you, I have all the -world has in it that I care for. My son! my son! will you give up this -impossible idea, and let me feel that you will not bring my grey head -to the grave with grief?" - -The squire's voice quivered, and the look of eager hope and dread upon -his haggard face was something pitiful to see. He had employed the one -arrow in his quiver that had, for this case, either feather or barb, -and his suspense amounted to positive agony until Philip's answer -came. But he had judged aright. His son's genuine love and loyalty -were his sheet anchor, and the anchor held. The colour left Philip's -face, the struggle was intense, but his response was firm. - -"My dear father! Your love is precious to me, and your will is law. I -cannot promise not to love Lucy. I have not the power to keep it if I -did. I cannot promise to give up the hope that one day you may look -upon my heart's desire with favour. But, so long as you forbear to -urge any other alliance on me, I promise to your love, that I will not -grieve you by any further steps in this direction." - -"And you will not seek an interview with this young woman without my -full permission?" - -Philip paused a moment while love and duty, or rather while two loves, -fought a hard battle in his soul, and then the love that was allied -with duty won the day, and he said, "Father, I will not." - -The father rose from his seat, bent forward, and kissed him on the -brow. "Philip," said he, "I bless you. God will bless you for that -word." - -Squire Fuller's next step was to despatch a note to Nathan Blyth, for -he felt that no stone must be left unturned to assure the victory he -had gained. A short time afterwards, therefore, the blacksmith -received the following epistle:-- - - "SIR,--It has come to my knowledge that my son has been foolish - enough to commit himself, by a stupid profession of love, to - your daughter. Though this is doubtless a young man's whim, and - a mere passing fancy, I greatly object to it, and he has - promised me that he will desist from what I am sure you will - agree with me in describing as unseemly and improper. I write - this _private_ communication in order to suggest to your - daughter that she should not encourage such a wild dream, and - that you will use your authority in keeping her out of his way. - I trust I have said nothing herein to give you offence, and am, - &c., - - "AINSLEY FULLER." - -When Nathan Blyth had read the letter twice through, he bade the -messenger to wait, and speedily sent the following missive in -return:-- - - "SIR,--You cannot be more glad than I am that Master Philip has - made the promise to which you refer. Nothing is more contrary to - my desire than that he should ever speak to her again. And - permit me respectfully to assure you that my daughter has given - him no encouragement; and, without the exertion of any authority - of mine, will not only not seek, but will repel any advances on - his part. Both she and I are agreed that nothing could be more - lamentable than to suffer any such forgetfulness of the - difference between his position and ours. You may rest assured - that no encouragement, but the direct opposite, will always be - given to such an act of folly. - - "I am, Sir, yours respectfully, - - "NATHAN BLYTH." - -Squire Fuller could hardly believe his own eyes as he read the letter, -couched in such fitting language, so eminently respectful, and -especially so gratifying in its contents. He had imagined that Nathan -and his daughter would have regarded Philip as a prize to be hooked, -if possible, and had written his note with a view to crush out the -faintest hope of success in their plot for Lucy's aggrandisement. He -felt such a sense of satisfaction and relief that he resolved to ride -over to the forge and express his thanks and pleasure to the writer. - -The next morning, therefore, the stately squire bestrode his favourite -grey mare, and took his morning ride in the direction of Blithe -Natty's house. That cheerful knight of the hammer was busy at his -post, and the ringing anvil, as usual, was accompanied by his musical -and sonorous song. - - Wherever my fortune may lead me, - Whate'er sort of hap it may bring, - The blessing of God will still speed me, - And this is the song I will sing-- - - Away with all fear and repining, - Away with all doubting and grief: - On the bosom of Jesus reclining, - He'll never withhold me relief. - - Affliction will come, if He sends it, - Or sorrow my portion may be; - I'll cheerfully bear till He ends it, - Till I His salvation shall see. - - With loving and honest endeavour, - Still striving my duty to do, - I'll love Him and trust Him for ever, - For ever be honest and true. - - The sun in the heavens is shining, - Though clouds may oft gather below, - Each one has a silvery lining, - And rains down a gift as I go. - - The streamlet runs clear o'er the gravel, - The breezes blow pure o'er the lea; - Just so in my course would I travel, - With Jesus to journey with me. - - I want neither honour nor riches, - I care not for rank or for gold; - For this kind of fortune bewitches - The soul--at least so I've been told. - - Contented and happy and healthy, - Pray why should I covet or sigh, - To be titled or famous or wealthy? - Can any man answer me why? - - But one thing through life will I covet-- - To hate the whole compass of wrong; - To do aye the right and to love it, - To sing as I travel along. - - Wherever my fortune may lead me, - Whate'er sort of hap it may bring, - The blessing of God will aye speed me, - And so as I travel I sing. - -Such was the blithe and cheery ditty which Nathan Blyth was chanting -when Squire Fuller rode up to the smithy door. - -"Good morning, Blyth," said he; "it's a good sign when people sing at -their work. One would conclude that it's neither too hard nor ill -paid." - -"And yet, sir," said Nathan, "I have known people who worked too hard -for low wages, and yet could sing all the same." - -"Indeed! I imagine they must have been endowed by nature with a -marvellous flow of spirits," said the squire. - -"No, sir, not specially, but they were endowed by God with a -marvellous flow of grace. You know the old proverb sir,-- - - 'Godly grace makes greatly glad, - It makes him sing who once was sad.'" - -"And you believe that this 'grace of God,' as you call it, helps you -to sing, do you, Blyth?" - -"Yes, sir," said Nathan, warmly; "I have a good conscience, a sense -and assurance of my Saviour's love, and a bright hope of heaven. God's -providence has filled my cup brimfull with blessings, and if I did not -sing His praises the very stones might well cry out." - -All this was beyond the belief or comprehension of Squire Fuller, and -Natty might have answered his dubious look by the words of the -Samaritan woman, "Thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is -deep." - -"Well, well," said he, "I am heartily glad, at any rate, that you can -take life so brightly. It certainly would be a thousand pities if that -grand voice of yours was to rust for want of practice." - -"Yes, there's something in that, too," said Nathan, with a smile. - - 'To help the voice full clear to ring. - Go out into the woods and sing.' - -"I don't go out into the woods to do it, but the pitch of my anvil-ring -keeps me up to tone, and the practice is quite as good." - -"Allow me to thank you, Blyth, for that very courteous and -satisfactory note you sent me yesterday. I own that it was -not altogether what I expected. I suspected--I imagined--I -thought--that--that"----and the squire felt that he was dealing -stupidly with a very delicate subject. - -"Yes, I know," said Nathan Blyth; "you imagined that the blacksmith -and his daughter were fishing for the heir of Waverdale Park, and you -hoped quietly to convince them that it was a losing game. I'm not -offended at that; I suppose it was natural that you should do so. But -be sure, sir, that I dread the idea, and hate it, too, quite as much -as you do. Don't misunderstand me. I believe in my conscience that my -Lucy is in all respects a prize that any man might wish to win, and I -know none for whom I do not hold her to be too good. But I'd rather -she mated with somebody in her own rank of life. I should say 'No' to -Master Philip if he asked for her himself, and I should say 'No' to -you if you were to ask for him; and if he is a sensible young man, -he'll turn his attention other where, for he may depend upon it he'll -come on a useless errand, if he comes at all." - -Human nature is a queer article, and the squire's feelings as he heard -this would have been difficult to analyse. His satisfaction was great -at the thought that there was no fear of counter-plotting, but, -strange to say, he felt more than half inclined to feel insulted. Here -was a grimy smith, with naked arms and leather apron, standing, hammer -in hand, by his smithy fire, coldly intimating that his daughter was -too dainty a prize for his own son, and scorning the bare idea of such -an alliance with as much independence as if he were a "belted earl." -The blue blood surged a little in the veins of the stately squire, -but, restraining himself, he was fain to be content with facts, and, -mounting his horse, he bade the sturdy Vulcan a cold and distant -"Good-morrow," and betook him to his ancestral park. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -AUD ADAM OLLIVER "SEES ABOUT IT." - - "Age, by long experience well informed, - Well read, well tempered, with religion warmed, - That fire abated which impels rash youth, - Proud of his speed to overshoot the truth, - As time improves the grapes' authentic juice, - Mellows and makes the speech more fit for use, - And claims a reverence in his shortening day, - That 'tis an honour and a joy to pay." - - _Cowper._ - - -"Cum, Balaam! Stor yer pins, aud chap, or we sahn't get te d' Marlpit -Wood afoore dinner tahme." Adam Olliver, astride his faithful but -laggard donkey, sought with small success to put that philosophic -quadruped to a quicker pace. Balaam was not to be flurried out of the -jog-trot which had become a part of his nature, and walking or -galloping was equally out of the question. This Adam well knew, but he -had got into the habit of talking to his four-footed retainer in his -lonely labours in valley and hill-side, and, doubtless, if all his -confidential talk with his long-eared but not particularly retentive -listener could be reported, a volume, considerable alike in size and -sense, might easily be forthcoming. - -"Balaam, aud chap, ah think there's mair donkeys wi' two legs then -there is wi' fower. Blithe Natty's as good a fello' as ivver put a -pair o' shoes on, but he's as blinnd as a bat, and as dull as a donkey -aboot that blessid lahtle lass ov his. She's cryin' her e'es oot, an' -spoilin' her pratty feeace ower that yung sprig ov a squire; an' her -dodderin' fayther wunthers what's matter wiv 'er, an's freeten'd te -deead 'at he's gannin' te loss 'er like 'er mother. He dizn't seeam te -see wheear t' mischief ligs. Thoo mun tell 'im, Balaam. Thoo mun tell -'im"--for Old Adam had got into a way of identifying the old donkey -with himself, and in his monologues with his dumb companion, used to -give it the advice on which he himself intended to act--"it weean't -deea for t' sweetest lass i' Waverdale to be meead a feeal on biv a -young whippersnapper like that. Ah've neea doot he thinks it's good -fun te trifle wiv a pratty lass, an' get 'er te wosship t' grund he -walks on, an' then leeave 'er te dee ov a brokken heart. Bud," said -the old hedger, in a gush of indignation, "Ah'll be hanged if he sall! -Balaam, thoo sall gan te-neet, an' tell Natty Blyth a bit o' thi' -mind." - -Here, in his excitement, Old Adam rose up in his stirrups and -unconsciously brought his stick down on the flanks of his Rosinante, -with a thwack that would have startled any other steed into at least a -momentary spurt. Balaam, however, only cocked his ears in mild -astonishment, as who should say, "What in the world is the matter with -the old man now?" or, rather, for it isn't possible to think of him -cogitating in any other language than his master's, "What i' t' -wolld's up wi' t' aud chap noo?" - -Just at this point Adam had reached a narrow gate which opened into a -grassy lane, leading to Marlpit Wood, the scene of his labours for the -day. There, bestriding a handsome bay, and in the act of attempting to -open the gate with the handle of his riding whip, was a fine, handsome -young gentleman, whose dark eyes gleamed with good temper, and whose -general appearance was indicative of rank, high spirits, and -kindliness of heart. This was none other than Philip Fuller, and no -sooner did Adam Olliver set his eyes upon him than he resolved there -and then to fulfil his promise to Judith to "see about it," and to -"have it out" with the delinquent himself. - -"Ah'll oppen t' yat fo' yo' if y'll wayte a minnit;" and, dismounting, -he fulfilled his promise, and stood with his limp and battered "Jim -Crow" hat in his hand, before the young gentleman had an opportunity -to reply. - -"Thank you," said Philip, with a bright, open smile, and, putting his -hand in his pocket, he pulled out a coin with the view of paying for -the favour he had received. - -"Nay," said Adam, "Ah deean't want payin' for it. Ah sud hae 'ad te -oppen it for mysen; an' if ah hedn't it wad hae been varry meean te -see yo' bother'd, an' gan on indifferent. Bud if yo'll excuse ma', -sor, ah sud like te say a wod or two te yo', an' ah wop yo' weean't be -offended. Mah neeam's Adam Olliver, an' ah lives next deear te Nathan -Blyth, an' ah thinks as mitch aboot his lahtle Lucy as ah deea aboot -me' aun bairns. Oh, sor!" and Adam lifted his honest sun-brown face in -strong appeal, "deean't draw Natty's yow' lam' away frev 'im, poor -fellow! He hez bud' hor, an' if onny 'arm sud 'appen tiv her, it'll -breck his 'art an' hor's an' all. She's as good as she's pratty, bless -'er! an' it wad be twenty thoosand pities, as weel as an awful sin, te -bring disgrace on 'er heead, an' sorrow tiv' 'er 'art. Deean't, ah -pre' you, rob Natty of his darlin'. Yisterday, ah was clippin' a hedge -yonder by Marlpit Wood, an' ah saw a muther-bod teeachin' 'er yung 'un -te flee. T' aud bod flutter'd and chirrup't up an' doon, an' roond -aboot, the varry picther o' happiness, an' t' poor lahtle gollin' -cheep'd an' hopp'd, an' flew as happy as it's mother. A sparro'-hawk -com' doon, like a flash o' leetnin', an' teeak'd lahtle thing away iv -his claws. Ah tell you, Maister Philip, t' way that poor muther-bod -pleean'd an' twitter'd, an' hopp'd, frae bush te tree, an' frae tree -te bush, wild wi' grief, was aneeaf te melt a flint. Maister Philip! -deean't be a hawk; bud let Natty's pratty lahtle singin'-bod be, an' -God'll bless yo'." - -Philip Fuller listened in amaze. A bright ingenuous blush tinged his -cheek at the mention of Lucy's name, and as the old man proceeded, in -rude, homely eloquence, to plead, as he thought, the cause of injured -innocence, the colour deepened until it might easily have been misread -as an evidence of conscious guilt. Not the slightest shadow of anger, -however, rested on his features, as he looked into the gleaming eyes -of the "old man eloquent." On the contrary, his clear perception -showed him in Old Adam the true and knightly sympathiser with -innocence and beauty; the chivalrous knight in corderoy and hodden -grey, who, if needs be, would peril life and limb to champion his -darling against all comers suspected of unrighteous intent. - -"Deean't be vexed, Maister Philip," he proceeded. "Ah meean neea harm, -you knoa ah deean't, but ah can't abide te see lahtle Lucy pinin' away -i' sorro', an' 'er fayther gannin' aboot like a man iv a dreeam. She's -nut the lass for you, yo' knoa. A lennet an' a eeagle's ill matched, -an' ah want yo' te promise mah 'at yo'll let her alooan, weean't yo'?" - -"Vexed! No," said Philip; "on the contrary, I esteem you for your love -to Lucy, and I respect you for your candour; but you are under a great -mistake. God is my witness, Adam Olliver; I mean no harm to Lucy -Blyth, and would rather suffer the loss of my right arm than bring a -tear to her eye, or sorrow to her father's hearth." - -"God i' heaven bless yo' for that wod," said Adam, with deep feeling; -"you lahtle knoa hoo it releeaves mi' mind, an' ah's sorry 'at ah've -judg'd yo' hardly, but ah've seen yo' mair than yance or twice, when -ah thowt 'at there was room te fear." - -"Well, well," said Philip, with a smile, "you need be under no concern -of that kind, for, on the honour of a gentleman, and the faith of a -Christian, I mean all that I have said." - -"Prayse the Lord!" said Adam. "As for t' honour ov a gentleman, sum -gentlemen hae queer nooations aboot that, an' ah wadn't trust 'em as -far as ah could fling 'em on t' strength on't. Bud t' faith ov a -Christian's anuther thing, an' if yo' hae _that_ it'll keep beeath you -an' hor an' ivveryboddy else oot o' harm's way. The blood ov Jesus -Christ cleansis frae all sin, an' ah pray 'at yo' may knoa it an' feel -it all t' days o' yer life. Excuse mah for makkin' sae free wi' yo', -sor," said Adam, again touching his time-worn hat, "bud you've teean a -looad off my heart as big as Kesterton Hill." - -With mutual "Good-mornings" they separated; the one to ply his -slashing-knife on Farmer Houston's quick-wood, the other to pursue his -homeward way to Waverdale Hall, with a new subject for study and new -material for thought. - -Leaving Adam Olliver to jog along the grassy lane on the back of -patient and unwitting Balaam, let us accompany the handsome scion of -the house of Fuller, and listen to his communings, stirred as he was -by his interview with Lucy's rustic friend and champion. - -"She loves me," was his first thought; "to me she would never own it. -But Adam Olliver knows it, and misreads my heart as much as one man -can misread another's. Lucy, my darling, for love of you I would -barter Waverdale Hall without a sigh; I would harden my hands at the -anvil, and hammer and sing as merrily as Blithe Natty, if you might -brighten my cottage home! What shall I do? My proud and stately father -will never permit such an unequal match but, with all his pride, he -loves me dearly, and I cannot, will not, be disloyal to so great a -love, and disobey his will." - -He heaved a sigh from the depths of his perplexed and anxious spirit; -then his mind reverted to Adam Olliver's words, "The blood of Jesus -Christ cleanseth from all sin." And again the refrain heard in the -cottage service rung in his ears,-- - - "To you is it nothing that Jesus should die?" - -"What _does_ it mean? I would give the world to know and feel that -cleansing power, to know and feel that Jesus died for me." - -Slowly, but definitely and surely, the young patrician was being led -by Providence and Grace to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins -of the world. - -Nor were the cogitations of the grand old hedger less interesting. His -shrewd, observant mind had noted the clear, transparent character of -the youthful squire, had been struck with the honest ring of his manly -disclaimer, and lapsing into his old habit of making Balaam his -confidant, he said,-- - -"Balaam, thoo an' me's a cupple ov aud feeals. What business hae we te -jump te conclusions aboot uther fooaks' faults? We mun try te leeak at -yam a bit mair. Here ah've been at it fotty year an' mair, talkin' -aboot an' praisin' t' charity 'at thinks nae evil, an' here ah've been -bleeamin' that yung fello' withoot judge or joory. Oh, Adam, Adam! -Thoo mun gan te skeeal ageean an' larn t' a-b ab's o' Christian -charaty! Them 'at's fost te fling a steean had better keep their aun -winder-shutters in, or they'll hae plenty o' brokken glass, an' ah -feel as meean as though I hadn't a woll payne left i' mahn. Ah's -waintly misteean if that's nut as feyn a young chap as ivver rayd a -hoss, an' ah'll pray 'at the Lord may mak' him a bonnin' an' a shinin' -leet." - -Adam Olliver's prayers were not wont to be in vain. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -NATHAN BLYTH IS THE VICTIM OF A GUNPOWDER PLOT. - - "As woods, when shaken by the breeze, - Take deeper, firmer root, - As winter's frosts but make the trees - Abound in summer fruit; - - So every bitter pang and throe - That Christian firmness tries, - But nerves us for our work below, - And forms us for the skies." - - _Henry Francis Lyte._ - - -A few days after the evening when Lucy Blyth was rescued from the -unpleasant attentions of Black Morris by her own true knight, the -scapegrace in question once again met Lucy in the twilight; and, -though sufficiently sober now, he was inclined to force his imaginary -and unappreciated claims upon her notice. This time, however, Lucy, -whose patience had been fully tried, held her ground, and summoned all -her courage for resolute resistance and a final dismissal of her -persistent wooer. - -"John Morris," said she, "why will you not let me alone? Surely you -can see clearly enough that I don't want you, that I won't have you, -and that your conduct is downright persecution. I shall be compelled -to seek means to protect myself, if you have not manliness enough to -desist and leave me alone." - -In vain the hot-headed victim of a fruitless passion pleaded for "a -trial." In vain he promised instant and absolute reformation in -conduct and character. In vain he told her that he should be ruined, -body and soul, if she turned him totally adrift. - -Lucy felt that an uncompromising firmness was her only chance of -escape from him, and that she must not even seem to yield one jot. - -"Once for all," said she, "I will not--I never will! and, if you -follow me till I die, you'll get no answer but that. I shall soon hate -you if you harass and annoy me any more." - -Then Black Morris lost command of his temper, if, indeed, he could be -said ever to have control of it, and said, with an oath,-- - -"I see how it is: that cursed young squire has played his cards too -well for me. He's a sly beggar; but I'll be even with him. I hate him, -as I hate his father. One robbed us of our farm, and the other has -robbed me of you! Let him look out, for I'll be revenged on him either -with bullet or knife!" - -Turning on his heel, and leaving Lucy as white as a sheet, he set off -at a rapid pace towards Midden Harbour. By and bye he turned back, and -overtaking her, glared in her face with a passion simply diabolical, -and said,-- - -"That proud fool of a father of yours thinks a precious deal about -you. I asked him, like a man, to let me court you, and he said he'd -rather see you dead and in your grave. Tell him he may live to do it. -Let him look out," said he, stamping with rage. "Curse him! I'll have -my revenge;" and again he dashed away, this time in the direction of -the Red Lion. - -Lucy, more dead than alive, sped homeward on the wings of fear, and -on reaching her threshold fell into a dead swoon in her father's arms. - -When she had recovered she told Nathan Blyth all the events of the -night. He vainly wished he could recall his needlessly angry words to -Black Morris, for he saw to what danger and trouble he had exposed his -darling, from the hands of one who threatened to be such a reckless -and implacable enemy. - -That self-willed and headstrong young fellow found at the village -alehouse a number of suspicious characters, with whom he had already -had too great an intimacy. Just now he was ripe and ready for any -extreme of lawlessness to which they could tempt him; so, after plying -him with strong liquors, they promised to aid him in his revenge. The -last remnant of his self-control was gone. He became the repository of -criminal confidences from which in many a sober moment afterwards he -found no way of escape. His descent was now rapid; his harsh and -ungenial father often quarrelled with him; even his mother--the only -being who had any moral control over him--was unable to exert any -restraining influence, and Black Morris was fairly launched on that -sea of depravity which, except for God's miracles of mercy, will -engulf all who embark on its treacherous flood. - -By and bye his name began to figure often and definitely as one of a -lawless gang. It was soon rumoured abroad that certain local deeds of -outrage and wrong had Black Morris for an aider and abettor, and it is -to be feared that there was, in some cases at least, sufficient ground -for the report. - -Soon afterwards Nathan Blyth began to find that he was being made the -victim of a series of annoying and harmful persecutions. His -flower-beds were crushed and trampled on; his fruit-trees were hacked -and hewed; his limited store of live stock were stolen or poisoned. -Roused to the utmost pitch of indignation, the stalwart blacksmith sat -up o' nights to watch his premises and guard his property; but in -vain, as far as the discovery of the perpetrators was concerned, -though it broadened the intervals between the visits of his unknown -and malicious foes. Then he found that the most cruel rumours were -afloat affecting the character of his darling, coupling her name with -that of the young squire in a way that was utterly unwarrantable and -untrue; rumours which were innocuous as far as her friends were -concerned, but which were greedily seized on by a godless and -unprincipled few, who were glad to seize any occasion to bespatter the -"Methodies." - -Poor Lucy had to drink of the bitterest cup that can be lifted to the -lips of virtuous and sensitive modesty. The roses left her cheek and -the light forsook her eye, and Nathan sorrowed because he knew not how -to shield his girl from the poisoned arrows shot by an unseen hand. - -At length, however, "the wicked that rose up against them" overshot -the mark, and an event transpired that opened the eyes of the -villagers to the fierce and vindictive plot which had gathered round -Nathan and his darling child, and turned the full flood-tide of their -sympathies toward those who had been so cruelly aspersed. - -One morning, when Nathan went into his shop, he began to make the -smithy fire, but had scarcely applied the match when a loud explosion -followed, his face was scorched by the blinding flame, and his eyes -were filled with fine, sharp particles of dust from the smithy hearth. -Groping in darkness and pain, he found his way to the slake-trough and -plunged his head into the water. The sense of relief was brief, and -Natty, still unable to see, was compelled to feel his way indoors, and -present his scorched locks, blackened face, and fiery eyes, to his -distressed and startled daughter. - -In a case like this, however, Lucy showed her remarkable tact and -skill--characteristics which made her presence and assistance -invaluable by every sick-bed in Nestleton. Calm, firm, and skilful, -she applied oil and flour and cotton wool to the burns, and then -dispatched her little maid to Farmer Houston's. In a few moments a -messenger had ridden off post-haste to Kesterton to fetch Dr. Jephson, -the most noted medico in all the country-side. Lucy's resources, -meanwhile, were tested to the utmost, for her father was suffering the -severest pain, especially in the eyes. At length the doctor arrived, -made careful examination of his injuries, and cheered them and Mrs. -Houston and Judith Olliver, who had come to render what help they -could, with the gratifying announcement that his eyesight was -uninjured, and that no permanent harm was done. A few days of -bandaging and darkness, of embrocation and patience, would put him to -rights, the doctor said, especially with such a nurse as Lucy by his -side. It was a narrow escape, however, and the wonder was that he had -not been blinded for life. - -"Thank God," said Blithe Natty, who was blind Natty too for a season, -"thank God for sparing us that sorrow. Things are never so bad but -they might be worse!" and even in his pain Blithe Natty could joke -about Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder plot, for we may depend upon it he -was not called Blithe Natty for nought. - -Tenderly, lovingly, patiently, Lucy nursed her father night and day. -Tenderly, lovingly, patiently, Nathan bore his pain and enforced -blindness for her sake, and went so far as to say, though it must be -taken _cum grano salis_, that it would be worth while for Guy Fawkes -to come again, that he might have another course of nursing and -syllabubs from the same gentle hands. - -When Nathan appeared again in public, with his scars not yet healed, -and a large green shade over both eyes, he was met with universal -congratulations on his escape, and universal anathemas on the -dastardly villains who had done the shameful deed. - -Now, Nathan Blyth and his daughter were quite persuaded that the -rough and cruel treatment which they had received was the result of -the malice and jealousy of Black Morris. So far they were right; at -the same time it is fair to him to say that he was innocent of this -crowning outrage. The fact is, that in his first fierce and -unrestrained paroxysm of vexation he had enlisted his alehouse chums -in his wicked crusade of vengeance; and in the hope of more fully -winning him over to their bad confederacy, and partly out of sheer -love of mischief, they had espoused his cause with an energy that -surpassed all that in his cooler moments he desired to inflict. His -disreputable cronies enjoyed the surreptitious "fun" of "taking a -rise" out of "Parson Blyth," as they called him; their horse-play grew -on what it fed on, and hence the shameful extremes I have had to -chronicle. The gunpowder was secreted by Bill Buckley, a beetle-browed -rascal, with whom we shall have to make a closer acquaintance by and -bye. He inserted it in the nozzle of the smithy bellows not only -without Black Morris's permission, but utterly without his knowledge, -and so far, although it grew out of his conduct, he must be acquitted -of so vile and cowardly a deed. It is far easier to set the ball -rolling down hill than to stop it on its course; and spirits like -those which he had called from the vasty deep to serve his purpose, -were not to be laid again, without doing a little extra devilry on -their own account. - -When Black Morris heard of Nathan Blyth's misfortune he was not only -genuinely sorry, but, suspecting it was some of his set who had done -it, he went off straightway into a frenzy of rage against them, -altogether as hot as that which had been directed against Nathan Blyth -himself. This man was an oddity, and it took all the power and -subtlety of the devil to spoil him--whether he succeeded remains to be -seen. - -After Nathan's recovery he had returned to his old post at the anvil, -and had tuned up again as merrily as ever, for the gunpowder wasn't -manufactured which could blow his "sing" out of him, without -dislodging either his tongue or his life. In fact he was one of the -Mark Tapley genius with a higher inspiration, and his spirits always -seemed to rise towards boiling point as his surroundings sank towards -zero. Nathan was fashioning harrow teeth, and the quick rap-tap of his -hammer on the heated iron bar kept capital time to his song: - - Oh, Love is a clever magician; - His rod is a conjuror's wand; - And this is his heavenly mission-- - To bind in his magical band - The hearts of all men to each other - In amity, friendship, and peace, - That each may to each be a brother, - And hatred and envy may cease. - - This, this was the way of the Saviour, - His enemies eager to bless: - Repaying their evil behaviour - With pardon and gift and caress. - Like Him on all hate will I trample, - And every foe I'll forgive; - And copy His holy example - As long as on earth I may live. - - If my enemy hunger I'll feed him, - If he thirst I will give him to drink; - With a smile and a blessing I'll speed him, - Nor leave him in trouble to sink. - Here's my hand and my heart for each comer, - Be he stranger or foeman or friend; - For love brings a genial summer, - A summer that never shall end. - - Oh, Love is a clever magician, - His rod is a conjuror's wand; - Good speed to his heavenly mission, - Alike on the sea and the land. - He binds human hearts to each other, - That hatred and envy may cease, - That each may to each be a brother, - And the earth be an Eden of peace. - -In this strain of high philanthropy, Blithe Natty was merrily singing -away, when who should darken the smithy door but Black Morris, whom -the honest blacksmith had rarely seen since the night when his hasty -and wrathful speech anent his daughter, sowed dragons' teeth, whose -painful harvest he had already partly reaped. - -"Good mornin', Nathan Blyth; I reckon you are blamin' me for that -gunpowder business?" - -"Yes, I am," said Nathan, candidly. "Can you look at my scarred face -and say you didn't do it?" - -"I did _not_" said Black Morris, with much emphasis; "I never knew of -it till my sister Mary told me. Nathan Blyth, believe me, I not only -could not do so beastly a thing, but I could and would fell to the -ground the man who did." - -Nathan had kept his eyes on him, "looking him through and through." - -"Morris!" said he, "give me your hand. I believe you didn't. I am -sorry I spoke to you that day as I did. Let bygones be bygones"---- - -"Nay," said Black Morris, as his head dropped to his bosom, "I don't -say I haven't brought you mischief, an' if you knew all I'd said and -done against you, I don't suppose you would be so free with your hand; -but I never was brute enough for that last business, an' now that you -believe it, I'll bid you good-morning." - -"Stop," said Nathan, "stop a minute. I've been singing this morning -about love and forgiveness, and I mean to do as I sing. Whatever -you've done against me or mine, I forgive freely and fully, and now or -then, here or yonder, you'll never hear any more of it from me--give -us your hand." - -Black Morris stood awhile looking hard at the man he had injured, then -holding out his hand, permitted Natty to shake it, and then suddenly -and without a word shot through the doorway and disappeared. - -That's right, Nathan Blyth! Sing your song over again as the anvil -rings, and the bright sparks fly, for though there is still a cloud on -the horizon whose sombre shadows shall gloom your hearthstone, your -kindly deed and Christly spirit done and evinced to-day, will largely -help to lift the shadow, and bring back the sunshine of abiding -peace! - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -SQUIRE FULLER RECEIVES A DEPUTATION. - - "Scorn not the smallness of early endeavour, - Let thy great purpose ennoble it ever; - Droop not o'er efforts extended in vain; - Work! work, with a will; thou shalt find it again. - Fear not! for greater is God by thy side - Than armies of Satan against thee allied." - - _Anon._ - - -The lovely spring had deepened into a warm, fruitful summer, the corn -was rapidly ripening for the scythe, and the orchards were beginning -to bend beneath a burden of expanding fruit, when the Rev. Theophilus -Clayton mounted his antique gig, and directed Jack, the circuit horse, -on the road that led to Nestleton Magna. That good man had but just -finished his dinner of plain and frugal fare--such lusts of the flesh -as expensive cates and costly luxuries were far beyond the reach of -all his tribe--and his intention was to drop into Farmer Houston's for -a cup of tea, and then to talk over a scheme for a new chapel, which -was rendered necessary by the fact that the spacious kitchen was quite -unequal to the increasing congregation. Jack bore his master onward at -his usual slow and sober pace, and Mr. Clayton gave himself up to a -sort of waking dream, now thinking over his evening sermon, now -weighing the _pros_ and _cons_ of the proposal to "arise and build," -when he was roused from his ponderings by means far more effective -than agreeable. - -"Here's a Methody parson, lads! Let's have a shy at him!" - -Scarcely had he time to turn his head towards the speaker, and scan -the group of lazy loafers congregated by the roadside at the corner of -Midden Harbour, before he was saluted with a shower of stones, which -fell on startled Jack, rattled on the ancient gig, and one of them, at -any rate, made an unnecessary indentation in his silk hat, whose long -term of faithful service demanded more respectful treatment. Waxing -indignant at this gratuitous and cowardly attack, he turned to -expostulate with the lawless batch of wastrels, when a well-aimed -brickbat from the hand of Black Morris struck him on the cheek, and, -after drawing a stream of blood, fell into the body of the gig. Mr. -Clayton, maintaining his presence of mind, brought down his whip upon -the withers of the startled pony, which broke into a gallop, and bore -him through the village with the crimson token of the outrage still -wet upon his face. - -When he drove up to Farmer Houston's gate, quite a knot of villagers -gathered around him, alarmed and indignant at the scurvy treatment he -had received. He lifted up the quarter brick which had dealt the ugly -wound, and said, with a smile, for he was a hero in his way, "That's -the mischievous gentleman that did it, and you see, like a true -soldier, I carry my scars in front." - -"Oh, what a shame!" "Who did it?" "Who threw it?" were the -exclamations of the farmer and his household, as warm water and -sticking-plaster were being provided. The prudent preacher, however, -in the spirit of his Master, thought of the probable results to Black -Morris if he mentioned his name, and so he contented himself with a -general statement that he had been maltreated by a set of scoundrels -at Midden Harbour. - -Well done, Mr. Clayton! Your kindly forbearance will bear richer fruit -than you imagine, and, like many another persecution meekly borne for -the Master's sake, will in no wise lose its reward. After the needful -attention had been bestowed on his wounded cheek, and a few cups of -tea had refreshed his inner man, Theophilus was himself again: and -when Nathan Blyth, Old Adam Olliver, and Farmer Houston were closeted -with him in close committee on the new chapel, he was able to guide -their deliberations with his accustomed skill. - -The first, and, indeed, the crucial point was the question of a site. -The entire village, with the exception of the undesirable locality of -Midden Harbour, was the property of Squire Fuller; and the very first -step was to ask that gentleman to sell or lease them a plot of ground -suitable to the requirements of the case. Their hopes of success were -by no means strong; but Mr. Clayton, who was never much given to -beating about the bush, proposed that they should form themselves into -a deputation, and see the squire on the subject. - -"It's no use going to the steward," said Farmer Houston, "for he hates -the Methodists like poison, and would set his foot on us if he could." - -"I'm willing to try the squire," said Natty Blyth, "if you think it's -best; but I don't expect he'll be particularly glad to see me, seeing -that Master Phil's unlucky fancy has angered his father with me and -mine." - -"Nivver mind that," chimed in Old Adam; "t' aud squire knoas it's -neean o' your deein', and as for its bein' unlikely, he'll be fooast -te deea as God tells 'im, an' if it's His will 'at we sud hev a -chapel, it isn't Squire Fuller nor t' devil aback on 'im 'at can -hinder uz! Let's pray aboot it. We'll fost ax the Lord, 'at hez t' -hearts ov all men in His hands, an' then ax t' squire, an' leeave t' -rest wi' God." - -This admirable hint was at once acted on, and Mr. Clayton asked the -old hedger to engage in prayer. Adam went straight to the point at -once--a practice not too common, as many a heavy and listless -prayer-meeting can testify. - -"Oh, Lord," he prayed, "Thoo knoas 'at we want te build a sanctuary i' -Thy honour, an' for t' good o' sowls. Thah good Spirit's meead wer -borders ower strayt for uz. We beseeach Tha te give uz room te dwell -in. Thoo can oppen t' way as eeasily as Thoo oppen'd t' Rid Sea for t' -children o' Isra'l, an' Thoo can tonn t' heart o' Squire Fuller as -Thoo tonn'd t' heart o' King Pharaoh. We're gannin' te see 'im i' Thah -neeam, an' for t' seeak o' Thah cause. Gan wiv uz, Lord; wi' Thoo wiv -us we're bun' te prosper. Thoo wadn't hev crammed t' kitchen wi' -precious souls te hear Thah Wod if Thoo didn't meean te gether 'em all -inte t' Gospel net. Lord, t' ship's full an' beginnin' te sink! Bud it -can't sink while t' prayers o' Thah people hod it up. Lord help uz! -and gan wiv uz, for Jesus Christ's seeak. Amen." - -O wondrous power of faithful prayer! The four men rose from their -knees, ready and eager for the interview, and as Farmer Houston was -able to affirm that the squire was at home, they resolved at once to -go forward in the name of the Lord. - -Waverdale Hall, the seat of Ainsley Fuller, Esq., J.P., was a large -and imposing building, in which the Italian style of architecture was -exhibited to the best advantage, and which was said to have been -erected under the personal superintendence of that noted deviser of -aristocratic piles, Inigo Jones. Situated in the midst of a large and -well-wooded park, and partially surrounded by trim terraces and -well-kept ornamental grounds, it formed the centre of a landscape of -which the inhabitants of Waverdale were justly proud. Our brave -quarternion of Methodists made their way to a side entrance to the -stately mansion, and in answer to their call, a grave-looking, -white-headed butler, ushered them into the bounteously-furnished -library, whose multitudinous bookshelves laden with ancient and -modern literature, so excited the astonishment of Adam Olliver, that -he could not help exclaiming,-- - -"What a parlous lot o' beeaks! Pack'd like herrin's iv a barrel! -Thoosan's upo' thoosan's. Mah wod, Natty! bud they must mak' t' -squire's heead wark te' read 'em. They a'most tonn me dizzy te leeak -at 'em." - -Again the butler appeared, cutting short Old Adam's wonderment, and -ushered them into the presence of the stern and stately squire, whose -reception of them was courteous enough but cold. Farmer Houston, as -the tenant of a farm which had been in the Houston family through many -generations, was personally known to Squire Fuller, who accosted him -by name. - -"Good evening, Mr. Houston. Take a seat, but first introduce me to -your friends." - -Mr. Clayton received a cold and distant bow; Nathan Blyth a -scrutinising gaze, more piercing than pleasant; but that good man and -true, bore him as a true man should. - -"And this," said Farmer Houston, "is one of my labourers, who has been -an old and trusted servant to myself and my father for more than fifty -years. His name is Adam Olliver." - -The squire bowed in honest reverence to the time-worn veteran, who -bore such a certificate of character, and asked them to what he was -indebted for the honour of their visit. - -Farmer Houston stated their case. He spoke of the lowly band of -Methodists who lived in the village and worshipped God as their taste -and conscience taught; of the services held in Adam's cottage, and -then in his own kitchen; how even that was now too small for the -congregation; how they desired to build a little chapel for the more -decent and successful carrying out of their work, and how they had -come to ask him to sell or lease to them a scrap of land, on which to -build their house of prayer. "Mr. Clayton," he said, "will answer any -questions as to our doctrines or proceedings, and we shall be deeply -grateful, sir, if you can see your way to grant us our request." - -"I do not think there is any need to ask questions," said Mr. Fuller, -with an ominous shake of the head. "You have the parish church, which -is sufficiently large to hold all who choose to go. My friend the -rector is a most estimable man, and I do not see that anything is to -be gained by setting up an opposition establishment. I don't -understand this newfangled religion you call Methodism, but I gather -that it is a kind of fanatical parody on the National Church; that its -adherents are remarkable for shouting and groaning, and for going to -great excesses of mere emotional excitement. I am not particularly in -love with the ideas that are taught in the parish church itself, but I -certainly prefer them to yours, and shall as certainly refuse to be -the means of introducing what is sure to be a source of sectarian -jealousy, into our quiet and peaceful little village. It has done -without such a thing from time immemorial, and shall not with my -permission be exposed to what I cannot but regard as the introduction -of a very pernicious element of mischief." - -"Bud," said Adam Olliver, whose anxiety could not be restrained, "we -aren't inthroducin' owt 'at's new. We've been hoddin' meetin's i' -Nestleton for five-an'-thotty year, an' naebody's na worse for it, an' -monny on us, sor, is a good deal better for 't. Parson knoas 'at we -hae nae opposition tiv 'im, an' some on us gans te t' chotch i' t' -mornin's. Ah could tell yo', sor, o' monny a yan 'at's been meeade -'appy there; o' pooachers 'at's sell'd their guns, an' drunkards 'at's -tonn'd sober, an' monny a scooare o' precious sowls ez dee'd rejoicin' -i' Jesus Christ, through t' meetin's 'at's been hodden i' mah lathle -hoose an' i' t' maister's kitchin. As for t' village bein' peeaceful, -there's plenty te deea at Midden Harbour, roond t' publichoose an' -uther spots. We want all t' village te fear God an' seeave their -sowls. If yo' pleease, sor, deean't damp uz all at yance. Tak' a bit -o' tahme te consither on 't. While you're thinkin', we sall be -prayin', an' ah wop you'll excuse ma, sor, if ah say 'at if you'll -pray aboot it yo'rself, it'll help yo' te cum tiv a right -detarmination." - -Here Farmer Houston slyly pulled the old man's coat, afraid that he -should venture too far and do more harm than good. Mr. Clayton, -however, was delighted with the clear, concise way in which the old -man pleaded the cause of his Master. He knew that He who told His -disciples that when they were brought before rulers and magistrates He -would tell them what they ought to say, was speaking through the lips -of the godly hedger, who knew so well how to talk with God. - -"Ah weean't trubble yo' no farther," said the old man, in obedience to -the farmer's hint; "bud if you'll tonn te t' fifth chapther ov Acts, -an' t' thotty-eight' an' thotty-nint' vasses, you'll me'bbe finnd a -bit o' good advice." - -The squire smiled, partly in superior knowledge, and partly in -amusement at the unsophisticated Doric of the speaker, but he could -not ridicule such transparent honesty. - -"Well, gentlemen," said he, "I can give you no encouragement to-night, -but I'll take time to weigh the matter, and will let you know my -decision." - -"Prayse the Lord for that," said Adam Olliver, "an' may God guide uz -all!" - -Little did they think of the awful storm and tempest which should -burst over Waverdale Hall and its aristocratic inmates before that -final decision should be announced. The portly butler was summoned to -conduct them to the door, and when the little party was fairly out -into the park, they began to compare notes on the aspect of affairs. - -"I don't think we shall succeed," said Farmer Houston, who was never -of a very sanguine temperament. - -"No," said Mr. Clayton, "Adam's pleading won upon his courtesy, but it -will not change his mind." - -"No," said Nathan Blyth, with a sigh, "we may put it out of court. -Nestleton'll have to go without a Methodist chapel for this -generation, depend on't." - -"Seea you think 'at squire's bigger then God, di yo'? Yan wad think, -te hear yo' talk, that it was a matter for him an' uz te sattle. Is -ther' onnything ower hard for the Lord? an' it's His business noo, an' -nut oors, an' ah for yan's gannin' te trust Him te t' end. Though it -tarry, wayt for it. T' oad gentleman dizn't like it, ah can see, bud -he'll hae te lump it, for ah's as sartan as ah's livin' 'at Nestleton -chapel 'll be built afoore twelve munths is ower. He says he'll tak -tahme te think on't; that's summat, an' mind mah wods, Squire -Fuller'll be willin' aneeaf befoore the Lord's deean wiv 'im." - -Adam's faith was great, as all God's people's ought to be. The -mountain may be great, but when such faith as Adam's says "Be thou -removed," it rocks from base to summit and is cast into the sea. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -DOCTOR JEPHSON GIVES AN UNPROFESSIONAL OPINION. - - "Be thou clad in russet weed, - Be thou decked in silken stole, - Grave these counsels on thy soul; - Say man's true genuine estimate, - The grand criterion of his fate, - Is not, art thou high or low? - Did thy fortune ebb or flow? - Tell them, and press it on thy mind, - As thou thyself must shortly find, - The smile or frown of righteous heaven, - To virtue or to vice is given." - - _Burns._ - - -At the turn of the road where Nathan Blyth's forge and homestead stood -were three cottages, tenanted by farm labourers and their families. In -one of these lay sick unto death the mother of a household of small -children; and Lucy Blyth, whose heart was full of tenderness and all -kindly charities, used to go every day to succour the poor invalid, -and to tend and nurse the hapless babes who were soon to be left -motherless and alone. Not only as an angel of mercy did the fair girl -go on this loving errand, but as a Gospel messenger, and in winsome -ways she led the ailing woman to the Cross. Through her -instrumentality the sinner's Friend had been revealed to her anxious -heart, and now, blest with the hope of a heavenly inheritance, and -enabled to confide her infants to the sure care of the orphan's God, -she was waiting with a calm content and a peaceful joy the moment of -her crowning. - -Doctor Jephson, who had ridden daily into Nestleton to attend the -dying woman, had been a wondering witness of Lucy's gentle care and -her godly influence over her dying charge. He had come to entertain a -very high reverence and deep respect for such a combination of youth -and beauty with the clear intelligence, the elevated character, and -the nameless charm which won all hearts who came in contact with the -blacksmith's daughter. - -"She must be a changeling," he would say, as he left the lowly roof. -"She is as perfect a gentlewoman as was ever born in ducal mansion, -and as handsome a woman as ever wore a coronet of pearls." Nor was -this by any means the only place in which that excellent physician met -the object of his admiration. There was not a home in the village, -into which unwelcome sickness came, but Lucy's welcome and willing -visits brought help and sympathy, balm and comfort of the rarest and -most useful kind. - -Now, it so happened, that just at this time, Squire Fuller was -suffering severely from an attack of gout, and the patrician invalid -was daily visited professionally by Doctor Jephson. Being one of the -very few visitors to Waverdale Hall, whose breadth of intellect and -high attainments made his conversation interesting to the imprisoned -squire, the doctor spent as much time with him as his engagements -would permit, and many and hot were the discussions between the two, -as they sat in the cosy library. The doctor was an intelligent -believer in revelation, a Christian in faith and character, and so it -was never long before he came athwart the half-scoffing scepticism of -his patient. He fully knew the value of the patronage he received from -the Hall, but his manly independence of opinion was in no wise -restrained or compromised by selfish considerations--a feature in his -character for which in his heart the stately squire held him, despite -his seeming anger, in high and genuine esteem. - -Latterly, the exploits of the poaching fraternity, and certain glaring -cases of immorality and rural crime had come before him, as a county -magistrate. Referring to these, in the course of a hot argument, the -squire expressed a doubt as to whether virtue, honour, and uprightness -were to be found amongst the poorer classes in rural districts. - -"Aye, as often as they are to be found in the higher walks of life," -said Dr. Jephson. "There are people in your own village, both men and -women, whose lives are as noble and whose characters are as pure and -excellent as any that you can find amid the homes of rank and wealth." - -"You can't name them," said Squire Fuller, with a sneer. "It's merely -a sentimental notion of Arcadian innocence, the dream of an optimist, -the delusion of a poet, which vanish like mist when you come into -actual contact with them. You can't produce a specimen of the peasant -class who is superior to the charms of skittles and beer." - -"Yes, I can," said the doctor, emphatically. "A finer or more manly -character than Old Adam Olliver cannot be found. If you can picture to -yourself a Sir Philip Sydney in corduroy, or a Bayard on a donkey, you -can sketch Adam Olliver for yourself." - -"Why, that's the old man who came the other day on some wild-goose -errand about a Methodist meeting-house. I confess I was greatly taken -with him, and when Gregory Houston told me that he had been a faithful -servant of his and of his father before him, for over fifty years, I -certainly felt as though I owed him some reverence and respect." - -"Aye, and well you might; for rough and uncouth as he is, he is one of -Nature's nobles, and if the new Methodist chapel will give us a -village peasantry of that kind, it is a pity that there should not be -one in every village in the land." - -"But," persisted the squire, "Adam Olliver is evidently a 'character,' -and must therefore be regarded as an exception to the rule." - -"No, he isn't," said the doctor, "his good wife Judith is a fitting -match for him, and Nathan Blyth, the blacksmith, is as high principled -and as good a hater of meanness as anybody in the land. As for that -glorious girl of his, there is not her equal in Yorkshire. She is the -Lady Bountiful of the village, for though her resources may be small, -as far as money is concerned, that is more than compensated for by the -energy of her character, her untiring self-sacrifice, and the magic of -her sympathy is felt in every house in Nestleton where sickness or -sorrow has found a place. I tell you she is the good genius of the -village, which could far better spare Squire Fuller than Lucy Blyth." - -"I tell you what, Doctor Jephson," said the squire, with a sardonic -smile, "I'll make it worth your while to marry her. You are evidently -over head and ears in love with this village Venus, and if she is all -that you say, could you do better than take her for your own wife? I -should be much relieved if you did." - -"Take her I would with all my heart," said the doctor, warmly, "with -the certainty that I had got a prize without a parallel; but I am -growing grizzly and old, and she would no more mate with me than the -fawn of a summer's growth would accept the caresses of a polar bear. I -should propose with the certainty of being rejected; but were I twenty -years younger, I would make the venture, Squire Fuller. But, pray, how -would it relieve you?" - -"Why, that foolish boy of mine has taken it into his head to entertain -a passion for this paragon of virtue and beauty, which has not only -turned his brain, but is undermining his health. He knows, of course, -that any such ill-omened union is out of the question, and I can see," -quoth the squire, warmly, "how bravely he tries to resign himself to -the inevitable; but the struggle is stealing the light from his eye, -the colour from his cheek, and the nerve from his limbs. If some kind -fellow, fairy or fetch, would spirit her away, it would be an -unspeakable relief." Here the squire heaved a sigh which told of the -perturbation of his soul. - -Dr. Jephson received the information in silence, but with a -considerable amount of surprise. - -"I imagine," continued the squire, "that this peerless young lady is -spreading her net with a good deal of skill and perseverance, in the -hope of landing such a very desirable prize." - -"Nay, that she is not, I'll warrant me," said the doctor. "I have -never heard a word of it, but I dare swear that she has never lifted a -finger to win him, and that she will never marry him, at any rate -until she has received full permission from your own lips. She is made -of far finer material than that." - -"I'm glad to hear you say so," replied Squire Fuller. "I wish I could -believe it, for that permission she will never get between now and the -day of judgment; but I confess that I am very sceptical as to her -adoption of any such policy. If my Phil were to be such a double-dyed -fool as to ask her, I've no doubt she would jump at him like a hen at -a gooseberry, and rejoice that she had played her cards so well. A -squire's son is not to be hooked by a blacksmith's daughter every -day." - -The plain-spoken doctor was inclined to get angry, as he listened to -these reflections on the high-toned character of his young friend and -favourite, but commanding his temper, he simply responded,-- - -"Well, I'm no advocate for young people marrying out of their rank and -station, and I'm not sure, even if Lucy returned his affection, that -the alliance would end happily, all things considered. At the same -time, I say again, and I never spoke more soberly in my life, the -youth that marries Lucy Blyth will get a wife that may compete in -every way with the noblest lady in the land." - -So saying he took his departure, and the hoofs of his high-bred horse -were soon heard ringing over the Kesterton road. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -PHILIP FULLER MAKES A DISCOVERY. - - "Thus far did I come laden with my sin, - Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in, - Till I came hither. What a place is this! - Must here be the beginning of my bliss? - Must here the burden fall from off my back? - Must here the strings that bound it to me crack? - Blest Cross! Blest Sepulchre! Blest rather be - The Man that there was put to shame for me." - - _John Bunyan._ - - -"Good morning, Adam Olliver. What a man you are for cutting and -slashing! I never see you but you are wielding either axe or knife! -What a destructive character you must be!" - -"Good mornin', Maister Philip," said the hedger, with a smile of -satisfaction, for he had a great regard for the frank young gentleman -who had so kindly received his words of pleading by the gate which led -to Marlpit Wood. "Ah's nut nearly as destructive as ah leeaks te be. -Ah've been choppin' an' slashin' Farmer Houston's hedges for nearly -fifteen years; an' ah warrant 'at they've neean on 'im ivver been sae -thrivin' an' sae shaply as they are te-day." - -"Well, that looks odd," said Philip. "I should have thought that they -would grow bigger and stronger, thicker and higher, if they were left -alone." - -"Hey," said Adam, with the usual twinkle in his eye, "sae meeast on us -think, sor. We wad like te be let alooane an' just hev wer aun way; -grow as wa' like an' deea as wa' like, an' we fancy 'at we sud gan -higher an' grow bigger, an' increease i' strength, bud it's a grand -mistak', you may depend on 't. If theease hedges warn't lopped and -trimmed, an' ivvery noo an' then chopp'd doon an' leeaced in, they wad -gan sprawlin' ower t' rooad o' yah side, an' ower t' clooase on t' -uther, an' grow thick i' yah spot an' thin iv anuther, an' grow up two -or three yards high inte t' bargan. A rood o' good land wad be -weeasted; t' sheep wad gan throo t' gaps, an't' sun wad be kept off t' -corn, or t' tonnops, or t' rape, or whativver else was growin', an' -they wad deea a parlous lot o' mischief. Beeath t' axe an' t' -slashin'-knife is good for _them_, an' they're varry good for _uz_." - -"How do you make that out?" said Philip, amused and interested. He had -a glimpse of the old man's philosophy, and for reasons of his own, was -anxious to get him into a free and talking vein. - -"Why, you see," said Adam, "human natur's a poor, prood, wild thing, -an' when it's left tiv itself, it nat'rally gans in for hevin' its aun -way, an' gets warse an' warse. Munny an' pleasure an' honour an' -pooer; onything at'll minister te wer pleasure an' profit, is seeazed -an' meead t' meeast on, an' sae we sud gan te ruin an' the devil like -a beggar o' horseback. But t' knife o' sickness, an' disappointment, -losses an' trubbles of all sooarts, is used biv a gracious God te -bring uz te wer senses, an' mak' us think' aboot summut better. Job -tells us that the Lord sticks His knife intiv uz, an' mak's uz suffer -an' cry upo' wer bed i' strang payne; an' he says, 'Theease things -worketh God of 'entahmes wi' man, that he may bring his sowl up oot o' -t' pit, an' leeten him wi' t' leet o' the livin'.' T' slashin' 'at -Joseph gat i' t' pit an' i' t' prison trimm'd him for t' second -chariot i' Egypt, an' meead 'im t' greeatest man i' t' cuntry. Maister -Philip, leeak at that hedge," pointing to a long low quickset hedge -that divided one field from another. "That hedge is cut loa, an' -slash'd thin, an' t' tall tooerin' branches was chopt hoaf through an' -bent doon inte t' thorn, an' if ivvery hoss i' Farmer Houston's -steeable was te run ageean it, it wad tonn 'em back; for it's as teeaf -as leather, an' as cloase as a sheet ov iron; an' it's all because -it's been kept doon an' meead te bleed under t' slashin'-knife." - -"Yes, you're right, Adam," said the young squire, thoughtfully, as his -mind reverted to his own bitter disappointment in regard to his -misplaced and baffled love, "only it's hard to understand and very -difficult to bear." - -Old Adam, who shrewdly guessed the current of his thoughts, and -greatly sympathised with the youth in whose _bona-fides_ he had -perfect faith, replied, "Nay, deean't trubble te ontherstand it. -God'll explayn it when it's right for uz te knoa; but as for bidin' -it, He says 'Mah grace is sufficient fo' thah.' Prayer an' faith can -mak' uz bide whativver cross we may hae te carry; an', Maister -Philip," said he, tenderly, "He'll help yo' te bide yours, if you'll -nobbut tak' it te t' Cross an' ax Him 'at said, 'Cum te me an' ah'll -gie yo' rist.'" - -"Adam Olliver!" said the young man, "I want that rest with all my -heart and soul, but I cannot find it; the last time I saw you, you -quoted the words of St. John, 'He that is born of God sinneth not.' -Tell me, Adam, as you would tell your son, what is it to be born of -God?" - -Struck by the eager tones of the speaker, Adam dropped his knife, -looked into the eyes of Philip, which flashed with a very fever of -desire, and saw therein the honest, penitent seeker after God. -Afterwards, when Adam was relating the circumstances to his friend and -neighbour, Nathan Blyth, he said,-- - -"Ah tell yo', Nathan, ah was sae tee'an aback, yo' mud ha' knocked ma' -doon wiv a feather! Ah felt just like Nehemiah, when he was standin' -afoore t' king wiv 'is 'eart sad an' 'is feeace white wi' trubble for -t' seeak o' Jerusalem, an' t' king ax'd him what was amiss wiv him; -an' like him, ah 'lifted me' heart te the God ov heaven.'" - -"Born of God," said Adam, in reply to his anxious questioner, "Why, -it's te be a new creeatur i' Christ Jesus. T' Holy Sperrit o' God cums -inte t' heart streight doon frev heaven, tak's all wer sins away, an' -tells us 'at for Christ's seeak they're all pardon'd, an' fills us wi' -joy an' peeace thro' beleeavin'." - -"And do you feel that you are born again, Adam? Does the Holy Spirit -tell you so? Are you _sure_ that your sins are all forgiven?" - -"Sure!" said Adam, with a smile which was simply beautiful in its -joyous complacency, "ah's as sartan on it as ah's a livin' man. Ah've -knoan it ivvery day o' my life for mair then fotty years. 'The Sperrit -o' God beears witness wi' mah sperrit 'at ah's born o' God.'" His eyes -filled with tears of gladness, as he said, "Glory be te God. I ha'nt a -doot nor a ghost o' yan, that me' neeam is written i' heaven, Christ -is mi' Saviour, an' ah knoa 'at when this 'athly hoose o' me' -tabernacle is dissolved, an' it's gettin' varry shakky, ah've a hoose -abuv, a buildin' nut meead bi' hands, etarnal i' the heavens!" - -Philip heaved a sigh which came from the deepest recesses of his -heart. "I would give my life," said he, "to be able to say that. Adam -Olliver, show me the way!" - -"God bless the lad," said the old Christian with deep feeling, and -such a prayer from his lips was indeed a benediction. "You feel -yourself to be a poor helpless sinner afoore God?" - -"My sense of ingratitude and rebellion is greater than I can bear," -was the earnest response. - -"An' wi' all your 'eart you're willin' te give up ivverything for -Christ?" - -"I tell you, I would give my life to feel in my heart that He is my -Saviour." - -"Then lissen," said Adam, pulling out from his breast-pocket a -well-worn New Testament, the precious companion of his solitary -labours. Turning to a particular verse, "This," said he, "is the Wod -o' God, the testiment ov Jesus Christ You beleeave it, deean't yo'?" - -"Yes," said the eager youth, "every word of it." - -"Then remember, what ah's gannin' te read, is what God says te you. -You weean't doot Him, will yo'?" His large horn-framed spectacles were -drawn from their wooden sheath; having adjusted them to assist his -failing vision, he held the little volume with a loving reverence, and -took off his hat as if God Himself was about to speak. "Lissen!" said -he, and then he read slowly and deliberately, "He bare our sins in his -own body on the tree." Turning over the pages, he read, "'Whosoever -believeth on him the same shall be saved.' You don't doot it, de yo'?" - -"No," said Philip, eagerly, "go on!" - -"You're boddened wi' your sins? Lissen! 'He bare 'em _Hisself_! Philip -Fuller, if He hez borne your sins, why sud you beear t' bodden as -weel? Whosoiver beleeaveth sal be saved. There it is. Cast 'em on 'im! -Leeave 'em tiv Him, for it's _true_!" - -Even while the old man spoke, the scales began to fall. Philip Fuller -saw men as trees walking. Silent and with parted lips, he looked upon -his humble teacher; his soul was listening to the words of truth. Then -he felt a wish to be alone. - -"Thank you, Adam Olliver. I'll come and see you again." Then, turning -his horse towards Waverdale Park, he began to turn over in his mind -the words he had just heard--"The word of the Lord by the mouth of his -servant," Adam Olliver. - -Meanwhile, that good man stood looking after the retreating youth, -with a smile of triumph and a tear of joy mingling on his cheek. "He's -thahne, Lord, seeave him!" he said aloud, and then, retiring to a -little clump of trees, where Balaam was listlessly cropping the grass, -more for occupation than through hunger, Adam knelt in prayer; there -were few spots on Farmer Houston's farm which had not been consecrated -by his secret devotions. He pleaded fervently, as one who had but to -ask and have, for the struggling penitent whom he had just pointed to -the Lamb of God. Praises soon mingled with his prayers, and he rose -from his knees, assured and happy. - -"Balaam!" said he, as he went back to his employment, "an heir ov -glory hez been born te-day!" - - * * * * * - -Philip Fuller's horse might just as well have had no rider for all the -control he felt. The bridle was hung loosely on his neck, his pace was -a slow and measured walk, and his rider, all the while, was thinking, -praying, and talking to himself. - -"He bare our sins, _my sins_, in His own body on the tree. _Whosoever_ -believeth--Lord, I believe! I come to the Cross! My sins, I cannot -bear them. Thou hast borne them--hast died for me! My Lord and my God! -Mine! What's this?" he shouted. "I know it; I feel it. Jesus, Thou art -my Saviour, too!" He looked around--the very trees wore a brighter -robe, the sky a fairer blue, the very birds were singing of his -new-born peace! Seizing the bridle, he turned his startled steed and -galloped back to where the old hedger was at work. - -"Adam Olliver!" he shouted, "Adam Olliver!" - -"Halleluia!" shouted Adam. "Ah knoa all aboot it. Prayse the Lord!" - -The young man leaped from his horse, seized the old man's hands and -shook them, while the happy tears ran down his sunny face. - -"Adam Olliver, my sins are gone!" - -"Halleluia, ah saw 'em gannin'. Good-bye tiv 'em!" - -"But Jesus is mine. My Saviour and my all." - -"Prayse the Lord. Ah saw He was comin'. Bless your heart; ah knoa'd it -were all right afoore yo' went away. Ah saw it i' your een, an' the -Lord tell'd me you were His." - -Thus did Philip Fuller find rest to his soul. The mental doubts, the -troubled conscience, and the broken heart, which had so long -distressed him, had all died out beneath the lifted Cross; the new -life which was to be for ever was breathed into his soul on Nestleton -Wold, and the apostle who led the rich patrician youth to Jesus was -the humble hedger on a Yorkshire farm. Go thy way, happy youth! -Brighter sunshine than that which floods the autumn noon around thee -fills thy rejoicing soul. Go thy way, and be sure that in the thick -darkness which is soon to gather round thee, the Saviour in whom thy -trust is will be thy faithful strength and stay. Thou shalt walk -through the valley whose shadows are as dark as death; but upheld by -the strong arm of the loving Saviour, thou shalt pass on to greet the -dawn in God's decisive hour when the sun shall chase the gloom, and -the hill-tops catch the glory of returning day! - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -BLACK MORRIS IS TAKEN BY SURPRISE. - - "How hardly man this lesson learns, - To smile, and bless the hand that spurns; - To see the blow and feel the pain, - And only render love again! - ONE had it--but He came from heaven, - Reviled, rejected, and betrayed; - No curse He breathed, no plaint He made, - But when in death's dark pang He sighed, - Prayed for His murderers, and died." - - _Edmeston._ - - -The good folks who dwelt in Waverdale and the regions round about, -were thrown into a good deal of consternation by reason of a series of -daring burglaries and highway robberies with violence, which had been -committed during the later autumn days. Isolated farmhouses and -solitary inns had been forced open and ransacked, inducing a general -feeling of alarm. Two or three men, with crape over their faces and -armed with knife and pistol, had been seen by sundry wayfarers. -Farmers and others, returning late from Kesterton Market, were -suddenly set upon, and not only robbed, but cruelly maltreated. Under -these circumstances it can scarcely be wondered at, that our good -friend, the Rev. Theophilus Clayton, was now and then a little -nervous during his late rides from those country appointments over -moor and wold where the mysterious footpads plied their cruel and -dishonest trade. On one occasion the worthy minister was returning -home from Bexton, a distance of nine miles from Kesterton. Just as he -reached the brow of a hill, a strong-looking fellow, with villainous -features, called out to him, "How far is it to Kesterton?" Neither -voice nor face was calculated to soothe the good pastor's nerves, for, -though he was no coward, he could not help being influenced by the -current panic of the district. "A little over five miles," he -answered. At that moment the fellow made a dash at the horse's bridle, -but Mr. Clayton was on the alert, he gave Jack a smart stroke with his -whip, regardless of all equine proverbs about "down hill, bear me," -and Jack dashed off at a sharp trot down the steep hill. The robber -was thrown upon his face, and then a volley of oaths and curses was -followed by the sharp crack of a pistol; but either through faulty aim -or distance gained, neither Jack nor the driver was any the worse for -that. - -The hill was long and steep, and poor Jack was going at a dangerous -rate. The gig swung from side to side. In vain the occupant tightened -the reins. Circuit horses are not famous for being very sound at the -knees, thanks to bungling drivers, and just at the foot of the hill -Jack stumbled and fell. A shaft of the gig was broken, Mr. Clayton was -thrown out, landed in most uncomfortable fashion head foremost on the -grass-clad roadside, and lay for a brief moment half-stunned by his -fall. - -"Hallo! what's this?" said a voice. The minister thinking the angry -robber was at hand, freed himself from the bondage of the now -much-battered hat which had been forced over his face and had -doubtless done much to save him from serious injury. By his side knelt -no other than Black Morris, who helped him to sit upright on the bank, -and as the preacher complained of his head, examined his temple, and -found a sharp cut from which the blood was flowing pretty freely. Mr. -Clayton pulled out his handkerchief, and Black Morris proceeded to -bind it round his head. In doing so, however, the clear bright -moonlight fell on a still red and ugly-looking scar on the cheek -below. - -"Hallo!" said Morris; "you have had a nasty cut before this." - -"Yes," said Mr. Clayton, who found himself not seriously the worse for -his mishap. "I'll tell you directly how it was done. But will you -kindly help me to put my gig to rights? I fancy I heard a smash." - -The damage was confined to the splintered shaft, if we except an -abrasion on each knee of poor old Jack, who having recovered his feet, -stood, as a circuit horse is pretty sure to do, with no thought of -running away. As for the rub on his knees, why he was used to that -sort of thing, as eels are to skinning, and doubtless he looked upon -it as the indispensable badge of his enlistment in the Church -militant. Black Morris drew from his capacious pockets, which were -often filled with the produce of midnight raid in copse and glen, a -supply of stout cord, and bound the lancewood limb so firmly as to -ensure its trustworthiness for the remainder of the journey. - -"I'm sincerely obliged to you," said Mr. Clayton, warmly; "I don't -know what I should have done without your help. If you are going to -Kesterton I shall be glad to give you a ride." - -The proposal was timely, and so the Methodist preacher and the poacher -rode off in an honest Methodist gig, carrying, also, it is to be -feared, contraband game in the secret recesses of Black Morris's -velveteen jacket. - -"What made you drive so fast down hill?" said Black Morris, as they -bowled rapidly along the high road, for the mishap appeared to have -electrified Jack into a renewal of his youth. - -"Why," said Mr. Clayton, "I was attacked by a highwayman at the top of -the hill, and as he made a dash at the reins, I drove off as hard as -we could go. The fellow was knocked down, I think, at any rate he was -in a great rage, for he swore loudly, and sent a bullet after us, but -luckily without effect." - -"What sort of a fellow was he?" said Morris. - -"Oh! a big, broad-shouldered man, with no whiskers and as villainous a -face as I have ever seen." - -"Hey, he's a rum un is Bi---- I mean there are rum fellows about just -now." - -Mr. Clayton noticed the slip of the tongue, but prudently changed the -subject. - -"You were noticing just now the nasty-looking scar on my cheek; I'll -tell you how I got it." Our business-like superintendent had a large -canvas pocket nailed under the seat of his gig, in which to put -parcels of books, reports, and other matters for safe keeping. Leaning -forward he brought out of that receptacle the smaller half of a red -brick. "You see that," said he, handing it to his companion, "I was -riding to Nestleton a short time since to preach the Gospel of Jesus -in Farmer Houston's kitchen,"--here Black Morris gave a sudden start -of surprise. "As I passed the corner of Midden Harbour, a number of -men and boys threw a shower of stones at me. None of them hit me, but -the gig suffered a bit, and Jack got a nasty blow or two. I turned -round to speak to them, but at that instant somebody threw that -brickbat, cutting my cheek, and leaving a scar which I shall carry to -my dying day. Black Morris, you gave me that brickbat," said Mr. -Clayton, with a smile, "allow me to give it you back, you may want it -again." - -"The d----!" said Morris, in unmixed surprise, "then you are the -Methody parson." - -"Yes, I'm the Methodist parson, Morris, but not the devil, as your -words might imply. On the contrary, I hate him, and I am spending my -life in trying to get poor souls away from him, and to take them to -the Saviour." - -"But how do you know that it was me that threw it, when there were so -many of 'em." - -"Because it was thrown afterwards, and because I saw you do it." - -"Then if you could have sworn to it, why didn't you tell who it was, -an' get a summons? You seem to have ta'en it wonderfully quiet." - -There was half a tone of contempt in the question and remark, which -intimated that the Methodist parson was what he would have called "a -white-livered sort of a fellow." - -"Don't think I was afraid," said Mr. Clayton, who read his thoughts -clearly enough. "If I was given that way, I should scarcely have -chosen to tax Black Morris with it, out on a solitary road at ten -o'clock on a winter's night, and give it him back with a hint that he -might perhaps want to use it again." - -To this Black Morris made no reply; but his respect for his Methody -companion began to rise, and he grew somewhat uncomfortable in his -seat. - -"No, Morris, I have given my heart and life to that loving Saviour who -bids me return good for evil and to love them that hate me. He prayed -for His persecutors even on the Cross to which they nailed Him, as I -have prayed for you every time I've thought of the blow or seen the -scar in the looking-glass. When Farmer Houston asked me who did it, I -knew that one word of mine could have thrown you into jail; but I -loved and pitied you, and refused to tell either him or anybody else -who did the deed. Your sister Mary asked me to go and see your mother, -who is a suffering woman, Morris. Your mother asked, in sympathy, who -had hurt my cheek. Do you think that I was going to sadden her heart -by telling her that the man who had come to pray with her had been -ill-treated by the son whom she loves dearer than her life? Morris, -I'm a good deal troubled about you, and would do you good for my -Master's sake, even if I knew that you would fling that brickbat at -the other cheek. Oh, Morris!" said he, earnestly, laying his hand upon -the young man's arm; "for your patient mother's sake, for your own -soul's sake, for your loving Saviour's sake, give up this bad and -wasted life of yours; turn your back on the evil companions that are -dragging you to ruin, and give your heart to Jesus, who died upon the -cross for you." - -Not one word did Black Morris utter in reply. Mr. Clayton's -well-weighed words had gone to his heart like a shot, and the -reference to his mother had struck him dumb. By this time they had -reached the point where the Nestleton road branched off from the -Kesterton highway. - -"I must get down here, and thank you for the ride," said Black Morris. - -"Thank _you_, Morris, for your kind assistance, and remember that if -ever I can serve you, if you'll come and ask me, I'll do it with all -my heart. Good-night." - -Having come almost within sight of his welcome stable, Jack trotted -along the Kesterton High-street, and in a little while both he and his -master were safe at home. The sight of his 'kerchief-bound head would -have alarmed his waiting household, but his vigorous step and cheery -voice, both intensified as a protest against sympathy or fear, -re-assured them. He told his family the exciting story of his night's -adventure, and in the family prayer that night the good man made -special intercession for the conversion of Black Morris. - -After alighting from the gig at Kesterton town-end, that puzzled young -ne'er-do-weel stood stock still, following with his gaze the -retreating "Methody parson," until a bend in the street hid him from -his view. Then, released from the spell, he turned homeward with a -long sigh of amazement. - -"By Jove!" said he, "this bangs Banagher!" The brickbat was still in -his hand. All unconsciously his fingers had closed around it when Mr. -Clayton had placed it in his palm. He looked at it, and then turned -round again, and looked down Kesterton High-street, as if the donor -was still in view. There was an unwonted moisture in his eyes, as he -said to himself, "Hey, I shall want it again." He dropped it into his -pouch-like pocket, and strode away in silence towards Midden Harbour. -Letting himself into the house, Black Morris stole to his room, and -passing his mother's door, he paused, and said, "God bless her! an' -the Methody parson, too!" - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -KASPER CRABTREE FALLS AMONG THIEVES. - - "All vice in which man yields in greed to do it, - Or soon or late, be sure he'll sorely rue it. - Experience deep, howe'er false seemings blind him, - Surcharged with retribution, out will find him. - The whole creation's strange and endless dealing, - In spite of shields and veils and arts concealing, - Proclaims that whosoe'er is long a sinner, - Can only be by it of woe a winner." - - _Oriental._ - - -Kesterton Fair was always held about the middle of November, and a -large number of cattle, bred and fed on the various farms in that -highly-cultivated district, were, as usual, gathered there for public -sale. On the afternoon of that day, a party of four suspicious-looking -fellows sat boozing on strong ale in the kitchen of a small -public-house, which stood by the roadside between Kesterton and -Nestleton Magna, and near a long tract of plantation known as Thurston -Wood. They were habited in velveteen, fustian, and corduroy, wore -hair-skin caps, and bore the usual marks of that class of leafing, -poaching, lawless vagabonds, who, fifty years ago, were sadly -plentiful in all rural districts, and are not by any means extinct -to-day. They were holding a secret confabulation, and judging by their -low tones and watchful glances it was evident that they were desirous -of avoiding observation. The principal spokesman was an ill-favoured -looking fellow, whose broad, whiskerless face betokened the bully and -the brute. His name was Bill Buckley, commonly known as "Fighting -Bill," and the terror of the country side. - -"There's seeafe to be a good chance te-neet," said the desperado; "the -worst on't is 'at there's ower monny chances at yance, an' if we -tackle mair than we can manage, we may happen to get nowt. And Kasper -Crabtree, o' Kesterton Grange, is at the fair, an' he's sellin' a lot -o' beeasts, an' 'll carry a looad o' swag, you may depend on't." - -"Ah sud like te throttle him," said another, professedly a -besom-maker, named Dick Spink, a resident in the unsavoury regions of -Midden Harbour. "He set his big dog at me while ah was cuttin' some -besom shafts in his wood; ah'll hev it oot with 'im when ah've -chance." - -"That's right, Dick," said Buckley; "t' chance is come, an' thoo'll -get booath revenge an' a hundred gold guineas beside." - -After a little more conversation in the same strain, in which the -third and fourth showed themselves to be of the same murderous mind, -the rascals left the house, and made their way to the cover of -Thurston Wood, to lie in wait for the doomed victim of their cupidity -and malice. They knew that the old farmer rode on a grey pony, and -when the shadows of night gathered round, and the town clock of -Kesterton struck nine, they took their station by the roadside, under -the shade of a large hawthorn hedge, and waited for the chance of -carrying out their wicked intent. - -By and bye, footsteps were heard approaching. Somebody was walking on -the high road, whose steps as they neared the shelter of the robbers -were suddenly silent, as if the new-comer had stood still. After a -few moments' pause, Bill Buckley stepped from his hiding-place to -reconnoitre, and came suddenly in contact with Black Morris, who had -not stood still, as they imagined, but had merely transferred his walk -to the grassy border of the road, and hence had come upon them -unobserved. - -"Hallo, Bill!" said Black Morris, "what in the world are you after?" - -He would gladly have passed them without further parley, for, thanks -to Mr. Clayton, his thoughts and feelings had taken quite a new -direction. His collision with Bill Buckley, however, had made that -impossible. - -"Stow thy clapper, old chum," was the response of Buckley, and leading -him to his three comrades, he said, "here, lads, we've gotten a bit o' -help." He proceeded to tell him their nefarious plans, and assumed -that he would willingly coincide. - -"Not I," said Black Morris; "Kasper Crabtree's done me no harm, an' -I'll bring no harm to him." - -Breaking from them he proceeded on his way, resolved to warn the -purposed victim of the fate in store for him. Swearing a dreadful -oath, his features black with rage, Buckley seized him. - -"Stow that," said he; "you shan't stir 'til we've gotten what we -want." Holding him in his giant grip, he said, "Thoo shall see it oot, -an' then thoo can't split on us." - -At that moment the little grey pony was seen ambling on the road, with -old Crabtree on his back. The three ruffians sprang out, seized the -pony, and dragged the old man down. He fell with a heavy thud on the -ground; his pockets were rifled, and as the victim shouted for help, -Spink struck him a cruel blow. Black Morris, roused to the utmost -pitch of indignation, broke from his muscular jailer, and ran to the -aid of the prostrate farmer. Leaning over him, his eyes met those of -the wounded man. - -"Black Morris, I know you!" said Crabtree, and instantly fainted away. - -"Ha! ha! thoo's in for it, noo, wi' t' rest on us," said Buckley. -"Here thou may hev t' paper an' we'll hev t' gold!" Thrusting a parcel -into Morris's jacket, Buckley and his companions in villainy ran off -with speed. Poor Morris knelt by the still unconscious victim, -appalled at his position and staggered by the net with which he was -inclosed. He loosed Mr. Crabtree's neckcloth and fetched water in his -hat from the ditch hard by. The old man revived under his treatment -and was able to sit up. He looked with dazed and wondering eyes at his -companion. Morris heard the sound of many voices, the tramp of many -feet, doubtless of those returning from the fair. In a sudden fit of -fear, and conscious how black the case looked against himself, he -foolishly sprang up, cleared the hedge, and sped like lightning -through Thurston Wood, and home to Midden Harbour. He went to his -room, but not to sleep. Every sound he heard he construed into the -steps of those who were coming to seize him for the murder of the -unfortunate farmer. When the light of early morning dawned, he was -able to bear the dread suspense no longer; letting himself out in -silence, he stole away to hide himself from what he deemed to be a -felon's doom. - -Poor Morris! he found it out now that the way of transgressors is -hard. His evil ways, his bad associates, had webbed him round; now -that he had within him the stirrings of desire for better things, he -found that the fetters which his own recklessness had rivetted around -him were too firm to be easily broken off. He repaired to the house of -an aunt who lived some few miles away, and taking the notes from his -pocket amounting to more than three hundred pounds, he enclosed them -in a letter in which he declared himself innocent of the outrage, and -despatched it by a boy to Kesterton Grange. At his wit's end, he -strolled aimlessly through solitary places, and in the shades of the -succeeding evening made his way to Thurston Wood. In a secret place -therein was hidden his gun, a store of powder and shot, and certain -other matters connected with his poaching habits. Taking up the -weapon, he felt sorely tempted to lodge its contents in his own heart. -He paced backwards and forwards, discussing the awful question whether -to die or live--had all but decided to end his life and his misery -together, when he heard a footstep, and lifting up his eyes found -himself confronted by the scowling face and now hateful presence of -Bill Buckley! - - * * * * * - -Meanwhile, the hapless farmer had been discovered by certain friends -and neighbours who were returning from the fair. Under their kindly -care he so far recovered that, lifted on his quiet steed and upheld by -a couple of stalwart men, he was enabled to reach his home. After a -little while, however, fever supervened, and Kasper Crabtree lay in -sore uncertainty as to whether the issue would be life or death. The -miserly and irascible old bachelor could not command that loving -attention and affectionate nursing which his age and weakness now -required. The mechanical offices of his hired housekeeper were but a -poor substitute for the tender sympathies and watchful care of wife or -daughter. Dr. Jephson had been called in, and seeing the gravity of -the case he assumed at once unquestioned authority; and at his urgent -request Lucy Blyth was speedily installed as sick nurse by the old -man's bed. It must be owned that even her patient and gentle spirit -was tried to the utmost, by the peevish and testy invalid, whose -crabbish nature was developed by his constrained imprisonment to an -almost unbearable degree. But Lucy Blyth was doing her Saviour's work, -doing it in His strength and for His glory. Her naturally loving and -sympathetic spirit was strengthened and purified by the helpful grace -of God; so she went through her merciful mission with a brave heart, -and in a little while, pierced the crust that surrounded the heart of -her unpromising charge. He melted beneath the sunshine of her -presence, and by slow degrees Kasper Crabtree was led to employ his -compulsory leisure in thinking and talking of "Jesus and His love." -When first the invalid descried her by his bed, he bluntly said,-- - -"Who sent for you?" - -"That doesn't matter," said Lucy, "I should have come of my own accord -as soon as I heard you were ill." - -"Why, what business is it of yours, whether I'm ill or well?" -persisted he. - -"It's my business to go wherever I can do anybody a service. Jesus -went about doing good, and I'm trying to follow in His steps. Here," -said she, lifting a glass of cool, refreshing drink to his parched -lips, "You must drink this, then I shall smooth your pillow, and you -must try to go to sleep." - -"And what will you do?" - -"I shall sit here and pray that you may soon get well, and watch till -you wake, and then give you another drink." - -"You're a queer fish," said the farmer, as he looked with wonder at -the beautiful face bending over him. By and bye he dropped off into -half a doze, and Lucy softly sang as she would a lullaby,-- - - "Jesu, lover of my soul." - -After a little while he appeared to wake up. - -"What was that you were singing?" he said; "sing it again." - -Again the sweet words, which have brought hope and balm to thousands -of sufferers, were trilled out in touching tones from Lucy's lips. A -strange light shone through his eyes, as he sighed, and said,-- - -"How sweet it is! Now, I shall be very quiet, and you must go down -into the parlour and rest a bit." - -Lucy would have protested, but he showed such signs of determination -that she prudently obeyed. An hour after as she laid her hand on his -bedroom door, she heard him speaking aloud, and caught the words,-- - - "Hide me, O my Saviour, hide." - -Tears of joy mingled with the smile on Lucy's cheek as she knew that -her prayers were being answered, and that the old man was creeping -slowly and surely to the Cross. So the days passed by. At length the -fountain sprung, and even his poor, arid soul was quickened, -refreshed, and beautified by the streams of saving grace. - -One day Lucy ventured to speak of the attack made upon him on the -Kesterton Road. He no longer flashed up with anger--no longer called -aloud for revenge. - -"Bring me that letter that Black Morris sent." - -As he turned over the crisp notes, and read the words accompanying -them, he said,-- - -"Poor fellow! I don't think he had a hand in it. I recollect his -sprinkling cold water on my face and fanning me with his cap. At any -rate he has sent back all he got, and if he's guilty I forgive him, as -God hath forgiven me." - -Lucy, who knew of the sad fate which had befallen Black Morris, a -knowledge not yet imparted either to Kasper Crabtree or my readers, -knelt by his side, took his hand in hers, and said,-- - -"Mr. Crabtree, God bless you for that word!" - -"Aye, little one! and God bless you for ever and ever, for I have been -entertaining an angel unawares!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -SQUIRE FULLER HEARS UNWELCOME NEWS. - - "Behold the work of my unlawful hand, - That by rude force the passions would command, - That ruthless sought to root them from the breast; - They may be ruled, but will not be oppressed. - Taught hence, ye parents, who from nature stray, - And the great ties of social life betray; - Ne'er with your children act a tyrant's part, - 'Tis yours to guide, not violate the heart." - - _Thompson._ - - -The new-found blessing which Philip Fuller had obtained on Nestleton -Wold, laid abiding hold on his whole being and influenced all his -life. He attended the services in Farmer Houston's kitchen, and having -expressed his desire to meet in class, Adam Olliver gave him a -characteristic invitation to join the little band of true believers -which gathered round his cottage hearth. It cropped out, however, that -Lucy Blyth was a regular and exemplary attendant there, and that the -only other class was held in Nathan Blyth's own dwelling. So Philip, -who was conscientiously bent on fulfilling his compact with his -father, in spirit as well as letter, resolved to ride into Kesterton, -and attend the class conducted by the junior minister, so as to give -no ground for discrediting remark or sinister suspicion. His next -step was to tell his father of his conversion and announce his -intention of casting in his lot with the despised people called -Methodists. The old squire received the unwelcome information in a -towering rage, and incontinently ordered the scion of the house of -Fuller from his presence. On the following morning, after a -constrained and silent meal, the squire re-opened the conversation. A -cloud was on his brow; his face, usually cold and sphinx-like, gave -evident token of the strong commotion which stirred his soul to its -profoundest depths. One arm was laid upon the table, the other rested -on his knee. His head was bent forward, and from beneath his thick -grey brows his eyes looked out into the face of his only son in fixed -inquiry, anger and alarm. Philip stood by the table, his handsome face -full of strong resolve, every feature showing excitement, and his eyes -met his father's with a steady gaze, betokening a soul which had no -secrets to conceal. - -"What new folly is this?" said the squire. "Do you mean to tell me -that, not content with paying court to a blacksmith's daughter, you -have lowered yourself by casting in your lot with the contemptible -sectaries, the howling fanatics, the dairy-maids and plough-boys who -rave like dancing dervishes, and groan and shriek like Tom o' Bedlam -without sense or reason?" - -"I've no knowledge, father, of any such people as you describe. The -Methodists are as orderly and as reverent in their religious services, -as they are who go to the parish church. Since I have found my -Saviour, and have felt the love of God in my heart, attendance on -their simple worship has been among the happiest hours of my life. -Through the Methodists I found the pardon of my sins, among them I -find spiritual food and comfort more precious than I can describe, and -with the Methodists I desire to live and die." - -Baffled, but resolved, the squire, who had little idea of the strength -of his son's character, hastily resolved upon risking all on the -hazard of a throw. - -"Philip Fuller, listen to me. These idiotic fools are hateful to me. -Their religion is a parody; their sickening cant is blasphemy; they -are all composed of the poorest scum of the community. As the bearer -of an ancient and historic name, I utterly decline in any way, however -slight, to be brought into contact with them. Whatever I can do to -drive them out of Waverdale, I will do; and as for you, if you refuse -to obey me, and dare to cross the threshold of their disgusting orgies -again, you are no longer a son of mine. Remember that the estate is -not entailed, and I'll leave it to the hospitals before it shall fall -into the hands of hypocritical rogues like these." - -Philip's face had waxed as pale as death. The cruel words had fallen -harder than the speaker intended, and even now he would gladly have -recalled them. Tears of manly and filial grief stood in Philip's eyes, -as he replied,-- - -"My father, I love you dearer than life, and if the sacrifice of life -would minister to your real happiness, I would not grudge it. I have -never disobeyed you. I have consented to put one light of my life out -in deference to your desire, and were this anything short of a robbery -to my soul and treason to my God, I would obey you in this as in the -rest. But I cannot; my conscience speaks in a voice I dare not ignore. -I have given myself to my Saviour; I believe it to be His will that I -should bear the despised and humble name of Methodist, and therefore, -though I will go on my knees, and beseech you to withdraw your cruel -words, happen what will, and come what may, this people shall be my -people, and their God my God." - -"Get out of my sight, sir!" thundered out the wrathful parent, "and -don't see me again till I send for you." - -Little thought the angry squire how sad and terrible would be his -next interview with his distressed and suffering son. Bowing -respectfully, Philip retired from his father's presence, and went out -into the frosty morning air, distressed and grieved. He had engaged to -spend the day in the covers of Sir Harry Elliott, and though little -disposed for personal pleasure, he went to join the baronet and his -party in a raid upon the partridges, hoping to obtain a little -distraction from the troubles that oppressed him. - - * * * * * - -The quarterly meeting of the Kesterton Circuit was held as usual. -After the ordinary business had been transacted, Mr. Clayton referred -to the steps which had been taken towards the erection of a new chapel -in Nestleton; he described the interview with Squire Fuller, "And -there," said he, "the matter stands at present." - -"No," said Adam Olliver, "since then t' yung squire's gi'en 'is 'art -te God, 'is neeame te t' Chotch, an' 'is hand's gotten hod o' t' -gospil ploo', he'll nivver leeak back, you may depend on't. There -dizn't seeam te be ony change i' t' squire hisself, bud the Lord's -managin' matters for uz. We hae neea need te stand an' wait as though -we hae neea fayth i' God, bud just gan on an' raise t' munny, an' get -riddy for t' tahme when the Lord says, 'Arise an' build.' Tahmes an' -seeasons the Lord keeps iv 'is aun poo'er. Bud we've prayed i' fayth, -an' when He sees fit, t' topstooane 'll be browt on' wi' shootin' -'Grace, grace be tiv it.'" - -There was always something so infectious about Adam Olliver's fixed -and fervent faith in God, that in spite of prudential policy and -worldly wisdom he managed to carry the day. Nor was Mr. Clayton at all -unwilling to be urged into energetic measures. That God was with them -he did not doubt. The gracious seasons of spiritual power and -refreshment which he himself had felt and seen, were proof enough that -the work was of God. Hence he encouraged and invited a free -conversation on the subject. The senior "circuit steward," Mr. -Smallwood, was one of those wondrously cautious men who can only see -an inch before their nose, and who wish to make that much progress by -degrees. - -"We must be very careful," said he, "it is as much as ever we can do -now to pay our way, and this very quarter there is a deficiency of -more than ten pounds. Then there's Bexton Chapel; they are trying to -reduce the debt on it by a hundred pounds, and if we begin another -scheme at the same time, we shall find ourselves in difficulties." - -"I confess, Mr. Chairman," said Nathan Blyth, "that our good friend, -Adam Olliver, has more faith than I have. It's true, the young squire -has cast in his lot with us, but that very thing has made his father -more bitter against us. He has even threatened to give Mr. Houston -notice to quit, if he does not close his kitchen against the Methodist -preachers." - -"Never mind about that," said Farmer Houston, "threatened folks live -long, and threatened tenants may have long leases. I opened my doors -to the Methodist preachers, and God opened my heart to receive the -truth, and as long as I live, God helping me, those doors shall never -be closed again to those who brought me the news of a Saviour's love. -My temporal affairs are in the hands of a kind Providence; and as a -token of gratitude for personal and family mercies, I gladly promise -for me and mine a hundred pounds towards Nestleton Chapel, to be paid -as soon as the Lord opens the way to build it." - -"Halleluia," said the old hedger, "when God works whea can 'inder. -Ivverybody knoas 'at ah can't deea mitch, eeaven if ah sell me -slashin'-knife an' donkey, bud ah've seeaved a trifle oot o' me -wayges, an' be t' tahme t' chapel's begun, ah sall hev five pund -riddy, seea you may put it doon." - -The old hedger's grand self-sacrifice was greeted with a round of -hearty cheers. - -"Brother Houston stopped me in what I was going to say," said Nathan -Blyth, "but I'm not sorry, because of the capital finish he made. I -just wish to say that I'm half ashamed of my want of faith, and that -I'll give fifty pounds when the day comes that we can make any use of -it." - -"Ha'k ye there, noo! O ye ov lahtle fayth! Maister Smallwood, you'll -gan wi' t' tide, weean't yo'? Bless the Lord! We'll put Bexton te -rights, an' build this chapil, an' gi'e yo' ten pund te sattle up wi', -an' then be riddy for summat else. Ah can hear t' rappin' o' t' -'ammers, an' t' rasp o' t' saw, an' t' clink o' t' troowel alriddy. -Seea you can gan on an' 'get inte yo'r chariot an' ride as fast as yo' -can, for there's t' sign ov abundance o' rain?' There's t' soond of a -gannin', an' t' wind's bloaing ower'd t' tops o' t' mulberry trees, -an' Nestleton's gannin' te hev a chapil as seeaf as taxes an' -quarter-day." - -Inoculated with the old patriarch's faith and energy, the meeting took -up the matter with warmth, and before they separated, more than three -hundred pounds were promised to the new undertaking. - -"Halleluia!" said Old Adam, when the result was announced, "whea is -sae greeat a God as oor's? Mister Chairman! the Lord says, 'Oppen yo'r -mooth wide, an' ah'll fill it!' an' mahne's sae full, 'at ah's nearly -chooaked wi' luv an' grattitude te God!" - -"Mr. Chairman," said Mr. Mitchell, just before the meeting broke up, -"I've been thinking that, as the matter has taken such a practical -turn, and as Mr. Houston's kitchen won't hold the people who come, it -will be well for us to try to get another place in which to hold a -second service, somewhere in or near Nestleton, so as to be ready not -only with the money, but the members necessary to keep the new chapel -going. I should like to get a foothold in Midden Harbour, and if you, -sir, and this meeting are agreeable, I'll try what can be done." - -Here several members of the meeting shook their heads, and expressed a -doubt as to the possibility of getting the ploughshare into such a -very hard and flinty soil. - -"There you are ageean," said Adam Olliver, "dootin' an' fearin', yo' -will hev it that the Lord is'nt a match for the devil. Let's hod up t' -'ands of oor yung minister, God bless 'im. If t' walls o' Jericho fell -doon afoore t' soond o' t' ram's 'orns, it's queer if Midden Harbour -can keep oot the hosts o' God's elect. If naebody else will, ah'll -propooase it mysen; 'at a meetin' be hodden i' Midden Harbour, as -seean as we can finnd a spot te hod it in. My opinion is 'at it's just -t' right thing te deea. John Wesley said 'at we wer' nut only te gan -te them 'at needed uz, but te gan te them 'at needs uz meeast. There -isn't a warse spot i' all t' cuntry side then Midden Harbour, bud if -wa' can nobbut get t' Gospil fairly in amang 'em, we sall tonn the -devil clean oot ov his den, an' mak' t' ugly spot as breet as a patch -o' Paradise." - -The proposition of Father Olliver was seconded and carried, and the -meeting dispersed, strong in the determination to "go forward in the -name of the Lord." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -LUCY BLYTH MAKES A CONQUEST. - - "What is tact? 'tis worth revealing-- - Tis delicacy's finest feeling; - It is to scan another's breast, - To know the thought ere half expressed; - If word or tone should waken pain, - To drop the subject or the strain; - To twine around, with winning art, - And gently steal away the heart." - - _Anon._ - - -The blacksmith's daughter received her father's description of the -proceedings at the quarterly meeting with much enjoyment, and true to -her taste for seeking out the neediest, emphatically endorsed the idea -of making evangelical war on Midden Harbour. Pondering how she could -help forward this worthy scheme, she made her way, one evening, to pay -a visit to the ailing wife of Piggy Morris. Lucy's piety was a very -cheerful and attractive type. Those who think that religion must -necessarily tinge the life with melancholy, and wrap its possessor in -a veil of gloom, would have felt inclined to question the genuineness -of her profession, and to doubt as to whether she had "the root of the -matter" within her. Her bright eyes were seldom dim with other -tears than those of sympathy and joy; her smiles were never long -absent from her face; her full, free, musical ripple of laughter was -perfectly contagious, and her manifold charms of form and feature were -brightened and intensified by the Christian faith and joy that dwelt -within. No one could be long in Lucy's company before any "megrims" of -their own began to pass away; and no sooner did she enter the home of -sickness and of sorrow, than the gloom began insensibly to lift, and -the inmates were led to look at matters from their brighter side. This -power of radiating happiness is of wondrous value, and ought to be -cultivated, as it may, by all who keep the heart-fires of grace -brightly burning, from whence the subtle and potent blessings are -evolved. This cheering quality made Lucy's visits unspeakably precious -to such a despondent invalid as Mrs. Morris. To Mary Morris they were -as bright spots in a very cloudy sky, and even Piggy Morris himself, -glum and crusty as he was, was fain to declare his pleasure at her -visits, and to give her a welcome such as greeted no visitor besides. - -[Illustration: LUCY BLYTH.--_Page 140._] - -"Well, Mrs. Morris, how are you to-day?" said Lucy to the ailing -woman, who sat, propped up with pillows, in an old arm-chair by the -fireside. "Why, I declare, you look ever so much better and brighter -than when I was here last. Some of these fine days we shall be having -you out of doors again, and you and Mary will be having a cup of tea -with me at the Forge." - -Mrs. Morris's thin and sallow face gleamed with satisfaction at the -sight of her welcome guest; but she shook her head as one who had made -up her mind to say "good-bye" to hope, and accept the inevitable. - -"No, Miss Blyth, I don't feel better; I'm not able to say just what -ails me, or where or what my complaint is. But I'm wearing away, -slowly and surely, and at times I feel such a sinking and a fainting, -that I sit waiting and waiting, thinking every moment will be my -last." - -"Yes, that's just it. I don't believe in 'thinking and waiting' of -that kind. When you feel a sinking and a fainting, you should tell -Mary to get you a little beef-tea, or a cup of tea, to give you a -rising; and make up your mind that you aren't going to die yet, -because you're wanted here." - -"Nay, I don't know about that," said the despondent soul, always -entertaining hard thoughts about herself. "I'm not wanted here. I'm -such a poor helpless invalid that I'm no use to anybody." - -"Oh, that's it, is it? Mary Morris you just come here. Now, Mrs. -Morris, just tell her, will you, that she doesn't want you, and that -you are no use to her!" - -Mrs. Morris looked at the speaker, and then into her daughter's loving -and gentle face, down which the tears were quietly descending, and -said, as she put her arms around her neck,-- - -"No. God bless her, I can't say that, for I know she loves her -mother." - -Mary returned the embrace warmly, saying,-- - -"Love you? Aye, that I do, next to my God." - -"Why, bless my life, Mrs. Morris, there are folks in the world that -haven't got so much as a cat or a dog to wag their tails when they see -'em; and you've got such a wealth of tenderness as there is in this -girl's heart to call your own. When did Bob and Dick come to see you -last?" - -"Oh, they were both here last Sunday. No, Bob was here on Monday, too, -and again last night." - -"What did he want?" said Miss Inquisitive. - -"Oh, only to inquire how I was. Last night he brought me a few oranges -that he had bought." - -"Indeed! Where did he get _them_, I wonder?" - -"He fetched them from Kesterton on Monday night after his day's work -was over." - -"Oh, that's it, is it? And so you have two good sons, who come and -spend their Sundays, the only day in the week they have at liberty. -One comes again on Monday, after toiling all the day, and the other -poor, tired lad goes all the way to Kesterton to buy some oranges to -refresh you, and yet you dare to tell me you are not wanted! God bless -them both! How dare you?" - -At that moment Piggy Morris came in from a distant market. - -"Good-night, Miss Blyth," said he. "It's as good as a golden guinea to -see your smiling face." - -"Is it?" said Lucy. "Then give me a golden guinea for our new chapel, -and you shall look at it again." - -A sudden thought struck her. She saw he was in a good humour. Probably -markets had been favourable and bargains good. It was a hazard, but -she risked it. - -"Come here, Mr. Morris," and taking him by the hand, she led him to -his wife. "Look at this dear soul. She says that she isn't wanted, and -is of no use to anybody, because she's weak and ill," and Lucy looked -at him a whole volume of entreaty and desire. - -Morris understood her purpose, and whether he was thinking, as he -gazed upon the fallen cheek, the sunken eye, and the dark hair so -thickly silvered--remnants of the beauty of the older and brighter -days before he brought sorrow over the threshold--or whether Lucy's -influence acted on him like a spell, cannot be said, probably a little -of both; but he took his wife's hand in his, and stroked it, saying,-- - -"Why, bless you, Sally, there's nobody we could spare so ill as thee." - -Lucy's eyes and smile repaid him for that unusual grace, and then -turning to his wife, she said,-- - -"There, you naughty soul. Mary loves you; Bob and Dick love you; your -husband loves you, and yet you dare to look me in the face and tell me -you're not wanted!" And, kissing her cheek, "Jesus loves you, and I -love you, and if you call the cat it will jump upon your knee and tell -you the same thing. Yet you 'feel a sinking and a fainting,' and you -'sit waiting and thinking that every moment is going to be the last!' -Mrs. Morris, I'm"----" - -But by this time the work was done. The poor woman's face was all -aglow. - -"Yes, yes," said she. "I am richer than I thought." - -"Richer! I should think you are; and you have all the love of God, all -the promises of the Bible, and all the hopes of heaven into the -bargain. Mrs. Morris, I'm going to sing, and if you don't join in the -chorus I won't stop and have a cup of tea." - -Lucy's singing was an inspiration, and Piggy Morris stopped the -process of unlacing his boots to look and listen, as she sang,-- - -THE DARK AND THE DAWN. - - "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the - morning."--_Ps_. xxx, 5. - - To-night there are tears, - To-night there are fears, - To-night there is sighing and sorrow, - My tears shall be dried, - My fears shall subside, - 'Twill be singing--not sighing--to-morrow! - - So this is my song, - As I travel along! - Come neighbours, and join in my chorus! - The tears of the night, - Become pearls in the light, - The light of the morning before us. - - To-night I may sigh; - But pray tell me why, - From the future more tears I should borrow? - No! strengthened by hope, - With my cares I will cope, - For they all will evanish to-morrow! - So this is my song, &c. - - Though hard I may toil, - And wearily moil, - And with tears cast my seed in the furrow; - Not long shall I weep; - I am certain to reap - A harvest of joy on the morrow! - So this is my song, &c. - - I care not a jot - For the crook in my lot, - Though I grieve a few moments in sorrow; - They soon will be past, - And the "First and the Last" - Will send me deliv'rance to-morrow. - So this is my song, &c. - - Even now, as I weep, - I see the dawn peep - Through the shadowing curtains of sorrow! - Hope widens the rift-- - Even now do they lift, - And the rosy dawn smiles a "Good morrow!" - - So this is my song, - As I travel along-- - Come neighbours and join in my chorus? - Be sure by-and-bye - We shall reign in the sky, - When the glory gates open before us! - -You might go far before you found a brighter atmosphere than that -which filled the house of Piggy Morris, and all owing to the presence -of that concentrated piece of sunshine, Lucy Blyth. After tea Dick -came in, and received such a warmth of greeting from her that he -almost lost his balance, and blushed like a peony, as hobbledehoys -will under such circumstances. - -"Why, Mrs. Morris," said Lucy, "here's that troublesome fellow here -again. He was here last night, and on Monday night, and on Sunday, -too. Look here, young man; what do you come here so often for?" - -"To see my mother," said Dick, while Lucy flung a triumphant look at -the happy mother, who drew the lad fondly to her side. - -When, at last, Lucy rose to take her leave, it was getting dark, and -Mary said she would put on her bonnet and go with her a little way. - -"Not to-night, Mary. I've chattered so much and so long that your -mother ought to be in bed. I can manage very well by myself." - -"I'll go with you, Miss Blyth," said Dick, jumping to his feet. - -"Oh! You think that after you've been working like a Briton all the -day in Farmer Crabtree's field, and walked nearly three miles beside -to see your mother"--here there was another glance at Mrs. -Morris--"and three miles to go back, I'm going to let you walk an -extra mile with me! Why, bless the boy, you must think I've a heart as -hard as my father's anvil." - -Meanwhile Piggy Morris had been silently re-lacing his boots, and now, -getting up from his chair, he reached down his hat from a nail, and -said, quietly,-- - -"Never mind, Dick, my lad, I'll see Miss Blyth home." - -Piggy Morris, the surly and sour, could not have surprised them more -if they had seen a pair of wings sprouting from his shoulder-blades. - -Lucy quietly said, "Oh, thank you, Mr. Morris, you are kind," and -giving Ursa Major her arm, the oddly-matched pair turned their steps -towards Nestleton Forge. - -"What's cum to feyther?" said Dick, as one who waits for a reply. - -"Goodness knows," said Mary; "I never knew him do such a thing -before." - -"My dear," said Mrs. Morris, "it's Lucy Blyth's magic. That girl's an -angel if ever there was one. If your fayther would only go to meeting -nobody knows what might happen." Here the good woman sighed at what -appeared to her a vista of delight too good to hope for. - -Meanwhile Lucy Blyth and her boorish escort were making their way -through the wintry night towards Nestleton Forge. Happily for Morris, -with whom words were always few, and usually gruff, his companion -rushed into conversation--not that she was that social nuisance, a -wordy woman, but that she was a born politician, and meant to turn the -golden moments to good account. - -"Mrs. Morris is much better and brighter to-night. Don't you think -so?" - -"Yes," was the emphatic reply, "because she's had you to cheer her up. -She does get desperate worritsome at times, though." - -"Why, you see, Mr. Morris, it is hard for her to be almost always a -prisoner in her chair, and as for her sick headaches, I don't know how -she does to bear them." - -"Yes, I daresay it's hard enough," was the brief reply. - -"Mary's a great comfort to her," said Lucy. "She is so quiet and -gentle, and nurses her so tenderly. I often wonder how she manages to -get through her work so well. I _do_ like Mary." - -"Yes, Poll's a good lass," said Morris, laconically. - -"How kind and nice it is that those boys should come so often and so -far to see their mother! I _was_ pleased to hear about Bob." - -"What about Bob?" said Ursa Major. - -"Why, on Tuesday, after his day's work, he walked all the way to -Kesterton and bought his mother some oranges." - -"Did he?" quoth Bruin. - -"Yes, he did, and Dick's as kind and good as he is. I _do_ like those -lads." - -"It appears to me you like 'em all," said Piggy Morris, and there was -a little querulousness in his tone, as though he felt himself to be a -natural exception. - -"You never said a truer word," said Lucy, laughing, "and I'm afraid I -shall keep coming to see you, till you turn me out." - -Here Morris gave a chuckle, odd in its character, a cross between a -grunt and a hiccup. "Then that'll be for ever an' ever, as long as -there's a threshwood to the door, or a tile on the roof." - -"By the way, Mr. Morris, do you know that Squire Fuller has refused us -a piece of land for a Methodist chapel? He says he won't have such a -thing in his village." - -"_His_ village! The old fool, it isn't all his. Midden Harbour belongs -to old Crabtree. Squire Fuller's a bad old"---- - -"Hush!" said Lucy, "don't say anything naughty, for my sake." - -Ursa Major growled and finished his sentence, more expressive than -refined, in an unknown tongue. - -"But it does seem a pity that we can't have a chapel, doesn't it? -Farmer Houston's kitchen cannot hold all the people." - -"Humph! What's the squire care about that?" - -"No, more's the pity, but our young minister, Mr. Mitchell, says that, -seeing we can't get all the people who come into one room, we must try -to find another. He would like to get one in Midden Harbour." - -"Midden Harbour! Miss Blyth. Why that's a rum spot to come into." - -"Why, you see; Squire Fuller couldn't touch us there." [O Lucy, you -inveterate plotter! you designing woman!] "And you see, Mr. Morris, if -your neighbours are a bad lot, it's time somebody was trying to do -them good. But," said she, heaving a sigh which was intended to search -the innermost recesses of his heart, "there's nobody there that has -room enough to take us in." - -Piggy Morris smiled grimly, as he said, "Try Dick Spink, the -besom-maker." - -"Oh, don't mention that wicked man. We must have a more respectable -place than that, or we can't come at all, _and Squire Fuller will get -his way_." - -"Nay, I'll be hanged if he shall. You shall have my house first, -though we have no room to spare." - -Piggy Morris stood still a moment. Lucy's heart beat with hope. Then -Morris exclaimed,-- - -"Lucy Blyth! For your sake, you shall have my old malt house. I can do -without it, and the Methody parson shall come into Midden Harbour!" - -"Oh, Mr. Morris! God bless you for saying that. Now I shall be able to -come and _see you every week_." That clinched the nail, and as Adam -Olliver said at the quarterly meeting, "God was strangger than the -devil," and Midden Harbour couldn't "keep oot the hosts o' God's -elect." - -"Come in and tell my father," said Lucy, as they reached the garden -gate, "you'll be the most welcome guest he's seen for many a day." - -"Good evening, Morris," said Natty Blyth, who had come to the door; -"Come in a bit!" - -"I can't stop, thank ye," blurted out Piggy Morris. "They tell me you -want to hold your meetings in Midden Harbour. You can have my -malt-kiln and welcome, and you may tell the Methody parson that he may -thank Lucy Blyth for that. Good night." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -THE DARK DEED IN THURSTON WOOD. - - "Oh, how will crime engender crime! Throw guilt - Upon the soul, and, like a stone cast on - The troubled waters of a lake, - 'Twill form in circles, round succeeding round, - Each wider than the first." - - _Colman._ - - -A cold December wind was blowing to and fro the dead brown leaves in -Thurston Wood, a large tract of plantation that bounded the northern -and higher side of Squire Fuller's park. Gaunt and grim loomed the -naked trees through the foggy air, and the long grass was wet and dank -with the perpetual drip of the moisture-laden boughs. The brief dark -day was rapidly deepening into night, but a darker deed was about to -be perpetrated in that lonely and sombre place. - -Through the woods there flowed a broad and deep stream, fringed with -willows, elder bushes, hemlocks, and reeds. This was known as Thurston -Beck. Its rapid waters poured themselves over a rocky ledge, just -within the borders of the park, and falling in the form of a cascade -into a deep pit, filled it to the brim, overflowed rapidly through a -smaller channel, fed the extensive fish-ponds on the southern side, -and then again meandering through the valley of Waverdale, rippled and -bickered through the village of Nestleton, and a little beyond -Kesterton joined its waters to the River Ouse. There was a foot-path -through the wood close by the borders of the beck, and here it was -that Black Morris, gun in hand, and half resolved on suicide, found -himself face to face with Bill Buckley. Unable to restrain his anger, -Morris strode up to his now hateful companion, and hissed through his -set teeth,-- - -"Bill Buckley, stand off! I feel like murder to my fingers' ends. What -right had you to trap me into your brutal attack on Farmer Crabtree? -you black villain!" - -"Ho, ho!" said Buckley, his scowling features white with rage. "Two -can play at that game. Take care what you're aboot, or ah'll gi'e you -an oonce o' leead! Thoo's intiv it, an' thoo can't get oot on't!" he -continued, with a mocking laugh. - -"You lie!" said Black Morris. "Let them that did it swing for it:" for -he had settled in his own mind that Crabtree had got his death-blow, -"and I'll lend a hand to help 'em." - -"Will you?" said Fighting Bill, drawing a step nearer. "If thoo means -to split, ah'll let dayleet through the' ribs. Thoo shared i' t' swag, -an' thoo mun share i' t' danger." - -"My share o' t' swag," said Morris, "has gone back to Farmer Crabtree, -and I wrote and told"---- - -"You black d----!" shouted Buckley, livid with passion, and, pointing -his gun at his unwary victim, shot him down like a dog! The blood -gushed from his face and temples, sprinkling the raiment of his -murderer; he fell heavily on the plashy grass with a shrill scream -which echoed and re-echoed through the lonely wood, until a thousand -voices seemed to curse the doer of the awful deed! Unrepentant and -unpitying, the assassin kicked the prostrate body, and with an oath -upon his lips, he rolled his victim into the rapid beck; a dull splash -succeeded, and the silent waters closed over their hapless burden and -went on their heedless way. Seizing his gun, Bill Buckley made rapid -strides along the borders of the stream, away from the stains of -blood, away from the park, and speedily put many miles between him and -the place which he had rendered horrible for evermore. - - * * * * * - -An hour after the perpetration of the dreadful deed, Philip Fuller -trod the sodden path through Thurston Wood, returning from his visit -to Sir Harry Elliott's, after a day spent in copse and covert, and -still oppressed and depressed by the remembrances of his morning's -interview with his angry father. With his gun across his shoulder he -was rapidly making his way homeward, when his foot struck suddenly -against some object in the grass, and he fell at full length across -the very spot where, just before, the gun of Bill Buckley had sped its -dreadful messenger, and laid his hapless victim low. Wet and muddy, -and stained, though he knew it not, with human blood, he rose to his -feet, and looking for the obstacle which had tripped him up, he found -a gun, and a few yards off, an old black felt cap. Suspicion was now -thoroughly aroused. He examined the ground more carefully, detected -the hue of blood in the pale moonlight which now and then vanquished -the veil of intervening cloud, noticed how the grass and weeds were -pressed down to the edge of the stream, and felt that he was gazing on -the results of some sad accident or hideous crime. He remembered the -fearful scream which he had heard on the still night air. "Murder!" -said he, turning sick and trembling with horror at the fearful -thought. At that moment a gust of wind blew suddenly, stirring the -shrubs and reeds. To his excited mind this was the motion of some -living being, his gun dropped from his hand and his first impulse was -to turn and flee. Re-assured, he resolved to leave the gun and cap -where he had found them, then to hasten to the hall and give the -alarm, and bring the servants and a constable to search the spot. -Seizing the gun which lay at his feet, Philip ran with speed towards -Waverdale Hall. - -Crossing the park he met Piggy Morris, who was returning from a sale -of live stock, and was taking a short cut across Squire Fuller's park, -despite the warning to trespassers, for in that direction there was no -right of way. - -"Don't go through Thurston Wood!" said Philip, running up to him in -hot haste. - -The ex-farmer, slightly muddled by too long a halt at "The Plough," -did not catch the drift of his expression, but understood him to -oppose his passage through the park. Under the influence of a little -Dutch courage, he laid hold on Philip to repel what he imagined was a -personal attack. A short scuffle succeeded, during which the gun fell -to the ground and was seized by Piggy Morris. Philip succeeded in -removing his apprehension, and the gun was being handed back, when -Morris suddenly exclaimed,-- - -"This is our Jack's gun, as sure as eggs is eggs! How have you come by -that?" - -Philip hastily told him what he had seen. Morris listened, thoroughly -sobered now, and laying his hand on the young man's shoulder, he -hissed between his set teeth,-- - -"My son Jack is murdered! The son of the man who turned me off my -farm, the Philip Fuller that robbed my lad of his sweetheart, and that -threatened him before witnesses, is the man that did the deed!" - -Shocked, stunned, paralysed at the awful imputation, and at the -damning circumstantial evidence forthcoming, at that moment Philip -looked guilty, and Piggy Morris's suspicions were confirmed. - -"I'm not going to lose sight of you, young man," said Morris, and -despite the solemn denial of the distressed and confounded youth, -Piggy Morris insisted on accompanying his "prisoner," as he called -him, to Waverdale Hall. There the young man told his story to his -father. With a heart oppressed by forbodings of calamity, the squire -and a posse of servants accompanied them to Thurston Wood. While -Philip had been telling his story, Morris had noted the mire on his -shooting jacket and the blood upon his cuffs, and pointed them out to -the squire with more exultation than was befitting a bereaved father. -Piggy Morris, however, had not any great amount of affection for his -son. They found the cap, which Morris identified at once, and one of -the servants, picking up a gun, exclaimed, "Why, this is Master -Philip's gun!" A hush as of death fell upon the party, broken first by -a groan from the agonised squire, then Piggy Morris seized Philip by -the arm, and dragging him to his father's presence, cried, "Behold the -murderer of my son!" - -"Hands off!" shouted Philip, stung beyond endurance, "It's a hideous -lie!" - -"Peace! my son," said the squire, in accents which thrilled every -listener, by their concentrated grief and resolute dignity. "Mr. -Morris, you know where to find my son when he is wanted, and now, -good-night!" - -A heavy cloud rested on all who dwelt within the mansion of Waverdale. -The servants of the establishment, from butler to stable-boy, from -housekeeper to scullery-maid, entertained a true affection and regard -for their kind-hearted and open-handed young master, and one and all -were in genuine distress. Squire Fuller, in a long and anxious -conference with his son, in which his own first agonising doubts were -removed and Philip's innocence of the dreadful charge made clear to -himself, sat by his waning lamp far into the night. He was in sad -straits. The events of the morning, when he had threatened to -disinherit his boy, and now this new and grievous trouble, bowed his -spirit to the ground. His son's erratic and mortifying connection with -the Methodists, the awfully damning evidence against him as to the -dark deed of Thurston Wood, the humiliating publicity which would -drag his honoured name through the mire of disgrace: these things, -coupled with the deep, strong love he had for Philip, stung his soul -to the quick. He had discarded religion, had imbibed a strong unbelief -in and contempt for prayer, and yet such is the native instinct of the -soul to cry unto the Lord in distress, that he could not refrain from -groaning aloud, "Lord, save my boy!" Thus the hours passed, until, -worn-out and weary, he slumbered in his chair. Waking as the grey -light of morning peeped through the heavy window curtains, he rose -with a bitter sigh and sought his chamber. Passing Philip's bedroom -door, he paused as he heard a voice within, "Don't! father, don't! -Dear father! Lucy, my darling! Farewell! Adam Olliver, you have given -me a Saviour! Give me a father! What's this? Blood! Morris! I didn't -do it! Oh! oh! oh!" - -The squire opened the door, sprang to the bed, and saw his son, -sitting up, with bloodshot eye-balls, scarlet face and hands lifted in -an imploring attitude. Squire Fuller perceived at a glance that his -son was raving in the madness of brain fever! To rouse the -housekeeper, call the servants, and to send the groom at a hard gallop -to fetch Dr. Jephson was the work of a moment, and then the wretched -father went back to keep anxious vigil by the bedside of his stricken -boy. Mrs. Bruce, the housekeeper, well-skilled in all the experiences -of a sick-room, applied ice and wet cloths to the sufferer's burning -brow, and by and bye the paroxysm seemed partially to subside. Thus -they waited, waited in the darkened chamber, waited in silence, for -not one word did the squire utter, but sat with his eyes fixed on the -moaning youth, listening through hours that seemed ages, until he -heard the hoofs of a horse at a rapid gallop ringing on the road, and -knew that Dr. Jephson had arrived. Standing by his bed, with his hand -upon his patient's wrist, and looking at the distended pupils of his -eyes, the doctor turned at last to speak to the statuesque father by -his side. The words, sad words, died upon his tongue. Anything but -hope spoken to that shrinking form would have killed him where he -stood! - - * * * * * - -There was sorrow also in the house of Piggy Morris. The weakly and -ailing mother mourned the loss of her first-born as only a mother may. -Could she have only known that he was prepared for his sudden and -terrible exit from the world she could have better borne the blow. To -her, Black Morris had not been a bad or cruel son. His love for his -mother was great and abiding, and had it not been for the evil set -into which their unhappy choice of a locality had thrown him, she -believed with reason, that he would have led a nobler and more -reputable life. Her gentle daughter, Mary, though sore crushed by this -bereavement, was sustained by the religious principles and experiences -obtained by means of the Methodist services in the village, and was -enabled to succour her weeping mother in this trying hour. Piggy -Morris himself, cannot be credited with any great amount of grief for -the loss of his son. His own harsh and repellant nature had loosened -his hold upon the wayward youth, and led to an open rebellion which -threatened an irreparable breach. His vindictive nature, however, was -quick to seize the opportunity, now offered, of revenging himself on -those who, according to his crooked notions of right and wrong, had -"ruined him," by dismissing him from his ill-managed and wasted farm. -He would not hesitate to gird a halter beneath the grey locks of the -squire if he had the chance, and revelled in the prospect of dragging -the scion of the hated house of Fuller to the gallows, and -extinguishing the race for evermore. For Piggy Morris, to do him -justice, never doubted for a moment that Philip Fuller was guilty of -the dreadful tragedy which had flung a nameless horror over Thurston -Wood. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -"BALAAM" IS TAKEN INTO CONSULTATION. - - "The ass learnt metaphors and tropes, - But most on music fixed his hopes." - - _Gay._ - - "Methought I heard a voice, and yet I doubted, - Now roaring like the ocean, when the winds - Fight with the waves, now in a still small tone." - - _Dryden._ - - -As may be imagined, the next day or two was occupied by the -Nestletonians in discussing matters pertaining to the startling event -which had taken place in Thurston Wood. Thurston Beck was dragged and -re-dragged, even the deep pool into which the "cascade" poured its -waters was explored as far as the limited means at the disposal of -rural justice would permit, but all in vain; the body of Black Morris -could not be found. There were some, indeed, who ventured to express -an opinion that the marks in the woods and the discovered gun were -capable of some other explanation. Meanwhile Philip Fuller lay -helplessly in the grip of strong disease, and willy-nilly, examination -and arrest must be suspended for awhile, Squire Fuller, himself a -J.P. for the county, undertaking surveillance of his son until such -times as he could answer for himself. Here for the present we must -leave the painful story, and turn our attention in a widely different -direction. - - * * * * * - -Blithe Natty was up at his work betimes, as his custom was. The cheery -sound of his ringing anvil, and the cheerier sound of his grand tenor -voice, mingled musically in the morning air. The glittering sparks -from the red-hot iron, out of which he was developing a horse-shoe, -glanced at his leather apron, and sprinkled the floor with dull dark -flakes. The fire on the hearth flamed and flickered, casting its -reflection on the wall, on which hung rows of shoes ready to be nailed -on the hoofs of whatever horses had cast or worn out their metal -armour. Screwkeys, patterns, boring-braces, and other implements of -the grimy craft were suspended in similar fashion; and leaning in the -corners, and laid upon the rough beams overhead were numerous long -bars and rods and sheets of iron, the raw material, out of which his -deft and skilful handicraft evolved all sorts of articles for farming -or domestic use. - -Blithe Natty was evidently in good spirits this morning, judging from -the cheery nature of his song:-- - - When troubles and trials are gathering round, - The best thing to do, never doubt it, - Is to tell them to Jesus; He'll help, I'll be bound; - Then go, tell the Lord all about it. - - His people need never, no never despair-- - And I for one never will doubt it; - But I'll go to the feet of my Saviour in prayer-- - I'll go tell my Lord all about it. - - The sceptic may sneer, and the world may deride, - And laugh at my folly and scout it; - Every need of my life to my God I'll confide-- - I'll go tell my Lord all about it. - - Though as strong as Goliath my sorrow may be, - A word from my Saviour can rout it; - My eyes His salvation shall speedily see-- - I'll go tell my Lord all about it. - - Men may smile at my faith in His word if they will; - No matter how much they may flout it, - I'll hold to His covenant promises still, - And go tell my Lord all about it. - - The love of my Saviour's my strength and my stay-- - I could never be happy without it; - So I'll trust in His faithfulness; happen what may, - I'll go tell my Lord all about it. - - And when I am landed on Canaan's bright shore, - Before angels and saints will I shout it; - Give glory and praise to my King evermore, - The King that I told all about it. - -"Halleluia! Nathan Blyth. That'll be a glorious teeal te tell, an' a -glorious crood te lissen tiv it," said Adam Olliver, who had ridden up -to the Forge to get a new supply of shoes for Balaam, whom he speedily -tethered by his bridle to the iron hook driven into the wall for that -purpose. - -"Good mornin', Adam. What, is Balaam going barefoot?" - -"Why, no, he is'nt exactly as bad as that, bud he's gettin' sae near -t' grund 'at ah thowt it was better to tak' it i' tahme. Can yo' spare -tahme te shoe 'im?" - -"Hey, hey, old friend. I'll put him to rights for you. I have his -size," said Natty, glancing along the rows of ready made shoes, "and -I'll fit him in a twinkling. But what will you give me for my news -this morning?" - -"Why, ah deean't knoa. It mebbe isn't worth mitch." - -"Hey, but it is. It's news 'at 'll warm your heart, or I'm a -Dutchman." - -"What, hez Black Morris turned up? Or is t' young squire better?" - -Nathan Blyth's face clouded a moment, as he said, "I'm sorry to say -I've nought so good to say of either. Still it's good news." - -"Oot wiv it, then. 'Bad news'll keep, let good news peep.' Why, you -deean't meean te say t' squire's gi'en us a bit o' land?" - -"No," said Natty, "you'll have to wait a bit longer for that miracle -to come to pass. But I've a miracle to tell you that's almost as big. -We've gotten another place to hold service in, an' it's best place in -all the neighbourhood." - -"Prayse the Lord. He nivver was woss then His wod yit. Wheer is it?" - -"Why, it's in Midden Harbour!" said Nathan, whose eyes were twinkling -with delight. - -"You deean't say sae? Ah didn't doot 'at God wad oppen' t' way, bud ah -didn't expect it quite sae seean. Wheease hoose is it?" - -"It's nobody's house; it's"---- - -"What! Is it t' mautkill?" - -"Hey!" shouted Blithe Natty, and he gave the haunch of the old donkey -such a slap with his big, open hand, as who should say, "There, -Balaam, what do you think to that?" - -Balaam, for once in his life, was thoroughly astounded. He erected his -ears, turned his wondering gaze on the triumphant blacksmith, and gave -vent to a loud "Hee-ho" of most magnificent volume and a _crescendo_ -force that was quite startling. - -"That's right, Balaam," said Old Adam, laughing heartily. "It'll mak' -uthers cock their ears an' oppen their mooth besides thoo. Halleluia! -Halleluia!" - -Either startled still more by the old man's enthusiasm or else -entering into the spirit of their triumph, Balaam gave tongue a second -time, in a style that sent the two bystanders into such a fit of -laughter that it threatened to endanger a blood-vessel. - -"What in the world's up now?" said Farmer Houston, who suddenly -appeared upon the scene. - -"Oop?" said Adam. "Why, ivverything's oop! Methodism's oop! Piggy -Morris is oop! an' oor sperrits is oop: mahne, an' Nathan's, an' -Balaam's, an' all!" - -Mr. Houston's delight at the taking of Fort Midden Harbour was -extreme, and it was agreed that information should be sent at once to -Mr. Mitchell, that the good work might be forthwith begun. - -"We mun strike while t' iron's yat," said Adam. "Mah wod, bud weean't -there be sum sparks! Bud we mun mind what we're aboot. We sall hae te -be as wise as sarpents; we're gannin' te put wer heeads intiv a wasp's -nest, an' if we deean't mind we sall get teng'd [stung] as seear as -dayleet. Bud what's ah talkin' aboot? The Lord'll draw their tengs -frev 'em, an' mak' 'em as 'armless as bluebottles." - -"I cannot understand," said Farmer Houston, "how such a surly fellow -as Piggy Morris, who never had a good word to say for us, has been won -so completely over." - -"Why," said Blithe Natty, "I believe its all owing to my daughter. -She's managed to get round him somehow. He gave me to understand that -much at my own door." - -"God bless 'er!" said Adam Olliver, "an' He will. Ah's as sartain 'at -there's a breet futur' befoore that bairn as ah is 'at we sall seean -hev a chapil. The Lord's fashionin' on 'er for a great wark, an' sae -you'll see." - -The words were scarcely out of his mouth when the stately form of -Squire Fuller was seen riding up to the Forge on his favourite and -beautiful chestnut mare. With a nod of recognition to Farmer Houston, -and a kindly smile on Adam Olliver, he said,-- - -"Nathan Blyth, can I have a word with you in private?" - -Nathan touched his forelock, as in duty bound, and led the squire -through a door which opened on a narrow passage leading to the house. - -Farmer Houston and Adam Olliver exchanged glances of interest and -wonder. - -"The Lord's workin'," said the latter, simply. "Yance Natty Blyth had -te gan tiv 'im. Noo, he 'ez te cum te Natty Blyth. What's oop ah -deean't knoa, but ah knoa 'at t' prayers o' God's people 's at yah -end, an' 'at Nestleton chapil's at t'uther, an' the Lord's linkin' on -'em tegither." - -"The old squire's looking very grey and haggard," said Farmer Houston, -"and how bent and bowed he is!" - -"Ah's freeten'd he dizn't knoa where te tak' his trubbles. If he wad -nobbut tak' 'em te t' Cross, that's the spot te get rid on 'em. At ony -rate he wad get strength te bide 'em." - -Nathan Blyth re-appeared for a moment to excuse his absence, and Adam -Olliver, having led his donkey to the door, and mounted it, rode off -in company with Farmer Houston. His last words to the silent and -thoughtful blacksmith were,-- - -"Good mornin', aud friend! Remember what you were singin',-- - - Ah'll trust tiv His faithfulness, happen what may, - Ah'll gooa tell the Lord all aboot it." - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -NATHAN BLYTH IS IN A QUANDARY. - - "Parental love, my friend, hath power o'er wisdom, - And is the charm, which, like the falconer's lure, - Can bring from heaven the highest soaring spirits." - - _Anon._ - - "Almighty love! what wonders are not thine! - Soon as thy influence breathes upon the soul, - By thee, the haughty bend the suppliant knee." - - _Paterson._ - - -Nathan conducted his unexpected, and, in truth, unwelcome visitor into -his neat and tastefully furnished parlour, and the observant squire -was much surprised to see so many evidences of refinement and artistic -skill. On the walls, which were papered with a soft-hued pattern, hung -a few first-class engravings in broad maple frames; and here and there -an original crayon sketch or water-colour painting, betokening -considerable talent, was suspended between them. A dark rosewood piano -stood on one side, open and with one of Beethoven's sonatas placed -upon the music-holder. On the opposite side stood a couch, on which -were placed antimacassars, cushions, &c., in Berlin woolwork. The -remainder of the furniture was all in keeping, and all were more or -less adorned with the handiwork of female fingers, while books of a -high-class character were plentifully strewed on the table and gleamed -in the book-case, through whose glass doors, the squire saw literary -treasures which he had never associated with the anvil and the forge. -Nathan handed his guest a chair, and stood waiting for an explanation -of his visit. The squire asked him to be seated, and then said,-- - -"Nathan Blyth, I can well believe that my visit here is as unwelcome -as it is unexpected. Our last interview, however necessary, was as -unpleasant for you as it was distasteful to me, and I am willing to -own that I had no desire that it should be repeated. I cannot charge -myself with having said anything on that occasion that was not as -courteous and conciliating as the circumstances would allow, and you -must permit me to say that your own attitude and deportment was all -that could be desired. You spoke and have acted as a man of honour, -and I was compelled to acknowledge to myself that I had to do with a -gentleman where I did not expect to find one." - -Nathan bowed, but made no reply. - -"To-day," continued the squire, "though my visit has to do with the -same circumstances, I should not wish you to think or hope that my -views on the former matter have undergone any change." - -"Pardon me," said Nathan, "I neither hope so nor think so, and have no -wish--indeed I must ask you not to refer to that subject again. My -daughter knows her duty as I know mine, and you need be under no -apprehension that"---- - -"Don't be angry, if you please," said the squire, in a strangely -humble and deprecating voice, for Nathan had spoken with some degree -of spirit. "I have no such suspicion. Let me come to the point, Nathan -Blyth. My only son is dangerously ill,"--here his voice faltered, and -his face assumed a deathly pallor--"and I have a thousand fears for -his life. He has had a malignant attack of brain fever, and though, -thanks to the skill of Dr. Jephson, the fever has subsided, it has -left him at the very door of death." Again the agonising truth was too -much for the speaker, and he laid his white head in his hands in -silent grief. - -Nathan's heart was always near his lips; with a swimming in his eyes -he said with deep feeling, "From my heart, I'm sorry." - -"Dr. Jephson," said the squire, recovering his self-command, "declares -that medical skill is powerless to do more for him, and he commands me -to ask that your daughter, who, he says, is the most effective -sick-nurse in the district, will come and help to bring him back to -life." - -"My daughter, Squire Fuller? You must know that that is impossible. -How can she, how can he, be subjected to a test and trial like this, -after all that they have done to show their filial obedience--after -all that we have done to keep them apart? It cannot be. Besides, think -what would be said by those who are only too ready to impute motives -and suspect evil. The fair fame of my girl is dearer to me than life. -Mr. Fuller, nobody esteems Master Philip more than I; nobody can pray -for his recovery more earnestly than will I. But the thing you ask is -quite impossible, and can't be done." - -"I know it all, Nathan Blyth. I feel the force of all that you have -said. On the other hand, my boy is dying. Like a drowning man I am -catching at a straw; and I beseech you, I who never asked a favour of -a living man, I beseech you do not deny me my request. If you can -trust your daughter, I can trust my son, and as for the gossip of -little minds, that will die away as soon as it is born. Nathan Blyth, -for the sake of a life more precious than my own, grant me my -request." - -Nathan Blyth was in a quandary, he was grievously perplexed, and could -not see his way out of the difficulty. Then the thought suddenly -struck him that, after all, this was a case in which Lucy herself -ought to be consulted. - -"If you will excuse me a few moments," said he, "I will consult my -daughter." - -"Let me see her, Nathan Blyth!" said the squire, eagerly, and -stretching out his hands in strong entreaty. - -Nathan went and told Lucy all that had transpired, and if that honest -man had nursed the delusion that his darling had succeeded in, even -partially, dislodging Philip Fuller from her heart, the pitiful -yearning, the longing look that flashed from her bright hazel eye, the -blood-forsaken cheek and lip, as he told of her lover's danger, drove -the fond delusion away for ever. - -"The squire asks to see you, Lucy. But you can decline it, if you -like, my darling." - -Lucy thought for a moment, and then, with a woman's quick intuition as -to what is best, said, "I'll see him." - -Casting aside her apron, in which she had been attending to household -duties and standing a little--was there ever a woman that did -not?--before the kitchen looking-glass to assure herself that she was -not a perfect fright, Lucy entered the parlour, and for the first time -Squire Fuller saw the fairy who had so bewitched his son that the -effect of her glamour was his only hope of life. He rose to his feet, -stepped back a pace or two, and bowed as respectfully as he had ever -done in royal drawing-room to lady of high degree. Habited in a light -morning dress of printed calico, with collar and cuffs of purest -white, and a small crimson bow beneath her throat, her piquant beauty -and grace were quite sufficient to excuse either Philip Fuller, or -anybody else, for plunging head over ears in love so deeply that -emerging again was an impossibility. - -"Good-morning, Miss Blyth," said the squire. "Your father has informed -you of my errand." - -"Is Master Philip _very_ ill, sir?" and tone and eye and cheek -betrayed how much the question meant. - -"Unto death, I fear!" The words were a wail. The proud lips quivered, -and a couple of tears forced their way, in spite of him, and both -Nathan Blyth and his daughter saw something of the all-absorbing love -he bore for his only son. - -"Did he--does he know that you have come?" - -"He knows nothing of it, and scarce of any other thing," said the -troubled father. "He lies almost unconscious, and as though he had -already done with time. Dr. Jephson says there is but one hope. My -dear young lady, his father asks you with a breaking heart, 'Come and -help to save my boy!'" - -A consent was about to leap from her sympathetic heart, but still, -mindful of honour, truth and duty to the last, she only said, "Send -Dr. Jephson here." - -Both the squire and her father read decision in her face; the former -bowed and took his departure. He owned to himself that he had been in -presence of a grace and beauty such as he had never seen since those -days long gone by, when his own first and only love, to whom he saw a -strong resemblance in the radiant form before him, was yet untorn from -his young heart by the unpitying hand of Death. - -In a little while, for there was no time to be lost, Dr. Jephson drove -up to the Forge in a little low phaeton belonging to the Hall, and in -which, with his usual promptitude and energy, he intended to spirit -off Lucy, bag and baggage, to the side of the helpless invalid who lay -in the last degree of weakness, moaning out the name of Lucy so -constantly that all could see how strong a hold she had upon his life -and love. - -"Well, Miss Lucy," said the genial doctor, "are you ready? My horse -will not stand long, and," said he, with great seriousness, "every -hour is a dead loss to us in a hand-to-hand fight between life and -death." - -Lucy was about to repeat the self-evident objections before mentioned, -but the doctor interposed,-- - -"Look here, my dear. You did quite right, and acted with your usual -wit and wisdom in sending for me. I have two things to say that, if I -know you aright, will help you to decision in a moment. First, Philip -Fuller, without your presence and aid, will die. I say it solemnly and -truly. Second, _with_ your presence and aid there is another chance, a -hope that he may recover. Is that chance to be denied him?" - -"I must go, father. Here is a plain duty to do," said she, as she -kissed his anxious and dubious face, and clasped her arms lovingly -around his neck, "and duty must be done. Consequences must be left -with God, and you and I are used to leaving them there, aren't we?" - -"Go, my darling, and God be with you," said Nathan Blyth. - -Hastily gathering together such needful articles of personal attire as -were requisite for a brief visit, Lucy took her seat beside her good -friend, the doctor, and in a few minutes was far on her way to -Waverdale Hall. - -"I do not know," said the doctor, as they rode through the frosty air, -"whether you are aware that the squire told me of Master Philip's -attachment to yourself. If I had not known of it I should many days -ago have sent for you, simply as a most skilful and all-effective -nurse for despondent invalids. The awkward revelation made me defer it -for your sake; but my deliberate conclusion is that he is pining away -under the influence of a hopeless passion or some bitter grief. I do -not think the matter of Black Morris has much to do with it; he never -mentions it, neither do I apprehend much difficulty in proving him -innocent of that charge. Hence, though it is a sad strain to put upon -you, Miss Lucy, I am bound to bring the only physician that -understands the patient's case." - -"Thank you, Dr. Jephson, for your thought for me," said Lucy. "God -knows I would rather have been spared this new and cruel test; but I -know where to go for help, and my father's God and mine will help me -through." - -There was a sweet resignation, coupled with a brave resolve to fight -the trouble of the moment, which went straight to the doctor's heart. -The phaeton was pulled up at the principal entrance to the mansion. -The old squire was at the door to bid her welcome, and Lucy Blyth, the -blacksmith's daughter, crossed the threshold of Waverdale Hall. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -DR. JEPHSON'S PRESCRIPTION WORKS WONDERS. - - "She is coming, my own, my sweet! - Were it ever so airy a tread, - My heart would hear her and beat, - Were it earth in an earthly bed: - My dust would hear her and beat, - Had I lain for a century dead, - Would start and tremble under her feet, - And blossom in purple and red." - - _Tennyson._ - - -Lucy Blyth was conducted with softened footfall and bated breath into -the darkened chamber of the helpless invalid. She bent over him and -heard the monotonous and untiring moan. She was more shocked than -words can express to see how the fine stalwart youth had been laid -low. His hair was close shaven, and his lacklustre eyes were sunk far -into his head, while the cheekbones stood prominent as those of a -skeleton, and the poor thin hands, that were clutching nervously at -the coverlet, were bloodless as a stone. Lucy's heart sank within her; -the doctor, the nurse, and the squire softly turned away; sinking on a -chair by the bedside she burst into a flood of silent tears. The -precious relief to her pent-up soul was of infinite value to her. -After her grief had spent its force, she rose, bathed her face and -hands in cold water, and turning to the bed, took the poor listless -fingers of her lover in her own. - -"Philip! dear Philip!" she said, softly. The fingers closed -convulsively; a sigh, which sounded like a gasp, broke from his lips. -Fixing wondering eyes on her, he whispered, "Lucy! dear Lucy!" and -this with a smile of rapturous content. What cared she in that moment -who were lookers-on? What cared she that the stately squire was -standing on tiptoe by the door, looking with the eyes of his soul for -the crisis? What would she have cared had all Waverdale been standing -by? Love, imperial love, asserted its unequalled rights. That ebbing -life was flowing back beneath her royal power! That soul upon the wing -was re-folding its pinions at her command! Stooping down she signed -his reprieve upon his parched lips. If any of my readers object to -this, they have my full permission to close these pages and go their -way. I write not for those behind whose vest and beneath whose bodice -there beats no human heart, but only the tick of a machine; but for -those who hold that pure and true affection has rights which may not -be invaded, and that in a case like this "Love is lord of all." - -In the course of another day or two, Dr. Jephson reported a stronger -pulse and a brighter eye, and bade the grateful father hope for the -best. The old man listened in silence, scarcely daring to believe. - -"What is your opinion, Miss Blyth?" said the doctor. - -"By God's blessing he will recover," Lucy said; and strange to say, -Squire Fuller felt her verdict to be more assuring than the dictum of -the experienced man of skill. - -Nor did her judgment prove without warrant. Slowly, O how slowly! inch -by inch, point by point, the fell destroyer Death was beaten back, -and Philip Fuller obtained an even stronger lease of life. When he had -so far recovered as to be able to converse, his father would sit for -hours by his side, holding his boy's hand in his own, and drinking in -his words as though they were some pleasant music falling on his ear. -True, the principal topic was one for which he had never any favour. -On the contrary, he had scoffed at and hated it with all the energy of -his intellectual pride. But from the lips of his boy, his handsome, -manly, high-principled boy--given back to him from an open grave--he -heard it with patience, nay, for the speaker's sake, with unspeakable -delight. There was no longer any cloud between these two, and it did -not need that the father should unsay the rash words which had -half-broken his son's true and faithful heart. All had vanished like -the morning dew, and sire and son were one again in heart and soul. - -"Father," said Philip, on one occasion, as he was propped up with -pillows, while the squire occupied his seldom vacant seat by his side, -"do you know that when I was so weak and ill that I could not speak to -you, I knew all that was going on around me; and when I saw your -sorrow and your love I did so want to tell you of the sweet peace that -filled my soul. My Saviour was so inexpressibly precious to me that I -longed to be with Him, and heaven was so near, that I saw its glories, -the gleam of angels' wings, and heard the sound of harpers harping -with their harps. I really thought that I was dying, but death had no -terrors for me. The one thing that seemed to pull me back to life was -my great love to you and Lucy, and the yearning wish, dear father, to -tell you of my Saviour's boundless love. Father, I know that you have -learned to look upon religion with doubt, and even with dislike. But -now that I have come back--for I feel like one who has taken a long -journey--come back from the very borders of the eternal world--come -back, after sensibly breathing the very atmosphere of heaven--I tell -you that of all the things in this vain shadowy world, Jesus and His -love are the only realities; and dreadful as the struggle for life has -been, I would gladly go through it all again to see you, my father, -bending at the Saviour's feet." - -Nor was this the only way in which the reserved and thoughtful squire -was brought face to face with simple Christian experience. Lucy Blyth, -who had gained all her usual self-command, was able to comply with Mr. -Fuller's genuine request, that she should in all things act without -restraint. Now that the tide had turned, and Philip's life no longer -hung on such a slender thread, she was able to accept the -housekeeper's invitation to join her in her private room. Here, seated -at the piano, she would sing the songs of Zion in such a fashion that -the squire, all unaccustomed to such innovations on his solitude, -would pass and re-pass, often for this only purpose, and listen to the -strains so sweetly winning. It may well be doubted whether the modern -idea of "singing the Gospel" was not, under existing circumstances, -the most effective way of bringing him under the influences of those -blessed truths which were the joy and comfort of his son. - -On one occasion, when thus occupied, she sang a glorious hymn of -Charles Wesley's. Her unknown listener heard the words-- - - "I rest beneath the Almighty's shade, - My griefs expire, my troubles cease; - Thou, Lord, on whom my soul is stayed, - Will keep me still in perfect peace." - -He listened till the trustful strain died out in silence, and retired -to his library. Opening an accustomed volume by a favourite writer, -whose no-faith had chimed in with his own phase of unbelief, he -read--"I look upon human life as being bounded by an impenetrable -curtain, which defies the gaze of man to pierce its texture, the hand -of man to lift its awful folds. Thousands of inquiring minds have -brought their torches and sought to unravel the mystery in vain. A -thousand voices of those without have loudly called to those within, -and asked their questions as to the eternal 'Where?' But they have -received no answer, only the hollow echo of their own question, as if -they had shouted into an empty vault." - -He laid down the book, and sat in thoughtful silence. He thought of -the clear, bright hope of the youth upstairs who had been half within -the curtain. "I saw the glories of heaven, the gleam of angels' wings, -and heard the sound of harpers harping with their harps." How widely -differed this from that! The first was a sad, low wail of despair; the -second was the waving of Hope's golden wing. Rising to his feet, he -opened the door to rejoin his son. Hush! He hears Lucy's voice, -sweetly singing-- - - "While I draw this fleeting breath, - When my eyes shall close in death, - When I rise to worlds unknown, - And behold Thee on Thy throne, - Rock of Ages, cleft for me, - Let me hide myself in Thee!" - -He listened till the verse was concluded, then turning to the stairs, -he ascended to Philip's room, repeating to himself,-- - - "Rock of Ages, cleft for me! - Let me hide myself in Thee!" - -Stepping softly to the bedside, he found his boy sleeping sweetly, -with a smile upon his face that told of perfect peace. His hand was -laid upon the open Bible. Led by an impulse of curiosity, as we -purblind mortals say, he stooped down and read, where Philip's fingers -lay, "There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift -thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.... I will both lay me -down in peace and sleep, for thou only, O Lord, makest me to dwell in -safety." - -"In peace," said the squire, and looking at the restful countenance of -his son, he read a commentary there that he could neither -misunderstand nor dispute. He sat and pondered as the minutes passed, -the subject of thoughts and emotions new and strange. Nor could he -break the spell until Philip, waking refreshed and happy, turned to -him with a gleam of glad surprise, and said,-- - -"My father!" - -"What is it, my son?" - -"Nay, nothing; nothing but the joy of having you by my side." - -The glad old man, melted as his stedfast nature had never been, longed -to do something in his great love. - -"Can I do anything for you?" said he. - -"Yes. Read to me a little," pointing to his Bible. "Read the third -chapter in St. John's Gospel." - -In this way the sceptical parent was brought into potent contact with -the Great Teacher's answer to another doubter, who asked, "How can -these things be?" So the days passed by, the overhanging cloud caused -by the dark deed in Thurston Wood had not density enough to shadow -them very greatly. Both father and son believed that God would bring -forth Philip's righteousness as the light, and His judgment as the -noonday. Philip silently and continuously prayed that the Spirit would -take of the things of God and show them to his father's mind and -heart. Who shall doubt the answer to those pleadings of filial love? -God's providence and grace are both pledged to the fulfilment of -believing prayer. The citadel so long impregnable to the assaults of -Gospel truth was trembling under the combined influences at work. Will -it yield to these? If not, the Lord hath yet other arrows in His -quiver. "He hath bent his bow and made it ready, and ordained his -arrows at the heart of" those who resist him. But if those hearts lay -down their weapons and submit to Him, though the arrow may be sped, it -shall wound to heal, and "dividing asunder between the joints and the -marrow," the sword of the Spirit shall open a way for the life-giving -balsam of His own precious blood! - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -HANNAH OLLIVER'S "YOUNG MAN." - - "The branch is stooping to the hand, - And pleasant to behold; - Yet gather not, although its fruit - Be streaked with hues of gold. - - For bitter ashes lurk concealed - Beneath that golden skin; - And though the coat be smooth, there lies - But rottenness within." - - _Smedley._ - - -Adam Olliver, as our readers may remember, had a daughter, Hannah by -name, who was a servantmaid at Waverdale Hall. She was a bright, -good-looking lass, with no graver faults than those which often attach -to an unrestrained vivacity and a considerable weakness for "ribbins, -frills, an' fal-de-rals," as her plain-spoken father called them, -which, though purchased by her own money, were scarcely in keeping -with her position. Even if they had been, they were sorely at enmity -with good taste. Greens and violets, blues and buffs, orange and red, -and other hues equally self-assertive, were worn in combinations -which would have alarmed a _modiste_ and driven an artist into -hysterics. Hannah was a dressy girl, and being remarkably chatty, not -to say loquacious, she was not the unlikeliest girl in the world to -pick up a sweetheart--_a_ sweetheart, did we say? It would be -venturesome to fix on any number of briefly happy swains on whom she -had conferred that honour, and had then peremptorily dismissed. Hannah -was evidently a coquette. At the time when Philip Fuller was hovering -between life and death, and soon after Lucy Blyth had been installed -by his bedside, Hannah Olliver's evanescent and volatile affections -were placed for the nonce on a fine Adonis-looking young fellow, with -whom she had become acquainted through her intimacy with a housemaid -at Cowley Priory. His name was Aubrey Bevan, and his somewhat -aristocratic cognomen did not seem to Hannah's admiring eyes to be at -all inappropriate to the dark curly locks, neatly-trimmed moustache, -semi-Bond-street attire, and jauntily-set hat of her favoured lover. - -Aubrey Bevan had been a kind of valet--a sort of gentleman's gentleman -to Sir Harry Elliott's eldest son, a fast young gent of horsey tastes -and gaming proclivities, who cut a considerable dash amongst the young -bloods, who, during the season, mustered in great force at Almack's, -Tattersall's, and Rotten-row. With him, however, we have scant -business, but from his quondam valet, discharged for some occult -reason, we cannot at present part company. The discipline as regarded -servants and their followers was somewhat strict at Waverdale Hall, -and so Hannah's interviews with her "intended" had to take place -either when she was off the premises, or in stealthy meetings in the -park or gardens under cover of the night. - -Mr. Bevan, at the outset of his wooing, was exceedingly assiduous and -demonstrative, but as all this only served to develop his young lady's -ingrained propensity to coquetry, he changed his tactics, and with a -cleverness which brought its own reward, he feigned indifference, as -though his loveflame was considerably dwindling down. This had the -desired effect, and may afford a hint to ardent swains whose chosen -ones are given to fluctuations and indecision. Latterly Hannah had -shown a steady loyalty to her lover, as though at last she had found -her fate. One evening, as she and the courtly Bevan were holding a -stolen interview beneath a spreading beech-tree in the park, some evil -spirit entered into Hannah, and led her to throw out vague hints and -insinuations that he was not so certainly the "man in possession" as -he seemed to think. She intimated that there was another "Richmond in -the field," and, true to Sir Walter Scott's description of woman, who -is, - - "In our hours of ease, - Uncertain, coy, and hard to please," - -she succeeded in annoying and perhaps alarming her lover with the idea -that his mittimus was looming in the distance. Aubrey Bevan brought -out his final weapon for repelling the attack, and coolly informed her -that he was about to leave for London, the elysium of valets, the -paradise of love and beauty. This startling information was more than -Hannah bargained for. There was a perceptible change in her voice, -speedily noted by Mr. Bevan, as she said,-- - -"You are not really going, are you, Aubrey?" which only brought the -unrelenting answer,-- - -"Yes, my prairie flower. I am really going. 'My bark is on the sea, -and the wind blows fair.'" Rather an awkward position, surely, if he -was an intending voyager; but Mr. Bevan was nothing if not poetic. - -"Oh dear, Aubrey! How can you?" - -"Does my impending departure flutter the heart of my little gazelle?" -said the poet, with a tremulous intonation which would have melted a -colder heart than Hannah's. - -"Don't go, Aubrey; you mustn't go. I cannot spare you." - -"Fair syren of my soul! I thank thee for that word! 'Had I a heart for -falsehood framed.'" There were those who had the honour of Mr. Bevan's -acquaintance who would have said, in answer, "Yes, most decidedly!" -"My charming angel! 'Where duty calls I must away. Hark! hark! the -drum.'" - -A little more of this gay troubadour line of business, and Hannah was -fairly subdued. - -"Cheer up! my sunflower!" said the gallant Bevan. "My visit to the -great metropolis will be but temporary. A few weeks, and on the wings -of the wind I shall again 'fly to the Bower by Bendemeer's stream,' -and 'talk of love and Hannah.' But I cannot leave without another -look, a sweet adieu. I'll come again to-morrow night. I will be at the -garden-gate by twelve o'clock; I cannot come earlier; and as your -orderly household will then be in the arms of Morpheus, you can come -down to the door leading out to the stable-yard, and then I shall -carry with me in my exile the sweet memory of that last good-bye!" - -In vain the foolish girl objected, and referred to difficulties as to -time and place. Mr. Bevan showed her, with a marvellous knowledge, -gained unwittingly from her own chatty tongue, of all the -topographical peculiarities of the place, how it could be done; and -having extorted a definite consent, he swore eternal fealty to his -fair companion, and turning away, was speedily lost in the darkness of -the night. - -O foolish Hannah Olliver! Did no qualms of conscience follow that -ill-advised consent? Did no good angel whisper in your ear to disobey -the voice of the charmer? Go to your chamber, unsuspecting simpleton, -and dream of the dreadful plot, to the train of which your own -unconscious hand will lay the spark! - -Mr. Aubrey Bevan had special business on hand that night. After having -kept one assignation, he made all haste to keep another. The second -one, however, was of an altogether different nature, and if Hannah -Olliver could have seen with whom he whispered and consorted during -the hours of that night, it would have broken the spell which he had -cast around her far more effectively than the discovery of some rival -recipient of his gay blandishments and poetic flights. - - * * * * * - -While these events were transpiring at the Hall, joy and gladness -reigned in the cottage of Adam Olliver, for at length the -long-expected letter, with a pleasing monetary inclosure, had been -received from Pete, who had been long struggling with adverse fortunes -in the Western States of North America. At length his circumstances -had taken a definite and effective turn for the better, and now his -hope was that in a little while, having obtained a competency, he -should be able to retrace his steps to dear Old England, and be able -to supply his failing parents with the comforts which they needed in -their old age. When Nathan Blyth called at their little cottage, he -found old Adam, sitting in his arm-chair, with spectacles on nose and -the precious letter in his hand, slowly spelling out his son's -somewhat difficult caligraphy, while dear old Judith sat on the -opposite side of the fire, listening, and smiling through her tears. -The old hedger had every now and again to wrestle with his feelings, -and to gulp down a choking in the throat as Pete's warm, loving -sentences unfolded themselves to his delighted gaze. - -"Judy, my lass," he said, when the whole epistle had been deciphered. -"Thoo sees the Lord is as good as His wod. Thoo an' me's been prayin' -fo' wer lad an' commendin' 'im te God. We begun te think 'at t' answer -was a lang while o' cumin'. It tarried, bud we wayted fo' 't, an' noo -it's cum, an' booath thoo an' me's livin' an' hearty te hear it. The -Lord keeps us waytin' at tahmes, bud He nivver cums ower leeat. His -hand's allus riddy for a deead lift, an' noo I hae faith te beleeave -'at we sall see wer lad feeace te feeace." - -"The Lord's varry good tiv us," said Judith, looking lovingly at her -dear old husband, through her tears of joy. "Ah've done wi' dootin', -an' if He'll only let me see my bairn ah sall go te my grave in -peace." - -"Natty!" said Adam. "You've just cum i' tahme te hear t' good news, -an' ah's seear you'll be glad te join us i' givin' thenks at t' Throne -o' Grace." - -Then the old Christian poured out his soul to God in fervent prayer. -The little room was radiant with the presence of the Abiding Friend, -and when they rose from their knees, Adam shook Blithe Natty by the -hand, and said, with a smile,-- - -"Pete 'll be i' Nestleton be' Can'lemas, an' 'im an' t' Methodist -chapil 'll cum tegither!" - -At the Sunday service in Farmer Houston's kitchen, Adam returned -public thanks for the light which had come to him and Judith from -across the sea. There, too, old Kasper Crabtree, somewhat feeble and -pale yet, and scarce recovered from the severe treatment he had -received on his way home from Kesterton Fair, was present to join in -earnest worship with the faithful few whom he had long persecuted and -despised. As he bowed his head in prayer, we may be sure that, -mingling with his requests for personal grace and help, there rose an -earnest petition that God's best blessing might rest for ever on the -fair evangelist who had led him, while on the bed of sickness, to seek -the Crucified; and through whose gentle instrumentality the moral -darkness of a lifetime had been dispersed, and light and love divine -had streamed in upon his melted soul. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -BILL BUCKLEY SEES AN APPARITION. - - "No; 'tis the tale that angry conscience tells, - When she with more than tragic horror swells - Each circumstance of guilt; when stern, but true, - She brings bad actions forth into review, - And, like the dread handwriting on the wall, - Bids late remorse awake at reason's call." - - _Churchill._ - - -At a late hour one evening the butler at Waverdale Hall appeared -before his master with the information that a stranger wished to see -him on business of the first importance. In vain the faithful servant -had represented to him the lateness of the hour and the unusual nature -of his request; in vain he asked even for the stranger's name. To all -objections and inquiries the stranger, standing by the door closely -shrouded in a large muffler, had simply said, "I must see the squire. -I have walked many a weary mile for that purpose, and I know that if -he will grant me a few minutes' interview, he will be deeply grateful -that ever the interview took place." There was a time, and that not -many weeks since, when the stately squire would have peremptorily -refused such an unseasonable application; but now, after the strange -and mollifying experiences to which he had been subjected, he -considered but a moment, and then said,-- - -"Show the man into the library, Thompson. I will go and see what his -errand is." - -The interview was long, and the worthy butler was devoured by -curiosity to ascertain who the stranger was, and what he wanted. -Eventually the squire re-appeared, and gave the housekeeper orders to -prepare a room for the unknown new-comer, who in a little while -silently and secretly retired to rest. - -Not one word did the squire say to the wondering lady or the puzzled -butler as to the who, or what, or why of the untimely visitor; but -they noticed that he walked with a firmer step, and a bearing more -erect, and spoke in tones more quick and pleasant than they had heard -from him for many a day. In a little while the inmates of Waverdale -Hall were wrapped in slumber, with one exception; for Hannah Olliver, -though she had retired to her little room over the laundry, re-trimmed -her lamp, and sat, still dressed, watching and waiting for the -midnight hour. Not without much trepidation, for she was conscious of -wrong-doing, and would gladly have foregone the pleasure of meeting -her effusive lover; but still her undoubted affection for Aubrey Bevan -made her long for the promised interview, that she might bid him a -warm and affectionate good-bye. The clock in the servants' hall had no -sooner struck the hour of twelve than the errant damsel stole softly -down the servants' staircase in the silence of that lonesome hour. It -was dark, for no solitary beam of moon or star relieved the gloom of -the cloudy sky, and for safety's sake she dared not carry forth her -lighted lamp. Groping slowly along, and so carefully that not a single -creaking stair should imperil the secresy of her nocturnal walk, she -stood at last beside the outer door of the servants' kitchen, which -opened into the stable yard and the kitchen garden which lay beyond. -Slowly and silently she unbarred it; the massive bolts were each in -turn noiselessly drawn back into their sockets. The key, which she had -abstracted from the usual nail whereon the butler had suspended it, -was gently turned, and then gradually opening the door, she peered out -into the thick darkness of the night. Three short coughs were to be -the signal of her presence. No sooner were those given than the -amorous valet, at whose instance the assignation had been made, was by -her side, and had clasped her to his heart. - -"O Aubrey!" said the trembling girl, "I am so frightened! I feel sure -that I am doing wrong. I wish I had not consented to this meeting. Bid -me good-bye, and let me shut the door again." - -But the light and airy gentleman to whom her words were addressed had -no intention of letting her off so cheaply, and of risking so much for -so small an issue. He soothed her fears, and expressed undying -gratitude for this proof of the genuineness of her regard. - -"'Cold blows the wind, and in the chilly night' it is not pleasant to -be exposed to the rage of rude Boreas," said the glib deceiver. "But -for the 'bliss of meeting her my soul adores' I should have taken the -coach from Kesterton to-day, and gone direct to London. I'll just step -within the door a moment, 'twill be warmer there," and before his -sweetheart could utter an objecting word, Aubrey Bevan was inside, -with his arm around her waist. In another instant a handkerchief was -placed upon her face, and Hannah Olliver was seated unconscious in a -chair. To bind her hand and foot and to gag her was the work of a few -minutes, and then, in answer to the soft hooting of a night owl, three -brawny men, with crape-covered faces, slid through the open doorway, -and Waverdale Hall was at the mercy of four of the most skilful and -daring burglars that ever broke into house and home! - -"Well," said Bill Buckley, whose acquaintance the reader has already -made, "this crib is cracked as easily as a nut. Bevan, which is the -way?" - -That worthy, by means of skilful questions cunningly put, had obtained -from his unconscious dupe, the housemaid, full particulars of the -interior of the house. He had its arrangements clearly mapped out in -his clever, but sadly-prostituted brain, and was at no loss as to the -evil work they had in hand. - -"Follow me," said he, and led the way to the front division of the -house. He coolly locked behind them the doors which connected it with -the servants' quarters, so as to secure them from that source of -danger. The library and drawing-room received the careful attention of -Mr. Bevan and two of his colleagues. The butler's pantry was left to -the skilful and efficient manipulation of an experienced "magsman," -who fully understood what metal spoil was worth carrying away. The -whole place was ransacked, and so far without suspicion or alarm. One -great object of this very unceremonious visit, however, was as yet -ungained. This was nothing less than the capture of certain -jewel-cases, whose contents were of great and notable value, and which -were, as Bevan well knew, placed for safe keeping in a certain room on -the second floor. Ascending the stairs, Buckley stumbled and fell, and -Squire Fuller, who in wakeful unrest had imagined that he heard noises -about, leaped from his bed, and hastened to Philip's bedroom, in fear -lest something was the matter with his son. As soon as he had opened -the door, out bounded "Oscar," Philip's canine companion and friend, -who leaped to the first landing, and pinned one crape-veiled villain -to the floor. Just then Lucy Blyth, who had been awakened by the -stumbling of Bill Buckley, lighted her lamp, put on her dressing-gown, -and appeared upon the scene in real alarm. The squire, with uplifted -candle in his hand, was peering down the stairs. Lucy's young and -keener vision saw Bill Buckley point a loaded pistol. A moment more, -and the bullet would have sped on its fatal errand; but Lucy, on the -impulse of the moment, screamed aloud, and throwing her lighted lamp -with all her force at the villain's extended arm, his aim was -diverted, and the shot was lodged in the wall. From the next flight of -stairs had come a third witness on the scene--none other than the -squire's mysterious guest. Standing in his shirt, leaning over the -balustrade, with peering eyes, unkempt hair, and extended hands, he -caught the attention of Bill Buckley. That worthy turned livid as -death, staggered back a few paces with lifted hands, and gasping out, -"The ghost of Black Morris!" fell backward down the stair! At this -turn of events, Aubrey Bevan, ever quick to realise results, darted -down the stairs, and retreated by the way he had come. He gave no -passing thought to the wretched girl he had entrapped, but bearing -with him a small tin box and other booty which he had stolen from the -library, he took his flight through park and garden, and left his -companions in guilt to the tender mercies of those they had sought to -harm. The stranger speedily bound Bill Buckley, whose heavy fall and -guilty conscience had for a while almost stopped the beating of his -heart. The second villain, who lay at the mercy of the noble beast, -which would have strangled him had he struggled, was then bound hand -and foot by the servants, whom the squire had aroused. Mr. Fuller -hastened to his son's apartment to calm his agitation, as he lay weak -and helpless on his bed. The thief in the pantry had made good his -escape, and in a little while poor Hannah Olliver, who had learnt a -lesson which had sobered her gay spirits for life, was liberated and -permitted to retire to her little chamber, where she spent the rest of -the night in bitter and unavailing tears. Bill Buckley and his comrade -were placed in safe keeping previous to their transfer to the county -gaol. Black Morris--for the mysterious stranger whose appearance had -filled the heart of Buckley with an awful terror, was really Black -Morris in the flesh, and not his ghost--was again closeted with the -squire, and informed him that the captured burglar was none other than -the man who shot him down in Thurston Wood. - - * * * * * - -The circumstances of the burglary formed the subject of much -conversation and speculation among the inmates of Waverdale Hall; but -the interest of these events gave way before the now clear and -undoubted fact that Master Philip was, in the completest fashion, -demonstrated to be utterly innocent of the attack upon Black Morris -which was supposed to have resulted in that errant youth's untimely -death. Calmly and gratefully did Philip receive the information of his -perfect freedom from the terrible cloud which had overshadowed him, -and simply replied to his glad father's communication of the fact,-- - -"Thank God, my father! Thank God! but in my consciousness of a -Saviour's love and yours, that trouble had already lost its sting." - -Early on the following morning, Black Morris made his way to -Kesterton, and greatly astounded the Rev. Theophilus Clayton by this -personal token of his resurrection from the dead. Black Morris -requested that the good man would go with him to Midden Harbour, and -break the news to his weak and ailing mother, as he feared the -consequences of his own sudden appearance before those who believed -him to be numbered with the dead. - -The household of Piggy Morris had just finished breakfast when Mr. -Clayton made his appearance and surprised them by a pastoral call at -such an unconscionably early hour. Piggy Morris was just lacing his -boots previous to going on a huckstering expedition round the -neighbouring farms. In the course of conversation, Mr. Clayton made -what he thought, a moment after, was an unfortunate reference to -Waverdale Hall. It was as a spark upon gunpowder, and Piggy Morris -began to denounce Philip as the murderer of his son. - -"Are you quite sure that he did receive his death-wound in Thurston -Wood?" said Mr. Clayton. - -Mrs. Morris looked into the speaker's face, as if she wondered and -half hoped that something lay behind his words. - -"Parson," said Piggy Morris, "you should have some good reason for -asking that question. Have you any ground for doubting it?" - -"Mr. Clayton!" said Mary eagerly, "Is he, can he be alive?" - -"Courage! Mrs. Morris," said the minister, "God is often better than -our fears. I have reason to believe that, though he was wounded, he -escaped with his life!" - -"O Mr. Clayton!" said the mother, rising to her feet and laying her -hand on his arm, "Where's my lad?" - -Mr. Clayton coughed loudly, which was a preconcerted signal, and in a -moment Black Morris walked in, and was clasped to his mother's heart -in a long embrace. Strange to say, that weakly and despondent woman -seemed to be endowed with an access of strength and vigour. Her -re-awakened hopes had accepted the apparently impossible; there were -no tears, no hysterics; she ran her thin fingers through the dark -locks of her recovered boy, as she said, with a happy smile, "Rejoice -with me, for this my son was dead, and is alive again; was lost, and -is found." Mary received her brother's embrace with tearful joy. Piggy -Morris stood with open mouth in wondering silence. Here was a sudden -end to his notions of revenge; the father in him, however, won the -day, and, holding out his hand, he said, "Jack, my lad, thy feyther -bids thee welcome back. I'm glad to see thee safe and sound." - -"Yes," said Black Morris, in faltering and broken tones, "I thank God -for a saved life and a saved soul. I have a strange story to tell, and -it will relieve my heart and do me good to tell it." Black Morris and -his eager auditors gathered round the cheerful fire, which was all the -more cheerful for the angry and nipping wind that blew in noisy gusts -outside, and there and then he told them the thrilling story of his -miraculous escape. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -THE STORY OF THE DEAD-ALIVE. - - "Mark, mark, Ulysses! how the gods preserve - The men they love, even in their own despite! - They guide us, and we travel in the dark! - But when we most despair to hit the way - And least expect, we find ourselves arrived!" - - _Lansdowne._ - - -Black Morris drew his chair to his mother's side, took her hand -lovingly in his own, and proceeded to tell his story:-- - -"When I met Bill Buckley," said he, "in Thurston Wood, I was -struggling with a terrible temptation to take my own life, and so put -an end to my remorse for a wasted life and my fear of justice -together. Since that strange meeting with Mr. Clayton on the Bexton -highway I had lost all taste for the evil courses and companionships -which had so long disgraced my life. The idea of going back to them -filled me with a loathing that I can't express, and I resolved to -break with them for ever. The thought of Jesus dying for His enemies, -of Mr. Clayton's gentle kindness and forgiving love, with that ugly -scar upon his cheek, of my mother's weakness and the minister's visit -to her, upset me entirely, and I felt that I was too bad to live. I -went about from one place to another like a man in a dream. I kept -meeting with the fellows whose company I hated, and I could not get -away from them without appearing, at any rate, to be the same as -usual, though I believe they were led to suspect that I was not -altogether to be depended on. Things were like that up to the evening -of Kesterton Fair. I had been away to Gowthorp, to my Aunt Emma's, to -get out of the road of a lot of fellows that I knew would want me to -go to the revels; but I felt so wretched that I could not stop -anywhere, and so it was that I was on the Kesterton Road, when Bill -Buckley, Dick Spink, and another chap, were on the look-out for Old -Crabtree. I refused to join them, when Bill Buckley seized me like a -vice, and with murder in his eyes declared that I should not leave -them till they had 'settled with Old Crabtree.' Mother!" said Black -Morris, "I had nothing to do with it, but the whole thing was done in -a few minutes, and when Spink hit the old man a blow on the head which -might have killed an ox, I managed to break away from Buckley, and ran -to the poor old fellow's help. He fixed his eyes on me, with a look -such as I shall never forget, and said, 'Black Morris! I know you!' He -fell senseless directly after, and I felt that I should be charged -with highway robbery, and perhaps with murder. What happened after I -hardly know. I roamed about from place to place, expecting every -moment to be seized and punished for the crime. I said to myself it's -no use; you've sold yourself to the devil, and must submit to the -bargain." Here his voice faltered, and his hearers could not repress a -murmur of sympathy. "I felt myself to be the most forlorn and hopeless -wretch in the world. I found myself at last in Crib Corner, a dark, -low, sheltered spot in Thurston Wood, where I used to hide my gun and -other things. I heard a voice as plainly as I hear my own this -minute, 'It's all up with you, Black Morris! You can't repent, and -you're sure to be hanged. You had better shoot yourself like a man and -balk them all.' I believe I should have done it, but for God's mercy. -I went out with the gun in my hand, and walked rapidly up and down, -saying, I will; I will! Then I heard the cracking of the brushwood, -and I stood face to face with Bill Buckley! All the hate of a thousand -devils seized me at once. I clutched my gun, and my hands shook with -excitement as I heard the voice, as plain as ever, 'Shoot him, Black -Morris; it's the man who has put the halter round your neck!' He -sneered at me and chuckled at the scrape he had brought me into. I -answered him in a passion; one word led to another; at last I told him -that the paper money had gone back to Old Crabtree. I was about to -tell him that I had told him of my innocence. Before I could finish -the sentence he yelled out, 'Thoo black d----!' and lifting his gun, -he fired at me. I seemed to feel an awful blow on my head, sharp pains -shot through my neck and face, everything reeled round me, and I fell -senseless on the ground. When I came to my senses I found myself -swimming, for you know I was always a good hand at that, swimming, as -naturally as though I had had my reason all the time. I heard the roar -and rush of water, and in a moment was floated along the cascade, and -plunged fathoms down into the deep pit below. I remember its being -awfully dark and cold. I had risen to the surface again on the further -side of the pit, and having recovered my breath, found myself at the -mouth of the shallow stream which feeds the fish-ponds. The rush of -water helped me through the opening, and seizing the grass and bushes -on the bank I managed to scramble out, to find myself laid on the -grass in Waverdale Park. For a long time I lay motionless and -helpless, though fully sensible, and I fancied I heard my father's -voice at some distance having high words with somebody." - -"Bless my soul!" said Piggy Morris, strangely stirred; "that must have -been when I met with the young squire!" - -"A severe and smarting pain in my head roused me," said Black Morris, -continuing his startling story, "and then I recollected all about it. -I found that the skin, flesh, and hair had gone from near one temple, -that part of my ear was shot away, and I could feel some grains of -shot beneath the skin of my neck. My plunge into the cold and rapid -waters of the beck had stopped the bleeding. I felt that Bill Buckley -had missed his aim by an inch, and that, for good or evil, my life was -spared. I do not know whether you believe me, but there and then, -wounded and weak as I was, I fell upon my knees and thanked God. I -prayed as I had never prayed since I was a child. 'Lord have mercy on -my poor soul!' I said, 'and the life Thou hast spared shall be Thine -for ever!' Mr. Clayton's words about Jesus praying for His enemies -came into my mind, and I said, 'Jesus! I have been Thy enemy, pray for -me.' Mother mine! there and then I felt and knew that I was forgiven; -I seemed to hear a voice from the skies saying to me, 'Go in peace and -sin no more!' I got up with a strange peace in my heart, such as I had -never felt before." Here Black Morris's voice failed him, and he burst -into tears. Mother and sister wept in tender and thankful joy. Mr. -Clayton looked at Piggy Morris through his own tears, and saw two -pearly drops falling unhindered down the father's bearded and sunburnt -face. - -"New strength was given me," continued Black Morris, "I bound my head -with my handkerchief, and was preparing to move away, when I heard -voices in the park. The remembrance of Old Crabtree's murder, for as -such my fears had painted it, came back upon me like a thunderbolt. I -knew that I should now be in danger of a more successful attack from -Buckley, so silently stealing off under the shadow of the hedge, I -gained the shelter of Thurston Wood." - -"What a pity," said Mr. Clayton, "that you did not follow the voices, -or go straight home to Midden Harbour!" - -"I know it now," said Morris, "but I could not get rid of my horror of -the gallows and of Bill Buckley's hate. I had a new and passionate -love for life, and longed to get to some distant place, where, -unknown, unnoted, I could begin a new and better career. I struck -across the country, and found myself at last by a little solitary inn -on the turnpike road to Hull. The landlady regarded me with a good -deal of suspicion, but as I paid for some refreshment, and told her I -had fallen into some water, and should pass on after I had dried my -clothes, she did not further interfere. At last I found myself in -Hull, and got a job at some oil mills, and both there and at my -lodgings, in a quiet street, I felt that I was comparatively safe from -observation and pursuit; but, somehow or other, my peace of mind was -gone; all my new hatred of self and sin was as great as ever, but -still I had lost the joy and comfort which came to me in Waverdale -Park. Then I thought about my mother, and I began to feel that I had -done wrong to go away. Somebody seemed to say, 'What doest thou here?' -I tried to pray, but could not, until one night after I had got to -bed, I tossed and sighed and grew so wretched that I got out of bed, -and falling on my knees, I said, 'Oh! my God! tell me what to do?' 'Go -home!' was the instant and powerful impression on my mind. 'That's -God's orders,' I said, and went to bed again with the settled resolve -to start for Nestleton as soon as Saturday came. As I was returning to -work after the dinner hour next day, I was walking along Silver-street -when I heard a well-known voice shout, 'Black Morris!' and I saw Old -Adam Olliver standing with his hands uplifted and both eyes and mouth -open, in unmistakable surprise. He stared and looked so thoroughly -thunderstricken as to attract the attention of the passers-by. When I -advanced to meet him, the old man drew back a few paces, but said -never a word. - -"'Hallo! Adam Olliver!' said I. 'Is that you?' - -"'The Lord hae massy on us! Black Morris! are ye alive?' and again the -old man started back in undisguised astonishment. 'Why, all Nestleton -thinks 'at you'er layd at t' bottom o' Thurston Beck!' - -"I felt half inclined to be thankful that this was so, because it put -any search for me on Old Crabtree's account out of the question, and -with that feeling came one of sorrow that he had found me out. The -thought of my mother's bitter grief, however, soon dissipated that -idea, and I felt how wrong it had been of me to go away. All this -passed through my mind in a moment. I said, 'How is my mother, Adam?' - -"The old man smiled, as he answered,-- - -"'Just middlin'. Ah's glad 'at you've ax'd efther hor. Ye'r heart's -somewhere's i' t' right spot; an' t' best thing yo can deea is te gan -streyt away yam an' see 'er. Bud, bless my sowl, Black Morris! are yo' -alive?' - -"He told me he had come to Hull, a greater journey than he had ever -taken in his life, to see an aged and dying sister; that he had closed -her eyes in peace, and was returning the next day. - -"'An' you'll gan wi' ma', weean't yo'?' said he. - -"I replied, 'I will. But tell me where you are staying, and I'll come -and see you.' - -"From him I learnt the pleasing news that Old Crabtree had survived -his injuries; that he was in all respects an altered man; and that he -had expressed his opinion that I was innocent of the outrage that -nearly took his life. - -"'Bud,' said Adam, 'there's a pratty peck o' trubble aboot you. They -say 'at t' yung squire was fun' i' t' spot wheer yo' were kill'd, wi' -your gun iv his hand, an' your blood on his clooas; an' 'at he -murder'd yo' iv a quarrel aboot Lucy Blyth. Ah nivver beleeaved it, -though ah did think 'at somebody 'ad shutten yo'. Maister Philip's a -good lad, an' wadn't ho't a worm. It's throan 'im intiv a brain -feeaver, an' t' poor aud squire's varry near fit for Bedlam wi' -sorro'. Gan yer ways yam, Morris, as fast as ye'r legs'll carry yo', -an' put t' poor aud man oot ov 'is misery.' - -"I reached Waverdale Hall late at night, and told the squire all about -it. He insisted, in his gratitude, that I should stay all night, and -so it happened that when Bill Buckley, the housebreaker, saw me, he -fell on the stairs like a dead man, shrieking, 'Black Morris's ghost!' -And now, mother," said he, as he concluded his stirring recital, "I'm -back again to be a comfort and a help to you; and never again, by -God's help, to cause you a sigh or a tear." - -The proud and happy mother, like the parent of the prodigal in the -unmatched Gospel story, "fell upon his neck and kissed him." - -"Father," said Black Morris, "I've been a bad and reckless son; -forgive _me_, once for all." - -Piggy Morris rose from his chair, took the two hands of his son in -his, and said,-- - -"Son Jack, a greater brute of a feyther never made a lad go wrong. -Forgive _me_, once for all." - -Mary was utterly overcome at this, and flinging her arms around her -father's neck, kissed him on either cheek, which was in itself a deed -unknown from childhood until now. - -"Let us pray," said Mr. Clayton. That good man lifted up his voice in -praise and prayer; and no happier, holier scene took place on that -cold December day, and no more sweetly solemn spot was looked upon by -angels than that which was sheltered by the roof-tree of Piggy -Morris. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - -MIDDEN HARBOUR HAS A NEW SENSATION. - - "I saw one man, armed simply with God's Word, - Enter the souls of many fellow men, - And pierce them sharply as a two-edged sword, - While conscience echoed back his words again; - Till, even as showers of fertilising rain - Sink through the bosom of the valley clod, - So their hearts opened to the wholesome pain,-- - One good man's prayers, the link 'twixt them and God." - - _Caroline E. Norton._ - - -The two burglars who had made their escape from Waverdale Hall on the -eventful night before referred to, had managed to carry with them -considerable booty in the shape of plate and other valuables, but none -of these things, nor all of them put together, were so important as -their theft of a certain tin box from the library, which contained -several precious parchments concerning land about which the squire was -engaged at that moment in troublesome litigation with a rival -claimant. Squire Fuller was convinced that the abstraction of these -deeds was the first and principal errand of the housebreakers, and -that they had been induced to make their entry into Waverdale Hall by -the promptings of unprincipled opponents who had held out to the -burglars the hope of a liberal reward. Hence he caused a very close -and constant watch to be placed, in the post-office, and around the -doors of the opposing solicitors in London, and in every other way he -could think of, strove to re-capture the deeds which were of the first -importance to himself and son. - -The removal of the last vestige of doubt, the last shadow of -suspicion, from Philip Fuller as the author of the dark deed in -Thurston Wood, materially hastened his recovery, and as Lucy Blyth now -felt that her mission was accomplished, she made arrangements for her -immediate return to the Forge. The squire was called away on county -business, and on the evening of his departure she suddenly appeared -before him, and announced that her father had come to see her home. -The squire was dumbfoundered at what seemed to him to be the -suddenness of her resolve, and before he knew exactly what to say or -do, she bade him "Good evening," and departed. Under the peculiar -circumstances of the case, Lucy must again be complimented on the wit -and wisdom that marked the "order of her going." For the present, -therefore, now that Lucy is safely housed in her own pleasant and -happy home; now that Philip is gaining strength every day; and now -that the squire is absent at the assizes; we may turn away from -Waverdale Hall awhile, and pay a little special attention to the -"short and simple annals of the poor." - - * * * * * - -One evening, when the weather was unusually fine and open for the -winter season of the year, the Rev. Matthew Mitchell mounted the -circuit gig, and drove the staid and sober Jack to Nestleton. Putting -up his antique conveyance, and not much younger steed, at Farmer -Houston's, he joined the family to an early tea, and then took his way -to Midden Harbour. Piggy Morris, true to his promise to Lucy Blyth, -had emptied the old malt-kiln, and had swept and garnished it into the -bargain. Jabez Hepton, the carpenter, had made a number of rough -benches for the prospective congregation; he and Nathan Blyth had -rigged up a sort of pulpit platform; and all things were ready for -opening a campaign among the heathen and semi-savage denizens of that -queer locality. As an introduction to his mission there, our young -evangelist made a house-to-house visitation, including every dwelling -within its borders, and announced that he was going to preach in the -open air, at the corner of the cottage of Dick Spink, the besom-maker. -At the appointed hour he took his stand on a heap of stones, with -half-a-dozen Nestletonian Methodists by his side to keep him in -countenance, and to help to sing. Mr. Mitchell gave out a hymn, and -during the singing, the small fry of the place, unwashen, unkempt, and -almost unclad, gathered round in wonder. By-and-bye, a few slatternly -women, with ragged print dresses, tattered stockings, shoes down at -the heel, and heads like mops, approached with curious gaze. As the -service advanced, two or three queer customers of the male gender came -lounging out, each with a short black pipe in his mouth and his hands -in his pockets; a motley group as ever you could find either in -Whitechapel or the Seven Dials. During the prayer, no hat was removed, -no pipe was extracted, no head was bent in prayer amongst all the -natives of the Harbour there assembled. - -"This is a rum go!" said one unshaven fellow to his neighbour. - -"What a precious feeal he is," said another. - -"Let's heeave hoaf-a-brick at him!" said a third. - -Sal Sykes, a tall, raw-boned woman, with a baby in her arms, called -out,-- - -"We're all gannin' te tonn Methody, noo!" - -"Nut for the likes of 'im!" said an equally uncanny member of the -Midden Harbour sisterhood. "Ah've a good mind te duck the lahtle -beggar i' t' 'osspond." - -Mr. Mitchell calmly and quietly opened his commission. "Come unto me, -all ye that are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest," was -the text from which he preached a short and simple sermon. As one who -felt the rest which he offered to his hearers, his heart was on his -lips, and his tearful earnestness won them, at any rate, into quietude -of behaviour. He thanked them for listening, and invited them to the -malt-kiln, whither they were about to adjourn. The little -home-missionary band was now strengthened by the arrival of Nathan -Blyth, Farmer Houston, Adam Olliver, and some others, and the first -service in the odd conventicle was fairly well attended, but almost -solely by those who did not need the special efforts they were making. -The inhabitants of the locality held themselves almost entirely aloof, -and seemed to ignore the matter altogether, except by an occasional -stone flung into the place, or a loud shout at the door, by some young -Harbourite, "just for fun." Nevertheless, the worshippers felt their -Master's presence, and left the old malt-kiln confirmed in their -determination to keep their torch alight in the midst of a moral -darkness which might be felt. - -Services were now held in quick succession, and first one and then -another of the people of the place found their way within the sound of -the Gospel message, and in cases not a few the preached Word became -the power of God unto salvation to them that believed. Mary Morris -found a congenial mission in beating up recruits for the malt-kiln -meetings. Her quiet and gentle manners won upon the rough and rude -inhabitants of the unattractive colony, and many, both men and women, -were persuaded to "come and see." So matters went on for some time, -until at length Mr. Mitchell, hopeful and determined, arranged for a -series of special services. Mr. Clayton himself and a few local -preachers took turn about on the little platform pulpit, and on the -third night of the series the power of God came mightily down upon the -worshippers; many were constrained to utter the cry of the Philippian -jailor and the prayer of the publican, and a revival of religion took -place such as had not been seen or known in the Kesterton Circuit -since the olden days, when the "early Methodist preachers," Boanerges -by name and nature, every man of them, first awoke the echoes of the -moral wilderness, crying, "Repent ye! for the kingdom of God is at -hand!" Nor was the cry of penitence and the shout of joy heard only -among the young and female portion of the population, neither were -they confined to those who dwelt in Midden Harbour. Big men, bearded -and burly, wept like children, and groaning aloud in distress of soul, -were led by the eager toilers to the Lifted Cross, and rejoiced in -conscious peace and pardon through the blood of Christ. The wife and -sons of Dick Spink, an entire household of the name of Myers, -itinerant pot-sellers, were all converted in most unmistakable -fashion, and many others, until at last there was not a house in -Midden Harbour in which there was not at least one happy witness of -the Gospel grace. The fire spread to Farmer Houston's kitchen, to -Kesterton, to Chessleby and Bexton, and eventually the whole circuit -was thrilled and blest by the potent power of "the great revival," as -it is called to this day, and which had its origin in the unlikely -locality of Midden Harbour. - -Amongst other willing and tireless labourers in this unpromising, but -most productive field, was Old Kasper Crabtree, whose regeneration was -to the full as wonderful as that of Zaccheus, when he exchanged the -grasping rapacity of the publican for the ungrudging benevolence which -halved its possessions with the poor and needy. He could not help -seeing how much the wretched tenements, the open ditches, the -disgraceful condition of his property had to do with the squalor, -wretchedness, intemperance, and general bestiality which had long held -sway in Midden Harbour, and he mentally resolved to introduce at any -cost a new and better state of things. Two classes were formed, which -assembled weekly in the malt-kiln, the one conducted by Farmer Houston -and the other by Old Adam Olliver, whose deep and fervent piety, whose -plain and honest manner of speech and thought, won the sympathy and -love of his rude and ignorant flock in the most surprising manner. - -"Bless the Lord," Adam would say; "there's nowt ower hard for the -Lord! He's tee'an us up oot of a doonghill, an' setten us amang t' -princes ov 'is people! Mrs. Spink! you've helped te mak' monny a -beesom, bud t' beesom o' t' Lord's swept yer heart clean o' sin an' -misery; hezn't it? Keep on prayin', mah deear sister--'Porge mah wi' -hyssop an' ah sall be clean, wesh mah, an' ah sall be whiter then -snoa!'" - -Passing on to another, he would say--"Tinker Joe! the Lord's meead a -grand job o' you. There's neea tinkerin' when He begins. He clean -mak's ower ageean, seea that wer' souls can hod t' watter o' life." - -Nor was the experience, crudely and rudely expressed, of the new -converts much less vigorous and quaint, and even those who looked -askance at this sort of sensational religion, and even those who -opposed religion altogether, were constrained to acknowledge that a -marvellous change for the better had come over the denizens of Midden -Harbour. - -Amid all these startling experiences and developments, nothing was -more noteworthy than the conduct and characteristic energy which -distinguished Black Morris. He gathered together the poor little dirty -and ragged children, and formed them into a class, the nucleus -of a Sunday-school, and Sunday after Sunday taught them the -gracious lessons of Jesus and His love, with an aptitude and a -self-sacrificing zeal which were attended with results of the most -pleasing kind. In this work he was assisted by Hannah Olliver. -Dismissed from Waverdale Hall for her gross imprudence anent Aubrey -Bevan and the burglary, she had returned home, and under the wise -influences of her worthy old parents, her eyes were opened to a clear -conception of her foolishness and sin. She had commenced business for -herself as a milliner and dressmaker, for in the mysteries of these -arts she was a skilled adept. She had been brought to God in "the -great revival," and found a congenial employment in teaching the -little children their letters, and in pointing them to Jesus. In this -fashion the good work continued, prospered, and extended, until the -need of a chapel was simply vital, and it was felt that the -all-essential sanctuary must be provided. - -At a leaders' meeting, held at Farmer Houston's, that good man and -true said,-- - -"Well; it seems to me that we cannot possibly get on any further -without a chapel. We are so pressed with prosperity that we don't know -which way to turn." - -"Yes," said Nathan Blyth, "We are fairly driven into a corner. There's -no mistake about it; the time is ripe for it, if we could only get a -piece of ground." - -"Don't you think," said Mr. Clayton, "that Mr. Crabtree would now give -us a 'place to dwell in?' It's true his property is rather out of the -way, but I think he would listen to us." - -Adam Olliver, who had been listening with sparkling eyes to this -conversation, rubbing his hands together with delight, here broke -in,-- - -"You all seeam te be o' yah mind, 'at t' tahme's ripe for a chapil, -an' 'at we can't deea withoot it nae langer. Ah's just o' that opinion -mysen; and seea we may expect te get it. The Lord nivver works till t' -tahme _is_ ripe; an' He allus comes an' mak's bare His airm te meet a -heavy need. His 'and's allus riddy for a deead lift. He didn't splet -t' Rid Sea till Pharaoh's souldiers was treeading on t' 'eels ov His -people. He didn't cum te Abr'm till t' knife was lifted te slay his -son. He didn't cum tiv His disciples upo' t' sea when their lahtle -booat was toss'd aboot i' t' storm like a cockle-shell, till t' fowert -watch i' t' mornin'. He didn't cum te Peter till Herod was just -gannin' te bring him oot te dee. But He comm i' tahme te ivvery yan on -'em, an' he nivver cums ower leeat. Let things be a bit. Stand still, -an' see t' salvaytion o' God." - -As usual Old Adam Olliver's philosophy was unanswerable. They gave -themselves to the Word of God and to prayer, and separated, to "wait -for the Lord, more than they that watch for the morning." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - -"BALAAM" DECLARES HIMSELF A "SPIRITUALIST." - - "What may this mean, - That thou, dread corse, - Revisitest thus the glimpses of the moon, - Making night hideous?" - - _Shakespeare._ - - -Although two of the burglars engaged in the nocturnal attack on -Waverdale Hall had been safely lodged in gaol, the whole region round -about seemed to be infested with desperadoes, whose depredations where -continually being heard of, and whose outrages, alike on travellers -and dwellings, kept that portion of East Yorkshire in a state of -perpetual fear. Squire Fuller had not been able to obtain tidings of -the missing box, nor had the few and inefficient officers of justice -been able to lay hands on any other of these dangerous disturbers of -the public peace. To add to the general feeling of insecurity and -alarm, the villagers of Nestleton were much exercised by reports to -the effect that "Sister Agatha's ghost," to which my readers were -introduced in the first chapter of these veracious chronicles, had -latterly been seen by more than one belated villager who had passed -the ruins of the old Priory at the witching hour of night. Jake -Olliver, old Adam's son and foreman on Gregory Houston's farm, -declared that he himself, on his return from certain amatory visits to -Cowley Priory, had seen in the silvery moonlight the spirit of the -erratic nun, arrayed in flowing robes of white, and with a broad -crimson stain upon her breast. He saw her pace with outstretched arms -around the ruined walls, and then at a certain crumbling archway, -nearly overgrown with thorns and briars, a blue flame enveloped her, -and with a wild, weird shriek, she vanished from his sight. He did not -hesitate to confess that at the sight of that last phenomenon he took -to his heels and ran. - -The burly landlord of the Green Dragon, too, had seen the awful -apparition. He deposed to two uncanny tenants of the haunted pile; but -as he was rather partial to the spirit of malt, it is more than likely -that he had an alcoholic gift of second sight, a faculty for "seeing -double." Probably, even out of the mouth of two witnesses, the truth -would hardly have been established; but their story was confirmed in -its chief particulars by a pillar of the Church, no less a dignitary, -indeed, than the parish clerk. - -It is not to be wondered at that the resurrection of Sister Agatha, -who had for some years forgotten to revisit the glimpses of the moon, -became the subject of subdued and anxious conversation at the Green -Dragon. There was none of its _habitues_ who dared to cast a doubt -upon the story except Piggy Morris. That saturnine ex-farmer had not -given up his visits to the bar-room as the result of his late -experiences, though it must be acknowledged that they had lately -become few and far between. He did not hesitate to call the witnesses -a parcel of cowards, and to insinuate with a sneer that the moonlight -visitor was nothing more dreadful than Farmer Houston's white bullock, -which he himself had sold to its present owner some few weeks before. - -"It's all nonsense and gammon," said Piggy Morris, as he pulled away -at his pipe in the chimney corner, "I don't believe in ghosts, an' -them 'at does has got a maggot in their brains, in _my_ opinion." - -At this audacious utterance, the burly Boniface waxed exceeding wroth, -and being upheld by several beery supporters, who went in for the -ghost, blood-spot, blue-fire, scream and all, he replied,-- - -"I'll tell you what it is, Piggy Morris. I don't mind standing a quart -o' Plymouth gin, if you'll go at twelve o'clock to-night, and bring a -stone from the old Abbey with a bit of carving on it to show that -you've been there; an' what's more, I'll draw beer enough to keep the -company together till you come back again." - -This challenge, and the prospect of a good supply of foaming ale, won -the emphatic approval of the assembled topers, who loudly dared Piggy -Morris to show the courage of his opinions. - -"That's easily done," said Morris, bravely. "It'll be twelve by I get -there; I'm off." - -He rapidly made his way along the back lane of the village until he -arrived at the gate leading into the field, at the further corner of -which stood the dark secluded ruins, from whose crumbling walls he -meant to take the witness of his deed of daring. - -He did not feel exactly comfortable, but would not give himself time -to hesitate. He opened the gate, and noiselessly strode along the -paddock, towards the haunt of Sister Agatha's restless ghost. Lifting -his eyes towards the hoary gables, standing gaunt and grim in the -sombre night, he saw a sight which drove the blood from his beating -heart. There, right before him, he saw the identical ghost of the -suicidal nun! A tall figure draped in white, with cadaverous face, -looking all the more deathly for the conventual linen bound tightly -round the brow, and the dark blood-stain on her breast. She stretched -her arm in silent menace to the astonished Morris, who stood -transfixed with fear. Slowly advancing to the centre of the broken -arch, she stood a moment in statuesque stillness, a low murmur rose -from her bloodless lips, a lurid light shone round her and through -her, culminating in a bluish vapour, out of which shriek after shriek -echoed through the ruins. Then the darkness gathered as before, and -the stillness was unbroken, save for the screech of the night owls and -the twitter of birds which had been disturbed by the dread nocturnal -scream! Piggy Morris, in a perfect ecstasy of terror, turned and fled, -nor paused, till pallid and panting, he flung himself upon the oaken -settle, saying,-- - -"It's as true as Gospel! I've seen the ghost!" - -The next day Piggy Morris was driving his light cart over Nestleton -Wold, with half-a-dozen porkers, covered by a net, in the body of his -ramshackle vehicle. These he was about to dispose of at Kesterton -Market. Half-way up a steepish hill, he stopped to give his not too -flourishing steed a rest, just where Old Adam Olliver was "laying -down" a quick-set hedge. - -"Good mornin'," said that cheery rustic. "Good mornin', Maister -Morris. Then you're off te Kesterton. Ah wop you're tackin' yer pigs -tiv a feyn markit, as t' sayin' is; an' 'at you'll cum back wiv a -empty cart an' a full poss." - -"Nay, I haven't much hope as far as t' purse goes, but the pigs 'll -hev to stop, whether they fetch little or much. But I'm fair bothered -out of my wits this mornin', an' not in good trim for making -bargains." - -"Why, bless uz," said Adam, "Ah's sorry for that. What's matter wi' -yo'? Noo ah cum te leeak at yo', you deea leeak a bit seedy like. Ah -wop all's right at yam. Hoo's t' missis?" - -"Oh, she's all right, for anything I know. But I'll tell you what it -is, Adam. I've seen Sister Agatha's ghost!" - -"Why, bless me soul, Piggy Morris! You're t' last man i' t' wolld 'at -ah sud expect te say that. Ah didn't think 'at you'd neea mair sense -then te lissen te sitch an aud wife's teeale as that." - -"Why, I thought so myself," said Morris, in a tone of discontent at -having to succumb to the general belief. "But it isn't 'listenin',' as -you say. It's _seein'_; and 'seein's believin',' all the world round. -I tell you that I saw it last night about twelve o'clock, and I've not -got over it yet, and never shall, I doubt, for I was frightened out of -my seven senses." - -"Ha, ha! Ah fancy you must ha'e left all seven on 'em at yam. Ah's of -opinion 'at it's only fooaks 'at's letten their wits gan -wool-getherin' 'at sees that sooart o' cattle. Ah've been up an' doon -this neighbourhood for weel-nigh seventy year, an' aud Balaam there's -been wi' ma' meeast o' t' tahme; an' ah've niwer seen nowt na warse -then him, an' he's niwer seen nowt mair awful then me. Balaam! hez -thoo ivver seen a boggle?" - -Whatever may have been the cause of the coincidence, it is true that, -at that moment, Balaam was taken with one of those odd cantrips -peculiar to his tribe. He cocked his ears, set his tail on end, and -giving vent to a loud and continuous hee-ho that made the welkin ring, -he galloped round and round, as if in vigorous protest against the -sweeping scepticism of his matter-of-fact proprietor. - -"There," said Piggy Morris, with a sarcastic grin, "even your donkey -rebukes your unreasonable want of faith, and looks for all the world -as though he saw a ghost this minute." - -"Why," said Adam laughing, "he _diz_ seeam te differ fre' ma' in his -judgment; but what can yo' expect frev a donkey? Mebbe," and this with -a humorous twinkle in his eye, "it's gi'en te hasses te see ghausts -an' te donkeys te beleeave in 'em; but I isn't gannin' te pin mah -faith te what they can testify, you may depend on't." - -Piggy Morris was very irate at the uncomplimentary imputation. -"Donkeys here or donkeys there," said he, "I tell you that I went o' -purpose to see for myself, because I would not believe what folks -said." - -"Why, if yo went te leeak for it, it isn't mitch wunder 'at yo' fun' -it. It was i' ye'r fancy an' ye'r een afoore yo' went. An' as yo' -teeak it wi' yo', it wad ha'e been a wunder if yo' hadn't catch'd a -glint on't. Maister Morris! if yo' wad nobbut gi'e ye'r heart te God, -that'll lay all t' ghausts i' t' wolld i' t' Rid Sea!" - -"Nonsense," said Piggy Morris, who did not mind the practical turn the -conversation was taking. Mounting his cart, he drove off to Kesterton -Market to dispose of his porkers, and to tell his nocturnal adventures -to more credulous hearers in the infragrant bar-room of the Cowley -Arms. - -Adam Olliver picked up his slashing-knife and hedging-gloves, and -mounting that disciple of spiritualism, his four-footed retainer, he -cantered homeward, saying,-- - -"Balaam! If there is a ghaust, as thoo seeams te think, thoo an' me -mun see it, an' ah promise tha' 'at if thoo dizn't run away, ah -weean't, an' we'll hev a crack o' talk wi' Sister Agatha's ghaust." - -O, Adam Olliver! are you not aware that there are things between -heaven and earth not dreamt of in your philosophy? Both you and Balaam -will see the "sight horrific," before many days are over, and when -that great event transpires, then, as the immortaliser of John Gilpin -says, "May I be there to see!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII - -PIGGY MORRIS HEARS A "KNOCK AT THE DOOR." - - "The specious sermons of a learned man - Are little else but flashes in the pan; - The mere haranguing upon (what they call) - Morality is powder without ball; - But he who preaches with a Christian grace, - Fires at our vices, and the shot takes place." - - _John Byrom._ - - -The service at the malt-kiln in Midden Harbour continued to be -attended with results most gratifying to the little band who had made -so bold a raid on territory long held by the devil in undisputed -peace. One Sunday evening the rude platform-pulpit was occupied by -Nathan Blyth, who, as my readers know, was a very effective local -preacher. The place was well filled by an eager but decorous crowd. -Few of the residents in Midden Harbour were absent from the service, -and a goodly number of people from the higher part of the village, and -even from other places, had assembled to hear "the word of the Lord." -There were many there who, a little while ago, were little better, -either in habits or appearance, than the Gadarene demoniac, who were -now, thanks to the Great Miracle-worker, "sitting clothed, and in -their right mind." Nathan Blyth, as a preacher, was in great request -at Midden Harbour, and it is no disparagement of the itinerant -preachers to say that Nathan was, on the whole, and before that -audience, even more popular than they. On the present occasion, Nathan -was speaking to a "people prepared of the Lord," to expect in simple -trust and confidence the manifestations of the saving power of God. At -the further end of the malt-kiln sat Piggy Morris, who had hitherto -apparently withstood the gracious influences around him. He was not, -however, by any means contented or at ease. The combined influence of -his great favourite, Lucy Blyth, his son John's remarkable conversion -and deliverance, the wise and well-timed visits of Mr. Clayton, the -earnest and honest activity of Mr. Mitchell, as well as the quiet -influence of his own godly daughter, had all conspired to make Piggy -Morris out of love with himself. The wonderful revival, too, though it -had not as yet seemed to lay much hold on him, had nevertheless -brought messages and impressions that rendered him unhappy and -discontented with himself, and at this stage, with everybody else; not -at all an uncommon state of things this, in those who are not far from -the kingdom of God. - -Nathan Blyth preached a most touching and effective sermon from the -words, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock!" "You see," he said, -"that the Lord is outside the sinner's heart! He dwells in the bosom -of the Father, and is His glory and delight. He dwells in the angels, -and fills them with His glory! He dwells in the happy saints in -heaven, and their bliss is complete. He dwells in the heart of every -Christian believer here, and they are happy in His love. Everybody is -happy who has Jesus in his heart. He doesn't dwell in the hearts of -devils, and their misery is complete. Sinner! He does not dwell in -your heart, and you are ripening for the same ruin. You are hastening -to that dark place where the doors can never be opened inward to admit -Him, or outward to release you from the terrors of the second death. - -"But, my dear friends, though Christ is outside, He dearly wants to -come in. And what for, think you? Because He loves you! His love for -you brought Him from heaven to earth, led Him to Calvary, and brings -Him to your heart's door, where He stands to-night! He wants to come -in! He knows how bad and sad, how poor and helpless you are, and so He -'knocks' and says, 'Let Me in! Thy soul is perishing; I can save it! -Thy enemies are legion; I can conquer them! Thy needs are great; I can -supply them! Thy sorrows are many; I can lift them! Thy tears fall -fast; I can dry them! Thy sins are red like crimson; I can make thee -white as snow! Poor, lost, helpless, dying sinner, I can save thee! I -am thy Friend. I love thee! I died for thee! Now I plead with thee. -Sinner, poor sinner, let Me in!' - -"But there's somebody in already that keeps Him out. Satan is in the -heart. He has no right to it; but he has got it, and has become king -of it. His commands are wicked, but they are obeyed. His counsels are -deadly, but they are followed. That strong man armed holds his -ill-gotten goods, and the world and the flesh help him to keep the -house which he has stolen from the Lord Jesus. The devil fills it with -bad company, with selfishness, with wicked thoughts and lusts, with -worldliness and pleasure. It is like a great warehouse, or an -overcrowded inn, and _there's no room_ for Jesus. He stands knocking -and asking, that loving Saviour! and He gets no answer except the -laughter or the scorn of the unrighteous guests inside. The door is -shut! the bars and bolts are all shot into their sockets; Prejudice -and Pride double-lock the door; a big dead-weight of stone called -'don't care' is rolled against it, and the porter cries gruffly -through the keyhole, 'Go Thy way; when it's convenient I'll let Thee -know!' Oh, what a wonder that Jesus does not come with the hammer of -judgment, and nail the door to, and leave him to perish, with his own -heart for his coffin, and his sins for his grave! But no, no! Although -there's a deaf ear and a closed door, Jesus stands, with bowed head -and folded hands, waiting, praying for thee, and crying, 'The time is -short, poor sinner; let Me in!' - -"Sinner, don't you hear how He knocks? He knocks at your common sense, -and says, 'Come, and let us reason together!' He knocks at your -feelings, tells you of His sufferings, agony, and death, and says, 'I -suffered this for you!' He knocks at your hopes; He tells you of peace -and victory, of immortality and life. 'There's a heaven for you, only -let Me in!' He knocks at your fears, and tells you, weeping as He -speaks, of the undying worm and the unquenchable fire. And all the -while He pleads, and calls, and prays, and entreats, 'Poor sinner, let -Me in!' - -"Sinner, don't you hear His voice? Listen to your own _conscience_. -That's His voice; what does it say? Listen! It says, 'Open the door!' -Hark to His ministers; they're His voice. They give knock after knock, -message after message, with a 'thus saith the Lord' Can anybody knock -louder or call more tenderly than the good men who come here to say, -as they do say with tears, for their Master's sake, 'Poor sinner, let -Him in?' Listen to your mercies; they're His voice. If you count them -they are more in number than the hairs of your head. Listen to your -troubles; they're His voice, and bid you ask Jesus in to cure them. I -tell you the knockings and the voices are always at it; and Jesus is -speaking through them all, as He sees your sad and desperate -condition--'Poor sinner, open the door and let Me in!' - -"The wonder of it is that He waits so patient and so long. He won't -break in. It's your house, and you can do as you like. You have liked -for years to keep the devil and the world in, and you've had your way. -If you want them turned out, it can soon be done, only give Him -liberty. No, He won't break in, but He will wait. Why, He has been -waiting for some of you for twenty, thirty, or forty years, and more. -It seems as though His love can't be tired. Sometimes you nearly gave -way, and put your hand on the latch; but the good impression passed -away. You turned from the door, took your seat again to warm yourself -by your besetting sin; and Jesus, what did He do? He listened, sighed, -and wept, and waited still. Oh, how long He stands! You would not wait -long if you had come to offer anybody a favour. No; you would say, 'If -they don't want it, let them go without it.' Oh, thank God, that Jesus -doesn't! Sinner, He has been waiting through your merry youth, waiting -all along your mis-spent manhood, and now, when your back is bending, -and your hair is turning grey, and you are going graveward into the -shadow of death, the loving Saviour is waiting still. Hark to Him: 'O, -Ephraim, how shall I give thee up! Open to me, my beloved, for my head -is filled with dew, and my locks are wet with the drops of the night! -The time is very short. Sinner! poor sinner, let Me in!' - -"If you'll only admit Him, He will be a glorious and welcome guest. He -says, 'I will come into him, and sup with him, and he with me.' It is -true the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him, yet He will dwell in a -humble and contrite heart, aye, and bring heaven with Him, too. Is -there a poor sinner here who says, 'No, that cannot be; I wish He were -in my heart, but there's no room; my heart is full of guests, and, -alas! they have become my masters, and I'm their slave?' Still Christ -says, 'Never mind their numbers or their power. Open the door; I will -first bind the strong man, and then expel him to make joyful room for -thee and Me.' - -"But maybe the poor sinner is saying, 'It can't be, Lord, for even if -Thy enemies were gone, the chamber is so dirty, and the place so -filthy and unclean, that there is no place for Thy pure presence.' -'Never mind,' says Jesus; 'open the door! I will not only thrust out -the tyrants, but I will wash thy heart in the fountain of My precious -blood. I will purge thee with hyssop, and thou shalt be clean. I will -wash thee, and thou shalt be whiter than snow.' - -"Here again the poor sorrowing sinner says, 'Yes, Lord; come in, but -not to sup with me, not to sit at my table. I have nothing to set -before Thee. I myself am hungry, but I have no bread.' Still the -Saviour says, 'Never mind; open the door! I will bring the bread; I -will spread the feast; I will do everything for thee; only open the -door and let Me in!' O, my brothers, my sisters, all He wants is a -willing heart; an open door; an honest invitation! Give it Him now, -just now. Say, 'Come in, my Lord, come in!' Hark! 'I will come in, -never more to leave thee, alike when skies are shining and clouds are -frowning. I'll fill thee for ever with peace and joy. Thou shalt go to -the grave rejoicing, through the river of death with a song, into the -home of glory, the mansions of the blest.' Then He will say, 'Thou -didst open thy heart to Me; I will open My house to thee. Thou didst -take Me for thy guest, now thou shalt sit at My table.' The Guest of -earth becomes the Host in heaven, and all who give the Saviour welcome -here are sure of a glorious welcome yonder. - -"But if you persist in your refusal to open the door, He will one day -go away. 'I stand,' He says; He does not sit. Maybe from some of you -He is already turning away. If He goes, you are lost. Oh, stop Him; -open the door! Remember, Death is waiting as well as Jesus. Waiting, -not for your hand to open, but for the bidding of the Saviour to -_break in_. Then, Jesus has gone; then you will knock, but all in -vain. You will pass through another door. It shall be shut upon you by -the hand of Him who so long tried the latch of yours, and when He -shuts no man can open. But, thank God, sinner,-- - - 'He _now_ stands knocking at the door - Of every sinner's heart; - The worst need keep Him out no more'"---- - -"That's me!" shouted Piggy Morris, in a surging agony of deep -conviction. He sprang out from his seat just within the door, and -rushing forward to a form placed in front of the pulpit, the usual -praying-place for penitents, and falling upon his knees, cried aloud -for mercy like the publican of old. Nathan Blyth instantly gave out -the verse,-- - - "Jesus, the name that charms our fears, - And bids our sorrows cease, - 'Tis music in the sinner's ears, - 'Tis life, and health, and peace." - -Kneeling by the side of Morris, who was soon joined by many others who -had been pierced by the two-edged sword, Nathan simply and wisely -directed the seeking sinner to the Cross. The meeting was held far on -into the night, and of course the denouncers of religious excitement, -then, as now, had much to say in condemnation of such fanatical and -unreasonable doings. Piggy Morris struggled hard and long. When such a -nature as his is grappled with by the spirit of conviction, there is -sure to be a sore fight. At length Lucy Blyth came forward, and -kneeling by his side, took his hand in hers, and whispered in his -ear,-- - -"The door's open, Mr. Morris. Isn't it?" - -"It is! it is!" was the energetic answer. - -"Jesus is on the threshold. Isn't He? Hark! 'I _will_ come in!' Isn't -it true?" - -"Yes, Lord! come in!" - -Leaping to his feet, and almost throwing Lucy down in his excitement, -he exclaimed,-- - -"He _is_ in! Glory be to God! Jesus is my Saviour! Mine!" and so, like -the lame man, he, too, went in through the Beautiful gate of the -temple "walking and leaping and praising God!" - -"Let me go and tell Sally!" he shouted, and running out of the -malt-kiln, he went to tell his wife the sweetest news she had heard -from him, poor woman, since, more than thirty years ago, she had stood -by his side at the marriage altar in Nestleton Church. The good woman -could but weep and sob in voiceless gratitude, as he cast himself at -her feet and said,-- - -"Sally, my lass, the Lord has forgiven me, and so must you!" - -Can we doubt that all the weary trials of the years were blotted out -in that delightful moment, and that Sarah Morris knew she held again -to her heart the loving husband of her youth! - -No grander and more triumphant issue ever attended the preached Word -than that which, that day, crowned the labours of Nathan Blyth, the -local preacher. No prelatic hands had ever been laid upon his head; no -solemn ordination vows had ever set him apart for the high and holy -calling; no clerical training or episcopal degree had ever given him -conventional status as a minister of Christ; but God had sent him, his -Church had called him, the love of Christ sustained him, and neither -Paul nor Peter had a higher warrant for the message they proclaimed. - -There is a lamentable tendency in these days among the Methodist -people to look askance at the local preachers. In many places they are -unacceptable in town and city pulpits; they are relegated to small and -unimportant spheres of labour. The natural consequence is a marked -indisposition on the part of young and capable men to enter the local -ranks, and an outcry on the part of superintendent ministers that -appointments are difficult to supply. Let Methodism beware! Let her be -careful how she trifles with this agency, so rife with power and -blessing. The enrolment of this glorious army was one of Wesley's -grandest inspirations, and in the day when her local preachers fail -her, Methodism will be as weak as Samson was when his locks were -shorn. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - -SQUIRE FULLER INTRODUCES AN INNOVATION. - - "List to the Saviour's words: 'Where two or three - Meet in My name, there in the midst am I.' - Believe, and welcome to thy family - The gracious Guest; and by His blessing try - How much domestic bliss and amity - Hang on domestic worship's hallowing tie." - - _Bishop Mant._ - - -After Squire Fuller had returned home from the county business which -demanded his presence in the ancient town of York, he found himself -much exercised in mind, as to certain important matters which pressed -upon his notice. Lucy Blyth's sudden departure was a surprise, and he -was bound to acknowledge to himself that it was an unwelcome one. The -fair girl had cast around him the magic spell which had taken captive -all who came within its influence. Her presence in his lonely mansion, -long unbrightened by the sweet subtleties of woman, had thrown more -than a gleam of sunshine through its stiff and stately grandeur; her -wondrous magic had given back to him the son of his right hand; her -cheerful and attractive piety had excited something more in him than -admiration; and her sweet songs of Zion and her clear witness for her -Saviour had touched his heart. These things, together with his own -son's beautiful and consistent religious profession, and his -convincing testimony of the power of Christianity, had left his harsh -and narrow scepticism without a leg to stand on. Besides all this, -Lucy had undoubtedly saved his own life by her well-aimed blow on the -extended arm of the villain, Buckley. He felt that he must make some -return to her, commensurate with the weighty and unspeakable service -she had rendered, but how to set about it, under the peculiar -circumstances of the case, he did not know. Then, again, he felt in -his conscience that both she and Philip had possession of some secret -inborn talisman which brought them peace, happiness, and hope, to -which he was an utter and a miserable stranger. Intelligence of "the -great revival" had reached him through the medium of his son, who was -as yet unable to endure excitement and exposure, but who was kept well -posted up as to the course of Methodist events, by his much-loved -class-leader and minister, the Rev. Matthew Mitchell. The marvellous -change which had come over Midden Harbour, and the other delightful -results of that great movement, were all told to the wondering squire -by his son, whose pale face was lit up the while, with a heaven-born -joy, as he related the triumphs of the Gospel; and the poor old -squire, drawn more and more by the unseen hand of Him who was "lifted -up" for this very purpose, had a chronic heartache for the possession -of the heaven-sent secret which was such a treasure to his son. Other -witness, too, was now forthcoming, which still more clearly evidenced -the mighty power of Methodism, hitherto despised, to work the highest -moral wonders, and to produce in the hardest hearts and most unlikely -cases, the sterling results of that Gospel which its ministers and -people so vigorously proclaimed. - -Immediately after that notable Sunday, on which Piggy Morris found -peace with God, Squire Fuller received the following letter:-- - - "HONOURED SIR,--Years ago you turned me off the farm on which I - was born, and which was rented by my father before me. You did - justly, and only what I deserved. From that day until now I have - hated you and yours, and would have gone far and done much to - work you harm. There was a triumphant vengeance in my heart when - circumstances led me to believe that I could strike at you - through your son. I deeply repent, and would hereby express my - bitter sorrow for the trouble my wicked hate has caused. God has - shown me the greatness of my sin; He has shown me the greatness - of His mercy; He has forgiven my sin. I pray you, forgive me - also. I desire to subscribe myself, with great respect, - - "Yours humbly and repentingly, - - "GEORGE MORRIS." - -"Well! that's a miracle, at any rate," said the squire, as he handed -the letter to his son; "that's casting out a devil of no ordinary -strength and size. I am bound to say it is a most satisfactory letter, -and I shall write and express my pleasure at the receipt of it." - -"And your hearty compliance with his request?" said Philip. - -"Certainly, my boy; George Morris's conduct shall be forgotten and -forgiven." - -"Father!" said Philip, softly and half timidly; "Is not that a -miracle, too?" - -The old gentleman, once stiff, stately, proud and unyielding to a -degree, was compelled to feel that he himself had marvellously -changed. He knew that that change had been largely wrought by the son -he had received from the dead, and by the fair girl who had gotten so -strong a hold upon his heart. - -"Yes, Philip," and the father's eyes reddened with suffusing tears, -"I'm bound to own that I too am something other, and I think, better -than I was." - -Philip wisely and prudently said no more, but his soul was full of a -yearning love to his mollified and chastened parent and of gratitude -to God, who was so evidently leading him by a way he knew not, to a -hitherto undiscovered resting-place for intellect and heart. - -In the course of the day the squire met his head gamekeeper. - -"Well, Hatfield," said he, "how are you getting on?" - -"Why, sir," said Hatfield, touching his hat, "we don't seem to have -very much to do now. A fortnight or two since, me and my mates were in -peril of our lives, and Waverdale Woods were as flush of poachers as -they were of game; but they seem to be pretty nearly all gone." - -"Gone? What's gone? The game?" - -"No, sir; the poachers. I haven't seen a snare set, or heard a gun for -three weeks, and the hares that were snared at the beginning of that -time we had the pleasure of taking ourselves." - -"I'm very glad to hear it, Hatfield. But how do you account for it?" - -"Why, sir, it's all owing to the Methodist preaching in Midden -Harbour. I met Potter Bill the other day, and I said, 'Why, Bill, -you've given us no trouble lately.' He said, 'No, I ha'nt, an' what's -mair, ah nivver sall nae mair. God's been givin' me trubble i'steead. -Methody preeachers ez been pooachin' i' Midden Harbour, an' they've -aboot bagged all t' game i' t' spot. You can tell Squire Fuller 'at he -may knock off hoaf-a-dozen watchers, for we shan't worrit him nae -mair.'" - -"Capital!" said the squire. "I'm sure I ought to be heartily obliged -to them, and to the Methodist parsons, too. By the way, do you know -anything about them yourself?" - -"Yes, sir. I go to their preachings sometimes on a Sunday night; -indeed I may say every Sunday." - -"Why, I thought you went to church, Hatfield, like the rest of my -servants," said the squire, with half a frown. - -"Yes, so I do, sir: but that's in the morning, you know; and as I go -to church because you wish it, I felt myself free to go to chapel as -well." - -"Because I wish it?" said the squire. "Wouldn't you go if I had no -wish on the subject? Surely the parish church is the proper place for -the people of the parish to go to." - -"Why, sir, I'm quite sure that nearly all the servants at the hall -_do_ go because you wish it, and for nothing else. Parson Elliott -would have very few else. Among the Methodists things is plainer and -more hearty like. I own I like it best myself." - -"But the Liturgy of the Church of England, Hatfield, is one of the -most beautiful compositions in the English language, and nothing can -be better for public worship." - -"Yes, sir, I dare say it is; but it doesn't seem to come from the -heart like the Methodist preacher's does. He prays without any book at -all, and the things he asks for comes so pat that you can't help -joining in them. At the church it only seems to send us to sleep, and -as for the sermons, Parson Elliott reads something for ten minutes, -and it's all over. But Mr. Clayton, and Mr. Mitchell, and Nathan -Blyth, they preach right out of their heads and hearts, for -half-an-hour or more, and one can't help thinking about what they -say." - -It would be well if certain degenerate Methodist preachers of modern -times, who read their sermons without a blush, would take to heart -this witness of the honest gamekeeper, and mend their evil and utterly -unacceptable ways. The strength of Methodism has been chiefly in the -pulpit, and the introduction of manuscript sermons into that place of -power sadly mars its effect, and leaves the congregation, like -Gideon's fleece, "unwatered still and dry." - -The squire turned away from the loquacious gamekeeper to ponder on the -results of Methodist "poaching" and Methodist preaching, and he felt -half inclined to go himself and hear what the thing was like. Nor did -his day's experiences end here, for as he retraced his steps, walking -as his wont was with his head bent down and his hands behind him, he -suddenly came upon Adam Olliver, who was returning homewards from his -daily labour, on the back of Balaam. The squire was walking on the -grassy path by the roadside, and the short winter's day was fast -deepening into night, so that neither form nor foot betrayed his -presence to the happy old hedger, who was, as usual, opening his mind -to his dumb companion, without any reserve. Conversation with bipedal -donkeys needs a strong infusion of the latter article; with Balaam, -however, the case was different. - -"Balaam, aud boy," the old man was saying, "a warse crew then them i' -Midden Harbour couldn't be fun' atween York and Lunnun, an' ivvery yan -on 'em 'll be browt te God. His seeaving grace is cum te Potter Bill -an' Nanny Spink, just as it com te t' yung squire, for the Lord mak's -nae difference. May the Lord seeave t' aud squire. He nobbut wants t' -luv o' Jesus iv 'is 'eart te be a blessin' te all Waverdale, an' then -t' new chapil wad be built iv a twinklin'." - -"Hem!" coughed the squire loudly, still keeping in the shade, deepened -now by overhanging trees. - -"Massy on uz! Ah did'nt knoa there was onnybody there!" - -"Good evening!" said the squire. "You are just coming from work, I -suppose." - -"Hey! Ah've been deeain' a lahtle bit, but ah isn't up te mitch -noo-a-days. Ah can nobbut faddle aboot a bit wi' me slashin'-knife, -an' if t' maister nobbut payd me what ah addled, there wad be a good -monny mair pennies then shillin's te draw o' Setterda' neets. Are yo' -gannin' te Nestleton?" - -"Yes, I'm going in that direction for a little way." - -"That's right. Ah's fond ov a bit o' cumpany, tho' ah mak's a shift te -get on withoot. Ah was talkin' te Balaam, when ah heeard yo' cough." - -"That's the name of your donkey, I suppose?" said the squire, with a -smile. - -"Yes. He hezn't mitch te say te ma' i' answer, tho' noo an' then he's -noisy aneeaf, bud he's a varry good lissener, at onny rate he's better -then nowt. Ah reckon you've heeard what's bin gannin' o' in Midden -Harbour latly. The Lord's been gettin' tiv Hissen a glorious victh'ry, -an' scoores o' poor sowls hez been tonned frae darkness te leet, an' -frae t' poo'er o' Satan te God. De yo' knoa owt aboot that, ah -wunder?" - -"Not much, I'm afraid," said the squire, who was getting more than he -bargained for. - -"Why then, bless yo', why nut? Jesus dee'd fo' yo', bare your sins iv -His aun body upo' t' tree. Try Him! Beleeave iv Him, an' ah'll lay me -life He'll mak' yo' as 'appy as yo' can live." - -"Then you are happy, are you?" - -"'Appy! Prayse the Lord. Ah sud think I is, an' hae been for mair then -fifty year; an' this minnit ah knoa nowt sae sartain as that Jesus is -my Saviour, an' 'at me' neeame's written i' t' Lamb's Book ov Life." - -"What were you saying about a new chapel, when I overtook you? Is -there likely to be one in Nestleton?" - -"Hey, mair then likely, it's sartain. Meeast o' t' monney's riddy, and -noo the Lord's gi'en us a congregation an' a society riddy, we're -nobbut waitin' for t' squire te be riddy, an' then we sall 'rise an' -build.'" - -"But have you any hope that the squire is likely to be ready? I -thought he had refused you a piece of ground long since." - -"Why, seea he did--nay, nut exactly refused oot an' oot; bud he said -he wad tak' tahme te think aboot it, an' we've been prayin' and -beleeavin' an' waitin' ivver since; an' bless yo', ah've neea mair -doot aboot it, then I hev 'at t' squire hisself 'll cum te Jesus, an' -be meead as 'appy as Maister Philip is, God bless 'im. Ah tell yo', -that yung man's a glorious and noble fello' 'at 'll sum day be yan o' -t' greeatest blessin's Waverdale's ivver knoan." - -"And you really hope that the squire himself will become a Methodist, -do you?" - -"Why, ah didn't say that. A man 'at's a Methodist an' nowt else is -like a nut withoot a kennil, or a tree withoot sap, bud ah said 'at t' -squire 'll becum a Christian. Why, his sun's prayin' for it, an' ah -nivver lets a day pass withoot prayin' for it mysen--an' mah lahtle -class 'at meets i' my hoose ivvery Thosday, prays for 'im as reg'lar -as t' neet cums. He's bun' te be seeaved, God bless 'im! an' he's bun' -te give us a bit o' land for a chapil!" - -"Well, good evening. I hope you will succeed," said the squire, for -here his road diverged. - -"Good neet te yo', an' ah wop 'at you'll finnd yer way te t' Cross. -That's the spot for all on uz! Good neet." - -Old Adam Olliver went on his way, utterly unconscious as to the -identity of his companion, and when seated by his humble fireside, he -told Judy that he had just had the chance of "sayin' a wod for Jesus." -Meanwhile Squire Fuller bent his steps to the gate of Waverdale Park, -saying to himself, "Praying for me, are they? Thank God for it." As he -passed through the park gate, he saw the household of Gaffer Green, -the lodge-keeper, kneeling round their little room at family prayer. -The lighted candle on the round table shone through the diamond panes -of the cottage window, and Squire Fuller saw the open Bible, the -spectacles laid upon them, the kneeling forms of wife, and son, and -daughter, and the uplifted face of the white-haired old man, as he -commended his household to God. "God forgive me!" sighed he to -himself, and then, with a firm step, as though some new resolve was -born in him, he hastened home. That earnest prayer was heard in -heaven, and its answer was recorded in his own submissive and -believing heart! - -For a little while neither Philip nor his father spoke. The former -thought he saw a change in his father's countenance, a new light in -his eye; the latter was lost in solemn but not unpleasant thought. - -"Philip!" said he, at last, "ask the butler to call all the servants -in for family prayer." - -Philip threw one quick and joyful glance, which fell with an ineffable -benediction on the father's heart, and hastened to give the welcome -message. Without one prefatory word, the squire read the fifty-third -chapter of Isaiah to the amazed and wondering household. Then as they -knelt around, he opened the unfamiliar prayer-book, and began to read. -The printed form was too strait for him; he broke away on the -flood-tide of the new life which had come to him. He pleaded, praised, -and prayed, until the most indifferent was melted into tears. After -commending them all to the watchful care of Heaven, they rose from -their knees, and the two were left alone. Philip could contain himself -no longer; he flung himself upon the old man's neck, and wept with -joy. The stars that night looked down upon no holier spot than that -stately home in which the Ark of God had found an honoured place. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV. - -LUCY BLYTH HAS AN EYE ON "LANDED PROPERTY." - - "Avaunt all specious pliancy of mind - In men of low degree, all smooth pretence! - I better like a blunt indifference - And self-respecting slowness, disinclined - To win me at first sight:--and be there joined - Patience and temperance with this high reserve,-- - Honour that knows the path and will not swerve; - Affections which if put to the proof are kind; - And piety towards God." - - _Wordsworth._ - - -It will be necessary to retrace our steps a little, and turn our -attention to Lucy Blyth and the heir of the House of Waverdale. Lucy's -hasty and unexpected departure from Waverdale Hall and Squire Fuller's -compulsory absence on county business, had prevented that grateful -recipient of her services and hearty admirer of her character from -rendering her at once the thanks to which she was entitled, and from -bestowing on her such reward as was in any sense commensurate with the -exceeding value of the good work she had wrought. Eventually he wrote -her a letter full of unstinted gratitude, and stated therein that he -should count it an honour and a privilege to oblige her in any way -that was in his power. He avowed that she had saved his son's life -from the fever, and his own from the burglar; that she had been the -means of bringing to him thoughts and feelings concerning religion to -which he had long been a stranger; and that, though he felt such -services were priceless and beyond compensation, he entreated her to -test his sincerity and regard in any way she chose. The answer he -received was couched as follows:-- - - "DEAR SIR,--God has enabled me to do my duty under very trying - circumstances. That duty would have been more willingly - performed for the poorest family in Nestleton. Your thanks, and - the sense of having done what was right, fully repay me. I am - thankful to God that Master Philip is spared to you, and if my - short stay at Waverdale Hall has enabled me in any way to alter - your views and feelings about religion, I am thankful all the - more. As you so earnestly press me to receive some - acknowledgment at your hands, I will not refuse so generous an - offer. If you will give a plot of ground on which to build a - Methodist chapel so that the Methodists of Nestleton may be able - to worship God in comfort under their own vine and fig-tree, you - will not only confer the greatest favour upon me, but will win - the lasting gratitude of a poor and worthy people, who will - richly repay you in their prayers for your happiness and - prosperity. - - "I remain, - - "Yours most respectfully, - - "LUCY BLYTH." - -This missive was placed by the butler in the hands of the squire as he -sat in his customary chair by the library fire; his son and heir, now -quite recovered from the trying ordeal through which he had passed, -though still somewhat pale of countenance, sitting opposite. Mr. -Fuller could not help smiling with satisfaction at Lucy's unselfish -response to his letter of inquiry, and at the admirable persistency -with which she pleaded the cause of her people. - -"Your correspondence amuses you, father," said Philip, as he noted the -smile on the old man's face. - -"Amuses me, you think, do you?" said the squire, assuming a serious -air. "I wonder whether it will amuse you. Here's a pretty effusion -from your model young lady!" - -"What, Lucy?" said Philip, with an honest blush and such a manifest -interest, that it was not hard to see that our youthful lover was -quite as much enchained to that young lady's chariot wheels as ever; -"May I ask what it is?" - -"Why, I wrote to convey to her our hearty thanks for the -unquestionably important services she has rendered, and I foolishly -promised to account myself her debtor for any reward she might name, -and this is the advantage she takes of my unguarded offer!" - -"No unfair advantage, I'll be bound," quoth Philip, stoutly; "she is -altogether too good for that." - -"Oh, you think so? Well, then, let me tell you; the covetous little -minx has had the audacity to ask for a portion of my estate." - -"Estate!" said Philip, in blank amaze. "I'll never believe it. Never; -no, not if I saw it in her own handwriting." - -"Well," said the squire, inwardly amused and strongly impressed with -his son's unswerving loyalty to the village maiden, but looking at the -same time sufficiently serious, "Then it's no use showing you the -letter; but I tell you, here it is, in black and white, and signed -with her own name." The squire here placed the precious little -signature beneath his eyes. "Won't you believe it now?" - -"No," said Philip, stoutly; "nothing in the world will make me believe -anything other than that Lucy Blyth is as free from self-seeking and -greed as the sunlight that flows out of heaven; and, what is more, I -believe my father is of the same opinion." - -"Well, then, take and read it for yourself, you sceptic, and you will -see that the charge I bring against her is absolutely true; so you -may prepare your mind for a definite diminishing of your own -inheritance, thanks to my thoughtless promise, which, on the honour of -a Fuller, may never be withdrawn." - -Philip read the letter, and lifting a bright and hopeful glance at his -father, said,-- - -"And you will grant this request?" - -"Certainly, Master Philip; when did your father ever break his promise -or shirk his word?" - -Quick to perceive the underlying willingness of his father's somewhat -ostentatious reverence for a promise, Philip rose from his seat, -exclaiming, "Father, you are doing this for Lucy's sake!" - -"Master Philip, don't under-estimate my fidelity to a pledge," said -the father, with a happy smile; "and now that you are fairly given -back to me, I feel bound to offer you the same privilege. 'What is thy -request, and I will give it to thee, even to the half of my kingdom?'" - -"Give me Lucy," said Philip, with his heart upon his lips. - -"That's beyond my power, and rests with the excellent blacksmith and -his glorious girl. But I'll give you permission to make the -application, and from my heart, my boy, I hope your request will not -be made in vain." - -Overpowered with love, gratitude, and joy, Philip stood silent, with -his heart too full for speech; but nothing could be more eloquent than -the look which sent an exquisite thrill of gladness through his -father's heart. - -"Philip, my son," said the squire, "My eyes are open at last, thank -God! God's dealings with us have been wonderful, and I am bound to say -that His providential guidance has all the while been answering Adam -Olliver's prayers. Your own and Lucy's conduct, under circumstances of -the most trying kind, had furnished proof which there is no -gainsaying, of the great and holy power of real religion. The -beautiful loyalty to duty, the ungrudging self-sacrifice, the -elevated motives which actuate Lucy Blyth, led me to study -Christianity from a new stand-point; and your own clear, triumphant -testimony of the saving grace of God, compared so grandly with the -cold and heartless scepticism I had largely imbibed, that my -prejudices were compelled to give way, and at length beneath the -shadow of the Cross I found 'rest to my soul.' As for Lucy Blyth, good -and pure and beautiful in every relation of life, I will not, do not -wish, to place a straw in the way of her becoming your wife, and I -believe her to be singularly fitted for the high station she will be -called upon to fill. Strange to say, I have now doubts which tend to -sadden me, that she will not be induced to accept the alliance which -once I opposed with all the bitterness of prejudice and pride. This -one thing I know, that if you can but win her consent, I will welcome -her to my house and heart, as a daughter, with as warm a love as I -give my son." - -We draw the curtain on the scene, and leave the two, now one in a -higher, holier, happier sense than they had ever been before. - - * * * * * - -As may be imagined, Philip did not permit the grass to grow under his -feet, but speedily made his way to the village Forge. - -Nathan Blyth had regained his old cheerfulness. The light of his -hearth had been re-lit by Lucy's return, and so, as of old, he was -singing the songs of Zion, as his hammer rang on the anvil, making -merry music because his heart was glad. The red forge fire sent its -inviting glow in long ribbons of rosy light athwart the December -gloom, crimsoning the light snow-flakes which besprinkled the frosty -ground, tinging the hedgerow and the tall poplar boles with its -radiant hue, and gilding the implements of husbandry which were -gathered for repairs outside the door. When Philip approached the -smithy door, Blithe Natty's voice was heard above the ringing anvil, -and this was the harmonious blacksmith's song,-- - -THE RIVER OF THE WATER OF LIFE. - -_Ezekiel_ xlvii, 9. - - O glad proclamation! - The stream of salvation - Is flowing from Calvary's Cross-crownèd hill; - Is flowing for ever, - And faltereth never, - And every sinner may drink to his fill. - - From Satan's enslaving, - These waters are saving-- - From sin and corruption it washeth us free; - Peace, pardon, and blessing, - And joys without ceasing, - It bears on its bosom for thee and for me. - - Temptations which harass, - And doubts which embarrass, - The soul as it travels this region below; - These waters shall banish; - All sorrow shall vanish-- - Borne away on its bosom, as onward they flow. - - All sorrow it chaseth, - All pain it eraseth, - The soul of the drinker it filleth with good; - For trouble and sadness - It bringeth us gladness, - And comfort and soothing roll in like a flood. - - When the body is dying, - When the spirit is flying, - And the night cometh in at the close of the day; - Then on Jesus believing-- - These waters receiving-- - The soul of the Christian passeth away. - - This river so precious, - So healing and gracious, - Is flowing for ever, unbounded and free; - Then come and possess it, - And drink it and bless it, - For none are more needy, more welcome than we. - - O earth's sons and daughters! - Come, drink of the waters-- - With healing and blessing and joy they are rife; - Then come to the river, - And, thanking the Giver, - Drink! Drink, weary sinner, the Water of Life! - -"Good morning, Mr. Blyth," said Philip. "I am glad to hear you sing so -merrily. It promises well for the errand on which I come." - -"Good morning, Master Philip. I'm heartily glad to see you strong and -well again. That would be quite enough to set me singing. There's many -a heart in Nestleton that thanks God for that." - -"I'm very much obliged to them," said Philip heartily. "There are few -things in the world better worth winning and holding than the -affection and esteem of honest neighbours. This morning, however, I -own that there is something nearer my heart than that; and as nobody -can help me in it as well as you can, I say again, I am glad you are -in so pleasant a mood. Will you help me?" - -"Anything in the world that I can do for you, Master Philip, I shall -be glad to do--at least anything but one," and this with a meaning -look that his hearer clearly understood. - -"And that one, Mr. Blyth?" - -"Nay, I need say no more, sir. 'That one' is an impossibility, and -need not be mentioned." - -Philip stepped forward, and, taking Nathan by the hand, said, -seriously enough,-- - -"And why impossible? My dear friend--for friend you have always -been--that _is_ the errand on which I come." - -Nathan lifted an astonished eye to the eager and anxious youth, who at -that moment, at any rate, wore his heart upon his sleeve. - -"Because my word is given to your father, and because that promise -coincides fully with my own judgment. I will never encourage any -special attention of yours to Lucy, nor favour any such tendency in -Lucy herself." - -"But, Nathan Blyth," said Philip, "my father's views are changed, as, -thank God, he himself is changed, and it is with his permission and by -his wish that I am here this morning, and that I ask you, beseech you, -to give me Lucy for my wife." - -It is not too much to say that Nathan Blyth was surprised almost out -of his senses. He had never in any remote degree expected this. His -own manly sense and sturdy independence were fully opposed to the idea -of such a thing. Lucy's confession of her love for Philip was an -unmixed source of sorrow to him, and all his wise and gentle policy -had been directed towards weaning his darling from a love so hopeless -and unwise. Her brief stay at the Hall had been a trouble of no -ordinary kind. But when Lucy returned promptly and at her own request, -and had shown in unmeasured terms her joy at being once more under her -father's roof; when he heard her merry voice singing by his hearth -stone, as though she had left no hopeless love behind, he had gladly -argued that the spell was broken, and that Lucy, heart-whole and -happy, had cast aside the dangerous dream for ever. Though he was -wrong in thinking that Lucy's love for Philip was any the less, he was -also wrong in thinking that union with him had ever been any dream of -her's. With Lucy duty was paramount, and the grace of God was -omnipotent, and so she had been able to accept the inevitable, and not -to pine or sigh for what was as utterly unreachable, to her thinking, -as the moon. Nathan saw in Squire Fuller's consent the result of a -grateful impulse, or an unwilling consent for his son's sake, certain -to be followed by an ultimate though distant repentance. The idea of -such an event ever dawning to distress his darling, stirred his soul -to the depths. - -"No, Mr. Philip; it cannot be. My mind was one with your father's on -this point, and though his may change, mine has not changed, and I -say, now and ever, Keep away from Lucy. Your path and her's lie wide -apart." - -Thrusting a bar of iron into the smithy fire, Blithe Natty laid hold -of the bellows-handle, and worked it as one who has uttered a fiat -against which there is no appeal. In vain did Philip urge his suit; in -vain he sought permission to come again. - -"Mr. Philip, I love and esteem you as much as any living man," said he -at last, "and I cannot bear your entreaties. I know I'm right, and I -shall stand to it. Yes; though your father himself should come, my -answer will still be 'No,' and if nothing else will do, I'll sell my -business, and go away with my girl to some distant place." - -Philip was roused and somewhat angry. "Nathan Blyth," said he, "I'll -follow her to the world's end," and like a man at his wits' end, he -turned round and left the Forge. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV. - -OLD ADAM OLLIVER TO THE RESCUE. - - "Who is it that will doubt - The care of Heaven, or think immortal - Powers are slow, 'cause they take privilege - To choose their own time, when they will send - Their blessings down?" - - _Davenant._ - - -Not one word did Nathan Blyth breathe to Lucy of his unsatisfactory -interview with Philip Fuller. He was more affected than he cared to -own, and went about his work with an absent and a heavy heart. Quick -to read all the changes in her father's moods, Lucy soon missed his -cheery anvil song, and wondered what dark cloud had come to cast its -shadow over him. In vain she sought his confidence. Seeing her -anxiety, Nathan sought to deceive her by a constrained pleasantry and -a heartless song. But Nathan was a poor hand at playing the hypocrite, -and Lucy's loving eyes were not to be deceived. - -When Philip returned home, his father's first glance at the sad and -excited face told him that his errand, as he feared, had been in vain. -This, instead of giving him pleasure, as it would once have done, -increased alike his admiration of the character of the village -blacksmith, and his desire to secure his peerless daughter as a -life-mate for his son. - -"I'll go myself," said the old man, when Philip had described his -unsatisfactory and disheartening interview. - -"That will be of no use," said Philip; "he told me that even if you -came, his mind would not alter, and Nathan Blyth always means what he -says." - -The next morning the squire wrote a note to Lucy, to inform her that a -piece of land, admirably situated in the centre of the village, was at -the disposal of the Methodists, and that he had given orders for its -transfer to Farmer Houston, free of cost. Great was Lucy's rejoicing -at this glorious victory, and Nathan Blyth was compelled to admire the -tone of the letter which announced the grateful and timely gift. It -breathed such love and esteem for Lucy, and what struck the blacksmith -still more forcibly, it displayed such a spirit of Christian piety, -and was marked by such a genuine religious feeling, that Natty -wondered more and more. - - * * * * * - -That evening Farmer Houston, Nathan Blyth, and Adam Olliver were -seated in the dining-room of the former, when Mr. Houston read the -note which he had himself received, and which ran as follows:-- - - "MY DEAR HOUSTON,--When you last made a request to me for a - piece of land on which to build a Methodist chapel, I imagined - that I had sufficient reasons for refusing, and I did refuse - accordingly. Subsequent events and a careful study of the whole - matter have convinced me that I was in the wrong. I have now - given orders for the transfer to you of a plot of ground on - Nestleton Green, believing as I do, that the erection of the - desired sanctuary will be of great moral and spiritual advantage - to the village, and will be to the praise and glory of God. I - shall be glad when your scheme is ripe to render further aid to - your godly undertaking. - - "Yours faithfully, - - "AINSLEY FULLER." - -"Wonderful!" said Mr. Houston. "Isn't it?" - -"Marvellous!" said Nathan Blyth. - -"Joost as ah expected!" said Adam Olliver. "The Lord's nut only -answered 'wer prayers, bud He's gannin' te giv uz t' squire inte t' -bargain. God be thenk'd! Maister, let uz pray!" - -The three good men and true knelt to offer heartfelt gratitude to God, -and Adam Olliver, with tearful eyes and a heart gushing with love and -praise, poured out his soul in prayer and thanksgiving, pleading for -the old squire, for Philip, for God's cause in Nestleton, until the -very atmosphere seemed to be charged with the presence and power of a -loving and gracious God. As soon as they had risen from their knees, -Adam said,-- - -"Halleluia! Mah poor aud een 'll see a Methodist chapil i' Nestleton, -an' then ah'll say, 'Noo, Lord, lettest thoo thi' sarvant depayt i' -peeace, for mi' ees hez seen Thy salvation.' Prayse the Lord! T' -moontain was varry greeat an' varry high, bud afoore oor Zerubbabel -it's becum a playn! O Maister Houston! O Nathan Blyth! Nivver doot Him -nae mair!" - -"Well," said Nathan, "it is the Lord's doing, and it _is_ marvellous." -Bringing forth the letter which the old squire had written to Lucy on -the same subject, he said, "Now, then, what do you think to this?" - - "MY DEAR MISS BLYTH,--Your request, offered in response to my - sincere desire to show my gratitude and esteem, at first - surprised me; but the more I thought of it, the more clearly I - saw in it another illustration of your own self-forgetting and - self-sacrificing character. I should cordially have given the - plot of land for your sake; I believe, however, that it will be - more pleasing to you to know that I make this gift to the - Methodist people in genuine admiration of the high and holy work - they have done in this village, as well as in other places, and - as a personal thank-offering for mercies, providential and - spiritual, lately received at the hands of a forgiving and - gracious God. As far as you are concerned, I would fain hope - that I may have other and _constant_ opportunities of showing - the affectionate regard in which you are held by - - "Yours very sincerely, - - "AINSLEY FULLER." - -"God bless 'im," said Adam Olliver, "'is 'art's i' t' right spot noo, -hooivver, whativver it was fower munths since. An' as for what he says -aboot Lucy, it's true, ivvery wod on't. She's t' sweetest, goodest -lass i' Waverdale, an' t' squire hez t' feynest lad. Lucy Blyth an' -Philip Fuller! Mah wod, Natty, what a pair they wad mak'! Ah ain't -mitch fayth i' rich fooaks marryin' poor fooaks. I offens finnds 'at -they beeath on 'em marry mair then they reckon on. But Lucy's a laydy, -if ivver there was yan, if Philip's a gentleman; they beeath luv the -Lord, an' they beeath luv tee-an t' other, an' if they wer' joined -tegither, all Waverdale wad be the better fo't. Natty Blyth!" said -Adam, noticing Nathan's troubled countenance, and suddenly alive to -probabilities, "Natty Blyth, aud friend! deean't you gan an' fight -ageean God. Maister Houston, we've been an' prayed te God for a -twelve-munth 'at He wad tonn'd 'art o' t' aud squire an' owerrule -things seea as te get a chapil for uz. Noo, the Lord's gi'en us what -we wanted, an' He's getten things mixed up i' deein' it. Are we te -leeav Him, an' say, 'There, Lord, Thoo mun brayk t' threeads off noo; -we've getten all we care aboot, an' t' rest may drop?' Ah weean't be -sae meean an' sae wicked; we mun still be co-workers wiv Him accordin' -tiv His will. If t' web ov His providence hez a Methodist chapil i' t' -pattern, it's gotten Lucy Blyth an' Philip Fuller in it as weel. Then, -God helpin' uz, we moan't hinder t' shuttle, but gan on till t' -weeavin's deean. Sud we hae gotten this land if Philip Fuller hadn't -been sick? Sud we hae gotten this land if Lucy Blyth hadn't gone te t' -Hall? Isn't t' aud squire ower heead an' ears i' luv wi' beeath Philip -an' Lucy? Deean't the two young fooaks luv t' grund t' eean t' uther -walks on? Aren't they meead for yan anuther like two hoaves ov a pair -o' sithers? An' isn't t' Methodist chapil gannin' te be built te wed -'em in? Oppen thi' een, Natty, an' see what the Lord's deein'. Ah -fancy there's a good bit o' pride i' yo'; for it may be just as strang -under a blacksmith's leather appron as under a squire's white -weeastcooat. You want te be independent, an' it's all varry weel up -tiv a sartain point, bud you can't be independent o' God, an' you'd -better nut try. Natty, aud friend, ha'e you ivver axed Him what He hez -te say aboot it?" - -This last inquiry struck Nathan Blyth very forcibly, and he was -compelled to own that to Philip Fuller's appeal, he had given a final -answer on the strength of previous convictions. The marvellous change -in the squire's attitude to Lucy and Methodism had not presented -itself to him as the result of Divine interposition, and as requiring -new guidance from the Throne of Grace. He made no answer. Adam Olliver -rose to his feet, and with great solemnity said, "Natty, you an' me'll -mak' this a matter o' prayer." - -Bidding Farmer Houston good-night, Adam and his companion wended their -way homeward, and on arriving at his cottage the old hedger pressed -Nathan Blyth to go in with him. Judy was over at the Forge, chatting -with Lucy, and the two men drew up to the fire and resumed the -conversation on the subject of Philip Fuller's request. - -"Ah feel 'at there's nowt for it this tahme bud te ax the Lord te mak' -yer duty plain, Natty. You mun deea right, an' if you're bent o' that -an' ax Him, He'll mak' t' way as playn as dayleet. Ah's fair bothered -aboot it. Ah's sartain that God hez His 'and iv it. Let's ax Him!" -With wondrous power and unction did Adam plead at the Throne of Grace: -"If it's for their good an' Thah glory, an' t' good o' t' Chotch, -bring 'em tegither, Lord, an' let nut man payt 'em asunder. Guide -beeath Natty an' 'is lahtle lass i' t' right way. Show all consarned -what's best. Guide 'em all wi' Thah coonsel, an' efterwards bring 'em -te glory. We ax it all for Christ's seeak. Amen." - -"_Amen_," said another voice, and rising from their knees they saw -within the door the white and bended head of Squire Fuller. - -"Forgive my intrusion," said he; "I tapped twice at the door, but -could not make you hear. When I opened it and heard your petitions, I -could not help joining in them with all my heart, for I felt their -need as much as you." - -"Cum in, sir, an' sit yo' doon," said Adam, freshening up the cushion -of his old arm-chair for his unusual guest. - -"I did not expect to find you here, Mr. Blyth, but my errand has to do -with you and yours. The prayer I heard just now shows that you have -trusted our aged friend, and as I have come on purpose to do the same, -I hope you will give me a few minutes in his presence." - -Nathan bowed, blushed, felt very uncomfortable, stood half a second -irresolute, and then resumed his seat. - -"That's right, Natty," said Adam; "the Lord's showin' yo' t' way. Gan -on, sir!" - -"I came to you, Adam Olliver, because I know that you are a good man, -that your influence with God and with good men is great, that you are -Mr. Blyth's trusted friend, and because I want you to be a trusted -friend of mine." - -"God bless yo', sir. I isn't mitch use, but ah'll deea t' best ah can -fo' yo', wi' all mi' 'art." - -"Thank you! The case is just here. My son Philip--("God bless 'im," -said Adam)--loves Lucy Blyth--("God bless 'er," said Adam)--with all -the strength of his nature. I believe that his love and his life are -bound up together. As you know, I strongly opposed it, as also did her -father. Both the young people, with a filial devotion beyond all -praise--("God bless 'em," said Adam)--submitted to our decision. Since -then, I and mine have been in the furnace. My son has been at the door -of death, and my life has been shadowed by the heaviest cloud that -ever darkened a human heart. My life was saved from the hand of a -ruffian, my boy was brought from the brink of the grave, and I was -brought back to my Bible and my Saviour--("Halleluia!" said Adam)--by -the instrumentality of Lucy Blyth. All I have to-day of trust in -Christ, and peace of mind and hope of heaven, I owe to these two young -people--("Glory be te God!" said Adam, while sympathetic tears were -coursing down his cheeks). Do you wonder, Adam Olliver, that all my -opposition died away? Do you wonder that the great desire of my heart -is to see these two man and wife? I gave my son permission to ask for -her at her father's hands. He refused, and my son came back to me with -no light in his eye, and I cannot bear to see my boy breaking his -heart over an impossible love. Be my friend, and gain from him the -consent he will not give to me. Tell him that before God and man it is -right that these two, so strangely and mysteriously brought together, -should be one in life and death, one to labour for Jesus and His -cause; one to be a blessing to Waverdale, and good stewards for God -when I am dead and gone!" - -"Nathan Blyth!" said Adam, "noo's the tahme 'at we've been axin' for. -Yah wod frae you will mak' three 'arts 'appy, will pleease God, an' -fill all Nestleton wi' joy! Ah deean't think 'at you've mitch doot -ye'rsen, bud if yo' hev, just let ma' remind yo' 'at Lucy owt te hev a -mind ov 'er aun, an' 'at yo' owt te lissen te what _she_ hez te say." - -In all his life Nathan Blyth had never been so moved. His independent -spirit, his conviction of duty wrestled with his tenderness of heart, -while the question forced itself upon him as to whether his -convictions were of God. His cool judgment was at war with the -impulses of his soul. But Adam's last idea had laid abiding hold upon -him. What will Lucy say? After all, her's was the weightiest voice; -beyond a certain point, he had no right to force her obedience, or be -the arbiter of her destiny, or bind an adamantine chain around her -life. He had done his duty with an honest conscience; now he was -compelled to own that he himself was wavering, that Providence seemed -to be on the other side, and so standing up before the anxious -squire, whose humility was something wonderful to see, he said,-- - -"Squire Fuller, I yield. I've done all I can to hinder it, but I dare -not further withhold my consent. My judgment does not approve, but it -may be misguided and unsound, and I have never known Adam Olliver at -fault; he lives too near to God for that. The matter rests with Lucy, -and no influence of mine shall be exerted to hinder her from deciding -according to the dictates of her conscience and the wishes of her -heart." - -"Thank you for that, Nathan Blyth. I have as much confidence in her as -you have," said Squire Fuller. "I cannot ask you for more, and may God -guide us all aright." - -"He will," said Adam Olliver, "an' as seear as ah's a livin' man, Lucy -Blyth's 'Yis' or 'No' 'll be gi'en be' t' grace o' God. Squire Fuller, -ah've neea desire te see fooaks get oot o' their station i' life, bud -t' truth is, Lucy Blyth isn't in hors, an's called be' t' Providence -o' God te cum up higher." - -"I believe you are right, good old man," said Mr. Fuller, half beside -himself with joy, "and if ever 'marriages were made in heaven,' it -will be the case when that charming girl becomes the bride of my -noble-hearted son!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI. - -SISTER AGATHA'S GHOST. - - "True as the knights of story, - Sir Lancelot and his peers, - Brave in his calm endurance, - As they in tilt of spears. - - * * * * * - - Knight of a better era, - Without reproach or fear! - Said I not well that Bayards - And Sidneys still are here?" - - _Whittier._ - - -It was customary to hold missionary meetings in the various villages -of the Kesterton Circuit during the months of winter; and these -occasions were almost always characterised by an outcome of -hospitality on the part of the sympathising villagers, an enthusiasm -in the great mission cause, and a liberality in its support which was -very beautiful to see. The speakers usually consisted of, at least, -one of the circuit ministers, a minister from a neighbouring circuit -as "the deputation," and a local preacher or two, with some -neighbouring man of influence and means to take the chair. The reading -of the "report," containing an abstract of the general doings of the -society, was not usually a popular part of the programme, but the -statement of local subscriptions and donations always made up for -that. Probably the names of one or two neighbouring farmers appeared -with the time-honoured "guinea" appended as their annual donation. -There was sure to be a missionary box or two, containing the result of -much patient painstaking on the part of the collector during the -preceding year. Not seldom, a missionary lamb, or goose, or pear-tree, -or other cash-producing entity, figured in the report, and told of -contrivance and self-sacrifice on the part of some who desired to have -an honourable "share in the concern." - -About the period of which I am writing, the annual meeting was -appointed to be held at Bexton, a considerable village situated a few -miles from the circuit town. As usual, the day was regarded by the -generality of Bextonians as being quite as fit an occasion for a -holiday as the village feast. The farmyards of the Methodist farmers, -as well as the open space beside the "King's Head," was filled with -gigs, traps, spring-carts, and other vehicles, which had brought a -large number of invited visitors; for the good folks of Bexton were -resolved that the proceeds of the anniversary should go "beyond last -year." They accounted themselves peculiarly fortunate in having -secured the young squire of Waverdale as the chairman on this -auspicious occasion, and on having captured a "great gun from York as -the deputation." Both Mr. Clayton and his colleague were present, as -well as Mr. Harrison, a local preacher from Kesterton; and last, not -least, Old Adam Olliver had accepted the warm invitation of a sister -of Mrs. Houston's who resided in the village, and as the quaint old -man was a prime favourite all round the neighbourhood, nothing would -do but he must take a seat on the platform and say a few words to the -people. - -Philip Fuller opened the proceedings with a brief and simple address, -and did his work in such a transparently earnest and unassuming -fashion that he was heartily cheered; and Mr. Mitchell was led -subsequently to make the original remark that "the chairman had struck -the keynote, and given a good tone to the meeting." Philip described -himself as only a "raw recruit" in the great army, but, "thanks to his -old friend, Adam Olliver," he had no doubt of his enlistment in the -Church militant, and, said he, "by God's help, I will not only never -desert or betray my Captain, but will spend my life in the interests -of His cause." - -In the course of the meeting, the Chairman, having called upon Mr. -Mitchell, Mr. Clayton, and Mr. Harrison, said that "Mr. Olliver" would -now address the meeting. Loud and long-continued cheers greeted the -announcement, amid which Adam retained his seat, looking all round the -platform and the congregation, and finally at the door, to see the man -who was having so warm a welcome. When the cheering had subsided, the -Chairman looked at Adam, and Adam looked at him. All at once a light -broke in on the old man, and jumping to his feet, he said,-- - -"Lawk-a-massy! Maister Philip! Ah didn't knoa 'at yo' meant me. Ah -nivver was called 'Mr. Olliver' i' all mi' life afoore, an' me an' it -dizn't seeam te agree. It's like blo'in' t' cooachman's 'orn iv a -wheelbarro', or puttin' a gilt knocker on a barn deear. Ah've been -ax'd te say a few wods, bud ah isn't mitch ov a speeaker, an' yo' -needn't be freeten'd 'at ah sall tak' up mitch o' yer tahme. Ah knoa -'at yo' want te hear t' greeat man 'at's cum all t' way frae York te -help i' this good cause. God bless 'im! an' give him mooth, matter, -an' wisdom, an' tak' 'im seeafe yam ageean, nae warse i' body an' -better i' sowl. Maister Philip, ah've cum frae Kesterton mainly te see -you i' that chair. You're t' right man i' t' right spot. Ah sall -nivver forget that 'appy day upo' Nestleton Woad, when the Lord -'listed yo', as you say, an' gav' yo' the boonty munny o' pardonin' -peeace. Ah's quite sartain 'at t' greeat Captain ov oor salvaytion -meeans yo' te be, nut a private souldier, bud a general i' t' hosts o' -God's elect; an' ah pray ivvery day o' my life 'at God 'll bless yo', -an' mak' yo' a blessin': that yo' may fight the good fight o' fayth -an' lay hod ov etarnal life. Ah luv t' mission cause, because it -brings perishin' sowls te Jesus, an' tak's t' blood-stayned banner o' -t' Cross inte heeathen lands. Ah prays for it all'us, an' ah gives all -t' brass ah can spare, efter buyin' breead an' cheese for me an' Judy, -te the Lord's cause beeath at worn an' abroad. Ah's glad te see sae -monny labourin' men here te-neet. Mah deear frens, you an' me can't -gie mitch munny, but we can pray as hard as onybody; an' it isn't hoo -mitch we gie, bud hoo mitch we luv, an' hoo 'artily we deea wer best. -Angels can deea nae mair then that, an' God 'll bless it. T' poor -wido' 'at nobbut put two mites inte t' box, did what was pleeasing te -Jesus, an' her munny fell thro' t' nick wiv a sweeter chink then t' -golden sovereigns o' t' rich fooaks meead, because she put 'er heart -atween t' bits o' brass, an' sae gay' mair then 'em all. May the Lord -bless uz, an' cause His feeace te shine on uz, an may His way be knoan -upo' t' 'arth an' His seeavin' health te all naytions." - -Adam's speech elicited a round of applause, and then the deputation -had full swing. A collection succeeded, and Mr. Mitchell was able to -announce that the financial results were more than five pounds ahead -of last year's. The "Doxology" was sung with much enthusiasm, and the -village missionary meeting was brought to a close. It was a little -meeting, it is true, but there are thousands of such meetings held in -Methodism, and in the aggregate they wield an influence which reaches -to the uttermost parts of the earth, carries saving health to -thousands who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, and helps -to overspread the world with the "glory of the Lord." - -After partaking of the bounteous and really sumptuous supper provided -by his hosts, Adam Olliver was prevailed upon to smoke his pipe in the -chimney-corner in company with other guests who indulged in that -regalement. It was getting late when the old man mounted his faithful -steed, and started on his homeward way. For a while he was favoured -with the companionship of fellow guests, but as he proceeded, first -one and then another turned down highway or byeway, until, at length, -Balaam and his master were left to jog along, beneath the stars, -alone. - -As usual, the old hedger made a confidant of his dumb companion. It -was a bright moonlight night; the clear blue sky was studded with -stars, and Balaam's hoofs were pattering along the frosty road, when -the big bell at Cowley Priory boomed out the hour of eleven. - -"Balaam, aud friend, this is a bonny tahme o' neet for thoo an' me te -be wanderin' throo' t' coontry, when a'most ivvery honest body's gone -te bed. Besides, thoo knoas it's dangerous travellin' noo-a-days, for -there's robbers, an' hoosebrekkers, an' 'ighwaymen aboot. They'll hae -sum trubble te rob me, hooivver, for that man frae York 'ticed ivvery -copper oot o' my pocket, an's left ma' as poor as a chotch moose. -What'll Judy think on us, gallivantin' aboot at midneet i' this -oathers? She'll think thoo's run away wi' ma', Balaam." The idea of -Balaam being guilty of any such absurd indiscretion, tickled the old -man's risible faculties so finely, that he broke out into a hearty fit -of laughter, loud and long. Scarcely had the sound subsided than there -rose upon the air a scream so wild and piercing, that for a moment -both Balaam and his rider were astonished. Rising up in his stirrups, -Adam Olliver looked across the adjoining hedge. The hoary gables of -the old Abbey stood out bold and clear, and the crumbling walls and -shapeless heaps of stone, and the all-pervading ivy were to be seen -almost as clearly as by day. But there was one sight that never could -be seen by day which now displayed itself to Adam's wondering gaze. -This was nothing less than the veritable apparition of the ancient -nun. Robed in flowing white, with white folds across the brow, and -that awful crimson stain upon the breast, there it stood, or slowly -walked with measured pace around the ruined pile. One death-white hand -was laid upon the bosom, the other one was lifted heavenward, as if in -deprecation or in prayer. - -"Balaam," said Adam, as he settled himself again in his saddle, "there -_is_ a boggle, hooivver!" - -This startling information was received by that philosophic quadruped -with no symptoms of surprise. The fact is that Balaam had, for reasons -which will shortly appear, made up his mind in favour of the -genuineness of the ghost in which even his sceptical master had now -confessed a tardy, but definite belief. Balaam simply laid one ear -backwards, and cocked the other upright, as who should say as plain as -signs could speak,-- - -"There, I told you so, but you didn't believe me. You see I'm right, -after all." - -"All right, Balaam," said Adam Olliver. "Ah telled tha' 'at if thoo -didn't tonn tayl if we sud see it, ah wadn't. What diz tho' say? will -tho' feeace it?" - -By this time they had arrived at the gate of the paddock in which the -haunted ruins stood. Balaam had for many years enjoyed the free run of -that pasturage whenever he was off duty, and this with the hearty -good-will of Farmer Houston, for his owner's sake. This familiarity -with the haunts of Sister Agatha doubtless accounted for Balaam's -belief in spiritualism, as he had in this way repeated opportunities -of studying the remarkable phenomena connected with this particular -illustration of that occult and mysterious science. As Piggy Morris -said, "Seein's believin', all the world over," and as "familiarity -breeds contempt," according to the well-known proverb, there is little -cause of surprise that the sagacious animal did not display any fear -of the dread nocturnal visitor that filled all Nestleton with alarm. - -Be this as it may, Balaam, altogether unaccustomed to such -unconscionably late hours, promptly came to the conclusion that his -master would now turn him into the paddock for the night, and so he -trotted boldly up to the gate, and inserting his nose between the -bars, looked with wistful eye, though not much like the poet's -"disconsolate Peri," into the green and restful Paradise within. - -"Well dun, Balaam! That's a challenge, at ony rayte," said Adam, "an' -ah weean't refuse it. Ah nivver was freetened o' nowt bud the divvil, -an' noo, thenk the Lord, ah deean't care a button for 'im. Nut 'at ah -think it is 'im. It's sum Tom Feeal, ah fancy, at's deein' it for a -joak; bud he hez neea business te flay fooaks oot o' the'r wits, an' -ah'll see whea it is." - -He opened the gate, and, nothing loth, Balaam boldly trotted over the -grass, and again the apparition showed itself, just as it had appeared -to Jake Olliver several nights ago. - -"Woy," said Adam to his reckless steed, and the ghost, observing the -daring intruder, stretched out its hands in menace, and advanced until -it stood beneath the arch, on the spot it usually selected for its -subterranean evanishment. Here another woeful, wailing shriek arose; -Adam for the first time felt an odd tingling sensation, and a sort of -creepy-crawly feeling that would be difficult to analyse. The ass, -however, showed not the least surprise, so Adam stood up again in his -stirrups, though he was "a goodish bit dumfoonder'd," as he afterwards -confessed, and said in a loud voice,-- - - "Jesus the neeame 'igh ower all, - I' hell or 'arth or sky; - Aingels an' men afoore it fall, - An' divvils fear an' fly!" - -Hereupon the ghost itself was "a goodish bit dumfoonder'd" too; -however, the last act of the drama was accomplished as usual, for -instantly a pale blue flash surrounded the figure, which sank, at once -among the briars and brambles that grew in unchecked profusion on that -uncanny ground. - -"Cum oop! Balaam," said the daring knight of the slashing-knife, and -that unflinching steed, worthy to rank henceforth with Rosinante, -Bucephalus, the war-horse of the Roman Curtius, and other equine -heroes, trotted under the broken arch! Adam's observant eye had -noticed that as the figure sank the brambles bent and waved to and -fro, as if set in motion by some living thing. He was not greatly -learned in ghost lore, still he had the idea that a real, genuine -ghost, with no nonsense about it, ought to have gone through the -briars with no more commotion than the moonbeams made. - -"That'll deea for te-neet, Balaam," said Adam; "t' ghaust's run te -'arth like a fox, an' we mun dig 'im oot." - -Balaam obeyed the bridle, turned his steps homeward, and in a few -minutes the anxiety of Judy was allayed by the appearance of her good -man, all safe and sound. - -"Adam!" said she, "Wherivver hae yo' been, te be so late?" - -"Why, me an' Balaam's been te see t' boggle!" - -"What, Sister Agatha's ghost?" said Judy, who was not by any means a -sceptic with regard to spirits from the vasty deep in general, and -this one in particular. - -"Sister Agatha's gran'mother," said Adam, contemptuously. "It's my -opinion 'at it isn't a sister at all, but a brother, an' a precious -rascal at that, wiv 'is white smock, an' 'is bloody breest, an' 'is -blue bleeazes. If he dizn't mind, he'll get mair o' them last sooat o' -things then he'll care for; bud we'll dig 'im oot." - -The next day Adam related his midnight encounter to Farmer Houston -and Nathan Blyth, and they resolved to go and explore the haunted -spot. They were ultimately rewarded by the discovery of an underground -cave, probably the handiwork of the monkish denizens of Cowley Priory, -with whose monastery it was said Nestleton Abbey had been connected by -a subterranean passage in those "auld-warld" times, when Rome ruled -the roast in England, and when its anchorites led not only an ignoble -and wasted life, but were guilty of evil doings and malpractices that -were infinitely worse. The spacious hollow which the explorers -discovered, penetrated far into the earth. Candles were provided to -prosecute the search, and there they found much thievish booty, -including the tin box which had been abstracted from Waverdale Hall. -The astonished discoverers kept their secret, and quickly arranged to -set a secret watch on the bramble-covered entrance to the burglar's -den. Two or three nights afterwards they were successful in capturing -a man just as he was in the act of descending to his secret lair. He -was seized by strong hands and carried to Farmer Houston's kitchen. As -may be imagined, the entrance of the redoubtable ghost caused no -little stir among that peaceful household, each of whom in turn came -to "have a look" at him. Among the rest came Hannah Olliver, who was -plying her needle for the good of the household wardrobe, and as soon -as she set her eyes upon the prisoner she screamed out, "Aubrey -Bevan!" and fell fainting on the floor. The quondam valet was safely -lodged in York Castle. Eventually that crafty, clever, but -craven-hearted rascal turned king's evidence; the entire gang, which -had long been a terror to the country side, was captured, and speedily -"left their country for their country's good." It is gratifying to be -able to say that both poetical and practical justice was at length -able to lay its hands on Master Bevan himself, and he, too, was sent -to join his former comrades in the distant and uncomfortable -settlements of Botany Bay. Hannah Olliver, who had been instrumental -in his identification, was permitted to be the bearer of the tin box -to its rightful owner, and on giving up the precious article to Squire -Fuller, she received a kind and full forgiveness for the unwary folly -of which she had been guilty in introducing the burglars into -Waverdale Hall. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII. - -PHILIP FULLER BOLDLY MEETS HIS FATE. - - "He says he loves my daughter; - I think so too; for never gazed the moon - Upon the water, as he'll stand, and read, - As 'twere, my daughter's eyes; and, to be plain, - I think there is not half a kiss to choose - Who loves the other best." - - _Shakespeare_. - - -The short winter's day was over, and night had closed around Waverdale -Hall, when Squire Fuller joined his son by the cosy fire in the -library, after his affecting and successful interview with Nathan -Blyth and Adam Olliver. - -"Well, Master Philip," said the squire; "what will you give me for my -news to-night?" - -"My best attention and my warmest thanks," said that young gentleman, -who divined that the intelligence hinted at was of a pleasant nature -by reason of the glow on his father's countenance, and the tell-tale -tone in which he spoke. - -"Hadn't you better reserve your thanks until you know whether or not -my information will be welcome?" said the squire, evidently enjoying -the parley, and willing to prolong it. - -"I'll risk it, father mine, for from that happy face of yours I augur -something pleasant, and you couldn't, if you tried, introduce bad news -by asking for a reward for bringing it." - -"Well, then," said the squire, with mock seriousness, "prepare -yourself for a dread calamity. Nathan Blyth has withdrawn his -opposition, and if you can gain Lucy's consent, you and I may obtain -our heart's desire." - -True prophet as he was, Philip was hardly prepared for news so good -and so direct as this. He was touched to the quick with the way in -which his father spoke of their interests in this all-engrossing -subject, as being one and indivisible. His face lighted up with hope -as he said,-- - -"Thank God for that. I'll soon ask for her verdict. But how have you -managed to overcome an opposition so determined as Nathan Blyth's?" - -"Why, to tell the truth, it is not so much my doing as it is Adam -Olliver's. That fine old Christian wields a marvellous influence both -with God and man." - -The squire then told of his visit to the old hedger: how he found him -and Nathan Blyth upon their knees, how he opened his heart to both of -them, how Adam Olliver had said the very wisest words in the most -impressive way, and finally how Nathan Blyth was unable any longer to -withstand the strong appeal, and had promised not to put a straw in -the way, but to leave Lucy to decide the matter for herself. - -"Dear old Adam," said Philip, earnestly, "my debt to him is such as I -never can repay. Lucy's decision I shall get to-morrow, and I will not -for a moment doubt that she will be true to the pleadings of her own -heart, and those, I know, are in my favour." - -"Go, my boy, and God prosper your errand, and I believe He will. And -now, if you can stoop to anything more prosy and less interesting, -what about this new chapel? I am inclined to build it myself, and -present it to the Methodist society as a token of my admiration of -their work, and a thank-offering to God. What do you think of it?" - -Philip sat thinking for a little while, and then said, "No, I wouldn't -do that. They have already obtained a considerable sum, and many will -be eager to give and to work now that the land is secured, and it -would be a pity to deprive them of what will be a pleasure and -delight. Besides, it will do the people good to receive their -offerings, and so to let them feel that it is the outcome of their own -zeal. You can give a contribution such as the case may need, and what -will be much better, you can offer something handsome towards the -maintenance of a third minister to reside in Nestleton, and so to -secure the more effective working of this side the Kesterton Circuit." - -With this advice the squire heartily coincided, and ere long the two -retired to rest, the one to plan and contrive for a preacher's house -at Nestleton, the other to dream of Lucy and the morrow, which should, -as he dared hope, seal her his own for ever. - - * * * * * - -Though the little sitting-room of Nathan Blyth was neither so large -nor so imposing as the spacious library of Squire Fuller, the fireside -was just as cosy, and the two who sat beside it were just as loving -and true-hearted as the pair we have just left. Lucy was seated by her -father's side; with one hand he was stroking her dark hair, the other -was cast lovingly round her waist. - -"Lucy, darling, can you guess who has been to see me and Adam Olliver -to-night?" - -If Lucy had uttered the name that was uppermost in her heart, and the -first on her tongue, she would undoubtedly have said "Philip," and -nothing else; for still, as when she mentioned his name as her rescuer -from the unwelcome attentions of Black Morris, there was no other -Philip in the world to her, but unwilling to hint at what she regarded -as a forbidden and unwelcome subject, she heaved a sigh, and said,-- - -"I can't tell, daddy; perhaps the squire has been about the plot of -land." - -"No, my dear, but you need not sigh about it; sighing doesn't suit -those sweet lips of yours. Squire Fuller it was, but he came about -another 'plot,' by which he means to steal my daughter from her -father's heart and home." - -Lucy's fair head drooped upon his bosom, as she blushed a rosy red, -and softly said,-- - -"Never from his heart, my father, whatever else might happen, and, -without his permission, never from his home." - -"Aye," said Nathan, with a tearful smile, "but _with_ his permission, -light of my life, what then?" - -Closely nestled the head upon the manly bosom in which the heart of as -true and good a father as ever bore the name was loudly beating, and -then she looked, with all her soul in her eyes, and said,-- - -"What is it, father? Do not try me more than I can bear." - -"My glorious girl," said Natty; "it is that, at last, Philip Fuller's -welcome here on whatsoever errand he may come. I've had no thought, -felt no emotion, entertained no wish, but for my darling's happiness. -I believe that happiness is in Philip Fuller's keeping, and I believe -with all my heart that now and ever he will loyally and lovingly -fulfil the precious trust. Kiss me, sweet, and be sure that your -decision will willingly be mine." - -For all answer, Lucy kissed him again and again, then flung her arms -around his neck and burst into tears--tears which had no sorrow in -them, only a wealth of happiness and love. - - * * * * * - -Whoever overslept themselves next morning, be sure that Philip Fuller -was up betimes. Old Father Time, whose fingers force the hands around -the dial at such relentless speed, appeared to our eager lover to be -smitten with paralysis, or to have forgotten the awful cunning of his -usual despatch. But no sooner did the laggard timepiece point to a -reasonable hour for paying a morning call, than Philip turned his -steps toward Nestleton Forge. It was a glorious winter's morning; the -clear, bracing air was quite in harmony with Philip's buoyant spirit, -as he rapidly sped along the frost-bound road. Long before he could -see the home where dwelt the "damsel sweet and fair," whose "soft -consent he meant to woo and win," he heard the musical ring of -Nathan's anvil; but this time he did not pause even to look through -the open door, much less to listen to Nathan's song. Had he done so, -however, he would have heard strains of good omen, for Blithe Natty -was in good feather and chanted a hopeful strain, which might well -have inspired the listener with even a more gladly expectant spirit -than that which he undoubtedly possessed. Stop a moment, Master -Philip, and hear the oracle:-- - - Came Love one day across my way, - And with inviting finger, - Enticing smile, and subtle wile, - Said, "Follow me, nor linger. - - "I offer joy without alloy, - A ceaseless round of pleasure-- - A vision bright of sweet delight, - And bliss that knows no measure. - - "Within my bowers the fleeting hours - Are always bright and sunny; - From rosy lip come thou and sip - The nectar and the honey." - - "O Love!" I cried, and swiftly hied - To follow, as she bade me; - Across my path, in sturdy wrath, - Stood Duty, and he stayed me. - - Quoth Duty, "Stay! That's not the way; - Rash youth, beware her wooing! - Her magic spell, O mark it well, - May be thy soul's undoing. - - "Her beauteous things have hidden stings, - And though she proffers nectar, - The poisoned cup will conjure up - A dread, life-haunting spectre. - - "Whom she leads on, they find anon - Her beauty swiftly dying; - Like bird on wing, the gleaming thing - From singing takes to flying. - - "Turn, gentle youth, and mark this truth-- - True love is linked with duty; - Come then with me and thou shalt see - A richer, rarer beauty." - - "Lead on," I cried, and by the side - Of Duty forth I sped me; - Resolved to go, for weal or woe, - Wherever Duty led me. - - I followed still, for good or ill, - Through thorny brake and briar; - Or up the steep, or down the deep, - Through water or through fire. - - And now at last, the testing's past, - And Duty sits beside me; - Quoth Duty, "Once, and for the nonce, - Thy Love was quite denied thee. - - "That tempting elf was 'Love of Self,' - And 'neath her smile lay lurking - An aspish sting--a deadly thing-- - Dire, deathless evils working. - - "Now Love once more stands thee before, - To fill thine eyes with glamour; - This gift of mine is love divine, - And shall thy soul enamour." - - He waved his wand, gave his command,-- - "True Love, come forth," said Duty; - Before my eyes she did arise, - _My_ love, of rarest beauty. - - My youth's ideal! Now mine and real; - O Love, how long I sought thee! - Cries Love, "I come; Thy heart's my home! - 'Twas Duty, love, that brought me." - - Thrice happy I to testify - Whate'er the wind and weather, - 'Tis mine to prove that truest Love - And Duty dwell together. - - No more I roam, for here at home, - My love and I, united, - Blessing and blest, know perfect rest, - And Duty is delighted. - - And when at last our lives are past, - And we become immortals; - Through heaven's door we two shall soar - When Duty opes the portals. - -Had Natty Blyth known of Philip's morning call, he could not have been -more wise in his choice of a song, and I have every reason to believe -that Lucy had heard the rehearsal, for Nathan Blyth knew how to make -his muse the channel alike of counsel and of cheer. Philip Fuller, -however, as I have said, had no time or will this morning to listen to -Blithe Natty's song. Love is royal, and the king's business requireth -haste. Now I might stay to descant on the music of Philip's "tap, tap, -tapping at the" blacksmith's door, for, depend upon it, there was a -tremor of excitement in the hand that did it, and another tremor of -excitement in the ear that heard it, that put it altogether beyond -comparison with ordinary tappings, even the postman's knock, though -probably the mystic tappings of a table-haunting spirit may have -something of the same expectancy in it, but certainly not the same -delight. Lucy Blyth was never above opening the door herself, either -to visitor or shop-boy, but on this occasion she sent her little -serving-maid to the door, as the damsel Rhoda was sent to answer -Peter's knock; and so it came to pass that Philip was ushered into the -little sitting-room to wait, and perhaps to whistle to keep his -courage up, while our little bird flew upstairs to preen her feathers -for a minute or two, and hush down the flutterings of her heart. -By-and-bye comes in Miss Lucy, and sure I am no fairer vision ever -fell on mortal sight. The tell-tale blush that mantled on her cheek, -did only lend a new and witching grace, and as Byron has it,-- - - "To his eye - There was but one beloved face on earth - And that was shining on him," - -and Byron is, of course, the apostle of love, though Moore perhaps -successfully disputes his primacy. The Irish bard, with true Hibernian -fire, sings,-- - - "Oh, there are looks and tones that dart - An instant sunshine through the heart; - As if the soul that minute caught - Some treasure it through life had sought. - - As if the very lips and eyes, - Predestined to have all our sighs, - And never be forgot again, - Sparkled and spoke before us then!" - -So Philip's eyes "sparkled and spoke" as he advanced to meet the -idol of his heart, and as for Lucy, why, as dear old Dan Chaucer puts -it,-- - -[Illustration: NATHAN AT DINNER.--_Page 265._] - - "No lesse was she in secret heart affected, - But that she maskèd it in modestie." - -"Lucy!" - -"Philip!" - -His arms were open, her blushing face was buried on his shoulder, and -at last, long last, the two loving hearts were one. I am very sorry -that I am not able to enlarge upon this tender scene. The two words of -conversation which I have here recorded, contain really the core and -marrow of the whole interview. Doubtless, many of my readers -understand it thoroughly, and the rest of them will do so, if they be -good and patient. _Multum in parvo_ is very true in declarations of -mutual love, and as I am in a quoting vein, I'll e'en quote from -Tupper, so oft the butt of "witlings with a maggot in their brain;" -his writings will at any rate bear favourable comparison with those of -the sibilant geese who hiss at him. Quoth he,-- - - "Love! What a volume in a word! An ocean in a tear! - A seventh heaven in a glance! A whirlwind in a sigh! - The lightning in a touch!--A millenium in a moment!" - -Well, the "millenium" had dawned on Philip and Lucy; they remained -long in close and peculiarly interesting conversation, but the door -was shut, and all I know about it is, that Nathan Blyth thought Lucy -unconscionably late with dinner. All things, however, have an end, and -at length Master Philip was ruthlessly expelled from Paradise, and -betook himself to the blacksmith's shop. The gallant and noble knight -of the anvil laid down his hammer to greet his visitor, but Philip was -beforehand with him,-- - -"Nathan Blyth! Lucy has consented to be my wife." - -"Philip Fuller, you've loved her long, you've wooed her honourably, -you've won her heart, and in my soul, I believe you deserve her, and -that's more than I could say of any other man on earth." - -A warm and hearty hand-grasp sealed the covenant. Philip Fuller hasted -to his ancestral Hall to gladden the heart of his father with the -welcome news that Lucy Blyth was his affianced wife. So Lucy Blyth's -filial love and duty were at length rewarded, and Philip Fuller's -loyalty to God, his father, and his love, obtained their well-won -prize. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII. - -BLACK MORRIS "WANTS THAT BRICKBAT AGAIN." - - "O I have often seen the tear - From Pity's eye flow bright and clear, - When Sympathy hath bid it stay, - And tremble on its timid way; - But there's a tear more pure and bright, - And moulded with as soft a light,-- - The tear that gushes from the eye, - Fresh from the founts of memory." - - _Anon._ - - -The Rev. Theophilus Clayton and the earnest Methodist band of which he -was the head, did not let the grass grow under their feet anent the -scheme for the erection of the new chapel in Nestleton. After the -securing of the land, a public meeting had been called, plans were -presented, additional subscriptions promised, and finally a day was -fixed upon for the all-important ceremony of laying the foundation -stone. Philip Fuller, who was an active member of the Building -Committee, being quite aware that his father would help to any amount -that a free expenditure might require, succeeded in getting such a -scheme adopted as would secure an elegant and attractive sanctuary, -sufficiently spacious for aggression, and so effective in its -architecture as to be an ornament to the lovely village in which it -was to be erected. Again the famous minister from York was secured. -Squire Fuller himself had promised to lay the stone, and every -preparation was made for the grand occasion when the corner-stone -should be laid, and the long-hoped-for undertaking should be -inaugurated with enthusiasm and success. - -A large and capacious tent was improvised by the aid of farmers' -stack-cloths, builders' scaffold-poles, and other materials, on -Nestleton Green. Jabez Hepton and his apprentices were very busy in -rigging up temporary tables and rude forms, a platform for the -speakers, and other essentials for the great tea-meeting, and for the -public gathering which was to follow. An enormous boiler had been -borrowed from the Hall, urns and tea-pots, whose name was legion, were -requisitioned from all and sundry, and all things were ready for the -grand emprise. A glorious spring day, beautifully soft and balmy, was -providentially accorded them. Banners and bunting, evergreens and -flowers, adorned the scaffold-poles around the brick foundations which -had been already laid, waved from the summit of the tent, and were -lavishly scattered in its bright interior; while just before the -canvass doorway, John Morris and his brothers, with the help of Jake -Olliver, had erected a triumphal arch, which was quite a marvellous -triumph of village art. - -The "trays" for the public tea had all been given and provided in that -bounteous and luxurious fashion for which the Yorkshire farm -mistresses are proverbial. Hams, tongues and fowls, tarts and pies, -cheese-cakes, tea-cakes, plum-cakes, rice-cakes, and other toothsome -triumphs of confectionery, mingled with a profusion of plainer fare, -and exhibited such a sum total of appetising edibilities, that Jabez -Hepton's tables curved and creaked beneath their weight. As for the -people who gathered there on that auspicious day, it really seemed as -though the whole Kesterton Circuit had immigrated to Nestleton Green. -Kesterton was represented by scores of sympathisers, and every village -in Messrs. Clayton and Mitchell's pastorate sent a detachment to swell -the crowd. As for Nestleton itself, why it was there bodily. On that -day, at any rate, the plough might stand in the furrow, and the horses -experienced two Sundays in the week. The central ceremony passed -smoothly off: Squire Fuller did his unfamiliar duty in a deft and -skilful way, and finished his short address of warm congratulation, by -placing a hundred pounds upon the stone he had just "well and truly -laid." Two or three speeches were delivered, the indispensable -collection was made, the "Doxology" and "God save the King" were sung -with a perfect furore of enthusiasm, and then a general adjournment -was made to the "tented field." A battle royal succeeded; such an -overwhelming charge was made upon urn and teapot, loaf and pastry, -flesh and fowl, that in a very little while the boards were swept of -their supplies, and the trampled ground was strewed with shattered -fragments, the only surviving token of the fierceness of the fray. At -the evening meeting the squire of Waverdale again took the place of -honour, and delighted all his hearers with the simple relation of his -religious experience, and his grateful references to the Methodist -influences which had been brought to bear on himself and son. "As for -good old Adam Olliver," quoth the squire, "he is one of Nature's -noblemen. No, that won't do either, for our grand old friend is in the -highest sense a patriarch in holiness and grace. My debt to him is -greater than he knows; greater than he will ever know until the light -of eternity flashes on the doings of time. I desire in his name to -contribute a further sum of fifty pounds, and I heartily pray that -the chapel about to be built may be the means of perpetuating and -multiplying such genuine specimens of piety, integrity, and goodness -among the villagers of Nestleton." - -Mr. Houston read a statement of a financial kind, which set forth a -very hopeful state of things, and then the squire called on Philip -Fuller to address the meeting. The young and handsome heir of the -Waverdale estates received an unmistakable ovation which said much for -his hold upon the general esteem, and promised much for his future -influence over those among whom he would one day occupy so powerful a -position for evil or for good. When Philip rose to his feet there was -a certain young lady who felt a sudden flutter at her heart as to how -he would acquit himself. He was quite as effective, however, in his -work as she had been in hers, and that is saying much, for in the -dreadful fight among the crockery and its contents, Lucy Blyth had -handled her weapons like a heroine, as many a sated tea-bibber and -muffin-eater could testify. - -"My dear father and Mr. Chairman," quoth Philip--and here the -unconscionable tipplers of the not inebriating stimulus cheered -again--"among the many causes of gratitude and joy that fill my heart -to-day, one of the very greatest is the joy of seeing you in that -position. How good God has been to me you know full well. I stand here -happy in the consciousness of a Saviour's love, as one raised by a -miracle from the bed of death, rich in the possession of your sympathy -and love, both intensified by the power of a common faith in Jesus, -and as the prospective possessor of the fairest prize in Waverdale." -Here the applause was almost deafening; hats and handkerchiefs were -waved in frantic excitement, and if any purblind idiot was ignorant of -Lucy's hold upon the people's hearts, he was there and then -enlightened fully and for evermore. "I, too, sir, must render my -acknowledgments to Adam Olliver, my spiritual father, my trusted -friend, my counsellor and guide. My heart is far too full for fitting -speech. To honest, humble, hearty Methodist people, under God, I owe -all that is worth having in this world; and I propose by God's help to -live among them and to labour with them as long as He shall please to -spare my life. I, too, sir, with your permission, would give £100 in -token of my gratitude to the Great Giver of all my good." - -In the same high strain of gratitude, speaker followed speaker, and -the interest of the meeting was not only sustained but heightened. The -minister from York gave a full, clear exposition of the distinctive -doctrines of Methodism and the chief peculiarities of its discipline, -to which, it was noted, the squire gave earnest, studious, and -approving heed; Mr. Clayton talked wisely and well of Methodism's -special mission to Nestleton, and sketched in glowing colours a -prophetic history of the new chapel, and the good work that should -there be done for God. Mr. Mitchell found a thrilling and congenial -theme in the Midden Harbour mission, and the triumphs of grace among -its vicious and degraded inhabitants. Then the meeting was thrown open -for the reception of gifts and promises, and it soon appeared as if, -like Moses with the Israelites, Mr. Clayton would have to ask them to -"stay their hand." Jabez Hepton would make and give the pulpit; Kasper -Crabtree would build the wall around the chapel grounds and surmount -it with iron palisades; George Cliffe the carrier, and other owners of -horses would "lead" the bricks, lime, sand, stone, slates, and timber -free of cost. Widow Appleton promised the proceeds of her jargonelle -pear-tree, and Piggy Morris would give a litter of porkers to increase -the swelling funds. At length, up rose Black Morris, but so widely -different was his aspect as compared with the sad, bad times of -old--clean shaven, and with shortened locks, the old scowl conspicuous -by its absence, and the entire countenance so illuminated with the -gleam of grace, that all present felt that Black Morris was as dead -as Queen Anne, that the _soubriquet_ was a libel, and that the "John -Morris" of his innocent youth-hood had risen from the dead. Latterly -the ex-poacher had sought with much success to gather employment as a -farrier, and there seemed to be a reasonable prospect of prosperity in -that particular line. John Morris asked permission to address the -meeting; in feeling strains that held his hearers spell-bound, he -recounted his strange and startling experience. He told the story of -the brickbat, and pointed, with tears in his eyes, to the scar on Mr. -Clayton's face; ofttimes half-choked with sobs, he struggled through -the narrative of his never-to-be-forgotten ride in the circuit gig. He -told how he watched Mr. Clayton at Kesterton town-end with the -brickbat in his hand. "I said as I put it in my pocket," said he, "and -turned down the Nestleton-road, 'Hey, I shall want it again.' And now -I _do_ want it again. Here it is! (and he held the missile up before -them), I want to give it to the new chapel. I've saved five pounds, -and will save, by God's help fifteen more, which I rejoice to give in -gratitude to God; but I want to ask you to build the brickbat into the -building, for it has been bathed many a time in tears of penitence, -and I thank God, it has also been bathed in tears of joy." The scene -which followed baffles description. Mr. Clayton hid his face in his -hands and wept like a child, the sobs of Piggy Morris and his gentle -Mary were heard above the deep but suppressed murmurs of sympathy -which ran through the tearful crowd. By-and-bye, "Aud Adam Olliver" -arose and said,-- - -"Mr. Chairman! If ivver there was a man upo' t' 'arth 'at was a'most -ower 'appy te live, it's me. Halleluia! Halleluia! Prayse the Lord! -an' let all the people say, Amen." And they _did_ say it, as if they -meant it. Adam proceeded, "Neet an' day for mair then fotty year, -ah've bin prayin' an' waitin' te see this day. An' noo its cum, an' -cum iv a shap' 'at fair tonns me' heead wi' joy. When me an' mah dear -aud Judy com' here te-day, and ah saw this greeat big tent afoore uz, -an' t' flags flappin' on t' top on it, ah could'nt help sayin', 'Judy, -mi' lass! There's t' tabernacle there alriddy, an' t' temple 'll be up -and oppened afoare Can'lemas-day. Prayse the Lord!' We've had monny a -blessed tahme i' mah lahtle hoose, an' Maister Houston's kitchen's -been filled wi' t' glory o' the Lord. Beeath on 'em's been a Bochim -wi' t' tears o' penitent sowls, an' thenk the Lord beeath on em's been -a Bethel, wheer poor wanderin' sinners like Jacob hez fun' the Lord. -Ah've been thinkin' o' t' good aud sowls 'at's gone te heaven oot o' -mah lahtle class, since fost it wer' started, playmaytes an' -cumpanions o' mahne an' Judy's. Why scoores on 'em hez crossed ower -Jordan, dry-shod, an' gone te be for ivver wi' the Lord. Me an' Judy's -aboot all there's left o' t' real aud standers. We are like a coople -o' poor, dry trimmlin' leeaves, still shackin' upo' t' tree i' winter; -when wa' fall we sall fall as leet as they deea, an' t' wind 'at bloas -us doon 'll bloa us up ageean an' carry us inte Paradise,-- - - 'Te flourish in endurin' bloom - Seeaf frae diseeases an' decline.' - -Then there's that grand victh'ry 'at the Lord's gi'en us i' Midden -Harbour. Scoores o' poor sowls 'at's been liggin' amang t' pots hez -gotten 'wings o' silver an' feathers o' yallow gold.' Prayse the Lord! -An' noo, Mr. Chairman, let's remember what the Lord said te t' -Israelites when they camped bi' t' side o' Jordan, 'at owerfload its -banks i' harvest-tahme. It seeamed as though they could nivver cross -it, it was sae rough an' sae deep. He said, be' t' mooth ov 'is -sarvan, Joshua, 'Sanctify ye'rsens, an' i' t' mornin' the Lord 'll -work wunders fo' yo' l' an' sae He will for uz. Noo, Mr. Chairman, -ah'll say nae mair, bud nobbut propooase 'at John Morris's hoaf-brick -be built i' t' frunt o' t' chapil, i' sitch a spot 'at 'is bairns an' -their bairns efter 'em may nivver forget hoo the Lord mak's t' wrath -ov man te prayse Him, an' hoo He browt John Morris te t' Sayviour's -feet." - -The meeting was at length brought to a conclusion, and the people trod -their homeward way, filled with precious experiences of a day which -still lives in the memories of some who are yet spared by the sweeping -scythe of Time, to tell the story of the glorious meeting on Nestleton -Green, and the episode of Black Morris's singular contribution. In due -time the front gable reared its graceful head, and midway in the wall -was placed a slab of stone, with a square orifice cut in the middle, -in which the brickbat was inserted, and round about it an inscription -to the following effect:-- - -[Illustration: WESLEYAN METHODIST CHAPEL, BUILT 1835.] - -One day, when Mr. Clayton was sauntering round the new erection, -noticing with much satisfaction how nearly it approached completion, -he was joined by John Morris, who paid a daily visit of inspection to -the building in which he had so deep and strong an interest. They -stood together, reading the inscription on the tablet and looking at -the suggestive square within. - -"Morris," said Mr. Clayton with a smile, "that cut in the stone will -outlast the scar on my cheek! I count that seam one of the most -precious things that I possess." - -"And I," said Morris, "count it one of the most shameful things that -even I ever did in my reckless wickedness. But, see, there is a B -directly below it and an M immediately above it, and so it will -perpetuate Black Morris's repentance so long as the walls endure; or, -if you read it downwards, Morris's Brickbat is intimated quite as -clearly." - -"Well, that's one way of looking at it," said Mr. Clayton, laughing, -"but I have already read it downwards, and in my own mind have -translated it into Methodist Booty; and I declare to you that I would -willingly bear the brunt of another attack if I could capture another -brickbat and another warm-hearted Christian like John Morris;" so -saying he shook his companion warmly by the hand. That worthy fellow's -answer was a grateful look, through glistening eyes, as he silently -turned away. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIX. - -NESTLETON PUTS ON HOLIDAY ATTIRE. - - "Now all is done; bring home the bride again, - Bring home the triumph of our victory; - Bring home with you the glory of her gain, - With joyaunce bring her and with jollitie. - Never had man more joyful day than this, - Whom heaven would heap with bliss. - Make feast, therefore, now all this livelong day, - This day for ever to me holy is." - - _Spenser._ - - -The spring buds had expanded into summer flowers, May blossoms had -developed into autumn fruits, and the corn-fields were nearly white -unto the harvest, when the finishing touch was given to Nestleton -Chapel, and the day came round when that much-admired sanctuary was to -be publicly opened and solemnly consecrated to God. Great as was the -stir and the enthusiasm when the corner-stone was laid, that event had -to hide its diminished head in presence of this crowning ceremony. The -top-stone was emphatically brought on with shouting, and on that day -Nestleton, with the whole Kesterton Circuit as a boon companion, gave -itself up to an ecstacy of godly dissipation. Nor will this be -wondered at, when it is remembered that the programme of the opening -ceremonies included so joyous and important an episode as the marriage -of Philip Fuller and Lucy Blyth. The fact that this ceremony was to -take place in a "Methodist conventicle," as the new building was -contemptuously called, an act which was just made legally possible, -thinned the number of invited guests considerably, as well as did the -fact of Philip's plebeian choice of a bride from a blacksmith's -hearth-stone. Both he and his father could well afford to excuse the -absence of all such pitiful slaves to an unreasonable conventionalism, -which cared more for caste than character, and paid a grovelling -homage at the shrine of Mrs. Grundy. Philip knew that he was about to -gain a first-class prize in what, as things go, is too truly a -"matrimonial lottery." His father knew that he was about to welcome to -Waverdale Hall a member of the higher aristocracy of goodness and -virtue, compared with which, blue blood and a pedigree dating from the -Norman Conquest were trivialities too insignificant for mention; as -for a mere Plutocracy, whose merit consists in money and acres, the -old squire, even before his moral change had come, would have looked -down on it with disdain. Now, both his own and his son's convictions -chimed in with Tennyson's sentiment,-- - - "Trust me, Clara Vere de Vere; - From yon blue heavens above us bent, - The grand old gardener and his wife, - Smile at your claims of long descent. - Howe'er it be, it seems to me, - 'Tis only noble to be good; - Kind hearts are more than coronets, - And simple faith than Norman blood." - -And so it was, that no shadow of regret or drawback mingled with the -glad events of that auspicious day, which crowned the happiness of two -loyal hearts, filled the old squire's cup with blessing, dispersed the -last vestige of fear from Blithe Natty's mind, drove Nestleton into -hysterical delight, and filled all Waverdale with joy. - -At Old Adam Olliver's suggestion, the first service on the opening day -was held at eight o'clock in the morning, and consisted solely of -prayer and praise, with a brief address from Mr. Clayton, to whom they -were so greatly indebted, alike for the initiation of the scheme and -its triumphant completion. Herein, the wise and thoughtful villagers -happed exactly on what was indisputably the fitting thing to do, both -as to the nature of the primal service and the choice of the -individual who should line out the first hymn of praise and offer the -consecrating prayer. The custom which prevails of asking some popular -minister from a distance to perform this honourable task, and to make -a sermon the chief feature of the dedication, is one which would be -much more honoured in the breach than the observance. _He_ has had no -sleep-depriving cares, no tireless labours, no anxious heartaches, -during the harassing history of the work, and probably never heard of -it, until he receives the invitation to be the high priest of the day. -Let those who present the gift lay it upon the altar, and then it may -be wise to summon whatever oratorical harp, sackbut, and psaltery may -add effect and interest to the holy festival. During that early -morning meeting the crowd of worshippers had evidence prompt and -potent that their gift had "come up acceptable before God." - -"Cum an' fill the hoose in which we sit!" pleaded Adam Olliver; -"suddenly cum te Thi' temple. It's Thahne! It's nobbut a poor thing -cumpared wi' what Thoo's gi'en te uz, bud it's best we can deea! Mair -sud Thoo hev, if we had mair! An' we gi' Thoo oorsens wiv it. Tak' it -an' tak' uz, O Lord. Cum an' live in it, an' iv oor 'arts. Let t' -cloven tungues o' fire sit on uz while we kneel! Greeat grace be noo -upon uz all!" - -And "great grace" did come, "and the glory of the Lord filled the -temple," for we may be assured that such a gift offered in such a -spirit, by those inspired by such motives, shall now and ever be -graciously acknowledged by Him whose name is recorded there. It will -be seen that the building was now fitly prepared for the second -ceremonial, which was nothing less than the joining together of Philip -and Lucy in the holy bands of matrimony. I am sorry to disappoint -those of my readers who are eagerly looking for "a true and particular -description of that interesting transaction." Were I to make the -attempt my pen would be like Pharaoh's chariots in the Red Sea's -vacated bed, which "drave heavily," and would lag in tedious -despondency, conscious that the feat was beyond its power. Suffice it -to say that there were all the usual accessories common to such a rare -occasion: orange flowers and veils and coaches, horses with white -rosettes and tasseled ear-caps, wedding guests in white gloves, white -waistcoats, or white robes, according as their sex demanded. This I -may note, that the Rev. Matthew Mitchell was promoted to the high -position of "best man," adding my own opinion that a much better man -would have been difficult to discover. Mr. Mitchell was kept in -countenance by a couple of Philip's college chums, who loved him in -his student days, and whose esteem was of that true metal which did -not lose its ring at the sight of a Methodist chapel or a cottage-born -bride. Amongst the bridesmaids was one of Lucy's school companions, -who rejoiced in being the daughter of "a private gentleman of -competent means," which may probably be accepted by Mrs. Grundy as a -passable certificate, giving right of entry within the magic circle of -"people of position." It may be depended on, however, that this was -not our Lucy's reason for selecting her. That was because she was as -good as gold, had been for years a correspondent given to writing -crossed letters, and was a true and bosom friend. I should not like to -forget that bonny Grace Houston was also an attractive feature of the -bridal train, and more than one or two observant spectators of the -day's proceedings were led to suspect, from certain numerous, but -undefinable phenomena, that Mr. Mitchell "had an eye in that -direction." As for the two chief actors in this exciting and brilliant -business, I can only say that Philip bore himself as nobly as a -conqueror should, and led his captive with so proud a mien that you -might have thought she was a De Montmorency or a Fitzroy at the very -least. Lucy was simply Lucy, for I declare that yards and yards of -white tulle, yards and yards of silvery drapery, a marvellous wreath -of orange blossoms, satin shoes, and all the rest of her bridal -adornments, could not add one iota to the magical charm which dwelt in -and around the plain unvarnished "Lucy" whom we know. - -"Isn't she an angel," said little Alice Vokes, one of the white-kilted -fairies who strewed the carpet pathway from gate to altar with -flowers. - -"Isn't she a stunner," said Tom Raspin, a chubby youth of ten who -formed one of a Sunday-school detachment "on guard." - -My own opinion is that she was both, even with the addition of the -adjectives "perfect" and "regular" which were tacked on by the -respondents in their emphatic replies. - -There! I beg to decline further penny-a-lining on this subject. Let my -readers paint the picture themselves, and then get an artist in colour -to touch it off, with special orders "not to spare the paint," and -thus they may arrive at a satisfactory idea of Lucy's wedding. Mr. -Clayton tied the "hymeneal knot," and I am in a position to affirm -that he was "assisted by"--nobody; that nonsensical innovation was -then happily unknown. When the wedding party drove off to Waverdale -Hall, amid the enthusiastic applause of no end of uninvited -spectators, Adam Olliver turned to Farmer Houston, and said with a -smile,-- - -"There, Maister! T' pattern's finished. God set t' shuttle te wark i' -answer te wer' prayers. Nestleton Chapil was in it, Squire Fuller was -in it, Philip and Lucy's weddin' was in it. Noo it's finished, bless -the Lord, an' a pratty pattern it is." - - * * * * * - -The wedding breakfast was a grand business. The great dining-hall was -"furnished with guests;" stately lackies with powdered hair and -abnormal calves, got as usual into each other's way, and looked -innocently unconscious of all that was going on. The most rigid -justice was measured out to the sumptuous viands waiting sepulture, -and then, that time of test and trial, that running of the gauntlet, -that shivering plunge amid broken ice, the speechifying time, came -round. Lucy pierced the Brobdignagian Greco-Gothic edifice of a -bride-cake gallantly and resolutely, as though she had a spite against -it, an article she never possessed against anything or anybody; then -Philip gripped the weapon and speedily put it to the sword, sending -round its ice-and-sugar mailed morsels to the expectant guests. Then -followed the various toasts customary on such occasions, connected -with speeches which need not be reported: their gist and character may -be well imagined. Mr. Mitchell was the last speaker. He could not -begin with, "unaccustomed as I am to public speaking," as is often the -case, but he displayed a nervousness which nobody who had heard him -hold forth in Piggy Morris's malt-kiln would ever have given him -credit for. For a minute or two he floundered, and no wonder, the -surroundings were somewhat different from those in the Midden Harbour -Chapel of Ease; but he happened to catch a suspicious smile on the -face of one of Philip's college friends, and at once he felt the -gravity of the occasion. The honour of Methodism, of Lucy Blyth's--I -beg her pardon, Lucy Fuller's--clerical connections, of Philip's -choice of a Church were at stake, so he pulled himself together, and -planted his feet firmly en the ground, as though he was about to quote -Sir Walter Scott,-- - - "Come one, come all! this rock shall fly - From its firm base as soon as I!" - -"Mr. Chairman!" A roar of laughter and rappings that made the glasses -dance a fandango, greeted this _lapsus linguæ_, but he was now equal -to the occasion,-- - -"That is the word I should have used if 'my foot had been on my native -heath,' as it is I must forego the familiar formula, and at once -address myself to the attractive task before me. There can be but one -opinion as to the peculiar charm which the bridesmaids have lent to -the happy proceedings of the day. Their winning beauty, the magic -influence, shall I say, the grace,----" - -"Yes, Grace Houston!" said a waggish guest, who had noted the -speaker's marked devotion to that more than comely damsel: whereupon -our tyro blushed like a boy, and almost lost his equilibrium, while -Grace herself found something amiss with the rose on her bosom, which -required close attention to secure its proper re-adjustment. - -"I recommend the young gentlemen here present," continued he, "to 'use -well the present moment,' for not only may they go further and fare -worse, but they may go anywhere and not fare so well. I hope that this -bevy of fair damsels may speedily follow in the steps of the bride, -and have the promise of as fair a future." - -Of course, "all went merry as a marriage bell," until at last the -carriage rolled up to the door, and the bridal pair departed amid -cheers, and tears, and blessings, to spend the honeymoon at -Scarborough, in which delightful resort of health and pleasure I will -leave them awhile, and proceed to chronicle the subsequent doings of -Nestleton in its holiday attire. - -The entire village, together with its numerous visitors, had -immigrated bodily to Waverdale Park. A bountiful feast was spread for -all comers, an ox had been roasted whole for their delectation, and a -boundless supply of other comestibles had been provided by the squire -and his son, to an extent that defied the heavy run upon them to -exhaust. I am bound to say that there was also a sufficient supply of -foaming ale, for beneficent teetotalism had not yet penetrated those -rural regions, and Good Templary had not been even dreamed of by the -most determined and sanguine votary of anti-Bacchus. Of course, there -were more speeches, in the course of which the squire himself proposed -the health of Old Adam Olliver. The old hedger received an ovation -such as might well have turned the heads of less humble men. For a -moment or two the old man was in danger of being mounted, chair and -all, upon the shoulders of his fellow-villagers, and carried in -triumph round the park. They contented themselves, however, by calling -for a speech. - -"Ah's varry mitch obliged te yo'," quoth Adam, "bud speeach-mackin' at -tahmes like theease is altegither oot o' mah line. Ah will say this, -hooivver, 'at Nestleton nivver saw sitch a day as this afoore, an' ah -deean't think 'at it's ivver likely te see sitch anuther. Mah poor aud -een's run a'most dry wi' tears o' grattitude an' joy. Nestleton's -getten a chapil, an't' yung squire's getten Lucy, an' t' aud squire's -getten a dowter withoot a marro', an' Nathan Blyth's getten a son 'at -owt te mak' 'im stand three inches bigger iv his shoon; an' what -Nestleton's getten i' hevin' 'em all 'll be a blessin' tiv it for -ivver an' ivver. As for me an' Judy, we've nobbut gotten yah wish -left, an' that's te see Pete ageean. But that's as the Lord will. Ah's -an aud man, an' me' wark's deean. Ah've hed te hing up me -slashin'-knife an' hedgin'-gluvs, an' ah's just waitin' quietly te gan -when t' Maister calls ma'. Ah pray 'at t' yung cupple may be varry -happy, an' ah's seear they will, for-- - - ''Tis religion 'at can give - Reeal pleasure while we live;' - -an', prayse the Lord, they hev it, beeath on 'em. Ah wop they'll hae -their quiver full ov bonny bairns, an' bring 'em up i' t' fear o' God: -an' efter a lang an' 'appy an' useful life, 'at they'll end their days -i' peeace, an' gan te be for ivver wi' the Lord; for-- - - ''Tis religion can supply - Solid cumfort when we die.' - -May God bless 'em, an' bless t' aud squire, an' bless uz all. Amen!" - -Old Adam's words were felt to be a benediction, and a deep and earnest -"Amen!" arose to float the old man's prayer to heaven. - -The day was fitly wound up with another service in the new chapel, -when a sermon was preached by a minister of mighty name and fame from -London, who had come to aid them in the dedication of their holy and -beautiful house of prayer. So ended a day, which will long be -remembered in the annals of Waverdale, as the day of "Nestleton Chapel -opening and Lucy Blyth's wedding!" - - - - -CHAPTER XL. - -AN EPISODE IN A METHODIST LOVE-FEAST. - - "While listening to the tale - Her spirits faltered and her cheeks turned pale; - While her clasped hands descended to her knee, - She, sinking, whispered forth, 'O God! 'tis he!' - - * * * * * - - The long-lost found, the mystery cleared, - What mingled transports on her face appeared! - The gazing veteran stood with hands upraised-- - 'Art thou indeed my son? then God be praised!'" - - _Blomfield._ - - -The opening services were continued for three successive Sundays, and -one noteworthy feature in the course was the holding of a love-feast; -that peculiarly Methodistic institution which was so rich a blessing -to the Church in the earlier days, and is yet, in the places which -have maintained their primitive simplicity, and into which the cold -criticisms of lethargic respectability and the frosty influences of a -stately formality, have not found their mischievous and unwelcome way. -In those old times the love-feast was not relegated to a brief -half-hour after the evening service, when the jaded congregation is -glad to get out of a spent and oppressive atmosphere, and when a -careful examination of the tickets of membership, once a precious -certificate of union with the Church, and a passport to peculiar -privileges of spiritual intercourse, is rendered all but -impracticable. Then, the love-feast was held in the afternoon, each -member showed his ticket at the door, and those who came without that -token had to go to the minister for a written "permit." A few kindly -and serious words spoken to the applicants often resulted in their -decision for Christ, and their connection with His people. - -At the Nestleton love-feast there was a full gathering of members, not -only from the village, but the region round about. After singing and -prayer, "Grace before Meat" was sung, and then the time-honoured -custom of eating bread and drinking water together was observed. There -are those, even among Methodists, who speak jocosely and slightingly -of this usage, as one which "might be very well spared." They are -degenerate children, who sadly underrate and misunderstand its -meaning, and are recreant and disloyal to the spiritual mother that -bore them. They forget that Methodism has for one of its main elements -of strength, one of its most effective equipments for moral service, a -principle and bond of brotherhood, a family relationship such as -belongs to no other Christian Church on earth. The breaking of bread -together is the sign and token of that moral freemasonry, and has done -much to make the Methodists at home with each other, wherever their -lot is cast. In an Australian hut or Indian bungalow, an American -shanty or a Canadian log-house, on a South Sea Island or a Western -prairie, as well as in an English rural homestead or an urban villa, -two Methodist hearts, hitherto strangers, will beat in unison, and the -hand-grasp that follows betokens a welding power in the Methodist -polity which it will be stark, staring madness either to weaken or -destroy. Besides this, the cultivation of the family bond by such -means as the love-feast is an effective means of checking feuds, -jealousies, coolnesses, and of re-twisting the brotherly bonds that -friction with the outside world tends to loosen, to the serious loss -of spiritual power. He is the most loyal Methodist who will heartily -conserve all those rules and usages which tend to bind its world-wide -constituency into one homogeneous, harmonious, and resistless whole. - -[Illustration: ADAM OLLIVER ADDRESSING A MEETING.--_Page 287._] - -"Grace after Meat" was sung, and then Mr. Clayton, who conducted the -service, related his own experience of the saving and sustaining grace -of God. Then the meeting was thrown open, and one after another stood -up to tell "what God had done for their souls." There was no -unwillingness to bear this godly witness. Young men and maidens, old -men and children--youthful Samuels and aged Simeons--all spoke briefly -and feelingly of their new-found or time-tested faith in Jesus. The -old wept tears of joy to hear the lispings of the young, the young -listened with interest to the "wisdom spoken by years." Once only was -the current of grateful love and joy broken in upon by another kind of -testimony. A good brother, who was sadly given to doubts and fears, -and generally to an unsatisfactory and discontented view of things, -spoke in such a sighing, doubting fashion as to cause quite a -depressing influence to fall upon the meeting. He was instantly -followed by Adam Olliver, who seemed to regard that sort of thing as a -libel on the goodness and grace of God. - -"Ah think," said he, "'at Brother Webster, 'at's just sitten doon, -lives i' Grumblin'-street. Ah lived there mysen yance; but ah nivver -had good 'ealth. T' air was bad, an' t' watter was bad, an' t' sun -nivver shined frae Sunday mornin' te Setterday neet. Sae ah teeak a -hoose i' Thenksgivin'-street, an' ivver since then things ez been -quite different; t' air's feyn an' bracin', an' t' watter's pure and -refreshin', an' t' sun shines like summer, an' t' bods sing, an' ah -can't help bud sing mysen. Ah recommend Brother Webster te flit. It'll -deea him a wolld o' good, an' ah sall be varry glad te get a new -neighbour. Te-day ah thenk the Lord 'at me' peeace floas like a river; -an' though ah's nobbut a poor aud sheep 'at can't forage for mysen, -an' isn't worth tentin', 'the Lord is mi' Shippard, an' ah sall nut -want. He mak's me te lig doon i' green pasthers beside still watters, -an' leads ma' i' t' paths ov righteousness for His neeame's seeak.'" - -He was followed by Judith, who spoke in clear and joyous language of -her calm repose on the bosom of infinite love, and of her hope of -heaven, which she said was brighter than ever. - -"I sall soon be there," said the ripe old saint. "I can't say as Jacob -did to Pharaoh, 'few and evil have the days of the years of my life -been,' for I seems to hev had nothing but mercies all t' way through. -As Adam says, we've lived i' Thanksgiving-street, an' though there's -been trials and cares, they've all been swallowed up in a multitude of -blessings. Now I feel that I's getten to be a poor totterin', old -woman, but I'm going home to Jesus. - - 'There all the ship's company meet - Who sailed with the Saviour beneath.' - -I had a hope 'at I should see my lad again, that's been ower t' sea -for monny a year. I fair pines sometimes to hev another look at his -dear face. But he's in the Lord's hands. He's found t' pearl of great -price, thank God, an' if I don't see him on earth, I shall meet him i' -heaven." - -By-and-bye there rose up just behind her a tall, fine-looking man, -about thirty years of age, whose brown and weather-beaten face was -"bearded like the pard." To him Mr. Clayton had given a "permit" on -the strength of a "note of removal," which, unlike many careless -Methodists of nomadic habits, who neglect this duty and so slip out of -Church fellowship, he had taken care to bring along with him. - -"I'm glad to be here to-day," said he; "I have only just arrived in -your beautiful little village, but as I know something of this -religion, and have the love of God shed abroad in my heart, I cannot -resist the opportunity of telling you what God has done for my soul. I -was a wild, harum-scarum lad when I left my home to seek my fortunes -in a foreign land. My parents were two as godly Christians as were to -be found out of heaven; but the restraints of a Christian home, and -the hum-drum life of a country village were more than my wilful spirit -and roaming tendencies could bear, so I left home somewhat suddenly -and much against my parents' will. A long, rough, and tedious voyage -across the sea partly cured me of my roving desires, and I felt half -inclined to come home again, especially as I had left my mother in -tears and my father sad at heart. When I landed, however, I made up my -mind not to go home until I had earned what it was worth my while to -carry back. For a long time I led a wandering life, not bettering my -condition, and I'm sorry to say not much better myself. At last the -tide turned; I settled down and made money very fast. I could never -forget, however, that the dear old folks at home were praying for me. -One night I was away on business, and found my way to a Methodist -chapel, for there's plenty of them yonder as well as here. It was only -a prayer-meeting, but I heard them sing the old hymns to the old -tunes, so familiar to my boyhood, and when a plain-spoken old man -began to pray it reminded me so much of my father's voice that I burst -into tears. My wild and careless life condemned me all at once, and I -could not help crying out, 'God be merciful to me a sinner!' They -gathered round me and prayed with me. I was in an agony of trouble, -and cried loudly for mercy, and at last the Lord spoke peace to my -soul." - -During the last two sentences the speaker's voice had faltered, and -under the influence of deep feeling he spoke in tones such as can -never be mistaken by a mother's ear. They fell like a revelation on -Judith Olliver; rising from her seat she turned fully round, looked -the speaker in the face, and crying, "It's mah Pete! mah bairn!" flung -her arms around her boy, and buried her grey head upon his shoulder, -murmuring the endearing words she used long years ago when she held -him on her knee. The congregation rose upon their feet in strong -excitement; Mr. Clayton, who was in the secret, brushed aside his -tears, and Old Adam Olliver, pale and silent with excess of joy, -walked across the chapel floor to greet his long absent son. - -"Adam!" said the mother, smiling through her tears, "thoo said he -would come, an' here he is!" - -The old hedger took the hand of his stalwart son, and shook it a long -while in an eloquent silence, his face working, his lips quivering in -his earnest efforts to keep back the gush of feeling, but all in vain, -it would come; throwing himself up on his boy's brawny breast, he -burst into tears of joy. Recovering himself, he said,-- - -"God bless tha', mah lad! God bless tha'!" Then lifting up his hands, -he said, amid the hush which waited on his words, "'Noo, Lord, lettest -Thoo Thi' sarvant depayt i' peeace, for me ees hae seen Thi' -salvaytion!" - -Mr. Clayton gave out the "Doxology," which was sung as only they can -sing who feel every word of it. He offered an earnest thanksgiving for -the wanderer's safe return, and commended the people to the Divine -keeping, and so ended the memorable love-feast which is remembered and -spoken of in Nestleton to this day. - -Farmer Houston was standing by the door to welcome Pete, and to -congratulate his parents on their boy's return. - -"Maister," said Old Adam, "you see Pete was i' t' 'pattern' all t' -tahme, an' we didn't knoa; 'This is the Lord's deein', an' it's -marvillous i' wer ees.'" - - - - -CHAPTER XLI. - -THE REVOLUTION IN MIDDEN HARBOUR. - - "O happy home! where man and wife in heart, - In faith and hope are one, - That neither life nor death can part - The holy union here begun. - - O happy home! where little voices - Their glad hosannas love to raise; - And childhood's lisping tongue rejoices - To bring new songs of love and praise." - - _Spitta._ - - -Amongst all the good people of Nestleton and its environs there was -none who entertained a more grateful love to the fair young mistress -of Waverdale Hall than Old Kasper Crabtree, to whom she had been so -gentle a nurse, and by whom he had been brought into possession of the -Gospel hope. Soon after the return of Philip and Lucy from their -wedding trip, and when they had fairly settled down among the -villagers, in the midst of whom their lives were to be spent "in -giving and receiving good," they received a message from the old man -requesting an early visit. He was seriously ill, and desired, with -their permission, to put into their hands a solemn and important -trust. His request was promptly responded to. The old man's face -lighted up with pleasure at the sight of Lucy, and it was with equal -pleasure that she heard his testimony of peace with God and hope of -heaven. - -"And now," said he, "my end is near, and I wish to unburden myself of -a trouble which has lately distressed me a good deal. You know that -I'm a solitary old man, without relatives, near or distant. I am -anxious to put what little fortune I have inherited and accumulated, -in trust for the thorough renovation of Midden Harbour. The miserable -houses, the want of drainage, and the generally dilapidated and -uncleanly condition of my property there, makes it all but impossible -for the poor tenants to improve much in morality and decency. I want -to ask you if you will kindly take charge of this work, and expend -such monies as I shall devote to that purpose in carrying out a -radical improvement of the place." - -To this his hearers willingly consented, heartily approving of his -design. - -"Now," said he, "I can die in peace. The result of my shameful neglect -you will undo, and repair the consequences of my selfish -indifference." - -Philip prayed with him; he and Lucy bade him good-bye, and in a few -days the old man passed away, rejoicing in the sure and certain hope -of eternal life. When his will came to be read it was discovered that -Kasper Crabtree had left all he possessed, absolutely and without -condition, to Lucy Fuller, "in grateful acknowledgment," said the -will, "of my eternal debt of gratitude to her, and in full confidence -that it will be well employed for the good of those I have too much -neglected, and for the glory of God." - -The reformation of Midden Harbour was a congenial task to Philip and -his wife. One after the other the old ricketty cottages were pulled -down and others built, healthy, comfortable, and commodious. The place -was effectively drained, gardens were laid out, an abundance of trees -and shrubs were planted, the pathways were paved, and the whole -appearance of the place was so thoroughly revolutionised as to have -lost its identity. The inhabitants, most of whom were members of the -Methodist society, drew up a round robin, and presented it to their -new landlord, with a unanimous request that the old name, once -sufficiently descriptive of its unsavoury condition, should be changed -for some other which should be more in harmony with the new and happy -condition of things. It was some time before its youthful owners could -hit upon a satisfactory title; at last they decided to call it Kasper -Grove, and so to hand down to posterity the name of the old man to -whom it was indebted for its transformation. Midden Harbour was -defunct, swept out of existence, but Kasper Grove continues to this -day, and holds a place among the lions of Nestleton quite as -attractive as the ancient abbey or Saint Madge's Well. - - * * * * * - -My story now draws nigh to a conclusion, but I must give my readers -just a final glimpse at the principal actors in the village history I -have tried to chronicle. - -Nathan Blyth transferred his business to a son of Jabez Hepton, who -had been taught his handicraft by Nathan himself, and was said to -possess much of the skill and cunning for which his master had long -been famous, and which had brought so much of profit, that in Nathan's -prudent hands, it had made him independent of the anvil. That good man -was able to retire on a comfortable competency and to devote his time -to tending the olive plants that soon began to grow round Lucy's -table, to active evangelic service in the Kesterton Circuit, for as a -preacher he was in great request, and to give pleasure and delight to -the old squire, who found in him an intelligent and congenial -companion, well read in that sacred lore which was now Squire Fuller's -favourite study. Nathan retained his old house, in which also Harry -Hepton and his young wife resided and cared for his creature comforts. -He didn't spend much time there, as may be well imagined, but still, -like a wise man, he kept his household goods around him, and lived as -happily as most mortals may. Though he had forsaken the anvil's -musical clink, he did not, by any means, give up singing. His grand -tenor voice, mingling with Lucy's musical treble and the tones of the -piano, out of which her magic fingers evolved sweetest harmonies, -formed an unfailing attraction to the happy inmates of Waverdale Hall. - -The old squire continued hale and hearty and it may be safely said -that he never enjoyed life as much as now. His lonely habits were all -broken in upon under the new _regime_. The library was still a -favourite resort, but Lucy was there with her wool-work or other -dainty task, and Philip or his father read for their mutual -delectation. By-and-bye, the squire developed quite a romping -tendency, and the youthful scions of the house of Fuller were in a -fair way of being spoiled by "Grandy," who in their society renewed -his youth. His lines were cast in pleasant places, and his gratitude -to God found increasing expression in his kindly visits to the -villagers and his unflagging interest in everything that pertained to -the cause of Christ. - -Philip himself was speedily elevated to the dignity of a county -magistrate, and, to what he regarded as even a higher honour, the -position of a local preacher on the Kesterton plan. He was beloved and -esteemed by all whose lot was cast within the circle of his -wide-spread influence, and was universally respected throughout the -Riding. As for Lucy, I need scarcely say that she dove-tailed into her -new position like one to the manner born, and all that this life can -give of peace and happiness was enjoyed in connection with a piety and -a Christian service, which will give mellow memories to Waverdale as -long as its sylvan glories shall unfold their beauties beneath the -breath of returning spring. - -Old Adam Olliver and Judith, blest and happy, lived with Pete, whose -Transatlantic gains sufficed for more than all their wants. He -embarked in the corn trade, and soon gained for himself a connection -that promised to be even more lucrative than the employment he had -left beyond the sea, when he was drawn homeward by the magic of his -mother's prayers. He soon gave a convincing proof of his good sense by -selecting for a wife the fair and gentle Mary Morris, who was as good -a daughter to Judith and Old Adam as she had been to her ailing -mother, and so the declining years of the dear old couple were spent -in comfort and in peace. - -Piggy Morris, under the influence of the new life which had dawned on -him in Midden Harbour, forsook for ever the bar of the Green Dragon -and the drinking habits which had been the bane of his life. His was a -thorough regeneration, and his hearty activities in connection with -the Methodist Church were only equalled by the vigour with which he -turned his keen business abilities to the best account as a cattle -dealer. He became known in this character through all East Yorkshire, -and by his rapidly-increasing gains speedily surrounded his -long-suffering but now happy "Sally," with a home atmosphere which -wrought a wondrous change in her health and made her quite a bustling -body, a happy and contented wife. - -John Morris, to be known as Black Morris no more for ever, pursued his -chosen occupation with much diligence. He studied hard, gaining wisdom -and experience in his profession, until his services as a veterinary -surgeon were in continual request. He found a fitting partner in -Hannah Olliver. As fellow-labourers in the Sunday-school, their -friendship had ripened into love, and that once dressy, but always -good-looking, damsel made him a wife of whom he was justly proud. - -Bob and Dick Morris, aided by Pete Olliver and Philip Fuller, were -enabled to regain their father's farm at Eastthorpe. Here Mrs. Morris, -senior, found unfailing pleasure in the oversight of the familiar -dairy of her younger years. Jake Olliver mated with the maiden whom, -despite the ghost of Nestleton Abbey, he had paid many a late visit to -Cowley Priory to see. As the hind on Mr. Houston's wold farm, he began -his married life under sunny auspices, and had no more of cloudy -weather than usually falls to mortal lot. - -Of the Houston family, I have little to say. That good man and his -estimable wife lived to old age, and were succeeded by still another -Houston; there is indeed every probability of the farm being handed -down in connection with the Houston name for ever. It will interest my -readers to know that the Rev. Matthew Mitchell secured the lovely -Grace in bonds which only death could loosen. Impelled by a spirit of -zeal for his Master's cause, Mr. Mitchell became a missionary, with -the hearty good-will of his devoted wife. Should these village annals -find acceptance, I may venture to tell the story of these two brave -souls, and of the mission which they established beneath the mango and -the palm. - -The Rev. Theophilus Clayton, after a few more years spent in active -work, became a supernumerary. He settled down at Nestleton in response -to Philip Fuller's earnest invitation. That open-handed friend of the -Lord's servants rendered his declining years exceptionally pleasant. -Methodism has yet much to learn in the way of just or generous -treatment of those who have spent their lives and exhausted their -strength in her service. The pitiful pittance she doles out to them -often amounts to semi-starvation. This grudging policy reacts -mischievously on the Church, in forcing feeble men to occupy the posts -of onerous duty, and also in depriving the time-worn toiler of the -quiet repose which would lengthen life and perpetuate, at least, a -portion of their Church activities. - -It would never do to forget so important a character as honest Balaam, -who was now permitted, not only to taste, but positively to banquet on -the sweets of leisure. He revelled on the sweet grass of Farmer -Houston's paddock, and was fast getting demoralised under the -influence of unmixed prosperity. Many a feed of corn, many a luscious -cabbage or succulent carrot was given him by the younger branches of -the Houston family, until like Jeshurun, he waxed fat and kicked, -affording another sad example of the mischievous effects of the -continuous smiles of fortune. At length, however, Adam Olliver, who -rode him almost daily to Waverdale Park, was induced to lend him to -the youngest squire of all, aged three years and a-half; and to his -little brother who had attained the mature age of five years. A pair -of panniers was provided, of superior basket work, cushioned and -lined, and, under the charge of a youthful groom, the precious two -were paraded round the park for a daily "constitutional." Balaam, -feeling the responsibility of his position, behaved himself as soberly -and sedately as his office demanded. No sooner, however, was duty done -than he felt at liberty to enjoy himself as his high spirits dictated. -He would then, as in former times, erect his tail, throw back his -ears, give voice in such a fashion as to wake all the echoes of -Thurston Wood, and gallop to and fro and round about in so comical a -manner as to delight the youthful hope of Waverdale. If Adam Olliver -happened to be present during one of these singular escapades, he -would say,-- - -"Balaam! Balaam! diz tho' see a boggle?" Whereupon the excitable -quadruped would lapse again into a quietude of deportment more in -keeping with his years. - -So the years went on; Time dealt gently with all and sundry, and -Nestleton Magna and its villagers held on their way in rural -simplicity, harmony, and peace. - - - - -CHAPTER XLII. - -AUD ADAM OLLIVER'S "NUNC DIMITTIS." - - "The wise man, said the Bible, walks with God; - Surveys, far on, the endless line of life; - Values his soul; thinks of eternity; - Both worlds considers, and provides for both; - With reason's eye his passions guards; abstains - From evil; lives on hope--on hope, the fruit - Of faith; looks upward; purifies his soul; - Expands his wings, and mounts into the sky; - Passes the sun, and gains his Father's house; - And drinks with angels from the fount of bliss." - - _Pollok._ - - -For several years after the stirring events previously narrated, -Nestleton Magna had largely reverted to the even tenor of its way. Not -that it could ever again be as it was in the olden time. The erection -of the chapel proved a very permanent and abiding source of good. The -society continued to increase in numbers; Kasper Grove was always the -very antipodes of Midden Harbour; the Sunday-school had grown in -numbers and in efficiency, until it occupied a position of the highest -value and importance, and all the younger generation of Nestletonians -were happily subjected to the godly influences there at work. - -Waverdale Hall was a centre of blessing, a fountain whose continuous -outflow refreshed and purified the region through which it coursed in -wise beneficence and Christly love. Still, there was an absence of -startling or exciting events, and the quiet peacefulness which -generally characterises rural districts brooded over the village -undisturbed. At the Hall there was a growing family of attractive -little squirelings and more attractive little ladies. Master Ainsley -Olliver Fuller, the eldest son and heir of my favourite friends, -Philip and Lucy, had two brothers, to wit, Philip Blyth and -Theophilus, one little sister, who could be called nothing else than -Lucy, and another sister, who was called Beatrice, after the old -squire's first and only love, long since gone to heaven. - -Old Adam Olliver was even more rich in grandchildren, for around the -tables alike of Jake and Pete and Hannah, the olive-branches increased -at a surprising rate. Very happily and peacefully did the old man's -last years ebb away. Judith was the first to receive the call from -that solemn messenger who brings his summons to every door. As she -lived, so she died; her departure was more a translation than a death. -She had not been well for some days, and one evening, while loving -Hannah was in the act of stroking her silver hair and speaking words -of cheer, she said, "Call your father." When the old man appeared, she -said, with a radiant smile, "Adam, I'm going home. Jesus calls. I'm -going on before, a little while, and the way is very light. A little -while, dear, true, good husband, and we shall meet again." And so she -slid quietly out of her clay tabernacle, and "took the nearest way to -her Father's house." - -Old Adam did not long survive her. He had grown very feeble; age and a -life of hard labour had bent his frame, and for the last few months of -his life he had to be guided across the floor. Mary was a gentle, -loving, and unwearying nurse, and fifty times a day did he ask God's -blessing on her for her kindly care. A bed had been set up for him on -the ground floor, as he was incapable of mounting the stairs, and -because he liked to have her near him, while she attended to her -household duties. But though the outward man was perishing, was -becoming a small, thin, filmy prison-house indeed, the inward man was -being renewed, beautified, and ripened day by day. - -"Mary," he would say, when he had sat still and silent for a long -time, and she had asked him how he felt, "Mary, ah've been i' good -cumpany. Judy's been wi' ma' i' spirit, an' ah've seen aingels wi' -breet an' wavin' wings, an' Jesus is allus wi' ma'. He says, 'Ah'll -cum ageean an' receeave tha' te myself,' an' ah says, 'Eaven seea, -Lord Jesus, cum quickly.' Ah sall be gannin' sum neet, an' when t' -sun's settin' wi' you, it'll be risin' wi' me, an' it'll be mornin' -an' nivver a neet nae mair." - -"Oh, Pete, mah lad," he would say, "bud religion _is_ sweet. Thoo's -crossed yah sea, an' ah's just aboot te cross anuther, bud it's a -varry narro' un', an' there isn't as mitch ov a ripple as wad toss a -chip, an' as seean as ivver ah tutch it, it'll splet, an' ah sall gan -through dryshod. An' t' other side, Pete! Ah gets a leeak at it noo -an' then, an' ah feels as though ah can hear t' music, an' see t' -saints o' God i' their glory, an' hear t' waff o' their wings. Prayse -the Lord, deein's nobbut like gannin' oot o' t' kitchen inte t' -parlour, an' 'ah sall dwell i' t' hoose o' the Lord for ivver.'" - -The old squire of Waverdale came to see him, during those last failing -months, nearly every day. He was a capital listener. Seated by Adam's -side, he would hold the old man's hand in his, and listen, with an -occasional smile, exclamation or nod, by the hour, while the veteran -talked of his religious history, gave his opinion on Scripture -passages, or bore witness of the love and grace of God. - -"Oh, Maister Fuller," said he one day, "I hev a peeace 'at's aboot -parfect. Ah've been thinkin' o' that text wheere the Lord says if His -people wad nobbut hae hearkened tiv His commandments, their peeace sud -hae floa'd like a river. Why, when fost ah gav' me 'art te God, me -peeace floa'd wiv a rush for a while, an' then gat inte t' shallo's. -Then it met fost a temptation, an' then a trubble, an' then a bit o' -neglect o' prayer, an' t' streeam was owt bud eeather smooth or full; -it went like a shallo' beck, wiv a lot o' steeanes, an' twists, an' -bendin's in it, cheeafin', an' splutterin', an' bickerin'; frothin' up -ageean this corner, an' bubblin' ower that, bud noo that it gets nigh -te t' sea, it gans deeper an' stiddier, an' floas sae smooth 'at ah -can scaycely tell it's movin' at all. That's just hoo ah feel te-day. -Ah's near t' sea; t' aushun ov infanite luv an' glory oppens oot -afoore ma', and ah's slitherin' on an' slippin' away, still, an' -quiet, an' 'appy; an' ah sall seean gan inte t' sea." Here the old man -waved his arms as "one who spreadeth forth his hands to swim." "Oh, -what a sea! t' luv o' Jesus, all on it. Prayse the Lord, ah've knoan -summut aboot it; ah've drunken it, an' ah've dipped in it, an' it's -shed abroad i' me 'art. Bud ah's gannin te swim iv it, an' te knoa Him -as ah is knoan. T' Revalation talks aboot a sea o' glass mingled wi' -fire. What it meeans ah deean't knoa, bud ah think it meeans parfect -peeace glowin' wi' t' glory o' parfect luv. Halleluia! ah sall-- - - 'Plunge inte t' Godheead's deepest sea, - Lost i' luv's immensaty.'" - -Is there anything on earth more beautiful than a scene like this? The -hoary head is indeed a crown of glory if it be found in the way of -righteousness. Age invests many things with a certain attractiveness. -An aged oak for instance, gnarled, widespread, stalwart and stately; -an ancient castle, weather-worn, storm-swept and furrowed with the -tooth of Time; an old church, moss-clad and ivy-covered; but of all -attractive pictures that Old Time can draw, nothing is more beautiful -than the silver locks and radiant features of a godly and joyous old -age. See this grand old saint, seated in "the old arm-chair," looking -placidly back upon the line of trodden years, looking hopefully -forward across the borders of the Beulah land, while the light of -heaven gilds his hoary hair. "The beauty," says Solomon, "of old men -is the grey head." That is a glorious picture which John Bunyan -paints, of the last stage of the Christian pilgrimage--the land of -Beulah, a land of glorious beauty, a place of broad rivers and -streams, spanned with heaven's undimmed blue, swept by breezes from -the hills of God, which bear on their fragrant wing the echoes of the -heavenly chimes, the foretaste of immortal joys. The Methodist -societies have ever been rich in a wealth of such experiences. A -careful perusal of the obituaries in the Methodist and Arminian -Magazines is quite sufficient evidence of the power of godliness over -pain, weakness and death to thrill the heart of the despiser, and -strike the sceptic dumb. - -At length, it became evident that Old Adam Quiver's hours were -numbered. As he felt his end approaching, he sent for friend and -neighbour, and bade them, one by one, a loving good-bye, mingling ever -a blessing with his parting words. His sons and daughters and his -grandchildren gathered round his bed, and, like Jacob, he blessed them -all by name. - -When Nathan Blyth came to take a last farewell, the old man said, with -a smile, as he noted Nathan's tears,-- - -"Nay, nay, and friend! That'll nivver deea. You owt to be Blithe Natty -noo, if ivver yo' wer' i' yer life. Ah's Blithe Adam, hooiver. It's -all sunshine, Natty,-- - - 'Nut a clood doth arise, - Te darken mi' skies, - Or te hide for a moment my Lord fre' mi' eyes.' - -'Roond aboot an' underneeath ma' are the ivverlastin' airms,' an' iv -'em ah sail swing inte heaven, as Mary tosses 'er bairn till it fair -screeams wi' joy. God bless yo', dear and friend. Ah sail seean sing -as weel as you, an' when you've waited a lahtle bit langer, we'll sing -tegither the prayses o' wer Greeat Redeemer. Deean't yo' remember yer -aun sang,-- - - An' when ah'm landed on Canaan's breet shore, - Befoore aingels an' saints will ah shoot it! - Give Glory te Jesus the King ivvermair - The King 'at ah tell'd all aboot it!" - -On the day of his death, Squire Fuller, Philip, Lucy and the little -children, gathered round his bed to receive his parting blessing. -Philip had rightly said, "Old Adam's benediction on the children will -prove a richer heritage than houses or land." - -On one and all the patriarch placed his feeble hands, the while he -breathed a silent prayer, and said aloud, "O Lord, mah God an' -Sayviour! bless the bairn!" The children were dismissed, the elders -remained, and were joined by Adam's sons and daughters, who gathered -round to see a golden sunset such as was never equalled by any -gorgeous glory of the western sky. The old man lay propped with -pillows, his scant white hair smoothed from his brow, and his thin -brown hands laid on the spotlessly white coverlet of his bed. The -shadows of evening had not yet fallen, but the sun was fast declining, -and its slanting beams fell upon his pillow, and lit up his features -with their glow Mary partially drew down the blind to shade his eyes. - -"Nay, nay, mah lassie," said Adam, "draw t' cottain up; 'It's a -pleeasant thing for t' ees te behold the sun.' It weean't ho't ma'; -mah poor and ees iz gettin' a cottain drawn ower them, bud that only -'elps 'em te see t' leet o' t' glory 'at's jost dawnin' upo' ma'. Will -yan o' ye read t' ninety-fost Psalm?" - -Lucy read it, and as soon as she began, he said, with infinite -tenderness,-- - -"God bless yo', mah dear; ah've heeard yer pratty voice ivver sin yo' -had yan, an' it's sweeter noo then ivver. Oh, Maister Philip! bud you -_are_ rich! Some fooaks get a treasure _wiv_ a wife, bud you've gotten -a treasure _iv_ a wife. Bless 'em, Lord, ten thoosandfoad wi' Thi' luv -an' fayvour." - -When the Psalm was ended he turned to the old squire. - -"Gi'e ma' hod o' yer 'and," said he; "the Lord's dealt boontifully wi' -yo', Maister Fuller, an' noo, prayse the Lord! that psalm belangs te -you as weel as me. 'He that dwells i' t' seeacret pleeace o' the -Meeast High,' that's iv His luv i' Jesus Christ, 'sall abide under t' -shado' ov t' Almighty.' _Abide!_ hey, for ivver an' ivver an' ivver! -'He sall cuver thee wiv 'is feathers.' Halleluia! Warm ageean His -'art, an' oot o' t' reeach o' 'arm. Ah's there! nestlin' an' cuddlin' -an' seeafe. 'Thoo sall nut be aflaid for t' terror be neet.' Flaid! -No: what is there te be freetened on? Jesus ez killed all that, -because He's slayn t' enmaty, an' God an' uz iz yan. He sall give His -aingels chayge ower tha'. Glory be te God! they're here! Ah can 'ear -t' rustlin' o' th'ir wings. They're waitin' fo' ma'! - - 'Aingels beckons ma' away, - An' Jesus bids ma' cum.' - -Bud that last vess caps ivverything! 'Ah'll show 'im me' salvaytion!' -Ah've seen a good deal, an' felt a good deal mair, bud it's nowt -cumpared te what's cumin'. Ah've seen it through a glass darkly, an' -ah've felt it through a gluv. Noo ah sail see Him feeace te feeace, -an' tutch Him as Thomas did, till me' sowl is ravished wi' glory an' -delight Moses saw t' Promised Land, bud he was a lang way oft, and t' -river rowlled atween. Ah sall be on t' spot, an' be a citizen o' that -cuntry. St. John saw it i' Patmos, bud it was a vision an' a dreeam. -Ah sail see t' real thing an' be payt on it, an' hev it for t' lot o' -me' inheritance. St. Paul saw it, bud he 'ad te cum doon ageean te be -pricked wi' thorns an' buffeted wi' trubbles. Ah sall gan oot nae mair -for ivver! Maister Fuller! Ah'll be riddy fo' yo' when yo' cum, an' -we'll gan tegither te t' King, an' as Nathan Blyth says, we'll shoot -and sing till we mak' heaven ring wi' prayse!" - -It is not to be supposed that this and much other joyous and -triumphant speech was said without break and pause. Now and again he -was utterly spent with excess of joy, and the feeble tongue refused to -follow the spirit's eager flight, and failed to syllable the rapture -of his exulting soul. About eight o'clock in the evening the messenger -came. The old man seemed to be asleep, but he suddenly opened his -eyes, and, looking upward, lifted his hand towards heaven; a strange -soft light and a beaming smile broke upon his face. "Heaven's oppen!" -said he; "Ah see Jesus Christ standin' at t' right 'and o' God. He hez -a star in His 'and. Beautiful! Beautiful!" The light upon his face -deepened; it seemed to be haloed with a glory. "He's cumin'," said he, -"cumin' for me. No, it isn't a star; it's a croon. Oh, mah Sayviour, -cum quickly. A croon o' glory!" Lifting up both hands, he half sprang -from the bed, crying, "It's mahne, prayse the Lord, it's mahne!" He -fell back upon his pillow, with a triumphant smile upon his face, and -Adam Olliver's glorified spirit went to heaven to wear it--that crown -of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, had laid up for -him against that day. - -So died Adam Olliver, and thus a life of singularly winning and -beautiful piety was fitly crowned by a singularly beautiful and -exultant end. - -The old man was buried in the grounds around the chapel which his -faith and prayer had chiefly reared. The whole of the societies in the -Kesterton Circuit were represented at his burial, and the large -concourse which assembled to pay this final tribute of respect agreed -in this, that though he was but an old and illiterate hedger, his -holiness, his integrity, his wondrous power with God, had made him -royal, and that "a prince and a great man had fallen in Israel." -Squire Fuller asked and received permission to erect a marble tablet -to his memory in Nestleton Chapel. There it continues to this day, and -every tourist passing through Waverdale, may turn aside and read for -himself the inscription thereon engraven. Beneath the record of his -name, age, and death, and a brief reference to his noble life are -inscribed the following texts of Scripture. Those who have read these -brief chronicles of village life will justify their choice. - - "THE EFFECTUAL, FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN - AVAILETH MUCH." - - "A MAN FULL OF FAITH AND OF THE HOLY GHOST." - - "MARK THE PERFECT MAN, AND BEHOLD THE UPRIGHT, - FOR THE END OF THAT MAN IS PEACE." - - "LET ME DIE THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS, AND LET - MY LAST END BE LIKE HIS." - - -_Printed by_ BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. _Edinburgh and London_ - - - * * * * * - - -_Books for Young Readers._ - - -By Rev. J. JACKSON WRAY. - - BETWIXT TWO FIRES. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. - - OLD CRUSTY'S NIECE. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. - - WILL IT LIFT? A Story of a London Fog. With Illustrations. - Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. - - JACK HORNER THE SECOND. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 1s. 6d. - - SIMON HOLMES, THE CARPENTER OF ASPENDALE. With Illustrations. - Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. - - THE SECRET OF THE MERE; or, Under the Surface. Crown 8vo. 2s. - 6d. - - GARTON ROWLEY; or, Leaves from the Log of a Master Mariner. - With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. - - HONEST JOHN STALLIBRASS. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. - - THE CHRONICLES OF CAPSTAN CABIN. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. - - MATTHEW MELLOWDEW. With Frontispiece. Extra crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. - - NESTLETON MAGNA. Extra crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. - - PETER PENGELLY. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 1s. 6d. - - PAUL MEGGITT'S DELUSION. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. - - A MAN EVERY INCH OF HIM. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. - - - MINIATURE CHRISTIAN CLASSICS. - - _Red Line Editions. Crown 16mo. Uniformly bound in cloth, 1s. - each; with gilt edges, 1s. 6d.; half-bound, gilt top, 1s. 6d.; - paste grain, 2s. 6d. each._ - - 1. BOGATZKY'S GOLDEN TREASURY. - 2. KEBLE'S CHRISTIAN YEAR. - 3. THE IMITATION OF CHRIST. (Thomas à Kempis.) - 4. THE POEMS OF GEORGE HERBERT. - 5. BUNYAN'S PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. - - -By R. M. BALLANTYNE. - - "The fathers, mothers, guardians, uncles, and aunts who wish to - find an acceptable present for a healthy-minded boy cannot - possibly go wrong if they buy a book with Mr. Ballantyne's name - on the title-page."--_Academy._ - - With Illustrations. Extra crown 8vo. 5s. Gilt Edges. - - THE WALRUS HUNTERS: A Tale of Esquimaux Land. - - Crown 8vo. With Illustrations. 3s. 6d. each. - -[Sidenote: 3s. 6d. each.] - - THE HOT SWAMP: A Romance of Old Albion. - - THE BUFFALO RUNNERS: A Tale of the Red River - Plains. - - CHARLIE TO THE RESCUE! A Tale of the Sea and - the Rockies. - - BIG OTTER. - - BLOWN TO BITS; or, The Lonely Man of Rakata. A - Tale of the Malay Archipelago. - - BLUE LIGHTS; or, Hot Work in the Soudan. - - THE FUGITIVES; or, The Tyrant Queen of Madagascar. - - RED ROONEY; or, The Last of the Crew. - - THE ROVER OF THE ANDES: A Tale of Adventure in - South America. - - THE YOUNG TRAWLER: A Story of Life and Death - and Rescue in the North Sea. - - DUSTY DIAMONDS, CUT AND POLISHED: A Tale of - Arab City Life. - - THE BATTERY AND THE BOILER; or, Adventures in - the Laying of Submarine Electric Cable. - - THE GIANT of the NORTH; or, Pokings Round the Pole. - - THE LONELY ISLAND; or, The Refuge of the Mutineers. - - POST HASTE: A Tale of Her Majesty's Mails. - - IN THE TRACK OF THE TROOPS: A Tale of Modern War. - - THE SETTLER AND THE SAVAGE: A Tale of Peace - and War in South Africa. - - UNDER THE WAVES; or, Diving in Deep Waters. - - RIVERS OF ICE: A Tale Illustrative of Alpine Adventure - and Glacier Action. - - THE PIRATE CITY: An Algerine Tale. - - BLACK IVORY: A Tale of Adventure among the Slavers - of East Africa. - - THE NORSEMEN IN THE WEST; or, America before - Columbus. - - THE IRON HORSE; or, Life on the Line. - - THE FLOATING LIGHT OF THE GOODWIN SANDS. - - ERLING THE BOLD: A Tale of the Norse Sea-Kings. - -[Sidenote: 3s. 6d. each.] - - THE GOLDEN DREAM: A Tale of the Diggings. - - DEEP DOWN: A Tale of the Cornish Mines. - - FIGHTING THE FLAMES: A Tale of the London Fire-Brigade. - - SHIFTING WINDS: A Tough Yarn. - - THE LIGHTHOUSE; or, The Story of a Great Fight between Man and - the Sea. - - THE LIFEBOAT: A Tale of our Coast Heroes. - - GASCOYNE, THE SANDALWOOD TRADER. - - THE WILD MAN OF THE WEST: A Tale of the Rocky Mountains. - - THE RED ERIC; or, The Whaler's Last Cruise. - - FREAKS ON THE FELLS: and Why I did not become a Sailor. - - With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. each. - -[Sidenote: 2s. 6d. each.] - - PERSONAL REMINISCENCES OF BOOKMAKING, &c. - - HUNTED AND HARRIED. - - A COXSWAIN'S BRIDE; or, The Rising Tide. And other Tales. - - THE GARRET AND THE GARDEN; or, Low Life High Up; and JEFF - BENSON; or, The Young Coastguardsman. - - THE CREW OF THE WATER-WAGTAIL. - - THE MIDDY AND THE MOORS. - - LIFE IN THE RED BRIGADE. A Fiery Tale. - - THE PRAIRIE CHIEF. A Tale. - - THE ISLAND QUEEN; or, Dethroned by Fire and Water. - - THE MADMAN AND THE PIRATE. - - TWICE BOUGHT: A Tale of the Oregon Gold Fields. - - MY DOGGIE AND I. - - THE RED MAN'S REVENGE. - - PHILOSOPHER JACK: A Tale of the Southern Seas. - - SIX MONTHS AT THE CAPE. - - BATTLES WITH THE SEA; or, Heroes of the Lifeboat and the - Rocket. - - * * * * * - - THE KITTEN PILGRIMS; or, Great Battles and Grand Victories. - Crown 8vo. 1s. 6d. - - Price 3s. 6d. each. - -[Sidenote: 3s. 6d. each.] - - TALES of ADVENTURE; or, Wild Work in Strange Places. - - TALES OF ADVENTURE ON THE COAST. - - - NEW FIVE SHILLING SERIES. - - _Demy 8vo, gilt edges. 5s. each._ - - THE DAYS OF BRUCE. By GRACE AGUILAR. - BARRIERS BURNED AWAY. By Rev. E. P. ROE. - - - THE "SWEETBRIAR" SERIES. - - _A New Series of Volumes. With Illustrations. Extra crown - 8vo. 3s. 6d. each._ - -[Sidenote: 3s. 6d. each.] - - WORK, WAIT, WIN. By RUTH LAMB. - - THE ANDERSONS. By Miss GIBERNE, Author of "The Dalrymples," &c. - - SWEETBRIAR; or, Doings in Priorsthorpe Magna. By AGNES GIBERNE. - - COULYING CASTLE; or, A Knight of the Olden Days. By AGNES - GIBERNE. - - AIMÉE: A Tale of the Days of James the Second. By AGNES - GIBERNE. - - LILLA THORNE'S VOYAGE; or, "That Far Remembrancer." By GRACE - STEBBING. - - NESTLETON MAGNA. By the Rev. JACKSON WRAY. - - MATTHEW MELLOWDEW. By the Rev. JACKSON WRAY. - - BETWIXT TWO FIRES. By the Rev. JACKSON WRAY. - - SHIP DAPHNE. By the Rev. T. S. MILLINGTON. _Just Published._ - - - THE "ROUNDABOUT" SERIES. - - _Extra crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. each._ - -[Sidenote: 3s. 6d. each.] - - THE RIGHT ROAD. A Manual for Parents and Teachers. By J. KRAMER. - - THROUGH BIBLE LANDS. Notes of Travel in Egypt, the Desert, and - Palestine. Profusely Illustrated. By PHILIP SCHAFF, D.D., and - an Essay on Egyptology and the Bible, by EDOUARD NAVILLE. - - PALESTINE EXPLORED. By Rev. 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Jackson Wray - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Nestleton Magna - A Story of Yorkshire Methodism - -Author: J. Jackson Wray - -Release Date: January 26, 2013 [EBook #41916] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NESTLETON MAGNA *** - - - - -Produced by Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh, Matthew Wheaton and -the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41916 ***</div> <div class="figcenter"> <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="400" height="620" alt="" /> @@ -11599,381 +11561,6 @@ Christ Church, Jerusalem.</p></blockquote> <img src="images/end-paper.jpg" width="371" height="600" alt="" /> </div> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Nestleton Magna, by J. Jackson Wray - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NESTLETON MAGNA *** - -***** This file should be named 41916-h.htm or 41916-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/9/1/41916/ - -Produced by Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh, Matthew Wheaton and -the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Nestleton Magna - A Story of Yorkshire Methodism - -Author: J. Jackson Wray - -Release Date: January 26, 2013 [EBook #41916] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NESTLETON MAGNA *** - - - - -Produced by Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh, Matthew Wheaton and -the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - NESTLETON MAGNA. - - [Illustration: NATHAN AT WORK.--_Page 294._] - - - - - NESTLETON MAGNA. - - A STORY OF - - _YORKSHIRE METHODISM._ - - BY - - J. JACKSON WRAY. - - - Thirtieth Thousand. - - LONDON: - - JAMES NISBET & CO., 21 BERNERS STREET. - - - _Printed by_ BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO - _At the Ballantyne Press_ - - - TO THE - - METHODIST CHURCHES - - THROUGHOUT - - THE WORLD, - - NUMBERING SOME FIFTEEN MILLIONS OF ADHERENTS, - - This Book is respectfully Dedicated, - - IN HEARTY ADMIRATION OF THEIR NOBLE LABOURS IN - - THE HIGHEST INTERESTS OF HUMANITY, - - AND IN THE EXTENSION OF THE REDEEMER'S KINGDOM; - - WITH THE EARNEST HOPE THAT, - - UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE, THEY WILL - - SPEEDILY BE ABLE TO - - ADOPT SOME PRINCIPLE OF CONFEDERACY, - - BY MEANS OF WHICH THEY MAY PRESENT - - A UNITED AND RESISTLESS FRONT AGAINST EVERY FORM OF - - ANTI-CHRIST, AND - - IN LOVING CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN CHURCHES, - - MAY SOON - - "WIN THE WORLD FOR CHRIST." - - - - -PREFACE. - - -In this book I have sought to present a faithful picture of village -Methodism--a picture which I do not hesitate to say is being -reproduced to-day, as far as Church work and beneficent piety is -concerned, in many a village in this country. I have had, for more -years than I care to count, an intimate knowledge of Methodist rural -life. Nathan Blyth, Old Adam Olliver and his wife Judith, and some -other characters in the book, not excepting Balaam, have, -unconsciously, stood for their portraits; and I dare to say that those -parts of the story which have to do with Methodist operations and -influences, will not be considered as overdrawn by those who are most -conversant with the inner life of the Methodist people. If it be asked -why I have presented my pictures in fictitious frames, my answer is, -that I was bound to follow my natural bent, and to allow my pen to -pursue the lines most congenial to the hand that wielded it; that, of -all kinds of literature, fiction is the most attractive, and as it is -utterly useless to try to prevent its perusal, wisdom and religion, -too, suggest that it should be provided of so pure a quality, and with -so definitely a moral and religious bias, that it may not only do no -harm but some good to the reader, who would otherwise go further and -fare worse. I have honestly endeavoured so to write as to be able to -quote dear Old Bunyan, and say,-- - - "This book is writ in such a dialect - As may the minds of listless men affect; - It seems a novelty, and yet contains - Nothing but sound and honest Gospel strains." - -The rapid sale of the former editions of "Nestleton Magna," and the -numerous criticisms to which it has been subjected, have given me a -welcome and unexpectedly early opportunity of giving it a careful -revision, especially in the rendering of the East Yorkshire dialect. -It is now presented to the public in a new and much improved form, and -at a price which will bring it within the reach of all classes. The -liberal and spontaneous patronage, and the highly-favourable reviews -which this my first venture has received, merit my hearty thanks, and -encourage me to a new trial of skill in the same direction. According -to the unanimous and emphatic testimony of a large jury of reviewers, -"Aud Adam Olliver" is fully worthy of the esteem I have sought to win -for him; I cannot, therefore, do better than quote the words of the -godly old patriarch, in acknowledgment of their verdict and the -popular approval, "Ah's varry mitch obliged te yo'." - - J. JACKSON WRAY. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - PAGE - CHAPTER I. - Nestleton Magna 1 - - CHAPTER II. - "Blithe Natty," the Harmonious Blacksmith 5 - - CHAPTER III. - "Master Philip" 11 - - CHAPTER IV. - "Aud Adam Olliver" 16 - - CHAPTER V. - "Black Morris" 22 - - CHAPTER VI. - Philip's Visit to the Forge; or, Love's Young Dream 28 - - CHAPTER VII. - Kesterton Circuit and the "Rounders" 33 - - CHAPTER VIII. - Adam Olliver Begins to Prophesy 40 - - CHAPTER IX. - The Progress of Master Philip's Wooing 47 - - CHAPTER X. - Black Morris is More Free than Welcome 53 - - CHAPTER XI. - Both Philip and Lucy Make a Clean Breast of it 59 - - CHAPTER XII. - Adam Olliver in the "Methodist Confessional" 66 - - CHAPTER XIII. - Squire Fuller Pays a Visit to the Forge 76 - - CHAPTER XIV. - Aud Adam Olliver "Sees About It" 83 - - CHAPTER XV. - Nathan Blyth is the Victim of a Gunpowder Plot 89 - - CHAPTER XVI. - Squire Fuller Receives a Deputation 98 - - CHAPTER XVII. - Dr. Jephson Gives an Unprofessional Opinion 106 - - CHAPTER XVIII. - Philip Fuller Makes a Discovery 112 - - CHAPTER XIX. - Black Morris is Taken by Surprise 119 - - CHAPTER XX. - Kasper Crabtree Falls Among Thieves 126 - - CHAPTER XXI. - Squire Fuller Hears Unwelcome News 133 - - CHAPTER XXII. - Lucy Blyth Makes a Conquest 140 - - CHAPTER XXIII. - The Dark Deed In Thurston Wood 150 - - CHAPTER XXIV. - "Balaam" is Taken into Consultation 157 - - CHAPTER XXV. - Nathan Blyth is in a Quandary 163 - - CHAPTER XXVI. - Dr. Jephson's Prescription Works Wonders 170 - - CHAPTER XXVII. - Hannah Olliver's "Young Man" 177 - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - Bill Buckley Sees an Apparition 183 - - CHAPTER XXIX. - The Story of the Dead-Alive 191 - - CHAPTER XXX. - Midden Harbour has a New Sensation 198 - - CHAPTER XXXI. - "Balaam" Declares Himself a "Spiritualist" 206 - - CHAPTER XXXII. - Piggy Morris Hears "A Knock at the Door" 212 - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - Squire Fuller Introduces an Innovation 221 - - CHAPTER XXXIV. - Lucy Blyth has an Eye on Landed Property 230 - - CHAPTER XXXV. - Aud Adam Olliver to the Rescue 239 - - CHAPTER XXXVI. - Sister Agatha's Ghost 247 - - CHAPTER XXXVII. - Philip Fuller Boldly Meets his Fate 257 - - CHAPTER XXXVIII. - Black Morris "Wants that Brickbat Again" 267 - - CHAPTER XXXIX. - Nestleton Puts on Holiday Attire 276 - - CHAPTER XL. - An Episode in a Methodist Love-feast 285 - - CHAPTER XLI. - The Revolution in Midden Harbour 292 - - CHAPTER XLII. - Aud Adam Olliver's "Nunc Dimittis" 299 - - - - -NESTLETON MAGNA. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -NESTLETON MAGNA. - - "The cottage homes of England - By thousands on her plains, - They are smiling o'er the silvery brooks, - And round the hamlet fanes. - Through glowing orchards forth they peep, - Each from its nook of leaves, - And fearless there the lowly sleep, - As the bird beneath their eaves." - - _Mrs. Hemans._ - - -Nestleton Magna is as "canny" a little village as can be found in any -portion of the Three Kingdoms; and that is saying a good deal, for -there are rural gems within British borders which are quite unequalled -for cosiness and beauty by anything you can find within the four -quarters of the globe, even if you take "all the isles of the ocean" -into the bargain. Situated in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and -nestling like a brooding bird in the fertile valley of Waverdale, at -the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds, it possesses rare and quiet charms, -which elicit the spontaneous admiration of those not numerous -tourists, who prefer to explore the rich resources of English inland -scenery, rather than fag through the hurry-skurry and unsatisfactory -whirl of Continental travel. There is many a jaded man of business, -many a brain-worn student, who foolishly squanders the precious hours -of his brief holiday in rushing insanely over weary miles, through hot -and dusty cities, among tiresome hills and rugged mountains--returning -home again weary and worn--who would have found real rest and health, -and equally varied and charming landscapes, within the borders of his -motherland. - -Nestleton Magna is surrounded by emerald hills, which slope gently -down to the valley in which the hamlet lies, displaying a varied -surface of wood and glade, of cornland and pasture-ground, and -surmounted by a stretch of moorland, whereon the sheep crop the -scantier herbage, and the morning mists hang like silver curtains -until the "rosy fingers of the sun" draw them aside, and then purple -heath and golden gorse gleam and glitter on them like a royal crown. -Most of the cottages are thatched and white-washed, and not a few are -embowered in honeysuckle and jasmine. Here and there a more -pretentious dwelling lifts its head, and these with their red bricks -and tiles give piquant variety to the picture. Through the village -there flows a babbling brook, in whose clear, transparent waters the -speckled trout may be seen poising themselves with waving fin, or -darting like an arrow above the gravelly bed, while sticklebacks and -minnows disport themselves in their crystal paradise. Along its -borders are two rows of unshorn willows, and here and there a poplar -lifts its stately head. On either side, in and out among the cosy -cottages, are little patches of garden ground, small tree-shaded -paddocks, and orchards which in sunny spring-time are flush with the -manifold blossoms of apple, plum, pear, and cherry-trees, which add a -peculiar charm to the attractive scene. - - "Far diffused around - One boundless blush, one white impurpled shower - Of mingled blossoms; where the raptured eye - Hurries from joy to joy." - -The quaint old church stands on rising ground in the centre of the -village, and its short, square Norman tower, ivy-clad and pinnacled, -is almost overtopped by the gables of the ancient rectory which stands -close by. The church, the rectory grounds, and the pretty little -churchyard are enclosed and shadowed by a circle of fine old elms, in -which a colony of rooks have been established from time immemorial, -and their monotonous and familiar cawing gives a sylvan finish to the -scene. Near the little wych gate of the churchyard a spacious and open -green affords a pleasant playground for the chubby children, of whom -Nestleton Magna provides quite a notable supply, a gossipping place -for the village rustics in the evening hours, and pasturage for two or -three cows, a donkey or two, and, last not least, a flock of geese, -whose solemn-looking gander oft disputes possession of the field with -the aforesaid chubby children, who flee motherward before it in -undisguised alarm. - -Neither is Nestleton Magna without its lions, and of these the -Nestletonians are justly proud. In Gregory Houston's "Home-close," on -the Abbey Farm, there are the veritable ruins of the ancient cloisters -wherein, in darker times, the Waverdale nuns led ignoble and wasted -lives. The crumbling walls and tottering archways, and grass-grown -heaps of stone, are all covered with ivy bush, bramble, and briar; but -if tradition is to be believed, there are underground passages to the -parish church on the one hand, and reaching even to Cowley Priory on -the other, where, in "the good old times," a fraternity of Franciscan -friars ruled the roast and played queer pranks in Waverdale, -according to the manner of their tribe. Nestleton Abbey, for by that -name are the ruins known, is reputed to be haunted. It is said that -long, long ago, a certain nun called Agatha, having been placed under -penance, did in wicked revenge stab her offending Lady Superior to the -heart, and then, in bitter remorse, did plunge the fatal knife into -her own. From that day to this she has never rested quiet in her -unhallowed grave, but ever and anon "revisits the glimpses of the -moon," attired in a white robe with a crimson stain upon the breast, -and flits among the ruins with uplifted hands, wailing out the -unavailing plaints of her unshriven soul. Surely it is given to few -villages to possess so veritable and renowned a wonder as "Sister -Agatha's ghost." Then there is St. Madge's Well, in Widow Appleton's -croft--once a far-famed shrine, to which devout pilgrimages were made -from far and near, and which is credited to this day with certain -healing virtues second only to those of Bethesda's sacred pool. Pure, -bright, cold and crystalline, its waters strongly impregnated with -iron, it bubbles up unceasingly in the cool grot, overshadowed by -flowering hawthorn, fragrant elder, and purple beech, and no visitor -to Waverdale could ever think of neglecting to visit this charming -nook, or drinking from the iron cup chained to its stone brink, a -refreshing draught from its crystal spring. At least, if he did, Widow -Appleton's money-box would be defrauded, and that brisk and cheery old -dame in neat black gown and frilled white cap, would wish to know the -reason why. - -Time would fail to tell all the beauties of Nestleton Magna, and of -that lovely valley of Waverdale, of which it is the loveliest gem. For -the present, Waverdale Park, Thurston Wood, Cowley Priory, and a host -of minor marvels must be content with passing mention--content to wait -their several occasions in the development of this simple and -veracious story of Yorkshire village life. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -"BLITHE NATTY," THE HARMONIOUS BLACKSMITH. - - "Under a spreading chestnut tree - The village smithy stands; - The smith, a mighty man is he, - With large and sinewy hands; - And the muscles of his brawny arms - Are strong as iron bands. - - His hair is crisp, and black, and long, - His face is like the tan; - His brow is wet with honest sweat, - He earns whate'er he can; - And looks the whole world in the face. - For he owes not any man." - - _Longfellow._ - - -Nearly at the eastern end of Nestleton stood the village forge, a -spacious low-roofed building, in which Nathan Blyth, the blacksmith, -and his father before him, had wielded the hammer by the ringing -anvil, fashioning horse-shoes, forging plough-shares, and otherwise -following the arts and mysteries of their grimy craft. Close to the -smithy stood Nathan's cottage, though that is almost too humble a name -to give to the neat and roomy dwelling which owned the stalwart -blacksmith for its lord and master. True it was thatched and -white-washed like its humbler neighbours, but it boasted of two good -stories, and had a latticed porch, which, as well as the walls, was -covered with roses, jasmine, and other floral adornments. At the gable -end was a tall and fruitful jargonelle pear-tree, which not only -reached to the very peak of the gable, but like Joseph's vine, its -branches ran over the wall, and were neatly tacked with loops of cloth -behind the house, and almost as far as the lowlier porch which -screened the kitchen entrance thereto. Both "fore and aft," as the -sailors say, was a spacious and well-managed garden, whose fruits, -flowers, and vegetables, trim walks and tasteful beds, testified to -the fact that their owner was as skilful with the spade and the rake -as he was with the hammer, the chisel, and the file. - -And that is saying much, for Nathan Blyth had a wonderful repute as -the deftest master of his handicraft within twenty miles of Waverdale. -You could not find his equal in the matter of coulters and -plough-shares. Farmer Houston used to say that his horses went faster -and showed better mettle for his magic fit in the way of shoes; and as -for millers' chisels, with which the millstones are roughened to make -them "bite," they were sent to him from thirty miles the other side of -Kesterton market town to be tempered and sharpened as only Nathan -Blyth could. Then, too, he was handy in all things belonging to the -whitesmith's trade. He could doctor the smallest locks, and understood -the secrets of every kind of catch and latch; the farm-lads of the -village would even bring their big turnip watches to him, and the way -in which he could fix a mainspring or put to rights a balance-wheel -was wonderful to see. - -Natty Blyth was a fine specimen of humanity from a physical point of -view. He stood five feet eleven in his stockings, and at -five-and-forty years of age had thews and sinews of Samsonian calibre -and power. A bright, honest, open face, had Nathan; a pair of thick -eye-brows, well arched, surmounted by a bold, high forehead, and -quite a wealth of dark brown hair. His happy temper, his merry face, -and his constant habit of singing at his toil, had got him the name of -"Blithe Natty," and justly so, for a blither soul than he you could -not find from John-o'-Groats to Land's End, with the Orkneys and the -Scilly Isles to increase your chances. Whenever he stood by his smithy -hearth, his clear tenor voice would roll out its mirthful minstrelsy, -while the hot iron flung out its sparks beneath his hammer, defying -the ring of the anvil either to drown his voice or spoil his tune. - -One fine spring morning, Blithe Natty was busy at his work, and, as -usual, his voice and his anvil were keeping time, when old Kasper -Crabtree, a miserly old bachelor, who farmed Kesterton Grange, stole -on him unobserved. Natty was singing away-- - - There never was a man. - Since first the world began, - If he only did his duty, and kept his conscience clear, - But God was on his side; - It cannot be denied, - So, whatever may betide, - We'll do our honest duty, boys, and never, never fear. - - Then as you go along, - Ring out a merry song; - A good heart and a true is better far than gear. - In every time and place, - He wears a smiling face, - Who goes to God for grace. - Who does his honest duty, boys, need never, never fear. - -"Aye, that's right," said Kasper Crabtree. "Honest duty, as you say, -is the right sort of thing. I only wish my lazy fellows did a little -more on 't." - -"A little more" was Kasper Crabtree's creed in a word. - -"Why, you see," said Blithe Natty, "its often 'like master like man'; -pipe i't parlour, dance i't kitchen; an' maybe if you were to do your -duty to them a little better they would do better by you. 'Give a pint -an' gain a peck; give a noggin' an' get nowt.'" - -Kasper Crabtree did not relish this salutary home-thrust, and made -haste to change the subject. - -"What a glorious morning it is!" said he, "it's grand weather for t' -young corn." - -"Aye," said Natty, "I passed by your forty-acre field yesterday, and -your wheat looked splendid. The rows of bright fresh green looked very -bonny, and the soil was as clean as a new pin." - -"Hey, hey," said old Crabtree, for he was proud of his farming, and -boasted that his management was without equal in the Riding, "I'll -warrant there isn't much in the way of weeds, though it's a parlous -job to keep 'em under. It beats me to know why weeds should grow so -much faster than corn, and so much more plentiful." - -"Why, you see, Farmer Crabtree, weeds are nat'ral. The soil is their -mother, an' you know it's only stepmother to the corn, or you wouldn't -have to sow it; and stepmothers' bairns don't often thrive well. -However, I'm pretty sure that you are a match for all the weeds that -grow--in the fields, at any rate." - -"Hey, or anywhere else," said the boastful farmer. - -"Why, I don't know so much about that," said Natty. "There's a pesky -lot o' rubbish i' the heart, Maister Crabtree, an' like wicks an' -couch grass there's no getting to the bottom on em. The love of money, -now, is the root of"---- - -But Kasper Crabtree was off like a shot, for Blithe Natty's metaphor -was coming uncomfortably close to a personal application, and his -hearer knew of old that Nathan was in the habit of striking as hard -with his tongue as he did with his hammer, so he rapidly beat a -retreat. Natty's face broadened into a smile as he pulled amain at -the handle of his bellows, and then drawing from the fire the red-hot -coulter he was shaping, he began thumping away amid a shower of fiery -spray, singing, as his wont was-- - - Put in the ploughshare and turn up the soil; - Harrow the seed in and sing at the toil, - Hoe up the ketlocks and pull up the weeds; - Toiling and hoping till harvest succeeds. - - Hearts are like fallow, and need to be tilled; - Nothing but evil things else will they yield. - Plough them well, sow them well; crops of good deeds - Follow, if only we keep down the weeds. - - Keep down the weeds, brothers, keep down the weeds! - God sends His sunshine, and harvest succeeds. - -The coulter was again thrust into the fire, and once again the long -lever of the blacksmith's bellows, with a cow's horn by way of handle, -was gripped to raise another "heat," when a second visitor crossed the -smithy threshold, as different from the grim, gaunt, wrinkled and -forbidding form and features of old Kasper Crabtree as a briar-rose -differs from a hedgestake, an icicle from a sunbeam, or a polar bear -from a summer fawn. - -Gathering her skirts of neat-patterned printed calico around her to -keep them from the surrounding grime, the new-comer stole noiselessly -behind the unconscious smith, laid her dainty hands on his brawny -shoulders, and springing high enough to catch a kiss from his swarthy -cheek, landed again on _terra firma_, and, with a ripple of laughter -which sounded like a strain of music, stood with merry, upturned face -to greet Blithe Natty's startled gaze. - -"Give me that back again, you unconscionable thief!" said Nathan, -laying his big hand on her dainty little wrist. "It's flat felony, and -I'll prosecute you with the utmost rigour of the law." - -"Can't do it, sir. You've no witnesses, and the offence isn't -actionable;" and the doughty little damsel took another from the same -place with impunity. - -There was a wondrous light in the eyes of Nathan Blyth, as he looked -in the fair face of the beautiful girl, the light of a love surpassing -the love of women, for was she not his only child, and the very image -of the wife and mother, now a saint in heaven, and still loved by him -with a tender fidelity that seemed to deepen and strengthen with the -lapse of time? No deeper, truer, more concentrated affection ever -glowed in the breast of man, than that which filled the heart of -Nathan Blyth for his peerless Lucy, and sure I am that none was ever -more richly merited. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -"MASTER PHILIP." - - "A Knight there was, and that a worthy man, - That from the tyme that he first bigan - To ryden out, he loved chyvalrie, - Truth and honour, freedom and curtesie. - - * * * * * - - With him ther was his sone, a yong Squyer, - A lovyer and a lusty bachelor, - With lockkes crulle, as they were laid in press. - Of twenty year he was of age, I guess." - - _Chaucer._ - - -The brief spring day had faded into night. Nathan Blyth raked out his -smithy fire, laid aside his leather apron, locked up the forge, and -after an extensive and enjoyable ablution, was seated by the little -round table in the cosy kitchen, discussing the tea and muffins which -Lucy had prepared for their joint repast. That young lady presented a -very piquant and attractive picture. In what her winsomeness consisted -it would be difficult to say: certainly, she was possessed of unusual -charms of face and form, but it is equally certain that these -constituted only a minor element in the glamour of a beauty which -commanded unstinted admiration. With much wisdom and at much -self-sacrifice, Nathan Blyth had sent his daughter to a distant and -noted school for several years, and thanks to this and her own clear -intellect and singular diligence, she had obtained an education -altogether in advance of most girls of her age in a much higher rank -of social life. Her pleasant manners and maidenly behaviour made her -justly popular among the villagers, and many a farmer's son in and -around Nestleton would have gone far and given much for a preferential -glance from her lustrous hazel eyes, and for the reward of a smile and -a word from lips which had no parallels amid the budding beauties of -Waverdale. - -Lucy's mother, a quiet, unpretentious woman, whose solid qualities and -amiable disposition her daughter had inherited, had died some five -years before the opening of my story; but the well-kept grave, the -perpetual succession of flowers planted there, and the fresh-cut -grave-stone at its head, gave proof enough that the widower and orphan -kept her memory green. - -For a long time after his wife's death Nathan Blyth had lived a lonely -and a shadowed life. His anvil rang as loudly, because his hammer was -wielded as lustily as before, but his grand, clear, tenor voice was -seldom lifted in cheerful song. Time, however, that merciful healer of -sore hearts, had gradually extracted the sting of his bereavement, and -loving memories, sweet and tender, took the place of the aching vacuum -which had been so hard to bear. In his blooming daughter, lately -returned from school in all the fair promise of beautiful womanhood, -Nathan saw the express image of his sainted wife. So now again his -home was lighted up with gladness, and from the hearthstone, long -gloomy in its solitude, the shadows flitted: for as Lucy tripped -around, performing her domestic duties with pleasant smile and cheery -song, Nathan waxed content and happy, and no words can describe the -joy the sweet girl felt as she heard the old anvil-music ringing at -the forge and saw the olden brightness beaming on his face. And so it -should ever be:-- - - Be sure that those we mourn, whom God has taken, - Have added joys, the more our sorrows die; - They would not have us live of peace forsaken, - While they are joysome in their home on high. - - Could we but hear again their loving voices, - Comfort and cheer upon our hearts would fall; - Be sure each sainted friend the more rejoices, - The more we can the olden joy recall. - - Down look they on us from their regal glory, - Or, by Divine permit, come hov'ring near; - Fain would they tell us all the golden story - Of their high bliss our mournful hearts to cheer. - - Nor are they voiceless--spiritual whispers - In sweetly silent music thrill the breast; - Then soul communes with soul, exchanges Mizpahs, - And their soft saint-song bids us, "Be at rest!" - -"Father," said Lucy, as the pleasant meal proceeded, "What has become -of Master Philip? Before I went to school he used to come riding up to -the forge on his little white pony nearly every day. You and he were -great friends, I remember, and I have never seen him since I came -back." - -"Why, little lassie," said Nathan, "you and he were quite as good -friends as we were. Indeed, I'm pretty sure that his visits were quite -as much for your sake as mine. At any rate, Master Philip would never -turn his pony's head towards Waverdale Park until he had seen 'his -little sweetheart,' as he called you, and I'm bound to say, Miss Lucy, -that you were quite as well pleased to see his handsome face and to -hear the ring of his merry voice as ever I was--though I did not mean -to make you blush by saying so." - -The concluding words only served to deepen and prolong the ingenuous -blush which now dyed the face of Lucy with a rosy red. - -"Well, father," said Lucy, laughing, "I own I liked the bright -open-hearted boy, who brought me flowers from his papa's conservatory, -and gave me many a ride on his long-maned pony, but I was only a -little girl then"---- - -"And now you are a big woman, and as old as Methusaleh, you withered -little witch," said Blithe Natty, as he drew his heart's idol to his -side, and planted a kiss upon her brow. "Well, Master Philip went to -college soon after you went to school, and his visits to Nestleton -have been few and far between. He has grown into a fine young man now, -and they tell me that he has borne off all the honours of the -university. The old squire is as proud of his son as a hen with one -chick, and small blame to him for that. He has just returned home for -good; but," said he, in a tone so serious as to surprise the -unconscious maiden, "my little lassie must not expect any more pony -rides or accept hothouse flowers from his hands again." - -"Of course not," said my lady, arching her neck and fixing her dark -eyes on her father in innocent amaze, "I don't think Lucy Blyth is -likely to forget herself or bring a cloud on 'daddy's' face." - -"Neither do I, my darling," said Nathan, as another and still another -osculatory process proclaimed a perfect understanding between the -doting father and his motherless girl. - - * * * * * - -Master Philip, the subject of the foregoing conversation, was the only -son and heir of Ainsley Fuller, Esq., of Waverdale Park, who owned -nearly all the village of Nestleton, many a farm round, and half the -town of Kesterton into the bargain. The squire, as he was called, was -rich in worldly wealth, but poor in human sympathies and the more -enduring treasures of the heart. In early life he had essayed to run -a political career; but his first constituency turned their backs upon -him, and on the second he turned his back, disgusted at the pressure -brought to bear upon him by a predominant radicalism. Unfortunate in -his wooing, his first and only true love was taken from him by death, -and a lady to whom he was subsequently betrothed was stolen from him -by a successful rival on the eve of the bridal day. After living to -middle age, and developing a disposition half cynical and accepting a -creed half sceptical, he had suddenly and unwisely married a youthful -wife, whose tastes and habits of life were altogether foreign to his -own. A brief span of unhappy married life was closed by the death of -that lady, leaving the new-born babe to the sole guardianship of the -seemingly cold and irascible father, whose whole affection, small in -store apparently, was fixed on the infant squire--the Master Philip of -this story. - -Those, however, who depreciated the measure of Squire Fuller's love -for his only son were much mistaken. His immobile features and -piercing eyes, peering from beneath the bushy brows of silver grey, -told nothing of the mighty love that lurked within. Nor did Philip -himself, for a long time, at all discern, beneath his father's cold -exterior, how the old man really doted on his boy. That remained to a -great extent a secret, until a strangely potent key was inserted among -the hidden wards of the parental heart, and a rude wrench flung wide -the flood-gates, and set free the imprisoned stream. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -"AUD ADAM OLLIVER." - - "Though old, he still retain'd - His manly sense and energy of mind, - Virtuous and wise he was, but not severe; - He still remembered that he once was young; - His easy presence checked no decent joy, - Him even the dissolute admired; for he - A graceful looseness, when he pleased, put on, - And, laughing, could instruct." - - _Armstrong._ - - -The nearest neighbour to Nathan Blyth was an old farm labourer called -Adam Olliver, who for forty years and more, as man and boy, had toiled -and moiled on Gregory Houston's farm. He had now reached an age at -which he was unequal to prolonged and heavy labour, and so he spent -his time in cutting and trimming the farmer's hedges--his thoughtful -master giving him to understand that though his wages were to be -continued as usual, he was at full liberty to work when it pleased -him, and to rest when he chose. The old man used to ride to and from -his labour on a meek and mild old donkey, which rejoiced in the name -of Balaam, and which was never known to travel at any other pace than -a slow jog-trot, or to carry any other rider than his master. No -sooner did old Balaam become conscious that he was bestridden by any -unfamiliar biped, than he curved his neck downwards, placed his head -between his knees, elevated his hinder quarters suddenly into mid-air, -and ejected the unwelcome tenant of the saddle, and with so brief a -notice to quit, that he had generally completed an involuntary -somersault, and was landed on Mother Earth, before he knew the nature -of the indignity to which he had been subjected. - -Adam was somewhat short in stature, thick-set in form and frame; his -hair was short and grizzly, and his thick iron-grey eyebrows -overarched a pair of twinkling blue eyes, full of keen insight and -kindly humour. His fustian coat and battered "Jim Crow," like his -wrinkled and sun-browned features, were "weather-tanned, a duffil -grey," and, like his own bending frame, were a good deal worse for -wear. A pair of old corduroy nether garments, buttoned at the knees, -with gaiters of the same material, affording a peep at the warm, -coarse-ribbed, blue worsted stockings underneath, with hobnailed boots -armed with heel and toe-plates, all helped to make up a very quaint -and favourable picture of his class--a class common enough upon the -Yorkshire farms. - -Adam Olliver's talk was the very broadest Doric of the broadest -dialect to be found amid all the phonetic fantasies of England, and -his responses to the inquiries of tourists and others, not "to the -manner born," who asked the old hedge-cutter the way, say to Kesterton -or Hazelby, were given in what was, to all intents and purposes, high -Dutch to the bewildered listeners. They would have been left in -glorious uncertainty as to his meaning, but that Old Adam's energetic -and oratorical action generally sufficed to speed the querist in the -right direction. He was an honest, upright, intelligent Christian, was -Adam, and an old-standing member of the little Methodist society, -which had managed to hold its own in the village of Nestleton, and -which, for want of a chapel, held its meetings in Farmer Houston's -kitchen. All the villagers held the old man in respect, and few there -were who did not enjoy "a crack o' talk" with the old hedger. His odd -humour, sound piety, and practical common sense, were expressed in -short, sharp, nuggety sentences, which hit the nail on the head with a -thump that drove it home without the need of a second blow. But I hope -to give Adam Olliver abundant opportunity to speak for himself, and -will say no more than that his "Aud Woman," as he called his good wife -Judith, or Judy in Yorkshire parlance, had been the partner of his -joys and sorrows for nearly forty years, and was still a buxom body -for her age; that of his three children, Jake the eldest, was Farmer -Houston's foreman; Pete, the second, was seeking his fortune in -America; and Hannah, a strapping good-looking lass of nineteen, was -under-housemaid at Waverdale Hall, and that all of them will ever and -anon appear in the true and impartial village annals I am here -recording. - -On the evening of a fine spring day, Old Adam, having made Balaam snug -and comfortable in a little thatched, half-tumble-down outhouse which -did duty for a stable, and having despatched his frugal evening meal, -was seated on a small wooden bench outside his cottage door, enjoying -the fragrance of some tobacco which Pete had sent him, using for that -purpose a short black pipe of small dimensions, strong flavour, and -indefinite age. - -"Hallo! Adam; then you are burning your idol again," said Blithe -Natty, who had sauntered round for a little gossip. - -"Hey," said Adam, "you see he's like a good monny idols ov another -sooat. He tak's a plaguey deal o' manishin'. He's a reg'lar -salimander. Ah've been at him off an' on for weel nigh fotty year, an' -he's a teeaf 'un; bud," said he, with a twinkle in his eye, "Ah'll -tak' good care 'at he ends i' smook." - -"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Natty, as he leaned his arms on the little -garden gate, and swung it to and fro. "I can't tell how it is you -enjoy it so. It would soon do my business for me." - -"Why, 'there's neea accoontin' for teeast,' as t' aud woman said when -she kissed 'er coo, bud ah reckon you've tried it, if t' truth wer' -knoan; an' y' see, it isn't ivverybody," with another twinkle, "'at ez -eeather talents or passevearance te mak' a smooker. Like monny other -clever things, its nobbut sum 'at ez t' gift te deea 'em. There's Jim -Raspin, noo; he's been scrapin' away on a fiddle for a twelvemonth, -an' when he's deean 'is best, he can nobbut mak' a grumplin' noise -like a pig iv a fit. Ah can't deea mitch, but ah can clip a hedge an' -smook a pipe, an' that's better then being a Jack ov all trayds an' -maister o' neean." - -Here the old man blew out a long cloud of curling smoke, and laying -down his short pipe by the side of him, he gave a low chuckle of -satisfaction at having come out triumphant from an attack on the only -weakness of which he could be convicted. - -"Ah see," said he, "'at you've getten Lucy yam ageean, an' a feyn -smart wench she is. They say 'feyn feathers mak's feyn bods,' but -she's a bonny bod i' grey roosset, an' depends for her prattiness mair -on 'er feeace an' manners then on 'er cleease." - -"Yes," said Natty, well pleased with this genuine compliment on his -darling; "Lucy is a fine lass and a good 'un, and makes the old house, -which has been gloomy enough, as bright as sunshine." - -"God bless 'er," said the old man, warmly; "an' if she gets t' grace -o' God she'll be prattier still. There's neea beauty like religion, -Natty, an' t' robe o' righteousness sets off a cotton goon as mitch as -silk an' velvet." - -"Hey, that's true enough," said Nathan Blyth; "an' Lucy's all right on -that point. She isn't a stranger to religion. She loves her Bible and -her Saviour, and her conduct is all that heart can wish." - -"Ah's waint an' glad to hear it," said Adam. "Meeast o' d' young -lasses noo-a-days seeam to me te mind nowt but falderals an' ribbins. -They cover their backs wi' tinsel an' fill their brains wi' caff till -they leeak like moontebanks, an' their heeads is as soft as a feather -bed. - - 'Mary i' the dairy - Wad fain be a fairy, - Wi' wings an' a kirtle o' green; - Mary spoils 'er butter, - Puts t' good wife in a flutter, - A lazy good-for-nothing quean. - - Silly, silly Mary! - Bid good-bye te the fairy, - Leeak te the butter an' the cheese; - Be quick an' 'arn the siller. - Marry Matt the Miller, - Then live as happy as you pleease.'" - -"Who's going to marry Matt, the miller, I wonder, Adam Olliver?" said -Lucy Blyth, suddenly peeping over her father's shoulder by the garden -gate. - -"Odd's bobs," said the startled hedger; "'you come all at yance,' as -t' man said when t' sack o' floor dropt on his nob. Why, Lucy, me' -lass, is it you? Ah's waint an' glad to see yer' bonny feeace ageean. -Come in a minnit. Judy! Judy! Here's somebody come 'at it'll deea your -and een good te leeak at." - -Out came Judith Olliver, in her brown stuff gown and checked apron, a -small three-cornered plaid shawl across her shoulders, and with her -white hair neatly gathered beneath a cap of white muslin, double -frilled and tied beneath the dimpled chin--as comely and motherly an -old cottager as you could wish to see. - -"Dear heart," said Mrs. Olliver, as Lucy kissed her cheek, looking on -the bright girl in unconstrained admiration, "Can this be little Lucy -Blyth?" - -At that moment a fine, tall, gentlemanly youth of some two-and-twenty -summers, paused as he passed the garden gate. Turning his open -handsome face toward the speaker, his eyes fell on the radiant beauty -of the blacksmith's daughter; he recognised the features of his -childish "sweetheart" with a thrill of something more than wonder, -and, resuming his walk, "Master Philip" repeated again and again -Judith Olliver's inquiry, "Can this be little Lucy Blyth?" - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -"BLACK MORRIS." - - "What dreadful havoc in the human breast - The passions make, when, unconfined and mad, - They burst, unguided by the mental eye, - The light of reason, which, in various ways, - Points them to good, or turns them back from ill." - - _Thompson._ - - -At the opposite end of the village to that where Nathan Blyth resided, -there was a cluster of small tumble-down cottages, whose ragged -thatch, patched windows, and generally forlorn appearance denoted the -unthrifty and "unchancy" character of their occupants. This -disreputable addendum to the charming village of Nestleton was known -as Midden Harbour, a very apt description in itself of the unsavoury -character of its surroundings, and the unpleasant manners and customs -of most of the denizens of that locality. Squire Fuller had often -tried to purchase this unpleasant blotch, which lay in the centre of -his own trim and well-managed estate. Its owner, however, old Kasper -Crabtree, a waspish dog-in-the-manger kind of fellow, could not be -induced to sell it. Indeed, there is every reason to believe that -"Crabby," as the villagers fitly called him, found sincere -gratification in the fact that the property and its possessors were a -universal nuisance, for Crabby was one of that numerous family of -social Ishmaelites whose hand was against every man, and so every -man's hand and tongue were against him. - -Of the colony of Midden Harbour, one family was engaged in the sale of -crockery-ware, which was hawked around the country in a cart, -accompanied by both man and woman kind. The former were clad in -velveteen coat and waistcoat and corduroy breeches, all notable for -extent of pocket and an outbreak of white buttons, with which they -were almost as thickly studded as a May pasture is with daisies. The -latter were clad in cotton prints notable for brevity of skirt, -revealing substantial ankles, graced with high laced-up boots which -would have well served a ploughboy. A second family were besom-makers, -whose trade materials were surreptitiously gathered on Kesterton Moor -and from the woods of Waverdale; the "ling" of the one and the -"saplings" of the other sufficing to supply both heads and handles. A -third family was of the tinker persuasion, travelling about the -country with utensils of tin. They were great in the repair of such -pots and pans as required the use of solder, which was melted by the -aid of an itinerant fire carried in an iron grate. Midden Harbour also -boasted a rag-and-bone merchant on a small scale, a scissors-grinder, -who united umbrella-mending with his primal trade, and a pedlar also -had pitched his tent within its boundaries; altogether, its limited -population was about as queer a medley as could well be found. Most of -the Harbourites had the character of being more or less, chiefly more, -given to making nocturnal excursions in quest of game, and Squire -Fuller, Sir Harry Everett, and other large land-owners in the -neighbourhood were being perpetually "requisitioned" by clever and -successful poachers, who either defied or bribed all the gamekeeperdom -of the country side. - -Just behind Midden Harbour was a much larger and somewhat more -respectable house, though discredited by being in such an -unrespectable locality. It stood in what might by courtesy be called a -garden, but, like that which dear old Isaac Watts stood to look at, -and which belonged to a neighbour of his who was late o' mornings, you -might see "the wild briar, the thorn and the thistle grow higher and -higher." The garden-gate was hung by one hinge, and was generally so -much aslant that one might imagine, that, like its owner, it was given -to beer. The garden wall, the house, the outbuildings were all first -cousins to Tennyson's Moated Grange. - - "With blackest moss the flower-pots - Were thickly crusted, one and all; - The rusted nails fell from the knots - That held the peach to the garden wall. - The broken sheds looked sad and strange, - Unlifted was the clinking latch; - Weeded and worn the ancient thatch - Upon the lonely moated grange." - -In this house lived a man, well known for many a mile round as "Piggy" -Morris, so called by reason of his pig-jobbing proclivities, though he -varied his calling in that direction by dealing in calves, sheep, -dogs, old horses--in fact, he was quite ready to buy or sell anything -by which he could gain a profit, or, as he put it, "finger the rhino." - -Piggy Morris was once a respectable farmer, a tenant of Squire -Fuller's, but his drinking habits had been his ruin. His farm -deteriorated so much that his landlord gave him notice to quit, and -had threatened to prosecute him for damages into the bargain. From the -day he was expelled from Eastthorpe to the time of which I am writing -Piggy Morris had nursed and cherished a deadly hatred to Squire -Fuller, and though some years had now elapsed, he still thirsted for -vengeance on the man who had "been his ruin." - -The victims of intemperance are marvellously skilful in laying the -blame of their downfall on men and circumstances, and Piggy Morris -attributed all his melancholy change of fortune to a hard landlord and -bad times. - -After the loss of his farm, Morris had taken his present house because -of a malt-kiln which was on the premises, and he hoped to gain a trade -and position as maltster, which would equal if not surpass the -opportunity he had lost. But alas! the ball was rolling down the hill, -and neither malt-kiln nor brewery could stop it; indeed, as was most -probable, they gave it an additional impetus, and poor Morris was fast -descending to the low level of Midden Harbour. He was a keen, clever, -long-headed fellow, and could always make money in his huckstering -fashion, but he was sullen, sour, ill-tempered; at war with his better -self, he seemed to be at war with everybody else, which is perhaps one -of the most miserable and worriting states of mind into which sane men -can fall. His wife, poor soul, an amiable and thoroughly respectable -woman, was cowed and broken-spirited, and lived an ailing and -depressed life, sighing in chronic sorrow over the happiness and -comfort of other days. - -This misfitting pair had four children. The eldest, a fine stalwart -fellow of twenty-four, had made some proficiency in the art and -science of farriery. He had received no special training to equip him -as a veterinary surgeon, but in practical farriery he was accounted -very clever, and might have done well in that particular line. But the -sins of the fathers are often visited upon their children. Young -Morris was sadly too frequent a guest at the Red Lion, and in spite of -his education and native talents, was only a sort of ne'er-do-weel, -very popular in the taproom and similar centres of sociality; -"nobody's enemy but his own," but, withal, slowly and surely -gravitating towards ruin, "going to the dogs." He had an intimate -acquaintance with dogs and guns, snares and springs, and was oft -suspected of carrying on a contraband trade in fish, flesh, and fowl, -captured in flood and field. His coal-black hair and beard, and his -swarthy though handsome features, had gained for him the soubriquet of -Black Morris; and though he did not much relish the cognomen, it -speedily became fixed, and there is no doubt that his wild and -reckless conduct made the name, in some degree at least, appropriate. -His two brothers, Bob and Dick, were in the employ of Kasper Crabtree, -and his sister Mary, a quick and amiable girl of eighteen, was the -loving helper, nurse, and companion of her ailing mother. - -Since Lucy Blyth's return home, Black Morris, who had seen her oft, on -his visits to her father's forge and in other parts of the village, -had ventured at length to accost her, receiving, as her wont was, a -pleasant smile and a courteous reply. Black Morris was made of very -inflammable material, and speedily fell over head and ears in love -with the blacksmith's daughter. With his usual impetuosity of -character, he swore that he and no other would capture the charming -village belle, and took his steps accordingly. To carry out his -purpose, his visits to the forge increased in number, his conduct was -thoroughly proper and obliging, and his manners at their best, which -is saying much, for when Black Morris chose he could be a gentleman. -He often wielded the big hammer for Blithe Natty with muscle and -skill, and that shrewd knight of the anvil was more than half inclined -to change his opinion of his voluntary helper, and come to the -conclusion that he was a "better fellow than he took him for." - -One evening, after Black Morris had been rendering useful and unbought -aid in this way, Nathan Blyth felt constrained to thank him with -unusual heartiness, and with his usual plainness of speech, he blurted -out,-- - -"Morris, there's the makings of a good fellow i' you. What a pity it -is that you don't settle steadily down to some honest work, and give -up loafing about after other folks' property! 'A rolling stone -gathers no moss,' and 'a scone o' your own baking is better than a -loaf begged, borrowed, or taken.'" - -Black Morris's swarthy features flushed up to the roots of his hair, -his old temper leaped at once to the tip of his tongue, and his hand -was involuntarily closed, for "a word and a blow" was his mode of -argument. The remembrance that the speaker was Lucy's father -restrained him, and he replied,-- - -"Look here, Nathan Blyth, when you say I loaf about other folk's -property, you say more than you know; an' as for settling down, give -me your daughter Lucy for a wife, and I'll be the steadiest fellow in -Nestleton, aye, and in all Waverdale besides!" - -"Marry Lucy!" exclaimed Natty, shocked at the idea of entrusting his -darling to the keeping of such a reckless ne'er-do-weel, "I'd rather -see her dead and in her grave! and so, good-night!" - -Turning on his heel, Nathan Blyth went indoors, and Black Morris stood -with lowering brow and flashing eyes. Shaking his fist at the closed -door, he thundered out an oath, and said,-- - -"Mine or nobody's, you ----, if I swing for it;" and strode homeward -in a towering rage. - -O Nathan Blyth! Nathan Blyth! Your hasty and ill-considered words have -sown dragon's teeth to-night! The time is coming, coming on wings as -black as Erebus, when you will wish your tongue had cleaved to the -roof of your mouth before you uttered them. You have beaten a -ploughshare to-night which shall score as deep a furrow through your -soul as ever did coulter from the ringing anvil by your smithy -hearth. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -PHILIP'S VISIT TO THE FORGE, OR LOVE'S YOUNG DREAM. - - "Love is a plant of holier birth - Than any that takes root on earth; - A flower from heaven, which 'tis a crime - To number with the things of time. - Hope in the bud is often blasted, - And beauty on the desert wasted! - And joy, a primrose, early gay, - Care's lightest footfall treads away. - But love shall live, and live for ever, - And chance and change shall reach it never." - - _Henry Neele._ - - -"Can this be little Lucy Blyth?" said Philip Fuller to himself, as he -wended his way to Waverdale Park. His memories were very pleasant, of -the bright and piquant child, whom as a boy he had known and romped -with in that freedom from restraint, which his youth, the lack of a -mother's care, and the pre-occupied and studious habits of his father -rendered possible. The attractive little girl and the merry geniality -of Blithe Natty had induced him when he was barely in his teens to -take his rides almost constantly in the direction of the Forge, and -fruits and flowers and pony rides, as far as Lucy was concerned, were -the order of the day. Who can say that love's subtle magic did not -weave its unseen but potent spell around those two young hearts in -those early days of mirthful childhood? At any rate, Philip's heart -responded at once to the sound of Lucy's name, and now her superadded -charms of face and feature fairly took him captive. Whether there be -any truth or not in the poet's idea of - - "A first, full, sudden Pentecost of love," - -it cannot be denied that Philip there and then knew that he loved Lucy -Blyth, knew, moreover, that it was a love that would be all-absorbing, -a love that time would not lessen, that trial would not weaken, that -death would not destroy. No other idea could get in edgewise during -that memorable walk. The radiant vision floated before his eyes, and -thrilled him to the heart: the very trees seemed to whisper "Lucy" as -they trembled in the breeze, and Philip Fuller knew from that hour -that he had "found his fate." - -Difference of rank, social barriers, his father's exaggerated family -pride, Nathan Blyth's sturdy independence, Lucy's possible denial, and -kindred prosy considerations, did not occur to the smitten youth; or -if they did they were wondrously minified by love's inverted telescope -into microscopic proportions, and through them all he held the -juvenilian creed that "love can find out the way." In his dreams that -night, he re-enacted all the scene at Adam Olliver's garden gate; saw -again the sweetest face in the world or out of it to his -glamour-flooded eyes; heard again the question, "Can this be little -Lucy Blyth?" Men live rapidly in dreams, time flies like a flash. -Difficulties do not count in dreams, they are ignored, and so it was -that Philip answered the question in a _veni-vidi-vici_ kind of -spirit, and shouted in dreamland over the garden gate, "Yes it can, -and will be Lucy Fuller, by-and-bye!" Then, as John Bunyan says, he -"awoke, and behold it was a dream." Ah! Master Philip, Jason did not -win the golden fleece without sore travail and fight; Hercules did not -win the golden apple of Hesperides without dire conflict with its -dragon guard, and if you imagine that this dainty prize is going to -fall into your lap for wishing for, you will find it is indeed a dream -from which a veritable thunderclap shall wake you. Will the lightning -scathe you? Who may lift the curtain of the future? I would not if I -could--better far, as honest Natty sings, to - - Do your honest duty, boys, and never, never fear. - -The next morning Master Philip left the breakfast-table to go out on a -voyage of discovery. Bestriding a handsome bay horse, his father's -latest gift, he rode down to Nestleton Forge, and arrived just in time -to hear the final strophes of Blithe Natty's latest anvil song. That -vivacious son of Vulcan was engaged in sharpening and tempering -millers' chisels, and as the labour was not hard, and the blows -required were light and rapid, Natty's song dovetailed with the -accompaniment:-- - - Every cloud has a lining of light, - Morning is certain to follow the night; - Eve may be sombre, the shadows shall flee, - Sunny and smiling the morrow shall be. - Cheerily, merrily, sing the refrain, - Setting suns ever are rising again. - - Hearts may be heavy and hope may be low, - Pluck up your spirits and sing as you go. - Hope now, hope ever, though dark be the sky, - Night brings the stars out to glitter on high. - Cheerily, merrily, sing the refrain, - Setting suns ever are rising again. - - Larks fold their wings when daylight is done, - Spread them to-morrow again to the sun. - Gloomiest shadows shall lift by-and-bye, - Smiles of contentment shall follow the sigh. - Cheerily, merrily, sing the refrain, - Setting suns ever are rising again. - -"Good morning, Mr. Blyth," said Philip; "I'm glad to have the chance -of hearing your merry voice again. I've been intending to ride round -ever since my return from college, but my father has managed to keep -me pretty much by his side." - -"I'm heartily glad to see you, sir," said Nathan, "and mighty pleased -to see that college honours and gay company have not led you to forget -your poorer neighbours. You know the old proverb, 'When the sun's in -the eyes people don't see midges.'" - -"Why, as for that," said Philip, with a laugh, "I am not aware that -the sun _is_ in my eyes. At any rate I can see you, and you are no -midge by any means. 'Should auld acquaintance be forgot?' As for gay -company, that is not at all in my line. By-the-bye, what's become of -your little daughter? I hope I may have the pleasure of seeing her, -too. I suppose she has grown altogether too womanly to accept a ride -on Harlequin, the pony, even if I brought him. Is she at home?" - -Now, I am quite sure that Nathan Blyth would much rather have -preferred that Master Philip should not resume his acquaintance with -Lucy. On the other hand, he had the most unbounded confidence in her, -while he had no shadow of reason for suspecting Philip of any ulterior -motive; hence he could scarcely avoid calling his daughter to speak -with the young squire. That young lady soon appeared in graceful -morning garb, and the impressible heart of the youthful lover was -bound in chains for evermore. There was neither guile nor reserve in -his greeting. The light that beamed in his eye and the tone that rung -in his voice, could scarcely fail to betray to far less observant eyes -and ears the unmeasured satisfaction with which he renewed his -acquaintance with the charming girl. Lucy, however, seemed to have -retired into herself; her words were few, constrained, and -inconsequent, but the tell-tale blush was on her cheek, and there was -a singular flutter at her heart, as she saw the ardent admiration -which shone in the eyes of her quondam friend. It was with a profound -sense of relief that she was able to plead the pressure of domestic -duties as a reason for shortening the interview and retiring from the -scene. After a brief conversation with Nathan on trivial matters, -Philip mounted his horse and rode homewards, in that frame of mind so -admirably depicted by Otway:-- - - "Where am I? Sure Paradise is round me; - Sweets planted by the hand of heaven grow here, - And every sense is full of thy perfection! - To hear thee speak might calm a madman's frenzy, - Till by attention he forgot his sorrows; - But to behold thy eyes, th' amazing beauties - Would make him rage again with love, as I do; - Thou Nature's whole perfection in one piece! - Sure, framing thee, Heaven took unusual care; - As its own beauty, it designed thee fair, - And formed thee by the best loved angel there." - -Such were the emotions Philip Fuller felt as he turned away from the -Forge of Nathan Blyth. Rounding the corner in the direction of -Waverdale Hall, he was suddenly confronted by the scowling face and -suspicious eyes of Black Morris. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -KESTERTON CIRCUIT AND THE "ROUNDERS." - - "A good man there was of religioun, - And he was a poor parsoun of a toune; - But rich he was of holy thought and werk. - He was, also, a learned man, a clerk - That Christe's gospel gladly wolde preche; - His parischens devoutly wolde he teche. - Benign he was and wondrous diligent, - And in adversite full patient." - - _Chaucer._ - - -Methodism was introduced into Kesterton in the days of John Wesley -himself, and in the plain, square, old-fashioned chapel, with its -arched windows, brick walls, and hip roof, red tiled and high peaked, -you might see the very pulpit in which the grand old apostle of the -eighteenth century preached more than a hundred years ago. The chapel -stood back from the main street, and to get at it you had to go -through a narrow passage, for the fathers of the Methodist Church, -unlike their more self-assertive successors, seem to have courted a -very modest retirement for the Bethels which they built for God. -Behind the chapel there is a small burial-ground, in which are the -honoured graves of those to whom Kesterton Methodism owes its origin, -and who did its work and bore its fortunes in its earlier struggles -for existence. On the other side of an intervening wall, in the midst -of a little garden, capable of much improvement in the matter of -tidiness and cultivation, stands the "preacher's house." It is not by -any means an imposing structure, and taxes to the utmost the -contrivance of its itinerant tenants to find sleeping accommodation -for the "quiver full" of youngsters with which they are commonly -favoured in an unusual degree. In the matter of furniture the less -said the better; suffice it to say that it could not be regarded as -extravagant in quality or burdensome in quantity. Indeed, it was open -to serious imputations in both those directions; at least so thought -the Rev. Theophilus Clayton, who had latterly become located there, -and seemed likely to go through the maximum term of three years, to -the high satisfaction of the people, and with a moderate measure of -contentment to himself. - -Kesterton rejoiced in the dignity of being a circuit town, and at the -time to which these annals refer, the circuit extended from Meriton in -the east to Amworth Marsh in the west; and from Chessleby on the north -to Bexton on the south, an area of nineteen miles by twenty-one. There -was a circuit horse and gig provided for the longer journeys, but as -the "better days" which both of them _had_ seen smacked of the -mediaeval age, the gig was as little remarkable for polish or paint as -the horse was either for beauty or speed. - -The Rev. Theophilus Clayton was an admirable specimen of an -old-fashioned Methodist preacher. He was of middle-height and somewhat -portly figure; had an intelligent and pleasant face, a broad forehead, -a pair of piercing black eyes surmounted by dark thick eyebrows and -hair fast whitening, but more with toil than age. His whole appearance -was calculated to win attention and respect, and his piety and force -of character were almost certain to retain them after they had been -won. He was "in labours more abundant," and in addition to being an -effective preacher, he was a capital business man, one under whose -management a circuit is pretty sure to thrive. - -His colleague, the Rev. Matthew Mitchell, was young in years, and not -yet out of his probation. Though he was not equal to his -superintendent in pulpit ability, he largely made up for it by his -diligent pastoral visitation, and the earnest and vigorous way in -which he went about his high and holy calling. It is not given to all -men to possess high intellectual abilities and oratoric strength, but -it is given to every man to be able, as the Americans say, "to do his -level best," and that by the blessing of God may be mighty in pulling -down the strongholds of Satan and the lifting up of the Church to a -higher altitude of spirituality and a broader gauge of moral force. Of -an enthusiastic temperament and with strong revivalistic proclivities, -the Rev. Matthew Mitchell was remarkably successful, especially among -the village populations, in winning souls for Christ. He was a young -fellow, of somewhat prepossessing appearance, lithe, agile, and strong -as an athlete. As both these worthy men will have to play an important -part in this history, nothing further need to be said at present; I am -much mistaken, however, if the reader does not find that they were -both of them made of sterling stuff. - -The small society of Methodists in Nestleton, numbering some -five-and-twenty members, owed its origin to the love and labours of -Old Adam Olliver. Many long years before, when the quaint old hedger -was foreman on old George Houston's farm, Adam, with two or three -fellow-servants, used to walk to Kesterton to the Sunday preaching. -Through the ministry of a grand old Boanerges of the early age they -had found peace through believing, and for some time used to attend a -class-meeting held after the afternoon service for such outlying -members as could not attend during the busy week days. One Sunday, -after the quarterly tickets had been renewed by the superintendent -minister, Adam plucked up courage to address him,-- - -"Ah wop you'll excuse ma, sor," said he, "bud we're desp'rate fain te -get ya' te cum te Nestleton. Meeast o' t' fooaks is nowt bud a parcel -o' heeathens. There's neea spot for 'em te gan teea bud t' chotch, an' -t' parson drauns it oot like a bummle bee; summut at neeabody can mak' -neeather heead nor tayl on, an' t' Gospel nivver gets preeach'd frae -yah yeear end te d' t' other. - -"Well, but have you a place to preach in, Adam?" quoth the minister; -"is there anybody who will take us in?" - -"Why, there's d' green," said Adam, "neeabody'll molest uz there, -unless it be t' oad gander, an' ah wop yo' weeant tohn tayl at him. -An' i' mucky weather yoo can hae mah hoose. Ah've axed Judy, an' sha' -sez 'at you can hev it an' welcome. It isn't mitch ov a spot, but it's -az good az a lahtle fishin' booat, an' oor Sayviour preeached upo' -that monny a tahme; ah reckon 'at best sarmon 'at ivver was preeached -was up ov a hill-sahd, an' the Lord gay another te nobbut yah woman -fre' t' steean wall ov a well. It isn't wheear yo' stand, bud what yo' -say 'at 'll wakken Nestleton up, and gi'd folks a teeaste o' t' Gospel -trumpet. When will yo' cum?" - -Adam Olliver gained the day, and services were held on Nestleton Green -and in Adam's cottage. Eventually the village was placed upon the -plan, the local preachers were appointed on the Sunday evenings, Adam -Olliver was made a leader of the class, and from that day Methodism -had kept a foothold in Nestleton. Nay, more than that, for Adam's -cottage grew too small for the congregation, and the large kitchen of -Gregory Houston was placed at their disposal. At the time of which we -write, that good farmer and his family were all in church communion, -and he, Adam Olliver, and Nathan Blyth, who was a popular and -successful local preacher, were the props and pillars of the Nestleton -Society. - -It was a very inviting nest of rural piety. In their lowly services -there was felt full often the presence and the power of God, and their -mean and homely sanctuary was the palace of the King of Kings! Such -little patches of evangelic life are happily common in Methodism. Her -village triumphs have been amongst her greatest glories, and it is to -be hoped that this Church, so remarkably owned of God in the rural -districts, will never forget or neglect the rustic few, among whom its -brightest trophies have been won, and from whom its noblest agents -have been obtained. - -One Sunday, Philip Fuller was walking from the Rectory, whither he had -been to dinner after the morning and only service at the parish -church. The evening was calm and fine, so he prolonged his walk by -making a detour round the highest part of the village, and was passing -Farmer Houston's gate just at the time that the little Methodist -congregation had assembled for worship. Philip, who was not aware of -this arrangement, heard the hearty singing of a hundred voices, and in -pure curiosity drew near the open door, for the weather was of the -warmest, and listened to the strain,-- - - "Behold Him, all ye that pass by, - The bleeding Prince of Life and Peace! - Come see, ye worms, your Maker die, - And say, was ever grief like His? - Come feel with me His blood applied; - My Lord, my Love, is crucified. - - Is crucified for me and you, - To bring us rebels back to God; - Believe, believe the record true, - Ye all are bought with Jesus' blood, - Pardon for all flows from His side; - My Lord, my Love, is crucified." - -Philip was greatly struck, alike with the warmth and energy of the -singers and the directly evangelical character of the hymn. During his -residence at Oxford he had, at first, been half inclined to accept the -almost infidel views which at that time were tacitly held by not a few -of the tutors and even the clerics of that famous university. A candid -perusal of the Scriptures, however, for he was a genuine seeker after -truth, and an attendance on the ministry of a godly and effective -clergyman, who had rallied round him the evangelical element of the -various colleges, rendered Philip utterly dissatisfied with the loose -tenets he had been accustomed to hear. When he left college he was the -subject of unavowed but strong conviction as to the importance and -necessity of experimental religion, but as yet was very much at sea as -to the Gospel plan of salvation. Philip noiselessly entered the -kitchen, and took an unnoticed place among the rural worshippers. - -Much to his surprise, he saw Nathan Blyth standing in the moveable -pulpit, and, in obedience to his solemn invitation, "Let us pray!" -Philip knelt with the rest, while Natty, who knew from happy and long -experience how to talk with God, led their devotions in an extempore -prayer, the like of which he had never heard before. Nathan's sermon -that night was founded on the text that stirred the heart and baffled -the mind of the Ethiopian eunuch: "He was led as a sheep to the -slaughter: and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not -his mouth:" and included the sable nobleman's inquiry, "Of whom -speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?" - -Of that "Other Man" Natty spoke as one who knew Him. He placed the -atonement in a light so clear, and the love of the Atoner in a manner -so impressive, that Philip found himself listening with a beating -heart and a swimming eye. In plain, but powerful language, the speaker -urged his hearers to accept the proffered gift of God. The -congregation joined in singing that stirring hymn,-- - - "All ye that pass by, - To Jesus draw nigh; - To you is it nothing that Jesus should die? - Your ransom and peace, - Your surety He is; - Come see if there ever was sorrow like His." - -Nathan Blyth called on "Brother Olliver" to engage in prayer. At the -first Philip was inclined to be amused at the rude and rugged language -in which the old man poured out his soul to God, but as he proceeded, -bearing with him the subtle power and sympathy of a praying people, -the listener was moved to wonder and to awe, and felt with Jacob, -"Surely God is in this place and I knew it not." "Thoo knoas, Lord," -said Adam Olliver, "'at we're all poor helpless sinners; but Thoo's a -great Saviour, an' sum on uz ez felt Thi' pooer te seeave. - - 'Oor Jesus te knoa, an' te feel His blood floa - It's life ivverlastin', it's heaven beloa!' - -Lord! There's them here to-neet' at's strangers te d' blood 'at bowt -ther pardon up o' d' tree. Thoo loves 'em. Thoo pities 'em. Thoo dee'd -for 'em. Oppen ther hearts, Lord. Melt their consciences an' mak' 'em -pray, 'God be massiful te me a sinner.' Seeave 'em, Lord! Rich or -poor, young or aud. Put d' poor wand'ring sheep o' Thi' shoother an' -lead 'em inte d' foad o' Thi' infannit luv." No sooner was the -benediction pronounced than Philip stole silently away. As he trod the -shady lanes and crossed the park his mind was full of serious thought. -During the entire evening, he was silent and abstracted, and as he -laid his head upon his pillow the plaintive appeal still rung in his -ears,-- - - "To you is it nothing that Jesus should die." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -ADAM OLLIVER BEGINS TO PROPHESY. - - "If bliss had lien in art and strength, - None but the wise and strong had gained it; - Where now, by faith, all arms are of a length; - One size doth all conditions fit. - - A peasant may believe as much - As a great clerk, and reach the highest stature; - Thus dost thou make proud knowledge crouch, - While grace fills up uneven nature. - - Faith makes me anything, or all - That I believe is in the sacred story; - And when sin placeth me in Adam's fall, - Faith sets me higher in his glory." - - _George Herbert._ - - -Gregory Houston, Adam Olliver's master, and, as far as means and -position were concerned, principal member of the little Methodist -society in Nestleton, was crossing his farmyard one summer's day, when -his aged serving-man was engaged in getting together a few "toppers." -These are long screeds of thinly-sawn larch fir, to be nailed on the -top of stakes driven into weak places in the hedgerows to strengthen -them, and to secure the continuity of the fence. - -"Well, Adam," said the genial farmer, "how are you getting on?" - -"Why, ah's getting en all reet. It's rayther ower yat for wark; but -while it's ower yat for me, it's grand for t' wheeat, an' seea ah -moan't grummle. It's varry weel there isn't mitch te deea at t' -hedges, or ah's flaid 'at ah sud be deead beeat." - -"Oh, they're all right, I've no doubt," said Mr. Houston; "I didn't -mean that. I was thinking of better matters." - -"Oh, as te that, bless the Lord, ah've niwer nowt te grummle at i' -that respect, but me aun want o' faith an' luv. T' Maister's allus -good, an' ah's meeastlin's 'appy. Neeabody sarves the Lord for nowt, -an' mah wayges is altegither oot of all measure wi' me' addlings, -beeath frae you an' Him." - -"How did you like Nathan's sermon last night, Adam?" - -Adam picked up one of the larch strips, and handing it to his master, -he said, "It was just like that." - -"Like that?" said the farmer--"In what way?" - -"Why," quoth Adam, "Nathan Blyth's sarmon was a reg'lar 'topper.' He'd -a good tahme, an' seea 'ad ah. T' way he browt oot hoo Jesus was t' -Lamb o' God, 'armless an' innocent, an' willin' te dee, was feyn, an' -ah felt i' my sowl 'at if it was wanted ah wer' willin' te dee for -Him. Bud wasn't t' kitchen crammed! Ah deean't knoa what we'r gannin -te deea wi' t' fooaks if they keep cummin' i' this oathers. Ah've -aboot meead up me' mind 'at we mun hev a chapel i' Nestleton." - -"A chapel!" said Mr. Houston; "no such luck. I should like to see it, -Adam; but there's no chance of that, you may depend on't." - -"Why, noo, maister, ah's surprahsed at yo.' What i' the wolld are yo' -talkin' aboot? 'Luck' and 'chance' hae neea mair te deea wiv it then -t' 'osspond hez te deea wi' t' kitchen fire. 'Them 'at trusts te luck -may tummle i' t' muck;' an' 'him 'at waits upo' chances gets less then -he fancies.' For mah payt, ah'd rayther put mi' trust i' God, put mi' -shoother te d' wheel, an' wopp for t' best." - -"Yes, that's true," said Mr. Houston, somewhat rebuked. "Still, you -know, it isn't likely." - -"Noa, ah deean't say 'at it is; bud what o' that? It wahn't varry -likely 'at watter sud brust oot ov a rock at t' slap of a stick, or -'at t' axe heead sud swim like a duck, or 'at a viper sud loss its -vemmun; bud they were all deean for all that, an' fifty thoosand -wundherful things besahde. It altegither depends wheea undertak's em." - -"But where is the money to come from? And if we had the money how are -we to get the land?" - -"That's nowt te deea wiv it," said Adam. "T' queshun is, de wa' need -it? An' is it right to ax God for it? T' silver an' gold's all His, -an' He can tonn it intiv oor hands as eeasy as Miller Moss can oppen -t' sluice of his mill-dam. As for t' land, it were God's afoore it -were Squire Fuller's, an' it'll be His when Squire Fuller's deead, an' -He can deea as He likes wiv it while Squire Fuller's livin'. Ah reckon -nowt aboot that. Next Sunday, t' congregation 'll hae te tonn oot inte -d' foadgarth, an' ah want te knoa whither that isn't a sign that the -Lord speeaks tiv us te gan forrad." - -"Oh, there's no doubt that a chapel is wanted, and if it was four -times as big as the kitchen it would soon be full. I would give -anything if we could manage it." - -"There you gooa, y' see," said Adam, laughing. "There's payt o' t' -silver an' gowld riddy at yance. Ah sall set te wark an' pray for 't, -an' seea mun wa' all. It'll be gran' day for Nestleton," said Adam, -rubbing his hands in fond anticipation, for he never dreamed of -questioning the "mighty power of faithful prayer." - -Farmer Houston shook his head as he turned away saying, "It's too -good to be true, Adam. It's too good to be true." - -"What's too good to be true?" said Mrs. Houston, who now appeared on -the scene. A large and shady bonnet for "home service," of printed -calico, protected her from the sun. In her hand was a milk-can, -containing the mid-day meal of certain calves she was rearing, for -Mrs. Houston was a thrifty, bustling body, who not only saw that all -the woman folk of the establishment did their duty, but was herself -the first to show the way. Crossing the farmyard just at that moment -she overheard the words, and hence her inquiry, "What's too good to be -true?" - -"Why," said Adam Olliver, "t' maister's gotten it intiv 'is heead that -if the divvil an' Squire Fuller says we aren't te hev a Methodist -chapel i' Nestleton, t' Almighty's gotten te knock under an' leave His -bairns withoot a spot te put their heeads in." - -"Nay, nay," said Farmer Houston, deprecatingly, "I was only saying -that there was small hope of our getting a chapel at all." - -"An' ah was sayin'," persisted Adam, "'at we mun pray for it, an' ah -weean't beleeave 'at prayer's onny waiker then it was when Peter was -i' prison, or when t' heavens was brass for t' speeace o' three years -an' six months. It oppen'd t' iron yatt for Peter an' t' brass yatt -for t' rain, an' it'll oppen d' gold an' silver yatt for uz. Missis, -we're gannin' te hev a Methodist chapel!" - -"Well done, Adam! I think you're in the right. I don't see how it's -going to be done, but if the way is open, you may depend on it I'll do -_my_ best." - -A fourth party here appeared upon the scene. This was none other than -Mrs. Houston's eldest daughter, Grace, a genteel and pleasant-looking -girl of twenty--one who could play the piano and milk a cow with equal -willingness and skill, could knit a wool cushion or darn a stocking, -and did both with deft fingers that knew their business. She, too, -sided with Adam Olliver, and, with the sanguine impulsiveness of -youth, began to discuss the ways and means, and even hinted at so -unheard-of a marvel as a Nestleton Methodist bazaar. - -"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Adam Olliver, as he shouldered his "toppers," -and strolled away with them. "As seeaf as theease toppers is gannin' -to Beeachwood Pasther, there'll be a Methodist chapel i' Nestleton cum -Can'lemas twel'month. Seea we'd better leeak sharp an' get things -riddy." - - The divvil says, "You sahn't," - An' man says, "You can't, - It's ower big a job for lahtle fooaks like you. - But t' Maister says, "You sall," - An' seea say we all, - For what t' Maister says, you knoa, is sartain te be true!" - -Old Adam went about his work full of the new idea, and we may depend -upon it that Balaam's back was, as truly as the borders of Brook -Jabbok or the house-top at Joppa, the place of prayer, and that -Beechwood Pasture witnessed that day the pleadings of one whose name -was not only Adam Olliver, but "Israel, for as a prince had he power -with God to prevail." - -The sun was sinking in the West, flooding the evening landscape with a -mellow glory, reddening the foliage of the hoary beech-trees until -they seemed to be a-glow with mystic fire, concentrating its beams -upon, here and there, a window in distant Nestleton, which flashed -back like a mimic luminary, while Nestleton Mere, just above the -white-washed, odd-built water-mill, shone like burnished silver -flushed with crimson, beneath the cloudless sky. The feathered -choristers had not yet gone to their repose, and tree, copse, and -hedgerow were vocal with their vesper hymns, as Adam Olliver, having -disposed of his toppers and repaired the gaps, was jogging homeward -on his imperturbable donkey, after the labours of the day. - -Jabez Hepton, the village carpenter, and two of his apprentices, -returning from their labours at a distant farmhouse, overtook him as -he was communing, according to his wont, with his four-footed -retainer. - -"Balaam," said he, "we sall hev a chapel at Nestleton"--though how -that fact should concern his uncomprehending companion it is difficult -to see. In all probability the promise of a few carrots or a quartern -of oats would have been far more acceptable information, for, like -many other donkeys we wot of, Balaam's preferences were all in favour -of carnal pleasures. - -"When?" said Jabez Hepton, suddenly. - -"Consarn it!" said the startled hedger, "you gooa off like a popgun, -neighbour Hepton. You oppen yer mooth an' bark, just like a shippard -dog. Then you're toddlin' yam." - -"Hey," said the carpenter, "but what were you sayin' about a Methodist -chapel at Nestleton?" - -"Why, nobbut 'at we're gannin' te hae yan. Ah reckon you'll be glad te -see it!" - -"Hey, but ah shan't see it, till two Sundays come i' yah week, or till -crows begin to whistle 'Bonnets o' blue.'" - -"Jabez Hepton," said Adam, seriously, "deean't joke aboot it; ah -beleeave it's God's will 'at we sud hev a chapel, an' be t' help o' -God ah meean te try. T' wod o' God's _God's Wod_, an' He says 'ax an' -you sall hev.' Ah meean te ax, an' there'll be a chapel i' Nestleton a -twel'month cum Can'lemas-day. Ah's an aud fowt, neea doot, an' monny a -yan beside you'll laugh at ma'. At deean't care t' snuff ov a can'le -for that. Wi' God o' me side, ah isn't freetened hoo things 'll turn -out. 'Let God be true, an' ivvery man a liar.'" - -There was that in Adam's tone and manner which conveyed a dignified -rebuke to the flippancy of Jabez Hepton, who not only lapsed into -silence, but was bound to confess to himself that he was a pigmy in -presence of a faith so beautiful and great. - -"Good-neet, Adam," said the carpenter, eventually, "Ah only wop your -wods 'll cum true." - -"Good-neet, Jabez," said the old man, "an' deean't fo'get te pray for -'t, an' when yo' begin, deean't tire. T' unjust judge had te give in -'cause t' poor widow wadn't let him be, an' you may depend on't," said -Adam, reverently, "'at t' Just Judge weean't be sae hard te move. -We're His bairns, His aun elect, an' if we cry day an' neet tiv Him, -He'll help us speedily. Prayse the Lord! ah's seear on't." - -Adam Olliver's beautiful simplicity of trust inoculated Hepton with -the same hopeful spirit shown by Mrs. Houston and her daughter, and -that worthy man went home to calculate, as he sat in his "ingle nook," -the cost of the chapel, the idea of which he had just met with sarcasm -and scorn. Such is the commanding influence of a good example. - - "Example is a living law, whose sway - Men more than all the written laws obey." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE PROGRESS OF MASTER PHILIP'S WOOING. - - "Although thou may never be mine, - Although even hope is denied; - 'Tis sweeter for thee despairing, - Than aught in the world beside." - - _Burns._ - - -Lucy Blyth retired from her brief interview with Philip Fuller, glad, -as I have already said, to be relieved from an ordeal which taxed all -her powers of self-command. Philip's love for her was clear to a -demonstration, and as she bravely and boldly took her own heart to -task upon the subject, she had to confess to herself that she felt a -sense of delight and satisfaction in his tacit declaration. "I love -him!" was the language of her own soul, written there in characters so -clear that she made no foolish attempt to cast the thought aside. Like -a clear-conscienced, high-principled girl, as she was, she looked the -whole matter fairly in the face, and soon came to the conclusion that -duty and propriety demanded a firm resistance to the dangerous -fascination. She resolved that never, by any word or deed of hers, -would she give encouragement to what she knew would be an impossible -affection, an unpardonable offence to the proud and stately squire, -and a grievous sorrow to her beloved and doting father. - -When Natty came in to dinner she had regained full command over -herself, for Lucy had that secret supply of strength which is given to -all those who walk with God, and Blithe Natty's suspicions, if he had -any, were, at any rate, temporarily laid to rest. Neither of them -mentioned the events of the morning, and wisely so, for stout -resistance in such a case is more easily accomplished under the silent -system. Opposition, interference, condemnation, are sadly apt to fan -such sparks into a more fervent flame, and to supply fuel to a fire -which might haply die away for want of it. Nathan Blyth was quite -right in placing implicit confidence in the religious principles and -firm character of his right-minded girl. - -Philip Fuller, however, was subject to no such restraining influences; -at any rate, they remained as yet undeveloped. His all-engrossing love -led him to seek an opportunity to declare it, and to nurse the hope -that he should hear from her own lips the response he so much desired. -On two or three occasions he sought an interview with her, but Lucy's -woman's wit had seen his design and foiled it. Twice, when Adam -Olliver was returning from his daily toil, he had descried the -youthful squire following Lucy, and had seen that young lady start off -at a rapid run to avoid the meeting. - -One evening, as Lucy was returning from a solitary cottage at some -distance from the village, whither she had been on a good Samaritan -kind of errand, Philip Fuller suddenly met her face to face. It was -impossible to elude him, or to evade the announcement which she knew -was trembling on his lips. With a lover's impetuosity he entered at -once on the subject nearest to his heart. - -"Miss Blyth," he said, "for I suppose I must not call you 'Lucy' -now;"--Here the cunning young gentleman paused, hoping to "score one" -by hearing the coveted permission. In vain, however, for though I -don't pretend to deny that "Lucy" from his lips had a music of its -own, she remained tremblingly silent, waiting for what should follow, -in that odd mingling of hope and fear which baffles psychologists to -analyse or metaphysicians to explain. - -"Do you remember," continued he, "those pleasant hours of 'auld lang -syne?' I wish they could have lasted for ever." - -"Nothing does last for ever in this world," said Lucy, with a -constrained smile, "and it would not do to be always children, you -know. When childhood's over we have to put away childish things." - -"Lucy,--forgive me for calling you by the old familiar name--I cannot -get any other from my lips. I believe my love for you _was_ a childish -thing, for it was born in childhood's days. But it has grown with my -growth and strengthened with my strength, and the one dearest wish of -my soul is that the 'little sweetheart' of old times would be my -sweetheart now! Lucy, my darling"---- - -"Mr. Fuller!" interposed Lucy, "I must not, will not hear you any -further. I will not appear to misunderstand you. I will not for a -moment wrong you with the thought that you mean anything but what is -true and honourable; but I must ask you, nay, command you, never again -to speak to me like this. What you hint at can never, never be. The -one thing for you to do is to leave me alone, now and ever, and let me -go my way while you go yours. All the old times are over now--and you -must forget that they have ever been." - -Poor Lucy found it hard work to get that last expression out, but she -was not given to half measures where duty was involved, and she meant -all she said. - -"Don't be cruel," he pleaded. "I can never forget, and I will never, -never give up the hope"---- - -But Lucy had sprung from him, for, seeing Old Adam Olliver jogging -along on his lowly steed, she instantly resolved to instal him as her -escort to the village. The old man had seen the sudden departure, had -recognised the young squire, and, reading Lucy's flushed cheek and -excited tone, came to his own conclusions, the nature of which we -shall understand by-and-bye. Very little was said on their homeward -way, and on arriving at the forge Lucy wished the old man "good -evening." - -"Good-neet, mah bairn," said Adam. "Ah's waint an' glad ah met wi' -yo'. Ah wadn't be oot varry leeat if ah were you. There's them aboot -'at's up te neea good." With this enigmatical utterance he rode off, -leaving Lucy to wonder what he meant, and how much he knew. - -No sooner had the old hedger stabled his steed and sat down to his -supper than he opened his mind to his dear "aud woman," who was in -truth as well as name a helpmeet for him, his loving and trusted wife -for forty years. - -"Judy, my lass, I isn't ower an' aboon satisfied aboot that young slip -ov a squire." - -"What, Master Philip, d'ye meean? What's matter wiv 'im, Adam?" - -"Why, ah's freetened 'at he's settin' sheep's e'en at Lucy Blyth. Thoo -knoas she's parlous pratty. Ah've seen him efther 'er 'eels three or -fower tahmes latly. Te-neet my lord was talkin' tiv her doon t' park -looan, an' as seean as sha' saw me sha' shot awa' frev him like a -'are, an' comm wi' ma' all t' way yam. He steead an' leeak'd hard, a -goodish bit dumfoonder'd, an' then wheel'd roond an' went tow'rd t' -park." - -"Hey, but that's a bad 'earin', Adam," said Judith. "Lucy Blyth's a -gell 'at would tonn ony yung fellow's head. But ah don't believe that -she'll do owt wrong, won't Lucy." - -"_She_ deea owt wrang? Nut she," said Adam; "bud ah's vastly misteea'n -if _he_ weean't; an' ah deean't think it's right nut te let Nathan -knoa." - -"Nay, ah hoap there's nowt in it, efther all, Adam. Lucy's a lass 'at -'ll allus tak' care of hersen, an' ah's sure t' young squire's as nice -and fine a young fellow as you can finnd atween here an' York." - -Judy was a true woman, it will be seen, and the possible loves of two -young people found a certain favour in her eyes. - -As for Lucy Blyth, she went home the subject of feelings very -difficult to describe, and for many days the struggle between love and -duty was very severe. She found herself utterly unable to "cast his -image from her heart," and, like the fair maiden described by Dryden, -she might have said-- - - "I am not what I was; since yesterday - My strength forsakes me, and my needful rest; - I pine, I languish, love to be alone: - Think much, speak little, and in speaking sigh. - - * * * * * - - I went to bed, and to myself I thought - That I would think on Torrismond no more; - Then shut my eyes, but could not shut out him." - -Lucy, however, had "strength to worldly minds unknown," and set -herself to "conquer in this strife." - -Matters continued thus for several days. Then Adam Olliver again -chanced to meet Master Philip, who was walking along with bended head, -and with his mind so pre-occupied that he did not hear the old man's -courteous salutation, "It's a feyn neet, sur," and passed on without -response. Further on he came upon Lucy Blyth, who had just undergone -an ordeal similar to the last. Maintaining her usual firmness of -denial, she had sent her lover away in such evident sorrow and -distress that she was indulging in a quiet little cry of sympathy. -Adam surprised her with her 'kerchief to her eyes, and waxed wroth -against the rude offender who had thus distressed his favourite. - -"Why, Lucy, mi' lass, what's matter wi' yo'? Ah can't abide to see -yo' like that. Hez onnybody been upsettin' yo'? 'Cause if they hev, it -mun be putten a stop tae, an' it sall, if ah hev te deea it mysen." - -Poor Lucy, dreadfully afraid that Philip's persistent wooing should be -known, hastened to assure him that there was no need to trouble. - -"I've been a little low-spirited," she said, with a smile, "but it's -all over now. A good cry, you know, does one good sometimes." - -So, making a vigorous effort, the charming maiden chatted merrily on -until Adam's garden gate was reached, and so it was impossible for him -to refer to the matter any more. - -"Judy," said Adam to his aged spouse, "it weean't deea. That young -Fuller's worritin' that poor lass te deead, an' ah's gannin' te see -aboot it." - -Adam Olliver did "see about it," in a very peculiar fashion indeed, -but how he set about it, how he fared, and how he proved his right to -be called "the old man eloquent," must have a chapter to itself. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -BLACK MORRIS IS MORE FREE THAN WELCOME. - - "Ah me! for aught that ever I could read, - Could ever hear of tale or history, - The course of true love never did run smooth." - - _Shakspeare._ - - -The stern and ungenial way in which Blithe Natty had repulsed the -advances of Black Morris in the matter of his suit for Lucy had only -served to make that young "wastrel" more than ever eager and -determined in his pursuit of the fairest prize in Waverdale. He had -never known what it was to be fairly thwarted in anything upon which -he had set his heart, and in addition to an uncontrolled self-will -which threatened to be his ruin, he was possessed of a certain -bull-dog tenacity of purpose, which was only strengthened and -intensified by opposition. He was, undoubtedly, a tall and -good-looking fellow, well endowed by nature, both as regards physique -and brains; hence the village maidens of Nestleton were quite inclined -to show him favour, and in some cases to make a tacit bid for his -preference. All this tended to convince him that he was a sufficient -match for the blacksmith's daughter, and I must do him the justice to -say that he was thoroughly fascinated with her beauty, and quite -honest in his wooing. - -Black Morris watched his opportunities, and on several occasions -managed to hap on Lucy Blyth, both by night and day, pressing on her -his unwelcome suit in such a hot and inconsiderate fashion, that the -scared girl scarcely dared to cross the threshold of her home, for -fear of being subjected to his wild and passionate mode of wooing. She -was positively alarmed, for there was something so lawless and -desperate about his method of proceeding, and his headstrong character -was so well known, that she did not think he would scruple at any -excesses to gain his ends. - -One evening, as Lucy was returning from Farmer Houston's kitchen, -where the fortnightly preaching had been held, Black Morris met her in -a shady nook by the churchyard wall, and as usual pressed upon her his -undesired attention. She did her best to make her escape, but being -emboldened by certain copious libations at the "Red Lion," he seized -her hand, put his arm around her, and strove to steal a kiss from the -indignant maiden. - -"Never!" screamed the startled girl, and bursting from him with the -strength of a wild terror, she flew homeward like a hunted deer. Her -persecutor uttered an oath and started off in hot pursuit. On she flew -through the silent lane, but there was no possibility of escaping the -stalwart runner, who followed fast behind. Once more his hand was laid -upon her shoulder, once more Lucy gave a scream of fear, and at that -instant, Philip Fuller ran to the rescue, and confronting the excited -bully, bade him "Stand off!" - -"Who to please?" said Black Morris, turning his attention to the -unwelcome intruder, and aiming a decisive blow. - -"Oh! don't!" said Lucy. "O Philip!" and her terror vanishing in -presence of her lover's danger she threw herself between the hostile -two, affording to the quick-witted young squire a welcome insight into -her regard for him. - -"Lucy, dear!" said Philip, "who is this fellow?" and his attitude -betokened such vengeance as his indignant soul and well-knit frame -made possible. Other voices were heard and other feet approaching. - -"Ho, ho, Master Fuller! 'Philip,' and 'Lucy, dear!' eh? Sits the wind -in that quarter? Then look out for squalls!" said Black Morris, and so -saying he sped rapidly away. - -"Who's that?" said Philip, as he walked by the side of the panting -girl on the way to her father's door. - -"His name's Morris, Black Morris," said Lucy, "and for months past he -has followed me about in spite of all that I could say, but he never -behaved so rudely as he did to-night. The man terrifies me almost to -death." - -Philip bade her not to fear, and expressed his intention of having an -early interview with Black Morris, to put an end to his unwelcome and -distasteful advances. - -"There will be war," said he, "between him and me. The bully must be -taught to know his place." - -"Philip," said Lucy, "do not quarrel with that man. I always feel when -I see him as though he is doomed to bring me misery and sorrow. Don't -go near him! Promise me you won't." - -What would he not promise her? He did his best to reassure the anxious -girl, and promised her he would not seek a quarrel; "but," said he, -"you must be protected at all hazards. Lucy, give me the right to -protect you! Only say that you love me, and I'll soon make it -impossible for Black Morris or anybody else to fling a shadow on your -path! Lucy, can't you see that I cannot live without your love?" - -Philip's earnest tones, instinct with a yearning that could not be -mistaken, found an answering chord in Lucy's heart; but, summoning her -self-command, she replied, "No! no! no! It is you that distress me -now. It cannot, cannot ever be. For your own sake as well as mine, I -beseech you, say no more; such a thing would rob you of your father's -love for ever. I thank you with all my heart for coming to my -help--Good-night," and straightway opening the garden gate she swiftly -ran along the path and entered the house without one backward look. - -Philip's ponderings were of a varied character as he entered the -narrow lane which led to Waverdale Hall, and slowly trod the light and -springy turf in silence. He felt half inclined to forgive Black Morris -for unwittingly securing him the delicious interview. "She loves me," -thought he, "she loves me, I am sure; and if I can get my father's -consent, my darling Lucy will yet be mine." - -Castles in the air began to rear their gleaming but deceptive turrets, -and in the delusive glamour of a lover's Paradise, Philip approached -the lodge by the gate which led through Waverdale Park. The night was -dark and still, and his path was made more gloomy by the overarching -trees, which almost converted the lane into an avenue, and shut out -the glimmer of the watchful stars. He thought of Lucy and his -all-engrossing love; he thought of his father and of the interview he -must summon courage to seek, that he might reveal his tender secret as -in duty bound; he thought of Black Morris and his final threat; and -then his mind reverted to the interview he had had, that evening, with -the rector of the parish, the Rev. Bertram Elliott. - -Philip's visit to the Rectory had been connected with those mental -troubles which had more and more disturbed him since the Sunday -evening when he had heard Nathan Blyth discourse on "the Lamb of God," -and joined with the rural worshippers in singing of the love of a -crucified Christ. From then till now no day had passed without -bringing to his mind the sweet and touching lines-- - - "All ye that pass by, - To Jesus draw nigh, - To you is it nothing that Jesus should die?" - -To the clergyman Philip had confided his spiritual anxieties, and -from him had sought the ghostly counsel which his troubled heart and -conscience did so greatly need. The worthy rector was a gentleman and -a scholar, and for the space of five-and-twenty years had christened, -married, and buried the villagers of Nestleton; had read the grand old -liturgy with some earnestness and irreproachable accent; had given a -fifteen minutes' homily every Sunday morning of the most harmless -character; and, altogether, was a genial and worthy member of his -class. But to Philip, in his moody anxiety and distress of soul, he -was of no use whatever. He simply urged him to live a moral life, -attend the church and take the sacraments, to go into company and -engage in field sports as a sure way of dissipating the "vapours" and -getting rid of "the blues." That sort of teaching, let us be thankful -to say, is by no means common in this year of grace, but there was -more than a sufficiency of it fifty years ago. - -Philip reached the lodge and let himself gently through the gate, so -as not to disturb Giles Green, the lodge-keeper, who with his little -household had retired to rest. On his way through the park he heard -the sound of human voices from a coppice to the right, and, pausing a -moment, caught the mention of his own name. Almost immediately -afterwards, another voice said,-- - -"Nivver mind 'im, owd chum. Lucy Blyth's ower poor a dish for 'im to -sit down tae. Why, Squire Fuller would shutt 'im if 'e was to tak' up -wi' a blacksmith's dowter." - -Here another voice rapped out an ugly oath, "If'e dizzn't I will, as -soon as look at 'im. Ah mean to hev that little wench myself, an' I'll -give an ounce of lead to anybody that gets into my road." - -Here the voices became more distant, and Philip lost the remainder of -the conversation. He had heard enough, however, to convince him that -mischief was brewing, and that Lucy Blyth was right in warning him -against the reckless revenge of Black Morris. Resuming his walk, and -burdened by this new complication, he entered the portals of Waverdale -Hall. His favourite Newfoundland dog, Oscar, rose from his mat, shook -his shaggy sides, and received a kindly pat and friendly word from -Philip, who straightway entered into his stately father's presence. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -BOTH PHILIP AND LUCY MAKE A CLEAN BREAST OF IT. - - "The voice of parents is the voice of gods, - For to their children they are Heaven's lieutenants; - To steer the freight of youth through storms and dangers, - Which with full sails they bear upon, and straighten - The mortal line of life they bend so often. - For these are we made fathers, and for these - May challenge duty on our children's part. - Obedience is the sacrifice of angels, - Whose form you carry." - - _Shakespeare._ - - -The squire was seated in his well-furnished and luxurious library, by -the side of a handsome reflector lamp, with a book written by a -popular free-thinker on his knees, for in works of a kindred sceptical -character the thoughtful but cynical student had latterly taken great -delight. - -"Well, Master Philip," said he, "you keep late hours, and return as -stealthily as if you had been keeping an assignation." Here he lifted -his shaggy eyebrows, and peered into his son's ingenuous face, into -which this chance home-thrust brought a rush of blood, and that "index -of the mind" grew as red as the crimson curtains which hung in heavy -folds behind him. - -The squire's suspicious nature was instantly aroused. Laying down his -book he rose from his seat, and stretching out his hand in solemn -earnest, he said,-- - -"Son Philip, you will not be other than a gentleman? You will not -sully your father's name? You will not dim the honour of an ancestry -which has held its own with the noblest through a hundred generations? -You will not grieve your father by a base and unworthy deed? In the -day you do, you'll"--here the firm lip quivered--"you'll break his -heart!" - -"Father, dear father," said Philip, taking his father's hand, "that -will I never, by the help of God." - -"Forgive my momentary doubt, my son. You have never given me cause to -fear. But what meant that tell-tale blush at the mere mention of the -word assignation? Phil, my boy, there are few things that I hate more -than the loose notions about morality and virtue which disgrace too -many of the wealthiest youth of modern times. I have small faith in -priests and in the cant of religion, but unsullied honour and true -manhood, _sans peur et sans reproche_, _that_ should be the motto and -the creed of all. Phil, are you worthy of that character to-night?" - -There was no mistaking the honest "Yes, father!" which this question -elicited, and the old man returned to his book with a sigh of infinite -relief. - -That sensation of relief, however, was by no means shared by poor -Philip, who, though perfectly innocent of anything in the direction -suspected by his father, felt his own peculiar secret weighing on his -honest heart all the more heavily, because of what had passed between -them. He longed to cast himself at his father's feet and tell him all, -but he was restrained by the consciousness that the revelation would -be like gall and wormwood to one whose escutcheon was his _fetish_, -and whose blue blood was sure to boil in aristocratic wrath at the -bare idea of its commixture with the plebeian corpuscles of a village -blacksmith. - -Had the moment been opportune, Philip would then and there have eased -his soul by a full confession; but the old man had lapsed into -pre-occupied silence, and, as if repentant of his unusual burst of -emotion, his face resumed its aspect of reserve to a more than usual -degree; so, after glancing through the pages of a book, but whether of -poetry or prose, of fiction or philosophy, he knew no more than the -man in the moon, Philip silently withdrew and retired to his bedroom, -torn with anxiety and fear. - -I hope my readers are prepared to award their sympathy to my youthful -hero. His mind was harassed by religious convictions and distressed by -spiritual yearnings for a rest he could not find. His heart was filled -with the force of an impossible love, a love which had laid an abiding -hold upon his life, and these, with the dread, not so much of his -father's anger as his father's grief, all tended to distract and -sadden him. Seated in his bedroom he reviewed all the events of the -evening, and put the question to himself, "What shall I do?" That was -followed instantly with, "What ought I to do?"--always one of the -wisest questions in the world. The answer came clear and full, like a -revelation: "Go and tell your father." - -Yielding to the impulse of the moment, and resolved to rid himself of -the secrecy, which was so foreign to his nature, Philip straightway -retraced his steps, and once more stood before his father, and said,-- - -"I should like to speak with you a few minutes, father, if you -please." - -The old gentleman laid aside his book, slowly and deliberately placed -the ivory paper-knife in it to mark the page; taking off his -spectacles, he carefully folded them and put them in the case, then -lifting his keen eyes upon his son, as if he would look him through, -he said,-- - -"Hadn't you better take a seat while you make your communication?" - -Philip found that he was getting frozen up, and that if he did not -make a spurt, he should soon be unable to tell his story. - -"Father," said he, "I entreat you not to be angry with me. Hear me -through, and--and--help me if you can." - -Beginning at the beginning, Philip told him of his visits to the -forge; how he was captivated by his childish playmate; how since his -return from college she had returned from school, and how, having seen -her again and again, he felt that he loved her with all his soul, as -he could never love anybody else on earth. At this point, inspired by -the afflatus of a deep and true affection, Philip waxed eloquent. - -"Father," said he, "Lucy Blyth is, in worldly wealth and status, far -beneath me; but in wealth of mind and the riches of goodness and -piety, she is infinitely my superior. Of her beauty I say nothing, one -sight of her will show you that it is peerless. Father, dear father, I -love her with as deep and true a love as ever mastered man. You I feel -bound to obey, not in filial duty only, but because I love and -reverence my father; but I beseech you to pause before you forbid this -thing, for, in the day when this hope dies out into the dark, my life -will alter, and the Philip Fuller of to-day will be a different man. -How the difference will be felt or borne, God only knows!" - -The depth of intensity, the mournful voice in which that last sentence -was uttered sent the blood back from the father's heart. It told him -that this was no passing fancy, but the master-love of a life. - -The squire sat silent for several moments. His features were fixed and -firm and immovable as usual, but there was a pallor on his face which -showed that he had received a blow--a blow from which he would not -soon recover. - -"Have you anything more to say?" asked the squire, in a voice quiet -and low. - -"No, father," said Philip, "only this--that you must not doubt either -my love or my duty. But, oh remember, the happiness of my life is in -your hands," and bidding him "good-night," Philip once more retired to -his room. That night his sleep was troubled. He dreamed that he was -spurned by his father, pursued by Black Morris, while Lucy, bright as -an angel, stood before him with outstretched arms, and then, -struggling vainly with some invisible power, was borne for ever from -his view. - - * * * * * - -Nor were matters much more promising in the house of Nathan Blyth. -After Lucy's unpleasant experiences with Black Morris, and her -exciting interview with Philip Fuller, she was a good deal flustered -and disturbed, and when she entered the house, Nathan was constrained -to notice her flushed face and disarranged attire. - -"Why Lucy, lass, you look as though you had been at work in a -hayfield, and as warm as a dairymaid at a butter churn. If it had been -any other girl I should have said that she'd been 'gallivanting;' but -that's not in my Lucy's line, is it?" - -Lucy was not quite prepared for this sort of thing, but she never -stooped to an evasion, and her maidenly intuitions led her at once to -tell her father the events of the night. - -"Black Morris seized hold of me," said she, "as I passed the -churchyard. I think he was tipsy, and he ran after me. Philip heard me -scream, and he brought me safely home." - -Wrath against Black Morris rose high in the blacksmith's heart, but -the unconscious familiarity with which she mentioned "Philip," as if -there could be but one in the whole wide world, struck him so forcibly -that he said,-- - -"Philip? Philip who? Do you mean Master Philip, at the Hall?" - -Poor Lucy saw in a moment all the force of her thoughtless slip of the -tongue, and she could not for the life of her prevent her fluttering -heart from imprinting its secret cipher on her cheek. The bashful, -"Yes, father," tore away the flimsy veil that hid her heart's idol -from her father's view. - -"And how comes Philip Fuller's name to flow so glibly from my lassie's -lips?" said Nathan, seriously. "My Lucy hasn't learnt to listen to -words of love from one who can never be aught to her, and whose life -and hers must always be wide apart--has she?" - -The tears were in Lucy's eyes, and her sweet lips quivered as she -knelt by her father's knee. - -"Father," said she, "I can have no secrets from you. I have never -seen, never met him, of my own accord; and since he told me of his -love to me, and he couldn't help it--[That's right, Lucy, defend him -to the last!]--I've done my best to avoid him. I have told him that it -can never be, and I would sooner die than grieve you, my dear, kind -father. But I do love him with all my heart, and he loves me--I know -he does--and I'm very miserable! Oh, tell me, tell me, what am I to -do?"--And the girl flung herself into his arms in a paroxysm of tears. - -"My poor lass!" said Nathan Blyth, stroking her hair and kissing her -fair forehead. "It is as I feared. I am thankful that you have told me -all about it. I can help you to bear your trouble, and we must both -take it to God. Those who seek to do right and keep an honest -conscience are sure to find comfort from Him. But, Lucy, my dear, you -must not see him any more. It must be put a stop to, and if Master -Philip will not keep away, I must go and see Squire Fuller myself. -Cheer up, my darling! Let us do right, and God's good Providence will -pull us through. Now it's getting late, so bring the Bible and let us -hear what God the Lord doth say concerning us. I always find that He -has a word in season for a heart in trouble." - -The book was brought Nathan turned to the thirty-fourth Psalm, and -read, "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are -open to their cry.... The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth and -delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto all -them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite -spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord -delivereth him out of them all." Then, kneeling down, he made his God -their confidant, and "talked with Him face to face as a man talketh -with his friend." Lucy's trouble, and her need of strength and -guidance--her lack of a mother's loving counsel and care--were all -laid before the Throne of Grace. They rose to their feet in the sweet -hush of a great calm. Lucy was comforted; her filial confidence had -quickly brought its reward. - -Happy parents they, whose children count them their truest friends and -hold from them no secret reserves! Happy children, whose parents win -their confidence and make common cause with them in their joys and -sorrows! Happy both parents and children who are accustomed to take -their needs to a loving and gracious God! - -So Lucy dried her tears, resolved to govern her heart like a -heroine--to do the duty that lay next her, and leave the rest to -heaven. True, she went to bed to dream of Philip, but communion with -her love had no embargo there. Thanks to her father's love and her -Redeemer's care, no shadow of Black Morris or of overhanging trouble -disturbed her repose. - - * * * * * - -Here for the present we leave the youthful lovers, assured that high -principle, the love of Right and Truth, will hold them scathless; and, -should the course of events widen the gap and intensify the obstacles -between these two, we may rest content that both will bear their -burdens with a loyal spirit and in submissive strength, and will come -through the fire refined and purified, as it is the nature of sterling -gold to do. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -ADAM OLLIVER IN THE "METHODIST CONFESSIONAL." - - "When one who holds communion with the skies, - Has filled his urn where the pure waters rise, - And once more mingles with us meaner things, - 'Tis even as if an angel shook his wings; - Immortal fragrance fills the circuit wide, - And tells us where his treasure is supplied." - - _Cowper._ - - -In addition to the Sunday services conducted by local preachers, and a -fortnightly Thursday meeting, when the Nestletonian Methodists were -favoured with a sermon from one of the "itinerants," two weekly -class-meetings were held, the one in Adam Olliver's cottage, the other -in the kitchen of Nathan Blyth. In each case the owner of the place of -rendezvous was the "leader" of the little band which gathered from -week to week to give and obtain mutual cheer and encouragement in the -Christian life. Old Adam's class consisted chiefly of the older -members of society, and numbered a dozen or fourteen men and women who -were "asking their way to Zion with their faces thitherward." - -The lowly and tidy little room was always made as neat as a new pin by -the diligent Judith for the class-meetings, though that state of -things was by no means exceptional; for Judith, like most of the East -Yorkshire peasantry, prided herself on the cleanliness of her cosy -cottage. A strip or two of carpet was laid here and there upon the -well-washed brick floor. A hearthrug made of short strips of cloth, -knitted in many colours and neat of pattern, lay upon the white -hearthstone, on the borders of which, uncovered by the rug, a little -red sand was strewn, to facilitate future sweeping operations, and to -give a looser tenancy to dirt. The grate, hob, and oven were brightly -polished with black-lead, and the iron bar, and "reckon" over the -fire-place, used for suspending culinary pot and kettle, were as -bright as burnished steel. Half a dozen wooden chairs made of birch or -ashwood, a small old-fashioned "dresser" and platerack, a clock of -contemporary age, whose long case stood bolt upright against the wall, -and had had to suffer partial decapitation to make room for it -underneath the joists of the boarded chamber floor, an odd-looking -corner cupboard perched more than half-way up an angle of the room, -and a little round table covered with glazed American cloth, completed -the furniture. Not quite, though, for there were two old-fashioned -arm-chairs, with spindled backs, from which the green paint was -largely worn away by constant use, and two or three odd little -Scripture prints and an antique "sampler" adorned the whitewashed -walls. On class-meeting nights, the sitting accommodation was -increased by the introduction of two little wooden forms of Adam's own -construction, which at other seasons were set up on end in the little -back kitchen to be out of the way. A well-worn Bible and the -ubiquitous Wesleyan hymn-book were laid upon the table, and Adam's -spectacles, in a wooden case, were placed by their side, as regularly -as Wednesday night came round. - -I have a great desire that my readers should peep into Adam's cottage -on one of these occasions, and witness the proceedings at a genuine -Methodist class-meeting. - -As the clock strikes seven, eight or nine members have arrived, and -each, having bent the knee in silent prayer, sits silent until the -patriarchal leader dons his glasses, opens at a favourite hymn, and -says,-- - -"Let us commence t' worship ov God be' singin' t' hym on t' fottid -payge, common measure." - - "Jesus the neeame 'igh ower all, - I' hell or 'arth or sky; - Aingels an' men befoore it fall, - An' divvils fear an' fly." - -The first two lines are then given out again, and Jabez Hepton starts -the tune. A few verses are thus disposed of, two lines at a time, and -then the old man leads them at the Throne of Grace, in a quaintly -earnest prayer. Adam always had "a good time" on these occasions, and -two or three of the more enthusiastic members interpolate their -"amens" and "halleluias," varying in number and vehemence according to -the current character of their own feelings and experiences. Adam -pulls off his glasses as the members resume their seats, and folding -his hands on the open book, says,-- - -"Ah's still gannin' on i' t' aud rooad, an' ah bless the Lord 'at ah's -nearer salvation noo then when fost ah beleeaved. Ah finnd 'at t' way -dizn't get 'arder bud eeasier as ah gan' on. Ah used te hev monny a -tussle wi' me' neeamsake, t' 'Aud Adam,' an' he's offens throan ma', -but t' Strangger then he's aboot tonnd him oot, an' ah feel 'at the -Lord's will's mah will mair then ivver it was afoore. Ah's cummin' -fast te d' end o' my jonna, an' ah's just waitin' at t' Beautiful Gayt -o' t' temple, till the Lord cums an' lifts ma' up, then ah sall gan in -as t' leeam man did, loupin' an' singin' an' praisin' God.--Noo, -Brother Hepton, hoo is it wi' your sowl te-neet?" - -Jabez Hepton, as we have seen, is the village carpenter. He is rather -a reticent and thoughtful man, troubled now and then with mental -doubts--a kind of Nicodemus, who is given to asking "How can these -things be?" - -"Well," he says, "I'm not quite up to the mark, somehow. I have no -trust but in Jesus, an' I don't want to have. But I've a good many -doubts an' fears,--why, not fears exactly, but questionings an' -uncertainties, an' they disturb me at times a good bit. I pray for -grace to overcome 'em. May the Lord help me!" - -"Help yo'," said Adam, "te be seear He will. But you mun help yersen. -If a fellow cums inte my hoose o' purpose te mak' ma' miserable, an' -begins te pull t' winder cottain doon, an' rake t' fire oot, tellin' -ma' 'at darkness an' gloom 's best fo' ma'; ah sudn't begin to arguy -wiv him. Ah sud say, 'Cum, hod thee noise an' bundle oot. Ah knoa -better then that, an' ah'll hev as mitch dayleet as ah can get.' Noo, -theease doots o' yours, they cum for neea good, and they shutt t' -sunleet o' faith oot o' yer heart. Noo, deean't ax 'em te sit doon an' -hev a crack o' talk aboot it, an' lissen tiv 'em till you're hoaf oot -o' yer wits. Say 'Get oot, ah deean't want yo,' an' ah weean't hae -yo'!' an' oppen t' deear _an' expect 'em te gan_. Meeastly you'll -finnd 'at they'll tak t' hint an' vanish like a dreeam. Brother -Hepton, doots is neea trubble, if yo' weean't giv 'em hooseroom. -Questionin's weean't bother yo' if yo' deeant give 'em a answer. An' -whativver yo' deea, fill your heead wi' t' Wod ov God. 'It's written!' -'It's written!' _that's_ the way te settle 'em.--Sister Petch, hoo are -_you_ gettin' on?" - -Sister Petch is an aged widow, poor amongst the poorest, an infirm and -weakly woman, living a solitary life, but ever upborne by a cheerful -Christian content which is beautiful to see. - -"Why, I've nothing but what's good to say of my gracious Lord and -Saviour. Sometimes ah gets a bit low-spirited an' dowly, especially -when my rheumatism keeps me from sleeping. But I go straight to the -cross, and when I cry, 'Lord, help me!' I get abundant strength. The -Lord won't lay on me more than ah'm able to bear, an' sometimes He -makes my peace to flow like a river. My Saviour's love makes up for -all my sorrows." - -"Hey, mah deear sister, ah'll warrant it diz. You an' me's gettin' aud -an' creaky, an' the Lord's lowsin' t' pins o' wer tabernacle riddy for -t' flittin.' Bud if t' hoose o' this tabernacle be dissolved, we knoa -'at we've a buildin' ov God. Till that day cums, 'Lord, help me!' is a -stoot crutch te walk wi', an' a sharp swoord te fight wi', an' a soft -pillo' te lig wer heeads on, an' a capital glass te get a leeak at -heaven through. The Lord knoas all aboot it, Peggy, an' He says te -yo', 'ah knoa thi patience an' thi povvaty,' but thoo's _rich_, an' -bless His neeame you'll be a good deal richer yit. - - 'On all the kings of 'arth, - Wi' pity we leeak doon; - An' clayme i' vartue o' wer berth, - A nivver fadin' croon.' - -Halleluia! Peggy. You're seear ov all yo' want for tahme an' for -etarnity.--Brother Laybourn, tell us o' the Lord's deealin's wi' -_you_." - -Brother Laybourn is the village barber, and like many others of his -fraternity is much given to politics, an irrepressible talker, great -at gossip, and being of a mercurial temperament befitting his lithe -little frame, he is a little deficient in that stedfastness of -character which is requisite for spiritual health and progress. In -answer to Adam's invitation, he runs down like a clock when the -pendulum's off---- - -"Why, I hev to confess that I isn't what I owt to be, an' I isn't -altegither what I might be, but I is what I is, an' seein' things is -no better, I'm thenkful that they're no worse. I've a good monny ups -and doons, and inns and oots, but by the grace of God I continny to -this day, an'"---- - -"Ah'll tell you what it is, Brother Laybourn," said Adam, cutting him -short in his career, "Fooaks 'at ez sae monny ups and doons is varry -apt to gan doon altegither; an' them 'at ez so monny ins an' oots mun -take care they deean't get clean oot, till they can't get in na mair. -'Unsteeable as watter thoo sall nut excel.' It's varry weel to be -thenkful, bud when wa' hae te confine wer thenks te nut bein' warse -than we are, it dizn't seeam as though we were takkin' mitch pains te -be better. 'T' kingdom o' heaven suffers violence, an' t' violent tak' -it be _foorce_,' Leonard. Ah pre' yo' te give all diligence te mak' -your callin' an' election sure: an' if yo'll nobbut pray mair, yo'll -hev a good deal mair te thenk God for then ye seem te hev -te-neet.--Lucy, mah deear, hoo's the Lord leadin' you te-neet?" - -Lucy Blyth's experience is generally fresh and healthy, and her -utterances are always listened to with gladness and profit, for Lucy -is a favourite here as everywhere else. - -"I thank God," says Lucy, "that the Lord _is_ leading me, though it is -often by a way that I know not. I often find that the path of duty is -very hard to climb, and the other path of inclination looks both easy -and pleasant. If it were not for the real and precious help I get by -prayer, I fear that I should choose it. I am trying to do right, and -desire above all things to keep the comfort of a good conscience, and -to walk in the light. I find that one of the best means of resisting -temptation and mastering self and sin is to work for God and to try to -benefit others. I pray every day of my life that I may be a lowly, -loving disciple of my Saviour, and His conscious love and favour are -the joy of my heart. - - 'Blindfold I walk this life's bewildering maze, - Strong in His faith I tread the uneven ways, - And so I stand unshrinking in the blast, - Because my Father's arm is round me cast; - And if the way seems rough, I only clasp - The Hand that leads me with a firmer grasp.'" - -"Hey, mah bairn," Adam makes reply, and there is a wealth of -tenderness in his tones, "t' way o' duty is t' way o' seeafty. It may -be rough sometahmes, an' thorns an' briars may pierce yer feet, but if -yo' nobbut clim' it patiently, you'll finnd 'at t' top on't 'at God's -gotten a blessin' riddy fo' yo' 'at pays for all t' trubble an' pain. -Besahdes that, He's wi' yo' all t' way up, an' He's sayin' te yo' all -t' while, 'Leean hard upo' Me!' 'Sorrow may endure for a neet,' Lucy, -'bud joy cums i' t' mornin'.' A trubble-clood brings a cargo o' -blessin', an' t' bigger the blessin' the blacker it leeaks. Nestleton -Brig settles doon strannger for all t' looads 'at gans ower it, an' -you'll be better an' purer for t' boddens yo' hae te carry. Ah's glad -yo' finnd a cumfot an' a blessin' i' trying te deea good; for there's -nowt oot ov heaven 'at's sae like Jesus as wipin' tears and soffenin' -trubbles, an' takkin balm to bruis'd hearts. Besahdes, you can't mak' -music for other fooaks withoot hearin' it y'ursen. Them 'at gives -gets, an' as seean as ivver we begin te watter other fooaks' gardens, -ivvery leeaf i' wer aun is drippin' wi' heavenly dew. May the Lord -bless yo', mah bairn, ivvery hoor i' t' day!"----To this every member -of the class responds with a genuine and warm "Amen." - -"Judy, mah dear aud wife," continues Adam, "tell us hoo yer gettin' on -i' t' rooad te t' New Jerusalem." - -Judith's words were always few, but they were always fit. She sits by -the side of her grand old man, in her clean white cap, and smoothing -down the folds of her apron, answers,-- - -"Why, thoo knoas, Adam, 'at ah's growin' old, an' feelin' more an' -more the infirmities of age, but it doesn't trubble ma.' The Lord -fills me wi' joy an' peace through believin'. Ah've only one -unsatisfied desire, an' that is te know that me three bairns hev giv'n -their hearts te God. Jake's a good lad, an' Hannah's a steady lass, -but ah feels te fret a bit now and then aboot Pete. He's in a forren -country away ower t' sea, an' I do long to see his face agen. But ah -could deny myself o' that, if I knew that he loved his Saviour, and -was sure to meet me i' heaven. This is my prayer ivvery day, 'at we -may meet an unbroken family at God's right hand." - -There is a very perceptible tremor in Old Adam Olliver's voice, and a -couple of tear-drops on his cheeks, as he takes Judith by the hand, -and says,-- - -"God bless tha', mah dear aud wife. A muther's luv hugs her bairns -varry near her heart; bud thoo knoas 'at God's luv's eaven bigger -still; an' He's promised thoo an' me lang since 'at He'll give us all -wa' ax Him. Deean't be frighten'd, Judy, my lass, all thi' bairns hae -been gi'n te God, and nut a hoof on us'll be left behint. The Lord's -in America as weel as here, an' t' prayers o' Pete's muther mak's t' -sea nae bigger then a fishpond, an' ah's expectin' sum day te see wer -lad, sittin' by wer hearthstun'. Bud whither or no, be seear o' this, -'at thoo an' me'll stand i' t' prizence o' wer Saviour we' wer bairns -wiv 'us, sayin', 'Here we are an' t' children Thoo ez given us.' Here -Adam's voice fails him, and Jabez Hepton strikes up,-- - - "O what a joyful meeting there, - In robes of white arrayed; - Palms in our hands we all shall bear, - And crowns upon our head!" - -Then follows a universal chorus,-- - - "And then we shall with Jesus reign - And never, never part again." - -"Noo, Sister Houston," says Adam, resuming his leader's office, "hoo -is it wi' you te-day?" - -Mrs. Houston is, as I have previously noted, an energetic and bustling -woman, of strong will, naturally quick temper, and given to a good -deal of needless anxiety as to the management of her dairy and other -domestic affairs. A good woman is Sister Houston, candid as the day, -and often a good deal troubled over certain constitutional tendencies -in which nature is apt to triumph over grace. - -"Well," says she, "I find that the Christian life is a warfare, and I -often have hard work to stand my ground. Family anxieties and -household cares often put a heavy strain on me, and I get so busy and -so taken up with things, that religion seems to fall into the second -place; and then I get into trouble over faults and failings that I -ought to cure. I do mean to try, and I pray for grace to be more -faithful to the Saviour who has done so much for me." - -"Hey," says Adam, with a sigh, "this wolld's sadly apt to get inte d' -rooad o' t'other, isn't it? Like yer neeamseeak, Martha, yo' get -trubbled aboot monny things. 'Be careful for nowt,' said Jesus; that -is, deean't be anxious an' worrit aboot 'em. Seek _fost_ the kingdom -ov heaven, and keep it _fost_. Iverything else'll prosper an' nowt'll -suffer if yo' deea that. As for t' trials o' temper an' other faults -an' failin's, an' lahtle frettin's an' bothers o' life, tak' 'em -bodily te t' Cross, an' ax _on t' spot_ for grace te maister 'em. -Deean't be dispirited wi' yer failur's; leeak back at t' way God's -offens helped yo' through. When David killed Goliath, he said, 'The -Lord 'at delivered ma' frae t' lion an' t' beear 'll deliver thoo inte -me' hands te-day.' That's it, arguy frae t' lion te t' giant an' he's -bun te fall. When ah was a lad an' wanted to jump a beck, ah went -backwa'd a bit te get a good spring; an' seea when yo' want te loup -ower a difficulty, step back a bit te t' last victory God gav yo', an' -then i' faith 'at He'll deea it ageean, jump, an' you'll clear it, as -seear as mah neeam's Adam Olliver." - -Then follows another hymn, a brief concluding prayer, and the secrets -of the "Methodist Confessional" are over. The names are called, each -one contributes weekly pence according to their means for the support -of the Kesterton Circuit funds, and the little company retires, all -the better for an hour's intercourse with each other, and of -communion with God. - -For nearly a century and a half the Methodist class-meeting has been -one of the most potent means of conserving and intensifying the -spiritual life of the Methodist people. It is earnestly to be hoped -that they will never be guilty of the suicidal policy of slighting -this admirable institution. In the day when it allows the -class-meeting to occupy any other than a foremost and vital place in -its Church organisation, Methodism will be largely shorn of its -strength, and "Ichabod" will be traced in fatal characters on its -crumbling walls. Adam Olliver's class-meeting has been drawn in strict -consistency with facts, and many a thousand similar green oases amid -the arid sands of weekly toil and trial, are to-day refreshing and -encouraging thousands of humble pilgrims whose faces are set towards -the Celestial City. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -SQUIRE FULLER PAYS A VISIT TO THE FORGE. - - "I ask not for his lineage, - I ask not for his name-- - If manliness be in his heart, - He noble birth may claim. - I care not though of world's wealth - But slender be his part, - If _yes_ you answer when I ask, - Hath he a true man's heart?" - - _R. Nicholl._ - - -After that memorable interview which Philip Fuller had with his father -when he revealed the dearest secret of his heart, the squire sat -motionless and immersed in thought, long after his household had -retired to rest. - -The revelation made to him by his son had come upon him with all the -force of a thunderbolt, and for a while bereft him of the power either -to think or act. His clear perception had seen that Philip's -attachment to Lucy was no child's play--no fleeting fancy to be chased -away by the advent of some newer face of beauty. He knew that his son -and heir was the subject of a master passion--a love that no -diplomacy could lessen, that no counter policy could uproot, and that -direct opposition could only intensify and confirm. His deep and -mighty love for Philip, largely hid under a cold exterior, led him to -sympathise with and pity him to a degree altogether unwarranted by -external evidence; at the same time he felt that such an alliance as -the ardent youth contemplated was simply impossible and absurd, and -must be put an end to at all hazards, for his son's sake, as well as -from regard to the traditions of his family tree. He was convinced -that the only method of preventing so glaring a mistake lay in an -appeal to Philip's filial obedience and love, and he came to the -conclusion to use that potent engine without delay. - -The next morning, as he and Philip were seated at the breakfast table, -the squire opened the conversation by saying,-- - -"My son! Does your evening declaration commend itself to your morning -reflections? I have gone through a sleepless night, trying to hope -that I should meet, this morning, your wiser self. Philip, my boy, I -would do much to please you, for you little know how great is my love -for you. But you ask me what I cannot grant, and what, if you do -without my permission, will go far to shorten my life and break my -heart. You are all I have in the world, and having you, I have all the -world has in it that I care for. My son! my son! will you give up this -impossible idea, and let me feel that you will not bring my grey head -to the grave with grief?" - -The squire's voice quivered, and the look of eager hope and dread upon -his haggard face was something pitiful to see. He had employed the one -arrow in his quiver that had, for this case, either feather or barb, -and his suspense amounted to positive agony until Philip's answer -came. But he had judged aright. His son's genuine love and loyalty -were his sheet anchor, and the anchor held. The colour left Philip's -face, the struggle was intense, but his response was firm. - -"My dear father! Your love is precious to me, and your will is law. I -cannot promise not to love Lucy. I have not the power to keep it if I -did. I cannot promise to give up the hope that one day you may look -upon my heart's desire with favour. But, so long as you forbear to -urge any other alliance on me, I promise to your love, that I will not -grieve you by any further steps in this direction." - -"And you will not seek an interview with this young woman without my -full permission?" - -Philip paused a moment while love and duty, or rather while two loves, -fought a hard battle in his soul, and then the love that was allied -with duty won the day, and he said, "Father, I will not." - -The father rose from his seat, bent forward, and kissed him on the -brow. "Philip," said he, "I bless you. God will bless you for that -word." - -Squire Fuller's next step was to despatch a note to Nathan Blyth, for -he felt that no stone must be left unturned to assure the victory he -had gained. A short time afterwards, therefore, the blacksmith -received the following epistle:-- - - "SIR,--It has come to my knowledge that my son has been foolish - enough to commit himself, by a stupid profession of love, to - your daughter. Though this is doubtless a young man's whim, and - a mere passing fancy, I greatly object to it, and he has - promised me that he will desist from what I am sure you will - agree with me in describing as unseemly and improper. I write - this _private_ communication in order to suggest to your - daughter that she should not encourage such a wild dream, and - that you will use your authority in keeping her out of his way. - I trust I have said nothing herein to give you offence, and am, - &c., - - "AINSLEY FULLER." - -When Nathan Blyth had read the letter twice through, he bade the -messenger to wait, and speedily sent the following missive in -return:-- - - "SIR,--You cannot be more glad than I am that Master Philip has - made the promise to which you refer. Nothing is more contrary to - my desire than that he should ever speak to her again. And - permit me respectfully to assure you that my daughter has given - him no encouragement; and, without the exertion of any authority - of mine, will not only not seek, but will repel any advances on - his part. Both she and I are agreed that nothing could be more - lamentable than to suffer any such forgetfulness of the - difference between his position and ours. You may rest assured - that no encouragement, but the direct opposite, will always be - given to such an act of folly. - - "I am, Sir, yours respectfully, - - "NATHAN BLYTH." - -Squire Fuller could hardly believe his own eyes as he read the letter, -couched in such fitting language, so eminently respectful, and -especially so gratifying in its contents. He had imagined that Nathan -and his daughter would have regarded Philip as a prize to be hooked, -if possible, and had written his note with a view to crush out the -faintest hope of success in their plot for Lucy's aggrandisement. He -felt such a sense of satisfaction and relief that he resolved to ride -over to the forge and express his thanks and pleasure to the writer. - -The next morning, therefore, the stately squire bestrode his favourite -grey mare, and took his morning ride in the direction of Blithe -Natty's house. That cheerful knight of the hammer was busy at his -post, and the ringing anvil, as usual, was accompanied by his musical -and sonorous song. - - Wherever my fortune may lead me, - Whate'er sort of hap it may bring, - The blessing of God will still speed me, - And this is the song I will sing-- - - Away with all fear and repining, - Away with all doubting and grief: - On the bosom of Jesus reclining, - He'll never withhold me relief. - - Affliction will come, if He sends it, - Or sorrow my portion may be; - I'll cheerfully bear till He ends it, - Till I His salvation shall see. - - With loving and honest endeavour, - Still striving my duty to do, - I'll love Him and trust Him for ever, - For ever be honest and true. - - The sun in the heavens is shining, - Though clouds may oft gather below, - Each one has a silvery lining, - And rains down a gift as I go. - - The streamlet runs clear o'er the gravel, - The breezes blow pure o'er the lea; - Just so in my course would I travel, - With Jesus to journey with me. - - I want neither honour nor riches, - I care not for rank or for gold; - For this kind of fortune bewitches - The soul--at least so I've been told. - - Contented and happy and healthy, - Pray why should I covet or sigh, - To be titled or famous or wealthy? - Can any man answer me why? - - But one thing through life will I covet-- - To hate the whole compass of wrong; - To do aye the right and to love it, - To sing as I travel along. - - Wherever my fortune may lead me, - Whate'er sort of hap it may bring, - The blessing of God will aye speed me, - And so as I travel I sing. - -Such was the blithe and cheery ditty which Nathan Blyth was chanting -when Squire Fuller rode up to the smithy door. - -"Good morning, Blyth," said he; "it's a good sign when people sing at -their work. One would conclude that it's neither too hard nor ill -paid." - -"And yet, sir," said Nathan, "I have known people who worked too hard -for low wages, and yet could sing all the same." - -"Indeed! I imagine they must have been endowed by nature with a -marvellous flow of spirits," said the squire. - -"No, sir, not specially, but they were endowed by God with a -marvellous flow of grace. You know the old proverb sir,-- - - 'Godly grace makes greatly glad, - It makes him sing who once was sad.'" - -"And you believe that this 'grace of God,' as you call it, helps you -to sing, do you, Blyth?" - -"Yes, sir," said Nathan, warmly; "I have a good conscience, a sense -and assurance of my Saviour's love, and a bright hope of heaven. God's -providence has filled my cup brimfull with blessings, and if I did not -sing His praises the very stones might well cry out." - -All this was beyond the belief or comprehension of Squire Fuller, and -Natty might have answered his dubious look by the words of the -Samaritan woman, "Thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is -deep." - -"Well, well," said he, "I am heartily glad, at any rate, that you can -take life so brightly. It certainly would be a thousand pities if that -grand voice of yours was to rust for want of practice." - -"Yes, there's something in that, too," said Nathan, with a smile. - - 'To help the voice full clear to ring. - Go out into the woods and sing.' - -"I don't go out into the woods to do it, but the pitch of my anvil-ring -keeps me up to tone, and the practice is quite as good." - -"Allow me to thank you, Blyth, for that very courteous and -satisfactory note you sent me yesterday. I own that it was -not altogether what I expected. I suspected--I imagined--I -thought--that--that"----and the squire felt that he was dealing -stupidly with a very delicate subject. - -"Yes, I know," said Nathan Blyth; "you imagined that the blacksmith -and his daughter were fishing for the heir of Waverdale Park, and you -hoped quietly to convince them that it was a losing game. I'm not -offended at that; I suppose it was natural that you should do so. But -be sure, sir, that I dread the idea, and hate it, too, quite as much -as you do. Don't misunderstand me. I believe in my conscience that my -Lucy is in all respects a prize that any man might wish to win, and I -know none for whom I do not hold her to be too good. But I'd rather -she mated with somebody in her own rank of life. I should say 'No' to -Master Philip if he asked for her himself, and I should say 'No' to -you if you were to ask for him; and if he is a sensible young man, -he'll turn his attention other where, for he may depend upon it he'll -come on a useless errand, if he comes at all." - -Human nature is a queer article, and the squire's feelings as he heard -this would have been difficult to analyse. His satisfaction was great -at the thought that there was no fear of counter-plotting, but, -strange to say, he felt more than half inclined to feel insulted. Here -was a grimy smith, with naked arms and leather apron, standing, hammer -in hand, by his smithy fire, coldly intimating that his daughter was -too dainty a prize for his own son, and scorning the bare idea of such -an alliance with as much independence as if he were a "belted earl." -The blue blood surged a little in the veins of the stately squire, -but, restraining himself, he was fain to be content with facts, and, -mounting his horse, he bade the sturdy Vulcan a cold and distant -"Good-morrow," and betook him to his ancestral park. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -AUD ADAM OLLIVER "SEES ABOUT IT." - - "Age, by long experience well informed, - Well read, well tempered, with religion warmed, - That fire abated which impels rash youth, - Proud of his speed to overshoot the truth, - As time improves the grapes' authentic juice, - Mellows and makes the speech more fit for use, - And claims a reverence in his shortening day, - That 'tis an honour and a joy to pay." - - _Cowper._ - - -"Cum, Balaam! Stor yer pins, aud chap, or we sahn't get te d' Marlpit -Wood afoore dinner tahme." Adam Olliver, astride his faithful but -laggard donkey, sought with small success to put that philosophic -quadruped to a quicker pace. Balaam was not to be flurried out of the -jog-trot which had become a part of his nature, and walking or -galloping was equally out of the question. This Adam well knew, but he -had got into the habit of talking to his four-footed retainer in his -lonely labours in valley and hill-side, and, doubtless, if all his -confidential talk with his long-eared but not particularly retentive -listener could be reported, a volume, considerable alike in size and -sense, might easily be forthcoming. - -"Balaam, aud chap, ah think there's mair donkeys wi' two legs then -there is wi' fower. Blithe Natty's as good a fello' as ivver put a -pair o' shoes on, but he's as blinnd as a bat, and as dull as a donkey -aboot that blessid lahtle lass ov his. She's cryin' her e'es oot, an' -spoilin' her pratty feeace ower that yung sprig ov a squire; an' her -dodderin' fayther wunthers what's matter wiv 'er, an's freeten'd te -deead 'at he's gannin' te loss 'er like 'er mother. He dizn't seeam te -see wheear t' mischief ligs. Thoo mun tell 'im, Balaam. Thoo mun tell -'im"--for Old Adam had got into a way of identifying the old donkey -with himself, and in his monologues with his dumb companion, used to -give it the advice on which he himself intended to act--"it weean't -deea for t' sweetest lass i' Waverdale to be meead a feeal on biv a -young whippersnapper like that. Ah've neea doot he thinks it's good -fun te trifle wiv a pratty lass, an' get 'er te wosship t' grund he -walks on, an' then leeave 'er te dee ov a brokken heart. Bud," said -the old hedger, in a gush of indignation, "Ah'll be hanged if he sall! -Balaam, thoo sall gan te-neet, an' tell Natty Blyth a bit o' thi' -mind." - -Here, in his excitement, Old Adam rose up in his stirrups and -unconsciously brought his stick down on the flanks of his Rosinante, -with a thwack that would have startled any other steed into at least a -momentary spurt. Balaam, however, only cocked his ears in mild -astonishment, as who should say, "What in the world is the matter with -the old man now?" or, rather, for it isn't possible to think of him -cogitating in any other language than his master's, "What i' t' -wolld's up wi' t' aud chap noo?" - -Just at this point Adam had reached a narrow gate which opened into a -grassy lane, leading to Marlpit Wood, the scene of his labours for the -day. There, bestriding a handsome bay, and in the act of attempting to -open the gate with the handle of his riding whip, was a fine, handsome -young gentleman, whose dark eyes gleamed with good temper, and whose -general appearance was indicative of rank, high spirits, and -kindliness of heart. This was none other than Philip Fuller, and no -sooner did Adam Olliver set his eyes upon him than he resolved there -and then to fulfil his promise to Judith to "see about it," and to -"have it out" with the delinquent himself. - -"Ah'll oppen t' yat fo' yo' if y'll wayte a minnit;" and, dismounting, -he fulfilled his promise, and stood with his limp and battered "Jim -Crow" hat in his hand, before the young gentleman had an opportunity -to reply. - -"Thank you," said Philip, with a bright, open smile, and, putting his -hand in his pocket, he pulled out a coin with the view of paying for -the favour he had received. - -"Nay," said Adam, "Ah deean't want payin' for it. Ah sud hae 'ad te -oppen it for mysen; an' if ah hedn't it wad hae been varry meean te -see yo' bother'd, an' gan on indifferent. Bud if yo'll excuse ma', -sor, ah sud like te say a wod or two te yo', an' ah wop yo' weean't be -offended. Mah neeam's Adam Olliver, an' ah lives next deear te Nathan -Blyth, an' ah thinks as mitch aboot his lahtle Lucy as ah deea aboot -me' aun bairns. Oh, sor!" and Adam lifted his honest sun-brown face in -strong appeal, "deean't draw Natty's yow' lam' away frev 'im, poor -fellow! He hez bud' hor, an' if onny 'arm sud 'appen tiv her, it'll -breck his 'art an' hor's an' all. She's as good as she's pratty, bless -'er! an' it wad be twenty thoosand pities, as weel as an awful sin, te -bring disgrace on 'er heead, an' sorrow tiv' 'er 'art. Deean't, ah -pre' you, rob Natty of his darlin'. Yisterday, ah was clippin' a hedge -yonder by Marlpit Wood, an' ah saw a muther-bod teeachin' 'er yung 'un -te flee. T' aud bod flutter'd and chirrup't up an' doon, an' roond -aboot, the varry picther o' happiness, an' t' poor lahtle gollin' -cheep'd an' hopp'd, an' flew as happy as it's mother. A sparro'-hawk -com' doon, like a flash o' leetnin', an' teeak'd lahtle thing away iv -his claws. Ah tell you, Maister Philip, t' way that poor muther-bod -pleean'd an' twitter'd, an' hopp'd, frae bush te tree, an' frae tree -te bush, wild wi' grief, was aneeaf te melt a flint. Maister Philip! -deean't be a hawk; bud let Natty's pratty lahtle singin'-bod be, an' -God'll bless yo'." - -Philip Fuller listened in amaze. A bright ingenuous blush tinged his -cheek at the mention of Lucy's name, and as the old man proceeded, in -rude, homely eloquence, to plead, as he thought, the cause of injured -innocence, the colour deepened until it might easily have been misread -as an evidence of conscious guilt. Not the slightest shadow of anger, -however, rested on his features, as he looked into the gleaming eyes -of the "old man eloquent." On the contrary, his clear perception -showed him in Old Adam the true and knightly sympathiser with -innocence and beauty; the chivalrous knight in corderoy and hodden -grey, who, if needs be, would peril life and limb to champion his -darling against all comers suspected of unrighteous intent. - -"Deean't be vexed, Maister Philip," he proceeded. "Ah meean neea harm, -you knoa ah deean't, but ah can't abide te see lahtle Lucy pinin' away -i' sorro', an' 'er fayther gannin' aboot like a man iv a dreeam. She's -nut the lass for you, yo' knoa. A lennet an' a eeagle's ill matched, -an' ah want yo' te promise mah 'at yo'll let her alooan, weean't yo'?" - -"Vexed! No," said Philip; "on the contrary, I esteem you for your love -to Lucy, and I respect you for your candour; but you are under a great -mistake. God is my witness, Adam Olliver; I mean no harm to Lucy -Blyth, and would rather suffer the loss of my right arm than bring a -tear to her eye, or sorrow to her father's hearth." - -"God i' heaven bless yo' for that wod," said Adam, with deep feeling; -"you lahtle knoa hoo it releeaves mi' mind, an' ah's sorry 'at ah've -judg'd yo' hardly, but ah've seen yo' mair than yance or twice, when -ah thowt 'at there was room te fear." - -"Well, well," said Philip, with a smile, "you need be under no concern -of that kind, for, on the honour of a gentleman, and the faith of a -Christian, I mean all that I have said." - -"Prayse the Lord!" said Adam. "As for t' honour ov a gentleman, sum -gentlemen hae queer nooations aboot that, an' ah wadn't trust 'em as -far as ah could fling 'em on t' strength on't. Bud t' faith ov a -Christian's anuther thing, an' if yo' hae _that_ it'll keep beeath you -an' hor an' ivveryboddy else oot o' harm's way. The blood ov Jesus -Christ cleansis frae all sin, an' ah pray 'at yo' may knoa it an' feel -it all t' days o' yer life. Excuse mah for makkin' sae free wi' yo', -sor," said Adam, again touching his time-worn hat, "bud you've teean a -looad off my heart as big as Kesterton Hill." - -With mutual "Good-mornings" they separated; the one to ply his -slashing-knife on Farmer Houston's quick-wood, the other to pursue his -homeward way to Waverdale Hall, with a new subject for study and new -material for thought. - -Leaving Adam Olliver to jog along the grassy lane on the back of -patient and unwitting Balaam, let us accompany the handsome scion of -the house of Fuller, and listen to his communings, stirred as he was -by his interview with Lucy's rustic friend and champion. - -"She loves me," was his first thought; "to me she would never own it. -But Adam Olliver knows it, and misreads my heart as much as one man -can misread another's. Lucy, my darling, for love of you I would -barter Waverdale Hall without a sigh; I would harden my hands at the -anvil, and hammer and sing as merrily as Blithe Natty, if you might -brighten my cottage home! What shall I do? My proud and stately father -will never permit such an unequal match but, with all his pride, he -loves me dearly, and I cannot, will not, be disloyal to so great a -love, and disobey his will." - -He heaved a sigh from the depths of his perplexed and anxious spirit; -then his mind reverted to Adam Olliver's words, "The blood of Jesus -Christ cleanseth from all sin." And again the refrain heard in the -cottage service rung in his ears,-- - - "To you is it nothing that Jesus should die?" - -"What _does_ it mean? I would give the world to know and feel that -cleansing power, to know and feel that Jesus died for me." - -Slowly, but definitely and surely, the young patrician was being led -by Providence and Grace to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins -of the world. - -Nor were the cogitations of the grand old hedger less interesting. His -shrewd, observant mind had noted the clear, transparent character of -the youthful squire, had been struck with the honest ring of his manly -disclaimer, and lapsing into his old habit of making Balaam his -confidant, he said,-- - -"Balaam, thoo an' me's a cupple ov aud feeals. What business hae we te -jump te conclusions aboot uther fooaks' faults? We mun try te leeak at -yam a bit mair. Here ah've been at it fotty year an' mair, talkin' -aboot an' praisin' t' charity 'at thinks nae evil, an' here ah've been -bleeamin' that yung fello' withoot judge or joory. Oh, Adam, Adam! -Thoo mun gan te skeeal ageean an' larn t' a-b ab's o' Christian -charaty! Them 'at's fost te fling a steean had better keep their aun -winder-shutters in, or they'll hae plenty o' brokken glass, an' ah -feel as meean as though I hadn't a woll payne left i' mahn. Ah's -waintly misteean if that's nut as feyn a young chap as ivver rayd a -hoss, an' ah'll pray 'at the Lord may mak' him a bonnin' an' a shinin' -leet." - -Adam Olliver's prayers were not wont to be in vain. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -NATHAN BLYTH IS THE VICTIM OF A GUNPOWDER PLOT. - - "As woods, when shaken by the breeze, - Take deeper, firmer root, - As winter's frosts but make the trees - Abound in summer fruit; - - So every bitter pang and throe - That Christian firmness tries, - But nerves us for our work below, - And forms us for the skies." - - _Henry Francis Lyte._ - - -A few days after the evening when Lucy Blyth was rescued from the -unpleasant attentions of Black Morris by her own true knight, the -scapegrace in question once again met Lucy in the twilight; and, -though sufficiently sober now, he was inclined to force his imaginary -and unappreciated claims upon her notice. This time, however, Lucy, -whose patience had been fully tried, held her ground, and summoned all -her courage for resolute resistance and a final dismissal of her -persistent wooer. - -"John Morris," said she, "why will you not let me alone? Surely you -can see clearly enough that I don't want you, that I won't have you, -and that your conduct is downright persecution. I shall be compelled -to seek means to protect myself, if you have not manliness enough to -desist and leave me alone." - -In vain the hot-headed victim of a fruitless passion pleaded for "a -trial." In vain he promised instant and absolute reformation in -conduct and character. In vain he told her that he should be ruined, -body and soul, if she turned him totally adrift. - -Lucy felt that an uncompromising firmness was her only chance of -escape from him, and that she must not even seem to yield one jot. - -"Once for all," said she, "I will not--I never will! and, if you -follow me till I die, you'll get no answer but that. I shall soon hate -you if you harass and annoy me any more." - -Then Black Morris lost command of his temper, if, indeed, he could be -said ever to have control of it, and said, with an oath,-- - -"I see how it is: that cursed young squire has played his cards too -well for me. He's a sly beggar; but I'll be even with him. I hate him, -as I hate his father. One robbed us of our farm, and the other has -robbed me of you! Let him look out, for I'll be revenged on him either -with bullet or knife!" - -Turning on his heel, and leaving Lucy as white as a sheet, he set off -at a rapid pace towards Midden Harbour. By and bye he turned back, and -overtaking her, glared in her face with a passion simply diabolical, -and said,-- - -"That proud fool of a father of yours thinks a precious deal about -you. I asked him, like a man, to let me court you, and he said he'd -rather see you dead and in your grave. Tell him he may live to do it. -Let him look out," said he, stamping with rage. "Curse him! I'll have -my revenge;" and again he dashed away, this time in the direction of -the Red Lion. - -Lucy, more dead than alive, sped homeward on the wings of fear, and -on reaching her threshold fell into a dead swoon in her father's arms. - -When she had recovered she told Nathan Blyth all the events of the -night. He vainly wished he could recall his needlessly angry words to -Black Morris, for he saw to what danger and trouble he had exposed his -darling, from the hands of one who threatened to be such a reckless -and implacable enemy. - -That self-willed and headstrong young fellow found at the village -alehouse a number of suspicious characters, with whom he had already -had too great an intimacy. Just now he was ripe and ready for any -extreme of lawlessness to which they could tempt him; so, after plying -him with strong liquors, they promised to aid him in his revenge. The -last remnant of his self-control was gone. He became the repository of -criminal confidences from which in many a sober moment afterwards he -found no way of escape. His descent was now rapid; his harsh and -ungenial father often quarrelled with him; even his mother--the only -being who had any moral control over him--was unable to exert any -restraining influence, and Black Morris was fairly launched on that -sea of depravity which, except for God's miracles of mercy, will -engulf all who embark on its treacherous flood. - -By and bye his name began to figure often and definitely as one of a -lawless gang. It was soon rumoured abroad that certain local deeds of -outrage and wrong had Black Morris for an aider and abettor, and it is -to be feared that there was, in some cases at least, sufficient ground -for the report. - -Soon afterwards Nathan Blyth began to find that he was being made the -victim of a series of annoying and harmful persecutions. His -flower-beds were crushed and trampled on; his fruit-trees were hacked -and hewed; his limited store of live stock were stolen or poisoned. -Roused to the utmost pitch of indignation, the stalwart blacksmith sat -up o' nights to watch his premises and guard his property; but in -vain, as far as the discovery of the perpetrators was concerned, -though it broadened the intervals between the visits of his unknown -and malicious foes. Then he found that the most cruel rumours were -afloat affecting the character of his darling, coupling her name with -that of the young squire in a way that was utterly unwarrantable and -untrue; rumours which were innocuous as far as her friends were -concerned, but which were greedily seized on by a godless and -unprincipled few, who were glad to seize any occasion to bespatter the -"Methodies." - -Poor Lucy had to drink of the bitterest cup that can be lifted to the -lips of virtuous and sensitive modesty. The roses left her cheek and -the light forsook her eye, and Nathan sorrowed because he knew not how -to shield his girl from the poisoned arrows shot by an unseen hand. - -At length, however, "the wicked that rose up against them" overshot -the mark, and an event transpired that opened the eyes of the -villagers to the fierce and vindictive plot which had gathered round -Nathan and his darling child, and turned the full flood-tide of their -sympathies toward those who had been so cruelly aspersed. - -One morning, when Nathan went into his shop, he began to make the -smithy fire, but had scarcely applied the match when a loud explosion -followed, his face was scorched by the blinding flame, and his eyes -were filled with fine, sharp particles of dust from the smithy hearth. -Groping in darkness and pain, he found his way to the slake-trough and -plunged his head into the water. The sense of relief was brief, and -Natty, still unable to see, was compelled to feel his way indoors, and -present his scorched locks, blackened face, and fiery eyes, to his -distressed and startled daughter. - -In a case like this, however, Lucy showed her remarkable tact and -skill--characteristics which made her presence and assistance -invaluable by every sick-bed in Nestleton. Calm, firm, and skilful, -she applied oil and flour and cotton wool to the burns, and then -dispatched her little maid to Farmer Houston's. In a few moments a -messenger had ridden off post-haste to Kesterton to fetch Dr. Jephson, -the most noted medico in all the country-side. Lucy's resources, -meanwhile, were tested to the utmost, for her father was suffering the -severest pain, especially in the eyes. At length the doctor arrived, -made careful examination of his injuries, and cheered them and Mrs. -Houston and Judith Olliver, who had come to render what help they -could, with the gratifying announcement that his eyesight was -uninjured, and that no permanent harm was done. A few days of -bandaging and darkness, of embrocation and patience, would put him to -rights, the doctor said, especially with such a nurse as Lucy by his -side. It was a narrow escape, however, and the wonder was that he had -not been blinded for life. - -"Thank God," said Blithe Natty, who was blind Natty too for a season, -"thank God for sparing us that sorrow. Things are never so bad but -they might be worse!" and even in his pain Blithe Natty could joke -about Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder plot, for we may depend upon it he -was not called Blithe Natty for nought. - -Tenderly, lovingly, patiently, Lucy nursed her father night and day. -Tenderly, lovingly, patiently, Nathan bore his pain and enforced -blindness for her sake, and went so far as to say, though it must be -taken _cum grano salis_, that it would be worth while for Guy Fawkes -to come again, that he might have another course of nursing and -syllabubs from the same gentle hands. - -When Nathan appeared again in public, with his scars not yet healed, -and a large green shade over both eyes, he was met with universal -congratulations on his escape, and universal anathemas on the -dastardly villains who had done the shameful deed. - -Now, Nathan Blyth and his daughter were quite persuaded that the -rough and cruel treatment which they had received was the result of -the malice and jealousy of Black Morris. So far they were right; at -the same time it is fair to him to say that he was innocent of this -crowning outrage. The fact is, that in his first fierce and -unrestrained paroxysm of vexation he had enlisted his alehouse chums -in his wicked crusade of vengeance; and in the hope of more fully -winning him over to their bad confederacy, and partly out of sheer -love of mischief, they had espoused his cause with an energy that -surpassed all that in his cooler moments he desired to inflict. His -disreputable cronies enjoyed the surreptitious "fun" of "taking a -rise" out of "Parson Blyth," as they called him; their horse-play grew -on what it fed on, and hence the shameful extremes I have had to -chronicle. The gunpowder was secreted by Bill Buckley, a beetle-browed -rascal, with whom we shall have to make a closer acquaintance by and -bye. He inserted it in the nozzle of the smithy bellows not only -without Black Morris's permission, but utterly without his knowledge, -and so far, although it grew out of his conduct, he must be acquitted -of so vile and cowardly a deed. It is far easier to set the ball -rolling down hill than to stop it on its course; and spirits like -those which he had called from the vasty deep to serve his purpose, -were not to be laid again, without doing a little extra devilry on -their own account. - -When Black Morris heard of Nathan Blyth's misfortune he was not only -genuinely sorry, but, suspecting it was some of his set who had done -it, he went off straightway into a frenzy of rage against them, -altogether as hot as that which had been directed against Nathan Blyth -himself. This man was an oddity, and it took all the power and -subtlety of the devil to spoil him--whether he succeeded remains to be -seen. - -After Nathan's recovery he had returned to his old post at the anvil, -and had tuned up again as merrily as ever, for the gunpowder wasn't -manufactured which could blow his "sing" out of him, without -dislodging either his tongue or his life. In fact he was one of the -Mark Tapley genius with a higher inspiration, and his spirits always -seemed to rise towards boiling point as his surroundings sank towards -zero. Nathan was fashioning harrow teeth, and the quick rap-tap of his -hammer on the heated iron bar kept capital time to his song: - - Oh, Love is a clever magician; - His rod is a conjuror's wand; - And this is his heavenly mission-- - To bind in his magical band - The hearts of all men to each other - In amity, friendship, and peace, - That each may to each be a brother, - And hatred and envy may cease. - - This, this was the way of the Saviour, - His enemies eager to bless: - Repaying their evil behaviour - With pardon and gift and caress. - Like Him on all hate will I trample, - And every foe I'll forgive; - And copy His holy example - As long as on earth I may live. - - If my enemy hunger I'll feed him, - If he thirst I will give him to drink; - With a smile and a blessing I'll speed him, - Nor leave him in trouble to sink. - Here's my hand and my heart for each comer, - Be he stranger or foeman or friend; - For love brings a genial summer, - A summer that never shall end. - - Oh, Love is a clever magician, - His rod is a conjuror's wand; - Good speed to his heavenly mission, - Alike on the sea and the land. - He binds human hearts to each other, - That hatred and envy may cease, - That each may to each be a brother, - And the earth be an Eden of peace. - -In this strain of high philanthropy, Blithe Natty was merrily singing -away, when who should darken the smithy door but Black Morris, whom -the honest blacksmith had rarely seen since the night when his hasty -and wrathful speech anent his daughter, sowed dragons' teeth, whose -painful harvest he had already partly reaped. - -"Good mornin', Nathan Blyth; I reckon you are blamin' me for that -gunpowder business?" - -"Yes, I am," said Nathan, candidly. "Can you look at my scarred face -and say you didn't do it?" - -"I did _not_" said Black Morris, with much emphasis; "I never knew of -it till my sister Mary told me. Nathan Blyth, believe me, I not only -could not do so beastly a thing, but I could and would fell to the -ground the man who did." - -Nathan had kept his eyes on him, "looking him through and through." - -"Morris!" said he, "give me your hand. I believe you didn't. I am -sorry I spoke to you that day as I did. Let bygones be bygones"---- - -"Nay," said Black Morris, as his head dropped to his bosom, "I don't -say I haven't brought you mischief, an' if you knew all I'd said and -done against you, I don't suppose you would be so free with your hand; -but I never was brute enough for that last business, an' now that you -believe it, I'll bid you good-morning." - -"Stop," said Nathan, "stop a minute. I've been singing this morning -about love and forgiveness, and I mean to do as I sing. Whatever -you've done against me or mine, I forgive freely and fully, and now or -then, here or yonder, you'll never hear any more of it from me--give -us your hand." - -Black Morris stood awhile looking hard at the man he had injured, then -holding out his hand, permitted Natty to shake it, and then suddenly -and without a word shot through the doorway and disappeared. - -That's right, Nathan Blyth! Sing your song over again as the anvil -rings, and the bright sparks fly, for though there is still a cloud on -the horizon whose sombre shadows shall gloom your hearthstone, your -kindly deed and Christly spirit done and evinced to-day, will largely -help to lift the shadow, and bring back the sunshine of abiding -peace! - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -SQUIRE FULLER RECEIVES A DEPUTATION. - - "Scorn not the smallness of early endeavour, - Let thy great purpose ennoble it ever; - Droop not o'er efforts extended in vain; - Work! work, with a will; thou shalt find it again. - Fear not! for greater is God by thy side - Than armies of Satan against thee allied." - - _Anon._ - - -The lovely spring had deepened into a warm, fruitful summer, the corn -was rapidly ripening for the scythe, and the orchards were beginning -to bend beneath a burden of expanding fruit, when the Rev. Theophilus -Clayton mounted his antique gig, and directed Jack, the circuit horse, -on the road that led to Nestleton Magna. That good man had but just -finished his dinner of plain and frugal fare--such lusts of the flesh -as expensive cates and costly luxuries were far beyond the reach of -all his tribe--and his intention was to drop into Farmer Houston's for -a cup of tea, and then to talk over a scheme for a new chapel, which -was rendered necessary by the fact that the spacious kitchen was quite -unequal to the increasing congregation. Jack bore his master onward at -his usual slow and sober pace, and Mr. Clayton gave himself up to a -sort of waking dream, now thinking over his evening sermon, now -weighing the _pros_ and _cons_ of the proposal to "arise and build," -when he was roused from his ponderings by means far more effective -than agreeable. - -"Here's a Methody parson, lads! Let's have a shy at him!" - -Scarcely had he time to turn his head towards the speaker, and scan -the group of lazy loafers congregated by the roadside at the corner of -Midden Harbour, before he was saluted with a shower of stones, which -fell on startled Jack, rattled on the ancient gig, and one of them, at -any rate, made an unnecessary indentation in his silk hat, whose long -term of faithful service demanded more respectful treatment. Waxing -indignant at this gratuitous and cowardly attack, he turned to -expostulate with the lawless batch of wastrels, when a well-aimed -brickbat from the hand of Black Morris struck him on the cheek, and, -after drawing a stream of blood, fell into the body of the gig. Mr. -Clayton, maintaining his presence of mind, brought down his whip upon -the withers of the startled pony, which broke into a gallop, and bore -him through the village with the crimson token of the outrage still -wet upon his face. - -When he drove up to Farmer Houston's gate, quite a knot of villagers -gathered around him, alarmed and indignant at the scurvy treatment he -had received. He lifted up the quarter brick which had dealt the ugly -wound, and said, with a smile, for he was a hero in his way, "That's -the mischievous gentleman that did it, and you see, like a true -soldier, I carry my scars in front." - -"Oh, what a shame!" "Who did it?" "Who threw it?" were the -exclamations of the farmer and his household, as warm water and -sticking-plaster were being provided. The prudent preacher, however, -in the spirit of his Master, thought of the probable results to Black -Morris if he mentioned his name, and so he contented himself with a -general statement that he had been maltreated by a set of scoundrels -at Midden Harbour. - -Well done, Mr. Clayton! Your kindly forbearance will bear richer fruit -than you imagine, and, like many another persecution meekly borne for -the Master's sake, will in no wise lose its reward. After the needful -attention had been bestowed on his wounded cheek, and a few cups of -tea had refreshed his inner man, Theophilus was himself again: and -when Nathan Blyth, Old Adam Olliver, and Farmer Houston were closeted -with him in close committee on the new chapel, he was able to guide -their deliberations with his accustomed skill. - -The first, and, indeed, the crucial point was the question of a site. -The entire village, with the exception of the undesirable locality of -Midden Harbour, was the property of Squire Fuller; and the very first -step was to ask that gentleman to sell or lease them a plot of ground -suitable to the requirements of the case. Their hopes of success were -by no means strong; but Mr. Clayton, who was never much given to -beating about the bush, proposed that they should form themselves into -a deputation, and see the squire on the subject. - -"It's no use going to the steward," said Farmer Houston, "for he hates -the Methodists like poison, and would set his foot on us if he could." - -"I'm willing to try the squire," said Natty Blyth, "if you think it's -best; but I don't expect he'll be particularly glad to see me, seeing -that Master Phil's unlucky fancy has angered his father with me and -mine." - -"Nivver mind that," chimed in Old Adam; "t' aud squire knoas it's -neean o' your deein', and as for its bein' unlikely, he'll be fooast -te deea as God tells 'im, an' if it's His will 'at we sud hev a -chapel, it isn't Squire Fuller nor t' devil aback on 'im 'at can -hinder uz! Let's pray aboot it. We'll fost ax the Lord, 'at hez t' -hearts ov all men in His hands, an' then ax t' squire, an' leeave t' -rest wi' God." - -This admirable hint was at once acted on, and Mr. Clayton asked the -old hedger to engage in prayer. Adam went straight to the point at -once--a practice not too common, as many a heavy and listless -prayer-meeting can testify. - -"Oh, Lord," he prayed, "Thoo knoas 'at we want te build a sanctuary i' -Thy honour, an' for t' good o' sowls. Thah good Spirit's meead wer -borders ower strayt for uz. We beseeach Tha te give uz room te dwell -in. Thoo can oppen t' way as eeasily as Thoo oppen'd t' Rid Sea for t' -children o' Isra'l, an' Thoo can tonn t' heart o' Squire Fuller as -Thoo tonn'd t' heart o' King Pharaoh. We're gannin' te see 'im i' Thah -neeam, an' for t' seeak o' Thah cause. Gan wiv uz, Lord; wi' Thoo wiv -us we're bun' te prosper. Thoo wadn't hev crammed t' kitchen wi' -precious souls te hear Thah Wod if Thoo didn't meean te gether 'em all -inte t' Gospel net. Lord, t' ship's full an' beginnin' te sink! Bud it -can't sink while t' prayers o' Thah people hod it up. Lord help uz! -and gan wiv uz, for Jesus Christ's seeak. Amen." - -O wondrous power of faithful prayer! The four men rose from their -knees, ready and eager for the interview, and as Farmer Houston was -able to affirm that the squire was at home, they resolved at once to -go forward in the name of the Lord. - -Waverdale Hall, the seat of Ainsley Fuller, Esq., J.P., was a large -and imposing building, in which the Italian style of architecture was -exhibited to the best advantage, and which was said to have been -erected under the personal superintendence of that noted deviser of -aristocratic piles, Inigo Jones. Situated in the midst of a large and -well-wooded park, and partially surrounded by trim terraces and -well-kept ornamental grounds, it formed the centre of a landscape of -which the inhabitants of Waverdale were justly proud. Our brave -quarternion of Methodists made their way to a side entrance to the -stately mansion, and in answer to their call, a grave-looking, -white-headed butler, ushered them into the bounteously-furnished -library, whose multitudinous bookshelves laden with ancient and -modern literature, so excited the astonishment of Adam Olliver, that -he could not help exclaiming,-- - -"What a parlous lot o' beeaks! Pack'd like herrin's iv a barrel! -Thoosan's upo' thoosan's. Mah wod, Natty! bud they must mak' t' -squire's heead wark te' read 'em. They a'most tonn me dizzy te leeak -at 'em." - -Again the butler appeared, cutting short Old Adam's wonderment, and -ushered them into the presence of the stern and stately squire, whose -reception of them was courteous enough but cold. Farmer Houston, as -the tenant of a farm which had been in the Houston family through many -generations, was personally known to Squire Fuller, who accosted him -by name. - -"Good evening, Mr. Houston. Take a seat, but first introduce me to -your friends." - -Mr. Clayton received a cold and distant bow; Nathan Blyth a -scrutinising gaze, more piercing than pleasant; but that good man and -true, bore him as a true man should. - -"And this," said Farmer Houston, "is one of my labourers, who has been -an old and trusted servant to myself and my father for more than fifty -years. His name is Adam Olliver." - -The squire bowed in honest reverence to the time-worn veteran, who -bore such a certificate of character, and asked them to what he was -indebted for the honour of their visit. - -Farmer Houston stated their case. He spoke of the lowly band of -Methodists who lived in the village and worshipped God as their taste -and conscience taught; of the services held in Adam's cottage, and -then in his own kitchen; how even that was now too small for the -congregation; how they desired to build a little chapel for the more -decent and successful carrying out of their work, and how they had -come to ask him to sell or lease to them a scrap of land, on which to -build their house of prayer. "Mr. Clayton," he said, "will answer any -questions as to our doctrines or proceedings, and we shall be deeply -grateful, sir, if you can see your way to grant us our request." - -"I do not think there is any need to ask questions," said Mr. Fuller, -with an ominous shake of the head. "You have the parish church, which -is sufficiently large to hold all who choose to go. My friend the -rector is a most estimable man, and I do not see that anything is to -be gained by setting up an opposition establishment. I don't -understand this newfangled religion you call Methodism, but I gather -that it is a kind of fanatical parody on the National Church; that its -adherents are remarkable for shouting and groaning, and for going to -great excesses of mere emotional excitement. I am not particularly in -love with the ideas that are taught in the parish church itself, but I -certainly prefer them to yours, and shall as certainly refuse to be -the means of introducing what is sure to be a source of sectarian -jealousy, into our quiet and peaceful little village. It has done -without such a thing from time immemorial, and shall not with my -permission be exposed to what I cannot but regard as the introduction -of a very pernicious element of mischief." - -"Bud," said Adam Olliver, whose anxiety could not be restrained, "we -aren't inthroducin' owt 'at's new. We've been hoddin' meetin's i' -Nestleton for five-an'-thotty year, an' naebody's na worse for it, an' -monny on us, sor, is a good deal better for 't. Parson knoas 'at we -hae nae opposition tiv 'im, an' some on us gans te t' chotch i' t' -mornin's. Ah could tell yo', sor, o' monny a yan 'at's been meeade -'appy there; o' pooachers 'at's sell'd their guns, an' drunkards 'at's -tonn'd sober, an' monny a scooare o' precious sowls ez dee'd rejoicin' -i' Jesus Christ, through t' meetin's 'at's been hodden i' mah lathle -hoose an' i' t' maister's kitchin. As for t' village bein' peeaceful, -there's plenty te deea at Midden Harbour, roond t' publichoose an' -uther spots. We want all t' village te fear God an' seeave their -sowls. If yo' pleease, sor, deean't damp uz all at yance. Tak' a bit -o' tahme te consither on 't. While you're thinkin', we sall be -prayin', an' ah wop you'll excuse ma, sor, if ah say 'at if you'll -pray aboot it yo'rself, it'll help yo' te cum tiv a right -detarmination." - -Here Farmer Houston slyly pulled the old man's coat, afraid that he -should venture too far and do more harm than good. Mr. Clayton, -however, was delighted with the clear, concise way in which the old -man pleaded the cause of his Master. He knew that He who told His -disciples that when they were brought before rulers and magistrates He -would tell them what they ought to say, was speaking through the lips -of the godly hedger, who knew so well how to talk with God. - -"Ah weean't trubble yo' no farther," said the old man, in obedience to -the farmer's hint; "bud if you'll tonn te t' fifth chapther ov Acts, -an' t' thotty-eight' an' thotty-nint' vasses, you'll me'bbe finnd a -bit o' good advice." - -The squire smiled, partly in superior knowledge, and partly in -amusement at the unsophisticated Doric of the speaker, but he could -not ridicule such transparent honesty. - -"Well, gentlemen," said he, "I can give you no encouragement to-night, -but I'll take time to weigh the matter, and will let you know my -decision." - -"Prayse the Lord for that," said Adam Olliver, "an' may God guide uz -all!" - -Little did they think of the awful storm and tempest which should -burst over Waverdale Hall and its aristocratic inmates before that -final decision should be announced. The portly butler was summoned to -conduct them to the door, and when the little party was fairly out -into the park, they began to compare notes on the aspect of affairs. - -"I don't think we shall succeed," said Farmer Houston, who was never -of a very sanguine temperament. - -"No," said Mr. Clayton, "Adam's pleading won upon his courtesy, but it -will not change his mind." - -"No," said Nathan Blyth, with a sigh, "we may put it out of court. -Nestleton'll have to go without a Methodist chapel for this -generation, depend on't." - -"Seea you think 'at squire's bigger then God, di yo'? Yan wad think, -te hear yo' talk, that it was a matter for him an' uz te sattle. Is -ther' onnything ower hard for the Lord? an' it's His business noo, an' -nut oors, an' ah for yan's gannin' te trust Him te t' end. Though it -tarry, wayt for it. T' oad gentleman dizn't like it, ah can see, bud -he'll hae te lump it, for ah's as sartan as ah's livin' 'at Nestleton -chapel 'll be built afoore twelve munths is ower. He says he'll tak -tahme te think on't; that's summat, an' mind mah wods, Squire -Fuller'll be willin' aneeaf befoore the Lord's deean wiv 'im." - -Adam's faith was great, as all God's people's ought to be. The -mountain may be great, but when such faith as Adam's says "Be thou -removed," it rocks from base to summit and is cast into the sea. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -DOCTOR JEPHSON GIVES AN UNPROFESSIONAL OPINION. - - "Be thou clad in russet weed, - Be thou decked in silken stole, - Grave these counsels on thy soul; - Say man's true genuine estimate, - The grand criterion of his fate, - Is not, art thou high or low? - Did thy fortune ebb or flow? - Tell them, and press it on thy mind, - As thou thyself must shortly find, - The smile or frown of righteous heaven, - To virtue or to vice is given." - - _Burns._ - - -At the turn of the road where Nathan Blyth's forge and homestead stood -were three cottages, tenanted by farm labourers and their families. In -one of these lay sick unto death the mother of a household of small -children; and Lucy Blyth, whose heart was full of tenderness and all -kindly charities, used to go every day to succour the poor invalid, -and to tend and nurse the hapless babes who were soon to be left -motherless and alone. Not only as an angel of mercy did the fair girl -go on this loving errand, but as a Gospel messenger, and in winsome -ways she led the ailing woman to the Cross. Through her -instrumentality the sinner's Friend had been revealed to her anxious -heart, and now, blest with the hope of a heavenly inheritance, and -enabled to confide her infants to the sure care of the orphan's God, -she was waiting with a calm content and a peaceful joy the moment of -her crowning. - -Doctor Jephson, who had ridden daily into Nestleton to attend the -dying woman, had been a wondering witness of Lucy's gentle care and -her godly influence over her dying charge. He had come to entertain a -very high reverence and deep respect for such a combination of youth -and beauty with the clear intelligence, the elevated character, and -the nameless charm which won all hearts who came in contact with the -blacksmith's daughter. - -"She must be a changeling," he would say, as he left the lowly roof. -"She is as perfect a gentlewoman as was ever born in ducal mansion, -and as handsome a woman as ever wore a coronet of pearls." Nor was -this by any means the only place in which that excellent physician met -the object of his admiration. There was not a home in the village, -into which unwelcome sickness came, but Lucy's welcome and willing -visits brought help and sympathy, balm and comfort of the rarest and -most useful kind. - -Now, it so happened, that just at this time, Squire Fuller was -suffering severely from an attack of gout, and the patrician invalid -was daily visited professionally by Doctor Jephson. Being one of the -very few visitors to Waverdale Hall, whose breadth of intellect and -high attainments made his conversation interesting to the imprisoned -squire, the doctor spent as much time with him as his engagements -would permit, and many and hot were the discussions between the two, -as they sat in the cosy library. The doctor was an intelligent -believer in revelation, a Christian in faith and character, and so it -was never long before he came athwart the half-scoffing scepticism of -his patient. He fully knew the value of the patronage he received from -the Hall, but his manly independence of opinion was in no wise -restrained or compromised by selfish considerations--a feature in his -character for which in his heart the stately squire held him, despite -his seeming anger, in high and genuine esteem. - -Latterly, the exploits of the poaching fraternity, and certain glaring -cases of immorality and rural crime had come before him, as a county -magistrate. Referring to these, in the course of a hot argument, the -squire expressed a doubt as to whether virtue, honour, and uprightness -were to be found amongst the poorer classes in rural districts. - -"Aye, as often as they are to be found in the higher walks of life," -said Dr. Jephson. "There are people in your own village, both men and -women, whose lives are as noble and whose characters are as pure and -excellent as any that you can find amid the homes of rank and wealth." - -"You can't name them," said Squire Fuller, with a sneer. "It's merely -a sentimental notion of Arcadian innocence, the dream of an optimist, -the delusion of a poet, which vanish like mist when you come into -actual contact with them. You can't produce a specimen of the peasant -class who is superior to the charms of skittles and beer." - -"Yes, I can," said the doctor, emphatically. "A finer or more manly -character than Old Adam Olliver cannot be found. If you can picture to -yourself a Sir Philip Sydney in corduroy, or a Bayard on a donkey, you -can sketch Adam Olliver for yourself." - -"Why, that's the old man who came the other day on some wild-goose -errand about a Methodist meeting-house. I confess I was greatly taken -with him, and when Gregory Houston told me that he had been a faithful -servant of his and of his father before him, for over fifty years, I -certainly felt as though I owed him some reverence and respect." - -"Aye, and well you might; for rough and uncouth as he is, he is one of -Nature's nobles, and if the new Methodist chapel will give us a -village peasantry of that kind, it is a pity that there should not be -one in every village in the land." - -"But," persisted the squire, "Adam Olliver is evidently a 'character,' -and must therefore be regarded as an exception to the rule." - -"No, he isn't," said the doctor, "his good wife Judith is a fitting -match for him, and Nathan Blyth, the blacksmith, is as high principled -and as good a hater of meanness as anybody in the land. As for that -glorious girl of his, there is not her equal in Yorkshire. She is the -Lady Bountiful of the village, for though her resources may be small, -as far as money is concerned, that is more than compensated for by the -energy of her character, her untiring self-sacrifice, and the magic of -her sympathy is felt in every house in Nestleton where sickness or -sorrow has found a place. I tell you she is the good genius of the -village, which could far better spare Squire Fuller than Lucy Blyth." - -"I tell you what, Doctor Jephson," said the squire, with a sardonic -smile, "I'll make it worth your while to marry her. You are evidently -over head and ears in love with this village Venus, and if she is all -that you say, could you do better than take her for your own wife? I -should be much relieved if you did." - -"Take her I would with all my heart," said the doctor, warmly, "with -the certainty that I had got a prize without a parallel; but I am -growing grizzly and old, and she would no more mate with me than the -fawn of a summer's growth would accept the caresses of a polar bear. I -should propose with the certainty of being rejected; but were I twenty -years younger, I would make the venture, Squire Fuller. But, pray, how -would it relieve you?" - -"Why, that foolish boy of mine has taken it into his head to entertain -a passion for this paragon of virtue and beauty, which has not only -turned his brain, but is undermining his health. He knows, of course, -that any such ill-omened union is out of the question, and I can see," -quoth the squire, warmly, "how bravely he tries to resign himself to -the inevitable; but the struggle is stealing the light from his eye, -the colour from his cheek, and the nerve from his limbs. If some kind -fellow, fairy or fetch, would spirit her away, it would be an -unspeakable relief." Here the squire heaved a sigh which told of the -perturbation of his soul. - -Dr. Jephson received the information in silence, but with a -considerable amount of surprise. - -"I imagine," continued the squire, "that this peerless young lady is -spreading her net with a good deal of skill and perseverance, in the -hope of landing such a very desirable prize." - -"Nay, that she is not, I'll warrant me," said the doctor. "I have -never heard a word of it, but I dare swear that she has never lifted a -finger to win him, and that she will never marry him, at any rate -until she has received full permission from your own lips. She is made -of far finer material than that." - -"I'm glad to hear you say so," replied Squire Fuller. "I wish I could -believe it, for that permission she will never get between now and the -day of judgment; but I confess that I am very sceptical as to her -adoption of any such policy. If my Phil were to be such a double-dyed -fool as to ask her, I've no doubt she would jump at him like a hen at -a gooseberry, and rejoice that she had played her cards so well. A -squire's son is not to be hooked by a blacksmith's daughter every -day." - -The plain-spoken doctor was inclined to get angry, as he listened to -these reflections on the high-toned character of his young friend and -favourite, but commanding his temper, he simply responded,-- - -"Well, I'm no advocate for young people marrying out of their rank and -station, and I'm not sure, even if Lucy returned his affection, that -the alliance would end happily, all things considered. At the same -time, I say again, and I never spoke more soberly in my life, the -youth that marries Lucy Blyth will get a wife that may compete in -every way with the noblest lady in the land." - -So saying he took his departure, and the hoofs of his high-bred horse -were soon heard ringing over the Kesterton road. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -PHILIP FULLER MAKES A DISCOVERY. - - "Thus far did I come laden with my sin, - Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in, - Till I came hither. What a place is this! - Must here be the beginning of my bliss? - Must here the burden fall from off my back? - Must here the strings that bound it to me crack? - Blest Cross! Blest Sepulchre! Blest rather be - The Man that there was put to shame for me." - - _John Bunyan._ - - -"Good morning, Adam Olliver. What a man you are for cutting and -slashing! I never see you but you are wielding either axe or knife! -What a destructive character you must be!" - -"Good mornin', Maister Philip," said the hedger, with a smile of -satisfaction, for he had a great regard for the frank young gentleman -who had so kindly received his words of pleading by the gate which led -to Marlpit Wood. "Ah's nut nearly as destructive as ah leeaks te be. -Ah've been choppin' an' slashin' Farmer Houston's hedges for nearly -fifteen years; an' ah warrant 'at they've neean on 'im ivver been sae -thrivin' an' sae shaply as they are te-day." - -"Well, that looks odd," said Philip. "I should have thought that they -would grow bigger and stronger, thicker and higher, if they were left -alone." - -"Hey," said Adam, with the usual twinkle in his eye, "sae meeast on us -think, sor. We wad like te be let alooane an' just hev wer aun way; -grow as wa' like an' deea as wa' like, an' we fancy 'at we sud gan -higher an' grow bigger, an' increease i' strength, bud it's a grand -mistak', you may depend on 't. If theease hedges warn't lopped and -trimmed, an' ivvery noo an' then chopp'd doon an' leeaced in, they wad -gan sprawlin' ower t' rooad o' yah side, an' ower t' clooase on t' -uther, an' grow thick i' yah spot an' thin iv anuther, an' grow up two -or three yards high inte t' bargan. A rood o' good land wad be -weeasted; t' sheep wad gan throo t' gaps, an't' sun wad be kept off t' -corn, or t' tonnops, or t' rape, or whativver else was growin', an' -they wad deea a parlous lot o' mischief. Beeath t' axe an' t' -slashin'-knife is good for _them_, an' they're varry good for _uz_." - -"How do you make that out?" said Philip, amused and interested. He had -a glimpse of the old man's philosophy, and for reasons of his own, was -anxious to get him into a free and talking vein. - -"Why, you see," said Adam, "human natur's a poor, prood, wild thing, -an' when it's left tiv itself, it nat'rally gans in for hevin' its aun -way, an' gets warse an' warse. Munny an' pleasure an' honour an' -pooer; onything at'll minister te wer pleasure an' profit, is seeazed -an' meead t' meeast on, an' sae we sud gan te ruin an' the devil like -a beggar o' horseback. But t' knife o' sickness, an' disappointment, -losses an' trubbles of all sooarts, is used biv a gracious God te -bring uz te wer senses, an' mak' us think' aboot summut better. Job -tells us that the Lord sticks His knife intiv uz, an' mak's uz suffer -an' cry upo' wer bed i' strang payne; an' he says, 'Theease things -worketh God of 'entahmes wi' man, that he may bring his sowl up oot o' -t' pit, an' leeten him wi' t' leet o' the livin'.' T' slashin' 'at -Joseph gat i' t' pit an' i' t' prison trimm'd him for t' second -chariot i' Egypt, an' meead 'im t' greeatest man i' t' cuntry. Maister -Philip, leeak at that hedge," pointing to a long low quickset hedge -that divided one field from another. "That hedge is cut loa, an' -slash'd thin, an' t' tall tooerin' branches was chopt hoaf through an' -bent doon inte t' thorn, an' if ivvery hoss i' Farmer Houston's -steeable was te run ageean it, it wad tonn 'em back; for it's as teeaf -as leather, an' as cloase as a sheet ov iron; an' it's all because -it's been kept doon an' meead te bleed under t' slashin'-knife." - -"Yes, you're right, Adam," said the young squire, thoughtfully, as his -mind reverted to his own bitter disappointment in regard to his -misplaced and baffled love, "only it's hard to understand and very -difficult to bear." - -Old Adam, who shrewdly guessed the current of his thoughts, and -greatly sympathised with the youth in whose _bona-fides_ he had -perfect faith, replied, "Nay, deean't trubble te ontherstand it. -God'll explayn it when it's right for uz te knoa; but as for bidin' -it, He says 'Mah grace is sufficient fo' thah.' Prayer an' faith can -mak' uz bide whativver cross we may hae te carry; an', Maister -Philip," said he, tenderly, "He'll help yo' te bide yours, if you'll -nobbut tak' it te t' Cross an' ax Him 'at said, 'Cum te me an' ah'll -gie yo' rist.'" - -"Adam Olliver!" said the young man, "I want that rest with all my -heart and soul, but I cannot find it; the last time I saw you, you -quoted the words of St. John, 'He that is born of God sinneth not.' -Tell me, Adam, as you would tell your son, what is it to be born of -God?" - -Struck by the eager tones of the speaker, Adam dropped his knife, -looked into the eyes of Philip, which flashed with a very fever of -desire, and saw therein the honest, penitent seeker after God. -Afterwards, when Adam was relating the circumstances to his friend and -neighbour, Nathan Blyth, he said,-- - -"Ah tell yo', Nathan, ah was sae tee'an aback, yo' mud ha' knocked ma' -doon wiv a feather! Ah felt just like Nehemiah, when he was standin' -afoore t' king wiv 'is 'eart sad an' 'is feeace white wi' trubble for -t' seeak o' Jerusalem, an' t' king ax'd him what was amiss wiv him; -an' like him, ah 'lifted me' heart te the God ov heaven.'" - -"Born of God," said Adam, in reply to his anxious questioner, "Why, -it's te be a new creeatur i' Christ Jesus. T' Holy Sperrit o' God cums -inte t' heart streight doon frev heaven, tak's all wer sins away, an' -tells us 'at for Christ's seeak they're all pardon'd, an' fills us wi' -joy an' peeace thro' beleeavin'." - -"And do you feel that you are born again, Adam? Does the Holy Spirit -tell you so? Are you _sure_ that your sins are all forgiven?" - -"Sure!" said Adam, with a smile which was simply beautiful in its -joyous complacency, "ah's as sartan on it as ah's a livin' man. Ah've -knoan it ivvery day o' my life for mair then fotty years. 'The Sperrit -o' God beears witness wi' mah sperrit 'at ah's born o' God.'" His eyes -filled with tears of gladness, as he said, "Glory be te God. I ha'nt a -doot nor a ghost o' yan, that me' neeam is written i' heaven, Christ -is mi' Saviour, an' ah knoa 'at when this 'athly hoose o' me' -tabernacle is dissolved, an' it's gettin' varry shakky, ah've a hoose -abuv, a buildin' nut meead bi' hands, etarnal i' the heavens!" - -Philip heaved a sigh which came from the deepest recesses of his -heart. "I would give my life," said he, "to be able to say that. Adam -Olliver, show me the way!" - -"God bless the lad," said the old Christian with deep feeling, and -such a prayer from his lips was indeed a benediction. "You feel -yourself to be a poor helpless sinner afoore God?" - -"My sense of ingratitude and rebellion is greater than I can bear," -was the earnest response. - -"An' wi' all your 'eart you're willin' te give up ivverything for -Christ?" - -"I tell you, I would give my life to feel in my heart that He is my -Saviour." - -"Then lissen," said Adam, pulling out from his breast-pocket a -well-worn New Testament, the precious companion of his solitary -labours. Turning to a particular verse, "This," said he, "is the Wod -o' God, the testiment ov Jesus Christ You beleeave it, deean't yo'?" - -"Yes," said the eager youth, "every word of it." - -"Then remember, what ah's gannin' te read, is what God says te you. -You weean't doot Him, will yo'?" His large horn-framed spectacles were -drawn from their wooden sheath; having adjusted them to assist his -failing vision, he held the little volume with a loving reverence, and -took off his hat as if God Himself was about to speak. "Lissen!" said -he, and then he read slowly and deliberately, "He bare our sins in his -own body on the tree." Turning over the pages, he read, "'Whosoever -believeth on him the same shall be saved.' You don't doot it, de yo'?" - -"No," said Philip, eagerly, "go on!" - -"You're boddened wi' your sins? Lissen! 'He bare 'em _Hisself_! Philip -Fuller, if He hez borne your sins, why sud you beear t' bodden as -weel? Whosoiver beleeaveth sal be saved. There it is. Cast 'em on 'im! -Leeave 'em tiv Him, for it's _true_!" - -Even while the old man spoke, the scales began to fall. Philip Fuller -saw men as trees walking. Silent and with parted lips, he looked upon -his humble teacher; his soul was listening to the words of truth. Then -he felt a wish to be alone. - -"Thank you, Adam Olliver. I'll come and see you again." Then, turning -his horse towards Waverdale Park, he began to turn over in his mind -the words he had just heard--"The word of the Lord by the mouth of his -servant," Adam Olliver. - -Meanwhile, that good man stood looking after the retreating youth, -with a smile of triumph and a tear of joy mingling on his cheek. "He's -thahne, Lord, seeave him!" he said aloud, and then, retiring to a -little clump of trees, where Balaam was listlessly cropping the grass, -more for occupation than through hunger, Adam knelt in prayer; there -were few spots on Farmer Houston's farm which had not been consecrated -by his secret devotions. He pleaded fervently, as one who had but to -ask and have, for the struggling penitent whom he had just pointed to -the Lamb of God. Praises soon mingled with his prayers, and he rose -from his knees, assured and happy. - -"Balaam!" said he, as he went back to his employment, "an heir ov -glory hez been born te-day!" - - * * * * * - -Philip Fuller's horse might just as well have had no rider for all the -control he felt. The bridle was hung loosely on his neck, his pace was -a slow and measured walk, and his rider, all the while, was thinking, -praying, and talking to himself. - -"He bare our sins, _my sins_, in His own body on the tree. _Whosoever_ -believeth--Lord, I believe! I come to the Cross! My sins, I cannot -bear them. Thou hast borne them--hast died for me! My Lord and my God! -Mine! What's this?" he shouted. "I know it; I feel it. Jesus, Thou art -my Saviour, too!" He looked around--the very trees wore a brighter -robe, the sky a fairer blue, the very birds were singing of his -new-born peace! Seizing the bridle, he turned his startled steed and -galloped back to where the old hedger was at work. - -"Adam Olliver!" he shouted, "Adam Olliver!" - -"Halleluia!" shouted Adam. "Ah knoa all aboot it. Prayse the Lord!" - -The young man leaped from his horse, seized the old man's hands and -shook them, while the happy tears ran down his sunny face. - -"Adam Olliver, my sins are gone!" - -"Halleluia, ah saw 'em gannin'. Good-bye tiv 'em!" - -"But Jesus is mine. My Saviour and my all." - -"Prayse the Lord. Ah saw He was comin'. Bless your heart; ah knoa'd it -were all right afoore yo' went away. Ah saw it i' your een, an' the -Lord tell'd me you were His." - -Thus did Philip Fuller find rest to his soul. The mental doubts, the -troubled conscience, and the broken heart, which had so long -distressed him, had all died out beneath the lifted Cross; the new -life which was to be for ever was breathed into his soul on Nestleton -Wold, and the apostle who led the rich patrician youth to Jesus was -the humble hedger on a Yorkshire farm. Go thy way, happy youth! -Brighter sunshine than that which floods the autumn noon around thee -fills thy rejoicing soul. Go thy way, and be sure that in the thick -darkness which is soon to gather round thee, the Saviour in whom thy -trust is will be thy faithful strength and stay. Thou shalt walk -through the valley whose shadows are as dark as death; but upheld by -the strong arm of the loving Saviour, thou shalt pass on to greet the -dawn in God's decisive hour when the sun shall chase the gloom, and -the hill-tops catch the glory of returning day! - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -BLACK MORRIS IS TAKEN BY SURPRISE. - - "How hardly man this lesson learns, - To smile, and bless the hand that spurns; - To see the blow and feel the pain, - And only render love again! - ONE had it--but He came from heaven, - Reviled, rejected, and betrayed; - No curse He breathed, no plaint He made, - But when in death's dark pang He sighed, - Prayed for His murderers, and died." - - _Edmeston._ - - -The good folks who dwelt in Waverdale and the regions round about, -were thrown into a good deal of consternation by reason of a series of -daring burglaries and highway robberies with violence, which had been -committed during the later autumn days. Isolated farmhouses and -solitary inns had been forced open and ransacked, inducing a general -feeling of alarm. Two or three men, with crape over their faces and -armed with knife and pistol, had been seen by sundry wayfarers. -Farmers and others, returning late from Kesterton Market, were -suddenly set upon, and not only robbed, but cruelly maltreated. Under -these circumstances it can scarcely be wondered at, that our good -friend, the Rev. Theophilus Clayton, was now and then a little -nervous during his late rides from those country appointments over -moor and wold where the mysterious footpads plied their cruel and -dishonest trade. On one occasion the worthy minister was returning -home from Bexton, a distance of nine miles from Kesterton. Just as he -reached the brow of a hill, a strong-looking fellow, with villainous -features, called out to him, "How far is it to Kesterton?" Neither -voice nor face was calculated to soothe the good pastor's nerves, for, -though he was no coward, he could not help being influenced by the -current panic of the district. "A little over five miles," he -answered. At that moment the fellow made a dash at the horse's bridle, -but Mr. Clayton was on the alert, he gave Jack a smart stroke with his -whip, regardless of all equine proverbs about "down hill, bear me," -and Jack dashed off at a sharp trot down the steep hill. The robber -was thrown upon his face, and then a volley of oaths and curses was -followed by the sharp crack of a pistol; but either through faulty aim -or distance gained, neither Jack nor the driver was any the worse for -that. - -The hill was long and steep, and poor Jack was going at a dangerous -rate. The gig swung from side to side. In vain the occupant tightened -the reins. Circuit horses are not famous for being very sound at the -knees, thanks to bungling drivers, and just at the foot of the hill -Jack stumbled and fell. A shaft of the gig was broken, Mr. Clayton was -thrown out, landed in most uncomfortable fashion head foremost on the -grass-clad roadside, and lay for a brief moment half-stunned by his -fall. - -"Hallo! what's this?" said a voice. The minister thinking the angry -robber was at hand, freed himself from the bondage of the now -much-battered hat which had been forced over his face and had -doubtless done much to save him from serious injury. By his side knelt -no other than Black Morris, who helped him to sit upright on the bank, -and as the preacher complained of his head, examined his temple, and -found a sharp cut from which the blood was flowing pretty freely. Mr. -Clayton pulled out his handkerchief, and Black Morris proceeded to -bind it round his head. In doing so, however, the clear bright -moonlight fell on a still red and ugly-looking scar on the cheek -below. - -"Hallo!" said Morris; "you have had a nasty cut before this." - -"Yes," said Mr. Clayton, who found himself not seriously the worse for -his mishap. "I'll tell you directly how it was done. But will you -kindly help me to put my gig to rights? I fancy I heard a smash." - -The damage was confined to the splintered shaft, if we except an -abrasion on each knee of poor old Jack, who having recovered his feet, -stood, as a circuit horse is pretty sure to do, with no thought of -running away. As for the rub on his knees, why he was used to that -sort of thing, as eels are to skinning, and doubtless he looked upon -it as the indispensable badge of his enlistment in the Church -militant. Black Morris drew from his capacious pockets, which were -often filled with the produce of midnight raid in copse and glen, a -supply of stout cord, and bound the lancewood limb so firmly as to -ensure its trustworthiness for the remainder of the journey. - -"I'm sincerely obliged to you," said Mr. Clayton, warmly; "I don't -know what I should have done without your help. If you are going to -Kesterton I shall be glad to give you a ride." - -The proposal was timely, and so the Methodist preacher and the poacher -rode off in an honest Methodist gig, carrying, also, it is to be -feared, contraband game in the secret recesses of Black Morris's -velveteen jacket. - -"What made you drive so fast down hill?" said Black Morris, as they -bowled rapidly along the high road, for the mishap appeared to have -electrified Jack into a renewal of his youth. - -"Why," said Mr. Clayton, "I was attacked by a highwayman at the top of -the hill, and as he made a dash at the reins, I drove off as hard as -we could go. The fellow was knocked down, I think, at any rate he was -in a great rage, for he swore loudly, and sent a bullet after us, but -luckily without effect." - -"What sort of a fellow was he?" said Morris. - -"Oh! a big, broad-shouldered man, with no whiskers and as villainous a -face as I have ever seen." - -"Hey, he's a rum un is Bi---- I mean there are rum fellows about just -now." - -Mr. Clayton noticed the slip of the tongue, but prudently changed the -subject. - -"You were noticing just now the nasty-looking scar on my cheek; I'll -tell you how I got it." Our business-like superintendent had a large -canvas pocket nailed under the seat of his gig, in which to put -parcels of books, reports, and other matters for safe keeping. Leaning -forward he brought out of that receptacle the smaller half of a red -brick. "You see that," said he, handing it to his companion, "I was -riding to Nestleton a short time since to preach the Gospel of Jesus -in Farmer Houston's kitchen,"--here Black Morris gave a sudden start -of surprise. "As I passed the corner of Midden Harbour, a number of -men and boys threw a shower of stones at me. None of them hit me, but -the gig suffered a bit, and Jack got a nasty blow or two. I turned -round to speak to them, but at that instant somebody threw that -brickbat, cutting my cheek, and leaving a scar which I shall carry to -my dying day. Black Morris, you gave me that brickbat," said Mr. -Clayton, with a smile, "allow me to give it you back, you may want it -again." - -"The d----!" said Morris, in unmixed surprise, "then you are the -Methody parson." - -"Yes, I'm the Methodist parson, Morris, but not the devil, as your -words might imply. On the contrary, I hate him, and I am spending my -life in trying to get poor souls away from him, and to take them to -the Saviour." - -"But how do you know that it was me that threw it, when there were so -many of 'em." - -"Because it was thrown afterwards, and because I saw you do it." - -"Then if you could have sworn to it, why didn't you tell who it was, -an' get a summons? You seem to have ta'en it wonderfully quiet." - -There was half a tone of contempt in the question and remark, which -intimated that the Methodist parson was what he would have called "a -white-livered sort of a fellow." - -"Don't think I was afraid," said Mr. Clayton, who read his thoughts -clearly enough. "If I was given that way, I should scarcely have -chosen to tax Black Morris with it, out on a solitary road at ten -o'clock on a winter's night, and give it him back with a hint that he -might perhaps want to use it again." - -To this Black Morris made no reply; but his respect for his Methody -companion began to rise, and he grew somewhat uncomfortable in his -seat. - -"No, Morris, I have given my heart and life to that loving Saviour who -bids me return good for evil and to love them that hate me. He prayed -for His persecutors even on the Cross to which they nailed Him, as I -have prayed for you every time I've thought of the blow or seen the -scar in the looking-glass. When Farmer Houston asked me who did it, I -knew that one word of mine could have thrown you into jail; but I -loved and pitied you, and refused to tell either him or anybody else -who did the deed. Your sister Mary asked me to go and see your mother, -who is a suffering woman, Morris. Your mother asked, in sympathy, who -had hurt my cheek. Do you think that I was going to sadden her heart -by telling her that the man who had come to pray with her had been -ill-treated by the son whom she loves dearer than her life? Morris, -I'm a good deal troubled about you, and would do you good for my -Master's sake, even if I knew that you would fling that brickbat at -the other cheek. Oh, Morris!" said he, earnestly, laying his hand upon -the young man's arm; "for your patient mother's sake, for your own -soul's sake, for your loving Saviour's sake, give up this bad and -wasted life of yours; turn your back on the evil companions that are -dragging you to ruin, and give your heart to Jesus, who died upon the -cross for you." - -Not one word did Black Morris utter in reply. Mr. Clayton's -well-weighed words had gone to his heart like a shot, and the -reference to his mother had struck him dumb. By this time they had -reached the point where the Nestleton road branched off from the -Kesterton highway. - -"I must get down here, and thank you for the ride," said Black Morris. - -"Thank _you_, Morris, for your kind assistance, and remember that if -ever I can serve you, if you'll come and ask me, I'll do it with all -my heart. Good-night." - -Having come almost within sight of his welcome stable, Jack trotted -along the Kesterton High-street, and in a little while both he and his -master were safe at home. The sight of his 'kerchief-bound head would -have alarmed his waiting household, but his vigorous step and cheery -voice, both intensified as a protest against sympathy or fear, -re-assured them. He told his family the exciting story of his night's -adventure, and in the family prayer that night the good man made -special intercession for the conversion of Black Morris. - -After alighting from the gig at Kesterton town-end, that puzzled young -ne'er-do-weel stood stock still, following with his gaze the -retreating "Methody parson," until a bend in the street hid him from -his view. Then, released from the spell, he turned homeward with a -long sigh of amazement. - -"By Jove!" said he, "this bangs Banagher!" The brickbat was still in -his hand. All unconsciously his fingers had closed around it when Mr. -Clayton had placed it in his palm. He looked at it, and then turned -round again, and looked down Kesterton High-street, as if the donor -was still in view. There was an unwonted moisture in his eyes, as he -said to himself, "Hey, I shall want it again." He dropped it into his -pouch-like pocket, and strode away in silence towards Midden Harbour. -Letting himself into the house, Black Morris stole to his room, and -passing his mother's door, he paused, and said, "God bless her! an' -the Methody parson, too!" - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -KASPER CRABTREE FALLS AMONG THIEVES. - - "All vice in which man yields in greed to do it, - Or soon or late, be sure he'll sorely rue it. - Experience deep, howe'er false seemings blind him, - Surcharged with retribution, out will find him. - The whole creation's strange and endless dealing, - In spite of shields and veils and arts concealing, - Proclaims that whosoe'er is long a sinner, - Can only be by it of woe a winner." - - _Oriental._ - - -Kesterton Fair was always held about the middle of November, and a -large number of cattle, bred and fed on the various farms in that -highly-cultivated district, were, as usual, gathered there for public -sale. On the afternoon of that day, a party of four suspicious-looking -fellows sat boozing on strong ale in the kitchen of a small -public-house, which stood by the roadside between Kesterton and -Nestleton Magna, and near a long tract of plantation known as Thurston -Wood. They were habited in velveteen, fustian, and corduroy, wore -hair-skin caps, and bore the usual marks of that class of leafing, -poaching, lawless vagabonds, who, fifty years ago, were sadly -plentiful in all rural districts, and are not by any means extinct -to-day. They were holding a secret confabulation, and judging by their -low tones and watchful glances it was evident that they were desirous -of avoiding observation. The principal spokesman was an ill-favoured -looking fellow, whose broad, whiskerless face betokened the bully and -the brute. His name was Bill Buckley, commonly known as "Fighting -Bill," and the terror of the country side. - -"There's seeafe to be a good chance te-neet," said the desperado; "the -worst on't is 'at there's ower monny chances at yance, an' if we -tackle mair than we can manage, we may happen to get nowt. And Kasper -Crabtree, o' Kesterton Grange, is at the fair, an' he's sellin' a lot -o' beeasts, an' 'll carry a looad o' swag, you may depend on't." - -"Ah sud like te throttle him," said another, professedly a -besom-maker, named Dick Spink, a resident in the unsavoury regions of -Midden Harbour. "He set his big dog at me while ah was cuttin' some -besom shafts in his wood; ah'll hev it oot with 'im when ah've -chance." - -"That's right, Dick," said Buckley; "t' chance is come, an' thoo'll -get booath revenge an' a hundred gold guineas beside." - -After a little more conversation in the same strain, in which the -third and fourth showed themselves to be of the same murderous mind, -the rascals left the house, and made their way to the cover of -Thurston Wood, to lie in wait for the doomed victim of their cupidity -and malice. They knew that the old farmer rode on a grey pony, and -when the shadows of night gathered round, and the town clock of -Kesterton struck nine, they took their station by the roadside, under -the shade of a large hawthorn hedge, and waited for the chance of -carrying out their wicked intent. - -By and bye, footsteps were heard approaching. Somebody was walking on -the high road, whose steps as they neared the shelter of the robbers -were suddenly silent, as if the new-comer had stood still. After a -few moments' pause, Bill Buckley stepped from his hiding-place to -reconnoitre, and came suddenly in contact with Black Morris, who had -not stood still, as they imagined, but had merely transferred his walk -to the grassy border of the road, and hence had come upon them -unobserved. - -"Hallo, Bill!" said Black Morris, "what in the world are you after?" - -He would gladly have passed them without further parley, for, thanks -to Mr. Clayton, his thoughts and feelings had taken quite a new -direction. His collision with Bill Buckley, however, had made that -impossible. - -"Stow thy clapper, old chum," was the response of Buckley, and leading -him to his three comrades, he said, "here, lads, we've gotten a bit o' -help." He proceeded to tell him their nefarious plans, and assumed -that he would willingly coincide. - -"Not I," said Black Morris; "Kasper Crabtree's done me no harm, an' -I'll bring no harm to him." - -Breaking from them he proceeded on his way, resolved to warn the -purposed victim of the fate in store for him. Swearing a dreadful -oath, his features black with rage, Buckley seized him. - -"Stow that," said he; "you shan't stir 'til we've gotten what we -want." Holding him in his giant grip, he said, "Thoo shall see it oot, -an' then thoo can't split on us." - -At that moment the little grey pony was seen ambling on the road, with -old Crabtree on his back. The three ruffians sprang out, seized the -pony, and dragged the old man down. He fell with a heavy thud on the -ground; his pockets were rifled, and as the victim shouted for help, -Spink struck him a cruel blow. Black Morris, roused to the utmost -pitch of indignation, broke from his muscular jailer, and ran to the -aid of the prostrate farmer. Leaning over him, his eyes met those of -the wounded man. - -"Black Morris, I know you!" said Crabtree, and instantly fainted away. - -"Ha! ha! thoo's in for it, noo, wi' t' rest on us," said Buckley. -"Here thou may hev t' paper an' we'll hev t' gold!" Thrusting a parcel -into Morris's jacket, Buckley and his companions in villainy ran off -with speed. Poor Morris knelt by the still unconscious victim, -appalled at his position and staggered by the net with which he was -inclosed. He loosed Mr. Crabtree's neckcloth and fetched water in his -hat from the ditch hard by. The old man revived under his treatment -and was able to sit up. He looked with dazed and wondering eyes at his -companion. Morris heard the sound of many voices, the tramp of many -feet, doubtless of those returning from the fair. In a sudden fit of -fear, and conscious how black the case looked against himself, he -foolishly sprang up, cleared the hedge, and sped like lightning -through Thurston Wood, and home to Midden Harbour. He went to his -room, but not to sleep. Every sound he heard he construed into the -steps of those who were coming to seize him for the murder of the -unfortunate farmer. When the light of early morning dawned, he was -able to bear the dread suspense no longer; letting himself out in -silence, he stole away to hide himself from what he deemed to be a -felon's doom. - -Poor Morris! he found it out now that the way of transgressors is -hard. His evil ways, his bad associates, had webbed him round; now -that he had within him the stirrings of desire for better things, he -found that the fetters which his own recklessness had rivetted around -him were too firm to be easily broken off. He repaired to the house of -an aunt who lived some few miles away, and taking the notes from his -pocket amounting to more than three hundred pounds, he enclosed them -in a letter in which he declared himself innocent of the outrage, and -despatched it by a boy to Kesterton Grange. At his wit's end, he -strolled aimlessly through solitary places, and in the shades of the -succeeding evening made his way to Thurston Wood. In a secret place -therein was hidden his gun, a store of powder and shot, and certain -other matters connected with his poaching habits. Taking up the -weapon, he felt sorely tempted to lodge its contents in his own heart. -He paced backwards and forwards, discussing the awful question whether -to die or live--had all but decided to end his life and his misery -together, when he heard a footstep, and lifting up his eyes found -himself confronted by the scowling face and now hateful presence of -Bill Buckley! - - * * * * * - -Meanwhile, the hapless farmer had been discovered by certain friends -and neighbours who were returning from the fair. Under their kindly -care he so far recovered that, lifted on his quiet steed and upheld by -a couple of stalwart men, he was enabled to reach his home. After a -little while, however, fever supervened, and Kasper Crabtree lay in -sore uncertainty as to whether the issue would be life or death. The -miserly and irascible old bachelor could not command that loving -attention and affectionate nursing which his age and weakness now -required. The mechanical offices of his hired housekeeper were but a -poor substitute for the tender sympathies and watchful care of wife or -daughter. Dr. Jephson had been called in, and seeing the gravity of -the case he assumed at once unquestioned authority; and at his urgent -request Lucy Blyth was speedily installed as sick nurse by the old -man's bed. It must be owned that even her patient and gentle spirit -was tried to the utmost, by the peevish and testy invalid, whose -crabbish nature was developed by his constrained imprisonment to an -almost unbearable degree. But Lucy Blyth was doing her Saviour's work, -doing it in His strength and for His glory. Her naturally loving and -sympathetic spirit was strengthened and purified by the helpful grace -of God; so she went through her merciful mission with a brave heart, -and in a little while, pierced the crust that surrounded the heart of -her unpromising charge. He melted beneath the sunshine of her -presence, and by slow degrees Kasper Crabtree was led to employ his -compulsory leisure in thinking and talking of "Jesus and His love." -When first the invalid descried her by his bed, he bluntly said,-- - -"Who sent for you?" - -"That doesn't matter," said Lucy, "I should have come of my own accord -as soon as I heard you were ill." - -"Why, what business is it of yours, whether I'm ill or well?" -persisted he. - -"It's my business to go wherever I can do anybody a service. Jesus -went about doing good, and I'm trying to follow in His steps. Here," -said she, lifting a glass of cool, refreshing drink to his parched -lips, "You must drink this, then I shall smooth your pillow, and you -must try to go to sleep." - -"And what will you do?" - -"I shall sit here and pray that you may soon get well, and watch till -you wake, and then give you another drink." - -"You're a queer fish," said the farmer, as he looked with wonder at -the beautiful face bending over him. By and bye he dropped off into -half a doze, and Lucy softly sang as she would a lullaby,-- - - "Jesu, lover of my soul." - -After a little while he appeared to wake up. - -"What was that you were singing?" he said; "sing it again." - -Again the sweet words, which have brought hope and balm to thousands -of sufferers, were trilled out in touching tones from Lucy's lips. A -strange light shone through his eyes, as he sighed, and said,-- - -"How sweet it is! Now, I shall be very quiet, and you must go down -into the parlour and rest a bit." - -Lucy would have protested, but he showed such signs of determination -that she prudently obeyed. An hour after as she laid her hand on his -bedroom door, she heard him speaking aloud, and caught the words,-- - - "Hide me, O my Saviour, hide." - -Tears of joy mingled with the smile on Lucy's cheek as she knew that -her prayers were being answered, and that the old man was creeping -slowly and surely to the Cross. So the days passed by. At length the -fountain sprung, and even his poor, arid soul was quickened, -refreshed, and beautified by the streams of saving grace. - -One day Lucy ventured to speak of the attack made upon him on the -Kesterton Road. He no longer flashed up with anger--no longer called -aloud for revenge. - -"Bring me that letter that Black Morris sent." - -As he turned over the crisp notes, and read the words accompanying -them, he said,-- - -"Poor fellow! I don't think he had a hand in it. I recollect his -sprinkling cold water on my face and fanning me with his cap. At any -rate he has sent back all he got, and if he's guilty I forgive him, as -God hath forgiven me." - -Lucy, who knew of the sad fate which had befallen Black Morris, a -knowledge not yet imparted either to Kasper Crabtree or my readers, -knelt by his side, took his hand in hers, and said,-- - -"Mr. Crabtree, God bless you for that word!" - -"Aye, little one! and God bless you for ever and ever, for I have been -entertaining an angel unawares!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -SQUIRE FULLER HEARS UNWELCOME NEWS. - - "Behold the work of my unlawful hand, - That by rude force the passions would command, - That ruthless sought to root them from the breast; - They may be ruled, but will not be oppressed. - Taught hence, ye parents, who from nature stray, - And the great ties of social life betray; - Ne'er with your children act a tyrant's part, - 'Tis yours to guide, not violate the heart." - - _Thompson._ - - -The new-found blessing which Philip Fuller had obtained on Nestleton -Wold, laid abiding hold on his whole being and influenced all his -life. He attended the services in Farmer Houston's kitchen, and having -expressed his desire to meet in class, Adam Olliver gave him a -characteristic invitation to join the little band of true believers -which gathered round his cottage hearth. It cropped out, however, that -Lucy Blyth was a regular and exemplary attendant there, and that the -only other class was held in Nathan Blyth's own dwelling. So Philip, -who was conscientiously bent on fulfilling his compact with his -father, in spirit as well as letter, resolved to ride into Kesterton, -and attend the class conducted by the junior minister, so as to give -no ground for discrediting remark or sinister suspicion. His next -step was to tell his father of his conversion and announce his -intention of casting in his lot with the despised people called -Methodists. The old squire received the unwelcome information in a -towering rage, and incontinently ordered the scion of the house of -Fuller from his presence. On the following morning, after a -constrained and silent meal, the squire re-opened the conversation. A -cloud was on his brow; his face, usually cold and sphinx-like, gave -evident token of the strong commotion which stirred his soul to its -profoundest depths. One arm was laid upon the table, the other rested -on his knee. His head was bent forward, and from beneath his thick -grey brows his eyes looked out into the face of his only son in fixed -inquiry, anger and alarm. Philip stood by the table, his handsome face -full of strong resolve, every feature showing excitement, and his eyes -met his father's with a steady gaze, betokening a soul which had no -secrets to conceal. - -"What new folly is this?" said the squire. "Do you mean to tell me -that, not content with paying court to a blacksmith's daughter, you -have lowered yourself by casting in your lot with the contemptible -sectaries, the howling fanatics, the dairy-maids and plough-boys who -rave like dancing dervishes, and groan and shriek like Tom o' Bedlam -without sense or reason?" - -"I've no knowledge, father, of any such people as you describe. The -Methodists are as orderly and as reverent in their religious services, -as they are who go to the parish church. Since I have found my -Saviour, and have felt the love of God in my heart, attendance on -their simple worship has been among the happiest hours of my life. -Through the Methodists I found the pardon of my sins, among them I -find spiritual food and comfort more precious than I can describe, and -with the Methodists I desire to live and die." - -Baffled, but resolved, the squire, who had little idea of the strength -of his son's character, hastily resolved upon risking all on the -hazard of a throw. - -"Philip Fuller, listen to me. These idiotic fools are hateful to me. -Their religion is a parody; their sickening cant is blasphemy; they -are all composed of the poorest scum of the community. As the bearer -of an ancient and historic name, I utterly decline in any way, however -slight, to be brought into contact with them. Whatever I can do to -drive them out of Waverdale, I will do; and as for you, if you refuse -to obey me, and dare to cross the threshold of their disgusting orgies -again, you are no longer a son of mine. Remember that the estate is -not entailed, and I'll leave it to the hospitals before it shall fall -into the hands of hypocritical rogues like these." - -Philip's face had waxed as pale as death. The cruel words had fallen -harder than the speaker intended, and even now he would gladly have -recalled them. Tears of manly and filial grief stood in Philip's eyes, -as he replied,-- - -"My father, I love you dearer than life, and if the sacrifice of life -would minister to your real happiness, I would not grudge it. I have -never disobeyed you. I have consented to put one light of my life out -in deference to your desire, and were this anything short of a robbery -to my soul and treason to my God, I would obey you in this as in the -rest. But I cannot; my conscience speaks in a voice I dare not ignore. -I have given myself to my Saviour; I believe it to be His will that I -should bear the despised and humble name of Methodist, and therefore, -though I will go on my knees, and beseech you to withdraw your cruel -words, happen what will, and come what may, this people shall be my -people, and their God my God." - -"Get out of my sight, sir!" thundered out the wrathful parent, "and -don't see me again till I send for you." - -Little thought the angry squire how sad and terrible would be his -next interview with his distressed and suffering son. Bowing -respectfully, Philip retired from his father's presence, and went out -into the frosty morning air, distressed and grieved. He had engaged to -spend the day in the covers of Sir Harry Elliott, and though little -disposed for personal pleasure, he went to join the baronet and his -party in a raid upon the partridges, hoping to obtain a little -distraction from the troubles that oppressed him. - - * * * * * - -The quarterly meeting of the Kesterton Circuit was held as usual. -After the ordinary business had been transacted, Mr. Clayton referred -to the steps which had been taken towards the erection of a new chapel -in Nestleton; he described the interview with Squire Fuller, "And -there," said he, "the matter stands at present." - -"No," said Adam Olliver, "since then t' yung squire's gi'en 'is 'art -te God, 'is neeame te t' Chotch, an' 'is hand's gotten hod o' t' -gospil ploo', he'll nivver leeak back, you may depend on't. There -dizn't seeam te be ony change i' t' squire hisself, bud the Lord's -managin' matters for uz. We hae neea need te stand an' wait as though -we hae neea fayth i' God, bud just gan on an' raise t' munny, an' get -riddy for t' tahme when the Lord says, 'Arise an' build.' Tahmes an' -seeasons the Lord keeps iv 'is aun poo'er. Bud we've prayed i' fayth, -an' when He sees fit, t' topstooane 'll be browt on' wi' shootin' -'Grace, grace be tiv it.'" - -There was always something so infectious about Adam Olliver's fixed -and fervent faith in God, that in spite of prudential policy and -worldly wisdom he managed to carry the day. Nor was Mr. Clayton at all -unwilling to be urged into energetic measures. That God was with them -he did not doubt. The gracious seasons of spiritual power and -refreshment which he himself had felt and seen, were proof enough that -the work was of God. Hence he encouraged and invited a free -conversation on the subject. The senior "circuit steward," Mr. -Smallwood, was one of those wondrously cautious men who can only see -an inch before their nose, and who wish to make that much progress by -degrees. - -"We must be very careful," said he, "it is as much as ever we can do -now to pay our way, and this very quarter there is a deficiency of -more than ten pounds. Then there's Bexton Chapel; they are trying to -reduce the debt on it by a hundred pounds, and if we begin another -scheme at the same time, we shall find ourselves in difficulties." - -"I confess, Mr. Chairman," said Nathan Blyth, "that our good friend, -Adam Olliver, has more faith than I have. It's true, the young squire -has cast in his lot with us, but that very thing has made his father -more bitter against us. He has even threatened to give Mr. Houston -notice to quit, if he does not close his kitchen against the Methodist -preachers." - -"Never mind about that," said Farmer Houston, "threatened folks live -long, and threatened tenants may have long leases. I opened my doors -to the Methodist preachers, and God opened my heart to receive the -truth, and as long as I live, God helping me, those doors shall never -be closed again to those who brought me the news of a Saviour's love. -My temporal affairs are in the hands of a kind Providence; and as a -token of gratitude for personal and family mercies, I gladly promise -for me and mine a hundred pounds towards Nestleton Chapel, to be paid -as soon as the Lord opens the way to build it." - -"Halleluia," said the old hedger, "when God works whea can 'inder. -Ivverybody knoas 'at ah can't deea mitch, eeaven if ah sell me -slashin'-knife an' donkey, bud ah've seeaved a trifle oot o' me -wayges, an' be t' tahme t' chapel's begun, ah sall hev five pund -riddy, seea you may put it doon." - -The old hedger's grand self-sacrifice was greeted with a round of -hearty cheers. - -"Brother Houston stopped me in what I was going to say," said Nathan -Blyth, "but I'm not sorry, because of the capital finish he made. I -just wish to say that I'm half ashamed of my want of faith, and that -I'll give fifty pounds when the day comes that we can make any use of -it." - -"Ha'k ye there, noo! O ye ov lahtle fayth! Maister Smallwood, you'll -gan wi' t' tide, weean't yo'? Bless the Lord! We'll put Bexton te -rights, an' build this chapil, an' gi'e yo' ten pund te sattle up wi', -an' then be riddy for summat else. Ah can hear t' rappin' o' t' -'ammers, an' t' rasp o' t' saw, an' t' clink o' t' troowel alriddy. -Seea you can gan on an' 'get inte yo'r chariot an' ride as fast as yo' -can, for there's t' sign ov abundance o' rain?' There's t' soond of a -gannin', an' t' wind's bloaing ower'd t' tops o' t' mulberry trees, -an' Nestleton's gannin' te hev a chapil as seeaf as taxes an' -quarter-day." - -Inoculated with the old patriarch's faith and energy, the meeting took -up the matter with warmth, and before they separated, more than three -hundred pounds were promised to the new undertaking. - -"Halleluia!" said Old Adam, when the result was announced, "whea is -sae greeat a God as oor's? Mister Chairman! the Lord says, 'Oppen yo'r -mooth wide, an' ah'll fill it!' an' mahne's sae full, 'at ah's nearly -chooaked wi' luv an' grattitude te God!" - -"Mr. Chairman," said Mr. Mitchell, just before the meeting broke up, -"I've been thinking that, as the matter has taken such a practical -turn, and as Mr. Houston's kitchen won't hold the people who come, it -will be well for us to try to get another place in which to hold a -second service, somewhere in or near Nestleton, so as to be ready not -only with the money, but the members necessary to keep the new chapel -going. I should like to get a foothold in Midden Harbour, and if you, -sir, and this meeting are agreeable, I'll try what can be done." - -Here several members of the meeting shook their heads, and expressed a -doubt as to the possibility of getting the ploughshare into such a -very hard and flinty soil. - -"There you are ageean," said Adam Olliver, "dootin' an' fearin', yo' -will hev it that the Lord is'nt a match for the devil. Let's hod up t' -'ands of oor yung minister, God bless 'im. If t' walls o' Jericho fell -doon afoore t' soond o' t' ram's 'orns, it's queer if Midden Harbour -can keep oot the hosts o' God's elect. If naebody else will, ah'll -propooase it mysen; 'at a meetin' be hodden i' Midden Harbour, as -seean as we can finnd a spot te hod it in. My opinion is 'at it's just -t' right thing te deea. John Wesley said 'at we wer' nut only te gan -te them 'at needed uz, but te gan te them 'at needs uz meeast. There -isn't a warse spot i' all t' cuntry side then Midden Harbour, bud if -wa' can nobbut get t' Gospil fairly in amang 'em, we sall tonn the -devil clean oot ov his den, an' mak' t' ugly spot as breet as a patch -o' Paradise." - -The proposition of Father Olliver was seconded and carried, and the -meeting dispersed, strong in the determination to "go forward in the -name of the Lord." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -LUCY BLYTH MAKES A CONQUEST. - - "What is tact? 'tis worth revealing-- - Tis delicacy's finest feeling; - It is to scan another's breast, - To know the thought ere half expressed; - If word or tone should waken pain, - To drop the subject or the strain; - To twine around, with winning art, - And gently steal away the heart." - - _Anon._ - - -The blacksmith's daughter received her father's description of the -proceedings at the quarterly meeting with much enjoyment, and true to -her taste for seeking out the neediest, emphatically endorsed the idea -of making evangelical war on Midden Harbour. Pondering how she could -help forward this worthy scheme, she made her way, one evening, to pay -a visit to the ailing wife of Piggy Morris. Lucy's piety was a very -cheerful and attractive type. Those who think that religion must -necessarily tinge the life with melancholy, and wrap its possessor in -a veil of gloom, would have felt inclined to question the genuineness -of her profession, and to doubt as to whether she had "the root of the -matter" within her. Her bright eyes were seldom dim with other -tears than those of sympathy and joy; her smiles were never long -absent from her face; her full, free, musical ripple of laughter was -perfectly contagious, and her manifold charms of form and feature were -brightened and intensified by the Christian faith and joy that dwelt -within. No one could be long in Lucy's company before any "megrims" of -their own began to pass away; and no sooner did she enter the home of -sickness and of sorrow, than the gloom began insensibly to lift, and -the inmates were led to look at matters from their brighter side. This -power of radiating happiness is of wondrous value, and ought to be -cultivated, as it may, by all who keep the heart-fires of grace -brightly burning, from whence the subtle and potent blessings are -evolved. This cheering quality made Lucy's visits unspeakably precious -to such a despondent invalid as Mrs. Morris. To Mary Morris they were -as bright spots in a very cloudy sky, and even Piggy Morris himself, -glum and crusty as he was, was fain to declare his pleasure at her -visits, and to give her a welcome such as greeted no visitor besides. - -[Illustration: LUCY BLYTH.--_Page 140._] - -"Well, Mrs. Morris, how are you to-day?" said Lucy to the ailing -woman, who sat, propped up with pillows, in an old arm-chair by the -fireside. "Why, I declare, you look ever so much better and brighter -than when I was here last. Some of these fine days we shall be having -you out of doors again, and you and Mary will be having a cup of tea -with me at the Forge." - -Mrs. Morris's thin and sallow face gleamed with satisfaction at the -sight of her welcome guest; but she shook her head as one who had made -up her mind to say "good-bye" to hope, and accept the inevitable. - -"No, Miss Blyth, I don't feel better; I'm not able to say just what -ails me, or where or what my complaint is. But I'm wearing away, -slowly and surely, and at times I feel such a sinking and a fainting, -that I sit waiting and waiting, thinking every moment will be my -last." - -"Yes, that's just it. I don't believe in 'thinking and waiting' of -that kind. When you feel a sinking and a fainting, you should tell -Mary to get you a little beef-tea, or a cup of tea, to give you a -rising; and make up your mind that you aren't going to die yet, -because you're wanted here." - -"Nay, I don't know about that," said the despondent soul, always -entertaining hard thoughts about herself. "I'm not wanted here. I'm -such a poor helpless invalid that I'm no use to anybody." - -"Oh, that's it, is it? Mary Morris you just come here. Now, Mrs. -Morris, just tell her, will you, that she doesn't want you, and that -you are no use to her!" - -Mrs. Morris looked at the speaker, and then into her daughter's loving -and gentle face, down which the tears were quietly descending, and -said, as she put her arms around her neck,-- - -"No. God bless her, I can't say that, for I know she loves her -mother." - -Mary returned the embrace warmly, saying,-- - -"Love you? Aye, that I do, next to my God." - -"Why, bless my life, Mrs. Morris, there are folks in the world that -haven't got so much as a cat or a dog to wag their tails when they see -'em; and you've got such a wealth of tenderness as there is in this -girl's heart to call your own. When did Bob and Dick come to see you -last?" - -"Oh, they were both here last Sunday. No, Bob was here on Monday, too, -and again last night." - -"What did he want?" said Miss Inquisitive. - -"Oh, only to inquire how I was. Last night he brought me a few oranges -that he had bought." - -"Indeed! Where did he get _them_, I wonder?" - -"He fetched them from Kesterton on Monday night after his day's work -was over." - -"Oh, that's it, is it? And so you have two good sons, who come and -spend their Sundays, the only day in the week they have at liberty. -One comes again on Monday, after toiling all the day, and the other -poor, tired lad goes all the way to Kesterton to buy some oranges to -refresh you, and yet you dare to tell me you are not wanted! God bless -them both! How dare you?" - -At that moment Piggy Morris came in from a distant market. - -"Good-night, Miss Blyth," said he. "It's as good as a golden guinea to -see your smiling face." - -"Is it?" said Lucy. "Then give me a golden guinea for our new chapel, -and you shall look at it again." - -A sudden thought struck her. She saw he was in a good humour. Probably -markets had been favourable and bargains good. It was a hazard, but -she risked it. - -"Come here, Mr. Morris," and taking him by the hand, she led him to -his wife. "Look at this dear soul. She says that she isn't wanted, and -is of no use to anybody, because she's weak and ill," and Lucy looked -at him a whole volume of entreaty and desire. - -Morris understood her purpose, and whether he was thinking, as he -gazed upon the fallen cheek, the sunken eye, and the dark hair so -thickly silvered--remnants of the beauty of the older and brighter -days before he brought sorrow over the threshold--or whether Lucy's -influence acted on him like a spell, cannot be said, probably a little -of both; but he took his wife's hand in his, and stroked it, saying,-- - -"Why, bless you, Sally, there's nobody we could spare so ill as thee." - -Lucy's eyes and smile repaid him for that unusual grace, and then -turning to his wife, she said,-- - -"There, you naughty soul. Mary loves you; Bob and Dick love you; your -husband loves you, and yet you dare to look me in the face and tell me -you're not wanted!" And, kissing her cheek, "Jesus loves you, and I -love you, and if you call the cat it will jump upon your knee and tell -you the same thing. Yet you 'feel a sinking and a fainting,' and you -'sit waiting and thinking that every moment is going to be the last!' -Mrs. Morris, I'm"----" - -But by this time the work was done. The poor woman's face was all -aglow. - -"Yes, yes," said she. "I am richer than I thought." - -"Richer! I should think you are; and you have all the love of God, all -the promises of the Bible, and all the hopes of heaven into the -bargain. Mrs. Morris, I'm going to sing, and if you don't join in the -chorus I won't stop and have a cup of tea." - -Lucy's singing was an inspiration, and Piggy Morris stopped the -process of unlacing his boots to look and listen, as she sang,-- - -THE DARK AND THE DAWN. - - "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the - morning."--_Ps_. xxx, 5. - - To-night there are tears, - To-night there are fears, - To-night there is sighing and sorrow, - My tears shall be dried, - My fears shall subside, - 'Twill be singing--not sighing--to-morrow! - - So this is my song, - As I travel along! - Come neighbours, and join in my chorus! - The tears of the night, - Become pearls in the light, - The light of the morning before us. - - To-night I may sigh; - But pray tell me why, - From the future more tears I should borrow? - No! strengthened by hope, - With my cares I will cope, - For they all will evanish to-morrow! - So this is my song, &c. - - Though hard I may toil, - And wearily moil, - And with tears cast my seed in the furrow; - Not long shall I weep; - I am certain to reap - A harvest of joy on the morrow! - So this is my song, &c. - - I care not a jot - For the crook in my lot, - Though I grieve a few moments in sorrow; - They soon will be past, - And the "First and the Last" - Will send me deliv'rance to-morrow. - So this is my song, &c. - - Even now, as I weep, - I see the dawn peep - Through the shadowing curtains of sorrow! - Hope widens the rift-- - Even now do they lift, - And the rosy dawn smiles a "Good morrow!" - - So this is my song, - As I travel along-- - Come neighbours and join in my chorus? - Be sure by-and-bye - We shall reign in the sky, - When the glory gates open before us! - -You might go far before you found a brighter atmosphere than that -which filled the house of Piggy Morris, and all owing to the presence -of that concentrated piece of sunshine, Lucy Blyth. After tea Dick -came in, and received such a warmth of greeting from her that he -almost lost his balance, and blushed like a peony, as hobbledehoys -will under such circumstances. - -"Why, Mrs. Morris," said Lucy, "here's that troublesome fellow here -again. He was here last night, and on Monday night, and on Sunday, -too. Look here, young man; what do you come here so often for?" - -"To see my mother," said Dick, while Lucy flung a triumphant look at -the happy mother, who drew the lad fondly to her side. - -When, at last, Lucy rose to take her leave, it was getting dark, and -Mary said she would put on her bonnet and go with her a little way. - -"Not to-night, Mary. I've chattered so much and so long that your -mother ought to be in bed. I can manage very well by myself." - -"I'll go with you, Miss Blyth," said Dick, jumping to his feet. - -"Oh! You think that after you've been working like a Briton all the -day in Farmer Crabtree's field, and walked nearly three miles beside -to see your mother"--here there was another glance at Mrs. -Morris--"and three miles to go back, I'm going to let you walk an -extra mile with me! Why, bless the boy, you must think I've a heart as -hard as my father's anvil." - -Meanwhile Piggy Morris had been silently re-lacing his boots, and now, -getting up from his chair, he reached down his hat from a nail, and -said, quietly,-- - -"Never mind, Dick, my lad, I'll see Miss Blyth home." - -Piggy Morris, the surly and sour, could not have surprised them more -if they had seen a pair of wings sprouting from his shoulder-blades. - -Lucy quietly said, "Oh, thank you, Mr. Morris, you are kind," and -giving Ursa Major her arm, the oddly-matched pair turned their steps -towards Nestleton Forge. - -"What's cum to feyther?" said Dick, as one who waits for a reply. - -"Goodness knows," said Mary; "I never knew him do such a thing -before." - -"My dear," said Mrs. Morris, "it's Lucy Blyth's magic. That girl's an -angel if ever there was one. If your fayther would only go to meeting -nobody knows what might happen." Here the good woman sighed at what -appeared to her a vista of delight too good to hope for. - -Meanwhile Lucy Blyth and her boorish escort were making their way -through the wintry night towards Nestleton Forge. Happily for Morris, -with whom words were always few, and usually gruff, his companion -rushed into conversation--not that she was that social nuisance, a -wordy woman, but that she was a born politician, and meant to turn the -golden moments to good account. - -"Mrs. Morris is much better and brighter to-night. Don't you think -so?" - -"Yes," was the emphatic reply, "because she's had you to cheer her up. -She does get desperate worritsome at times, though." - -"Why, you see, Mr. Morris, it is hard for her to be almost always a -prisoner in her chair, and as for her sick headaches, I don't know how -she does to bear them." - -"Yes, I daresay it's hard enough," was the brief reply. - -"Mary's a great comfort to her," said Lucy. "She is so quiet and -gentle, and nurses her so tenderly. I often wonder how she manages to -get through her work so well. I _do_ like Mary." - -"Yes, Poll's a good lass," said Morris, laconically. - -"How kind and nice it is that those boys should come so often and so -far to see their mother! I _was_ pleased to hear about Bob." - -"What about Bob?" said Ursa Major. - -"Why, on Tuesday, after his day's work, he walked all the way to -Kesterton and bought his mother some oranges." - -"Did he?" quoth Bruin. - -"Yes, he did, and Dick's as kind and good as he is. I _do_ like those -lads." - -"It appears to me you like 'em all," said Piggy Morris, and there was -a little querulousness in his tone, as though he felt himself to be a -natural exception. - -"You never said a truer word," said Lucy, laughing, "and I'm afraid I -shall keep coming to see you, till you turn me out." - -Here Morris gave a chuckle, odd in its character, a cross between a -grunt and a hiccup. "Then that'll be for ever an' ever, as long as -there's a threshwood to the door, or a tile on the roof." - -"By the way, Mr. Morris, do you know that Squire Fuller has refused us -a piece of land for a Methodist chapel? He says he won't have such a -thing in his village." - -"_His_ village! The old fool, it isn't all his. Midden Harbour belongs -to old Crabtree. Squire Fuller's a bad old"---- - -"Hush!" said Lucy, "don't say anything naughty, for my sake." - -Ursa Major growled and finished his sentence, more expressive than -refined, in an unknown tongue. - -"But it does seem a pity that we can't have a chapel, doesn't it? -Farmer Houston's kitchen cannot hold all the people." - -"Humph! What's the squire care about that?" - -"No, more's the pity, but our young minister, Mr. Mitchell, says that, -seeing we can't get all the people who come into one room, we must try -to find another. He would like to get one in Midden Harbour." - -"Midden Harbour! Miss Blyth. Why that's a rum spot to come into." - -"Why, you see; Squire Fuller couldn't touch us there." [O Lucy, you -inveterate plotter! you designing woman!] "And you see, Mr. Morris, if -your neighbours are a bad lot, it's time somebody was trying to do -them good. But," said she, heaving a sigh which was intended to search -the innermost recesses of his heart, "there's nobody there that has -room enough to take us in." - -Piggy Morris smiled grimly, as he said, "Try Dick Spink, the -besom-maker." - -"Oh, don't mention that wicked man. We must have a more respectable -place than that, or we can't come at all, _and Squire Fuller will get -his way_." - -"Nay, I'll be hanged if he shall. You shall have my house first, -though we have no room to spare." - -Piggy Morris stood still a moment. Lucy's heart beat with hope. Then -Morris exclaimed,-- - -"Lucy Blyth! For your sake, you shall have my old malt house. I can do -without it, and the Methody parson shall come into Midden Harbour!" - -"Oh, Mr. Morris! God bless you for saying that. Now I shall be able to -come and _see you every week_." That clinched the nail, and as Adam -Olliver said at the quarterly meeting, "God was strangger than the -devil," and Midden Harbour couldn't "keep oot the hosts o' God's -elect." - -"Come in and tell my father," said Lucy, as they reached the garden -gate, "you'll be the most welcome guest he's seen for many a day." - -"Good evening, Morris," said Natty Blyth, who had come to the door; -"Come in a bit!" - -"I can't stop, thank ye," blurted out Piggy Morris. "They tell me you -want to hold your meetings in Midden Harbour. You can have my -malt-kiln and welcome, and you may tell the Methody parson that he may -thank Lucy Blyth for that. Good night." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -THE DARK DEED IN THURSTON WOOD. - - "Oh, how will crime engender crime! Throw guilt - Upon the soul, and, like a stone cast on - The troubled waters of a lake, - 'Twill form in circles, round succeeding round, - Each wider than the first." - - _Colman._ - - -A cold December wind was blowing to and fro the dead brown leaves in -Thurston Wood, a large tract of plantation that bounded the northern -and higher side of Squire Fuller's park. Gaunt and grim loomed the -naked trees through the foggy air, and the long grass was wet and dank -with the perpetual drip of the moisture-laden boughs. The brief dark -day was rapidly deepening into night, but a darker deed was about to -be perpetrated in that lonely and sombre place. - -Through the woods there flowed a broad and deep stream, fringed with -willows, elder bushes, hemlocks, and reeds. This was known as Thurston -Beck. Its rapid waters poured themselves over a rocky ledge, just -within the borders of the park, and falling in the form of a cascade -into a deep pit, filled it to the brim, overflowed rapidly through a -smaller channel, fed the extensive fish-ponds on the southern side, -and then again meandering through the valley of Waverdale, rippled and -bickered through the village of Nestleton, and a little beyond -Kesterton joined its waters to the River Ouse. There was a foot-path -through the wood close by the borders of the beck, and here it was -that Black Morris, gun in hand, and half resolved on suicide, found -himself face to face with Bill Buckley. Unable to restrain his anger, -Morris strode up to his now hateful companion, and hissed through his -set teeth,-- - -"Bill Buckley, stand off! I feel like murder to my fingers' ends. What -right had you to trap me into your brutal attack on Farmer Crabtree? -you black villain!" - -"Ho, ho!" said Buckley, his scowling features white with rage. "Two -can play at that game. Take care what you're aboot, or ah'll gi'e you -an oonce o' leead! Thoo's intiv it, an' thoo can't get oot on't!" he -continued, with a mocking laugh. - -"You lie!" said Black Morris. "Let them that did it swing for it:" for -he had settled in his own mind that Crabtree had got his death-blow, -"and I'll lend a hand to help 'em." - -"Will you?" said Fighting Bill, drawing a step nearer. "If thoo means -to split, ah'll let dayleet through the' ribs. Thoo shared i' t' swag, -an' thoo mun share i' t' danger." - -"My share o' t' swag," said Morris, "has gone back to Farmer Crabtree, -and I wrote and told"---- - -"You black d----!" shouted Buckley, livid with passion, and, pointing -his gun at his unwary victim, shot him down like a dog! The blood -gushed from his face and temples, sprinkling the raiment of his -murderer; he fell heavily on the plashy grass with a shrill scream -which echoed and re-echoed through the lonely wood, until a thousand -voices seemed to curse the doer of the awful deed! Unrepentant and -unpitying, the assassin kicked the prostrate body, and with an oath -upon his lips, he rolled his victim into the rapid beck; a dull splash -succeeded, and the silent waters closed over their hapless burden and -went on their heedless way. Seizing his gun, Bill Buckley made rapid -strides along the borders of the stream, away from the stains of -blood, away from the park, and speedily put many miles between him and -the place which he had rendered horrible for evermore. - - * * * * * - -An hour after the perpetration of the dreadful deed, Philip Fuller -trod the sodden path through Thurston Wood, returning from his visit -to Sir Harry Elliott's, after a day spent in copse and covert, and -still oppressed and depressed by the remembrances of his morning's -interview with his angry father. With his gun across his shoulder he -was rapidly making his way homeward, when his foot struck suddenly -against some object in the grass, and he fell at full length across -the very spot where, just before, the gun of Bill Buckley had sped its -dreadful messenger, and laid his hapless victim low. Wet and muddy, -and stained, though he knew it not, with human blood, he rose to his -feet, and looking for the obstacle which had tripped him up, he found -a gun, and a few yards off, an old black felt cap. Suspicion was now -thoroughly aroused. He examined the ground more carefully, detected -the hue of blood in the pale moonlight which now and then vanquished -the veil of intervening cloud, noticed how the grass and weeds were -pressed down to the edge of the stream, and felt that he was gazing on -the results of some sad accident or hideous crime. He remembered the -fearful scream which he had heard on the still night air. "Murder!" -said he, turning sick and trembling with horror at the fearful -thought. At that moment a gust of wind blew suddenly, stirring the -shrubs and reeds. To his excited mind this was the motion of some -living being, his gun dropped from his hand and his first impulse was -to turn and flee. Re-assured, he resolved to leave the gun and cap -where he had found them, then to hasten to the hall and give the -alarm, and bring the servants and a constable to search the spot. -Seizing the gun which lay at his feet, Philip ran with speed towards -Waverdale Hall. - -Crossing the park he met Piggy Morris, who was returning from a sale -of live stock, and was taking a short cut across Squire Fuller's park, -despite the warning to trespassers, for in that direction there was no -right of way. - -"Don't go through Thurston Wood!" said Philip, running up to him in -hot haste. - -The ex-farmer, slightly muddled by too long a halt at "The Plough," -did not catch the drift of his expression, but understood him to -oppose his passage through the park. Under the influence of a little -Dutch courage, he laid hold on Philip to repel what he imagined was a -personal attack. A short scuffle succeeded, during which the gun fell -to the ground and was seized by Piggy Morris. Philip succeeded in -removing his apprehension, and the gun was being handed back, when -Morris suddenly exclaimed,-- - -"This is our Jack's gun, as sure as eggs is eggs! How have you come by -that?" - -Philip hastily told him what he had seen. Morris listened, thoroughly -sobered now, and laying his hand on the young man's shoulder, he -hissed between his set teeth,-- - -"My son Jack is murdered! The son of the man who turned me off my -farm, the Philip Fuller that robbed my lad of his sweetheart, and that -threatened him before witnesses, is the man that did the deed!" - -Shocked, stunned, paralysed at the awful imputation, and at the -damning circumstantial evidence forthcoming, at that moment Philip -looked guilty, and Piggy Morris's suspicions were confirmed. - -"I'm not going to lose sight of you, young man," said Morris, and -despite the solemn denial of the distressed and confounded youth, -Piggy Morris insisted on accompanying his "prisoner," as he called -him, to Waverdale Hall. There the young man told his story to his -father. With a heart oppressed by forbodings of calamity, the squire -and a posse of servants accompanied them to Thurston Wood. While -Philip had been telling his story, Morris had noted the mire on his -shooting jacket and the blood upon his cuffs, and pointed them out to -the squire with more exultation than was befitting a bereaved father. -Piggy Morris, however, had not any great amount of affection for his -son. They found the cap, which Morris identified at once, and one of -the servants, picking up a gun, exclaimed, "Why, this is Master -Philip's gun!" A hush as of death fell upon the party, broken first by -a groan from the agonised squire, then Piggy Morris seized Philip by -the arm, and dragging him to his father's presence, cried, "Behold the -murderer of my son!" - -"Hands off!" shouted Philip, stung beyond endurance, "It's a hideous -lie!" - -"Peace! my son," said the squire, in accents which thrilled every -listener, by their concentrated grief and resolute dignity. "Mr. -Morris, you know where to find my son when he is wanted, and now, -good-night!" - -A heavy cloud rested on all who dwelt within the mansion of Waverdale. -The servants of the establishment, from butler to stable-boy, from -housekeeper to scullery-maid, entertained a true affection and regard -for their kind-hearted and open-handed young master, and one and all -were in genuine distress. Squire Fuller, in a long and anxious -conference with his son, in which his own first agonising doubts were -removed and Philip's innocence of the dreadful charge made clear to -himself, sat by his waning lamp far into the night. He was in sad -straits. The events of the morning, when he had threatened to -disinherit his boy, and now this new and grievous trouble, bowed his -spirit to the ground. His son's erratic and mortifying connection with -the Methodists, the awfully damning evidence against him as to the -dark deed of Thurston Wood, the humiliating publicity which would -drag his honoured name through the mire of disgrace: these things, -coupled with the deep, strong love he had for Philip, stung his soul -to the quick. He had discarded religion, had imbibed a strong unbelief -in and contempt for prayer, and yet such is the native instinct of the -soul to cry unto the Lord in distress, that he could not refrain from -groaning aloud, "Lord, save my boy!" Thus the hours passed, until, -worn-out and weary, he slumbered in his chair. Waking as the grey -light of morning peeped through the heavy window curtains, he rose -with a bitter sigh and sought his chamber. Passing Philip's bedroom -door, he paused as he heard a voice within, "Don't! father, don't! -Dear father! Lucy, my darling! Farewell! Adam Olliver, you have given -me a Saviour! Give me a father! What's this? Blood! Morris! I didn't -do it! Oh! oh! oh!" - -The squire opened the door, sprang to the bed, and saw his son, -sitting up, with bloodshot eye-balls, scarlet face and hands lifted in -an imploring attitude. Squire Fuller perceived at a glance that his -son was raving in the madness of brain fever! To rouse the -housekeeper, call the servants, and to send the groom at a hard gallop -to fetch Dr. Jephson was the work of a moment, and then the wretched -father went back to keep anxious vigil by the bedside of his stricken -boy. Mrs. Bruce, the housekeeper, well-skilled in all the experiences -of a sick-room, applied ice and wet cloths to the sufferer's burning -brow, and by and bye the paroxysm seemed partially to subside. Thus -they waited, waited in the darkened chamber, waited in silence, for -not one word did the squire utter, but sat with his eyes fixed on the -moaning youth, listening through hours that seemed ages, until he -heard the hoofs of a horse at a rapid gallop ringing on the road, and -knew that Dr. Jephson had arrived. Standing by his bed, with his hand -upon his patient's wrist, and looking at the distended pupils of his -eyes, the doctor turned at last to speak to the statuesque father by -his side. The words, sad words, died upon his tongue. Anything but -hope spoken to that shrinking form would have killed him where he -stood! - - * * * * * - -There was sorrow also in the house of Piggy Morris. The weakly and -ailing mother mourned the loss of her first-born as only a mother may. -Could she have only known that he was prepared for his sudden and -terrible exit from the world she could have better borne the blow. To -her, Black Morris had not been a bad or cruel son. His love for his -mother was great and abiding, and had it not been for the evil set -into which their unhappy choice of a locality had thrown him, she -believed with reason, that he would have led a nobler and more -reputable life. Her gentle daughter, Mary, though sore crushed by this -bereavement, was sustained by the religious principles and experiences -obtained by means of the Methodist services in the village, and was -enabled to succour her weeping mother in this trying hour. Piggy -Morris himself, cannot be credited with any great amount of grief for -the loss of his son. His own harsh and repellant nature had loosened -his hold upon the wayward youth, and led to an open rebellion which -threatened an irreparable breach. His vindictive nature, however, was -quick to seize the opportunity, now offered, of revenging himself on -those who, according to his crooked notions of right and wrong, had -"ruined him," by dismissing him from his ill-managed and wasted farm. -He would not hesitate to gird a halter beneath the grey locks of the -squire if he had the chance, and revelled in the prospect of dragging -the scion of the hated house of Fuller to the gallows, and -extinguishing the race for evermore. For Piggy Morris, to do him -justice, never doubted for a moment that Philip Fuller was guilty of -the dreadful tragedy which had flung a nameless horror over Thurston -Wood. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -"BALAAM" IS TAKEN INTO CONSULTATION. - - "The ass learnt metaphors and tropes, - But most on music fixed his hopes." - - _Gay._ - - "Methought I heard a voice, and yet I doubted, - Now roaring like the ocean, when the winds - Fight with the waves, now in a still small tone." - - _Dryden._ - - -As may be imagined, the next day or two was occupied by the -Nestletonians in discussing matters pertaining to the startling event -which had taken place in Thurston Wood. Thurston Beck was dragged and -re-dragged, even the deep pool into which the "cascade" poured its -waters was explored as far as the limited means at the disposal of -rural justice would permit, but all in vain; the body of Black Morris -could not be found. There were some, indeed, who ventured to express -an opinion that the marks in the woods and the discovered gun were -capable of some other explanation. Meanwhile Philip Fuller lay -helplessly in the grip of strong disease, and willy-nilly, examination -and arrest must be suspended for awhile, Squire Fuller, himself a -J.P. for the county, undertaking surveillance of his son until such -times as he could answer for himself. Here for the present we must -leave the painful story, and turn our attention in a widely different -direction. - - * * * * * - -Blithe Natty was up at his work betimes, as his custom was. The cheery -sound of his ringing anvil, and the cheerier sound of his grand tenor -voice, mingled musically in the morning air. The glittering sparks -from the red-hot iron, out of which he was developing a horse-shoe, -glanced at his leather apron, and sprinkled the floor with dull dark -flakes. The fire on the hearth flamed and flickered, casting its -reflection on the wall, on which hung rows of shoes ready to be nailed -on the hoofs of whatever horses had cast or worn out their metal -armour. Screwkeys, patterns, boring-braces, and other implements of -the grimy craft were suspended in similar fashion; and leaning in the -corners, and laid upon the rough beams overhead were numerous long -bars and rods and sheets of iron, the raw material, out of which his -deft and skilful handicraft evolved all sorts of articles for farming -or domestic use. - -Blithe Natty was evidently in good spirits this morning, judging from -the cheery nature of his song:-- - - When troubles and trials are gathering round, - The best thing to do, never doubt it, - Is to tell them to Jesus; He'll help, I'll be bound; - Then go, tell the Lord all about it. - - His people need never, no never despair-- - And I for one never will doubt it; - But I'll go to the feet of my Saviour in prayer-- - I'll go tell my Lord all about it. - - The sceptic may sneer, and the world may deride, - And laugh at my folly and scout it; - Every need of my life to my God I'll confide-- - I'll go tell my Lord all about it. - - Though as strong as Goliath my sorrow may be, - A word from my Saviour can rout it; - My eyes His salvation shall speedily see-- - I'll go tell my Lord all about it. - - Men may smile at my faith in His word if they will; - No matter how much they may flout it, - I'll hold to His covenant promises still, - And go tell my Lord all about it. - - The love of my Saviour's my strength and my stay-- - I could never be happy without it; - So I'll trust in His faithfulness; happen what may, - I'll go tell my Lord all about it. - - And when I am landed on Canaan's bright shore, - Before angels and saints will I shout it; - Give glory and praise to my King evermore, - The King that I told all about it. - -"Halleluia! Nathan Blyth. That'll be a glorious teeal te tell, an' a -glorious crood te lissen tiv it," said Adam Olliver, who had ridden up -to the Forge to get a new supply of shoes for Balaam, whom he speedily -tethered by his bridle to the iron hook driven into the wall for that -purpose. - -"Good mornin', Adam. What, is Balaam going barefoot?" - -"Why, no, he is'nt exactly as bad as that, bud he's gettin' sae near -t' grund 'at ah thowt it was better to tak' it i' tahme. Can yo' spare -tahme te shoe 'im?" - -"Hey, hey, old friend. I'll put him to rights for you. I have his -size," said Natty, glancing along the rows of ready made shoes, "and -I'll fit him in a twinkling. But what will you give me for my news -this morning?" - -"Why, ah deean't knoa. It mebbe isn't worth mitch." - -"Hey, but it is. It's news 'at 'll warm your heart, or I'm a -Dutchman." - -"What, hez Black Morris turned up? Or is t' young squire better?" - -Nathan Blyth's face clouded a moment, as he said, "I'm sorry to say -I've nought so good to say of either. Still it's good news." - -"Oot wiv it, then. 'Bad news'll keep, let good news peep.' Why, you -deean't meean te say t' squire's gi'en us a bit o' land?" - -"No," said Natty, "you'll have to wait a bit longer for that miracle -to come to pass. But I've a miracle to tell you that's almost as big. -We've gotten another place to hold service in, an' it's best place in -all the neighbourhood." - -"Prayse the Lord. He nivver was woss then His wod yit. Wheer is it?" - -"Why, it's in Midden Harbour!" said Nathan, whose eyes were twinkling -with delight. - -"You deean't say sae? Ah didn't doot 'at God wad oppen' t' way, bud ah -didn't expect it quite sae seean. Wheease hoose is it?" - -"It's nobody's house; it's"---- - -"What! Is it t' mautkill?" - -"Hey!" shouted Blithe Natty, and he gave the haunch of the old donkey -such a slap with his big, open hand, as who should say, "There, -Balaam, what do you think to that?" - -Balaam, for once in his life, was thoroughly astounded. He erected his -ears, turned his wondering gaze on the triumphant blacksmith, and gave -vent to a loud "Hee-ho" of most magnificent volume and a _crescendo_ -force that was quite startling. - -"That's right, Balaam," said Old Adam, laughing heartily. "It'll mak' -uthers cock their ears an' oppen their mooth besides thoo. Halleluia! -Halleluia!" - -Either startled still more by the old man's enthusiasm or else -entering into the spirit of their triumph, Balaam gave tongue a second -time, in a style that sent the two bystanders into such a fit of -laughter that it threatened to endanger a blood-vessel. - -"What in the world's up now?" said Farmer Houston, who suddenly -appeared upon the scene. - -"Oop?" said Adam. "Why, ivverything's oop! Methodism's oop! Piggy -Morris is oop! an' oor sperrits is oop: mahne, an' Nathan's, an' -Balaam's, an' all!" - -Mr. Houston's delight at the taking of Fort Midden Harbour was -extreme, and it was agreed that information should be sent at once to -Mr. Mitchell, that the good work might be forthwith begun. - -"We mun strike while t' iron's yat," said Adam. "Mah wod, bud weean't -there be sum sparks! Bud we mun mind what we're aboot. We sall hae te -be as wise as sarpents; we're gannin' te put wer heeads intiv a wasp's -nest, an' if we deean't mind we sall get teng'd [stung] as seear as -dayleet. Bud what's ah talkin' aboot? The Lord'll draw their tengs -frev 'em, an' mak' 'em as 'armless as bluebottles." - -"I cannot understand," said Farmer Houston, "how such a surly fellow -as Piggy Morris, who never had a good word to say for us, has been won -so completely over." - -"Why," said Blithe Natty, "I believe its all owing to my daughter. -She's managed to get round him somehow. He gave me to understand that -much at my own door." - -"God bless 'er!" said Adam Olliver, "an' He will. Ah's as sartain 'at -there's a breet futur' befoore that bairn as ah is 'at we sall seean -hev a chapil. The Lord's fashionin' on 'er for a great wark, an' sae -you'll see." - -The words were scarcely out of his mouth when the stately form of -Squire Fuller was seen riding up to the Forge on his favourite and -beautiful chestnut mare. With a nod of recognition to Farmer Houston, -and a kindly smile on Adam Olliver, he said,-- - -"Nathan Blyth, can I have a word with you in private?" - -Nathan touched his forelock, as in duty bound, and led the squire -through a door which opened on a narrow passage leading to the house. - -Farmer Houston and Adam Olliver exchanged glances of interest and -wonder. - -"The Lord's workin'," said the latter, simply. "Yance Natty Blyth had -te gan tiv 'im. Noo, he 'ez te cum te Natty Blyth. What's oop ah -deean't knoa, but ah knoa 'at t' prayers o' God's people 's at yah -end, an' 'at Nestleton chapil's at t'uther, an' the Lord's linkin' on -'em tegither." - -"The old squire's looking very grey and haggard," said Farmer Houston, -"and how bent and bowed he is!" - -"Ah's freeten'd he dizn't knoa where te tak' his trubbles. If he wad -nobbut tak' 'em te t' Cross, that's the spot te get rid on 'em. At ony -rate he wad get strength te bide 'em." - -Nathan Blyth re-appeared for a moment to excuse his absence, and Adam -Olliver, having led his donkey to the door, and mounted it, rode off -in company with Farmer Houston. His last words to the silent and -thoughtful blacksmith were,-- - -"Good mornin', aud friend! Remember what you were singin',-- - - Ah'll trust tiv His faithfulness, happen what may, - Ah'll gooa tell the Lord all aboot it." - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -NATHAN BLYTH IS IN A QUANDARY. - - "Parental love, my friend, hath power o'er wisdom, - And is the charm, which, like the falconer's lure, - Can bring from heaven the highest soaring spirits." - - _Anon._ - - "Almighty love! what wonders are not thine! - Soon as thy influence breathes upon the soul, - By thee, the haughty bend the suppliant knee." - - _Paterson._ - - -Nathan conducted his unexpected, and, in truth, unwelcome visitor into -his neat and tastefully furnished parlour, and the observant squire -was much surprised to see so many evidences of refinement and artistic -skill. On the walls, which were papered with a soft-hued pattern, hung -a few first-class engravings in broad maple frames; and here and there -an original crayon sketch or water-colour painting, betokening -considerable talent, was suspended between them. A dark rosewood piano -stood on one side, open and with one of Beethoven's sonatas placed -upon the music-holder. On the opposite side stood a couch, on which -were placed antimacassars, cushions, &c., in Berlin woolwork. The -remainder of the furniture was all in keeping, and all were more or -less adorned with the handiwork of female fingers, while books of a -high-class character were plentifully strewed on the table and gleamed -in the book-case, through whose glass doors, the squire saw literary -treasures which he had never associated with the anvil and the forge. -Nathan handed his guest a chair, and stood waiting for an explanation -of his visit. The squire asked him to be seated, and then said,-- - -"Nathan Blyth, I can well believe that my visit here is as unwelcome -as it is unexpected. Our last interview, however necessary, was as -unpleasant for you as it was distasteful to me, and I am willing to -own that I had no desire that it should be repeated. I cannot charge -myself with having said anything on that occasion that was not as -courteous and conciliating as the circumstances would allow, and you -must permit me to say that your own attitude and deportment was all -that could be desired. You spoke and have acted as a man of honour, -and I was compelled to acknowledge to myself that I had to do with a -gentleman where I did not expect to find one." - -Nathan bowed, but made no reply. - -"To-day," continued the squire, "though my visit has to do with the -same circumstances, I should not wish you to think or hope that my -views on the former matter have undergone any change." - -"Pardon me," said Nathan, "I neither hope so nor think so, and have no -wish--indeed I must ask you not to refer to that subject again. My -daughter knows her duty as I know mine, and you need be under no -apprehension that"---- - -"Don't be angry, if you please," said the squire, in a strangely -humble and deprecating voice, for Nathan had spoken with some degree -of spirit. "I have no such suspicion. Let me come to the point, Nathan -Blyth. My only son is dangerously ill,"--here his voice faltered, and -his face assumed a deathly pallor--"and I have a thousand fears for -his life. He has had a malignant attack of brain fever, and though, -thanks to the skill of Dr. Jephson, the fever has subsided, it has -left him at the very door of death." Again the agonising truth was too -much for the speaker, and he laid his white head in his hands in -silent grief. - -Nathan's heart was always near his lips; with a swimming in his eyes -he said with deep feeling, "From my heart, I'm sorry." - -"Dr. Jephson," said the squire, recovering his self-command, "declares -that medical skill is powerless to do more for him, and he commands me -to ask that your daughter, who, he says, is the most effective -sick-nurse in the district, will come and help to bring him back to -life." - -"My daughter, Squire Fuller? You must know that that is impossible. -How can she, how can he, be subjected to a test and trial like this, -after all that they have done to show their filial obedience--after -all that we have done to keep them apart? It cannot be. Besides, think -what would be said by those who are only too ready to impute motives -and suspect evil. The fair fame of my girl is dearer to me than life. -Mr. Fuller, nobody esteems Master Philip more than I; nobody can pray -for his recovery more earnestly than will I. But the thing you ask is -quite impossible, and can't be done." - -"I know it all, Nathan Blyth. I feel the force of all that you have -said. On the other hand, my boy is dying. Like a drowning man I am -catching at a straw; and I beseech you, I who never asked a favour of -a living man, I beseech you do not deny me my request. If you can -trust your daughter, I can trust my son, and as for the gossip of -little minds, that will die away as soon as it is born. Nathan Blyth, -for the sake of a life more precious than my own, grant me my -request." - -Nathan Blyth was in a quandary, he was grievously perplexed, and could -not see his way out of the difficulty. Then the thought suddenly -struck him that, after all, this was a case in which Lucy herself -ought to be consulted. - -"If you will excuse me a few moments," said he, "I will consult my -daughter." - -"Let me see her, Nathan Blyth!" said the squire, eagerly, and -stretching out his hands in strong entreaty. - -Nathan went and told Lucy all that had transpired, and if that honest -man had nursed the delusion that his darling had succeeded in, even -partially, dislodging Philip Fuller from her heart, the pitiful -yearning, the longing look that flashed from her bright hazel eye, the -blood-forsaken cheek and lip, as he told of her lover's danger, drove -the fond delusion away for ever. - -"The squire asks to see you, Lucy. But you can decline it, if you -like, my darling." - -Lucy thought for a moment, and then, with a woman's quick intuition as -to what is best, said, "I'll see him." - -Casting aside her apron, in which she had been attending to household -duties and standing a little--was there ever a woman that did -not?--before the kitchen looking-glass to assure herself that she was -not a perfect fright, Lucy entered the parlour, and for the first time -Squire Fuller saw the fairy who had so bewitched his son that the -effect of her glamour was his only hope of life. He rose to his feet, -stepped back a pace or two, and bowed as respectfully as he had ever -done in royal drawing-room to lady of high degree. Habited in a light -morning dress of printed calico, with collar and cuffs of purest -white, and a small crimson bow beneath her throat, her piquant beauty -and grace were quite sufficient to excuse either Philip Fuller, or -anybody else, for plunging head over ears in love so deeply that -emerging again was an impossibility. - -"Good-morning, Miss Blyth," said the squire. "Your father has informed -you of my errand." - -"Is Master Philip _very_ ill, sir?" and tone and eye and cheek -betrayed how much the question meant. - -"Unto death, I fear!" The words were a wail. The proud lips quivered, -and a couple of tears forced their way, in spite of him, and both -Nathan Blyth and his daughter saw something of the all-absorbing love -he bore for his only son. - -"Did he--does he know that you have come?" - -"He knows nothing of it, and scarce of any other thing," said the -troubled father. "He lies almost unconscious, and as though he had -already done with time. Dr. Jephson says there is but one hope. My -dear young lady, his father asks you with a breaking heart, 'Come and -help to save my boy!'" - -A consent was about to leap from her sympathetic heart, but still, -mindful of honour, truth and duty to the last, she only said, "Send -Dr. Jephson here." - -Both the squire and her father read decision in her face; the former -bowed and took his departure. He owned to himself that he had been in -presence of a grace and beauty such as he had never seen since those -days long gone by, when his own first and only love, to whom he saw a -strong resemblance in the radiant form before him, was yet untorn from -his young heart by the unpitying hand of Death. - -In a little while, for there was no time to be lost, Dr. Jephson drove -up to the Forge in a little low phaeton belonging to the Hall, and in -which, with his usual promptitude and energy, he intended to spirit -off Lucy, bag and baggage, to the side of the helpless invalid who lay -in the last degree of weakness, moaning out the name of Lucy so -constantly that all could see how strong a hold she had upon his life -and love. - -"Well, Miss Lucy," said the genial doctor, "are you ready? My horse -will not stand long, and," said he, with great seriousness, "every -hour is a dead loss to us in a hand-to-hand fight between life and -death." - -Lucy was about to repeat the self-evident objections before mentioned, -but the doctor interposed,-- - -"Look here, my dear. You did quite right, and acted with your usual -wit and wisdom in sending for me. I have two things to say that, if I -know you aright, will help you to decision in a moment. First, Philip -Fuller, without your presence and aid, will die. I say it solemnly and -truly. Second, _with_ your presence and aid there is another chance, a -hope that he may recover. Is that chance to be denied him?" - -"I must go, father. Here is a plain duty to do," said she, as she -kissed his anxious and dubious face, and clasped her arms lovingly -around his neck, "and duty must be done. Consequences must be left -with God, and you and I are used to leaving them there, aren't we?" - -"Go, my darling, and God be with you," said Nathan Blyth. - -Hastily gathering together such needful articles of personal attire as -were requisite for a brief visit, Lucy took her seat beside her good -friend, the doctor, and in a few minutes was far on her way to -Waverdale Hall. - -"I do not know," said the doctor, as they rode through the frosty air, -"whether you are aware that the squire told me of Master Philip's -attachment to yourself. If I had not known of it I should many days -ago have sent for you, simply as a most skilful and all-effective -nurse for despondent invalids. The awkward revelation made me defer it -for your sake; but my deliberate conclusion is that he is pining away -under the influence of a hopeless passion or some bitter grief. I do -not think the matter of Black Morris has much to do with it; he never -mentions it, neither do I apprehend much difficulty in proving him -innocent of that charge. Hence, though it is a sad strain to put upon -you, Miss Lucy, I am bound to bring the only physician that -understands the patient's case." - -"Thank you, Dr. Jephson, for your thought for me," said Lucy. "God -knows I would rather have been spared this new and cruel test; but I -know where to go for help, and my father's God and mine will help me -through." - -There was a sweet resignation, coupled with a brave resolve to fight -the trouble of the moment, which went straight to the doctor's heart. -The phaeton was pulled up at the principal entrance to the mansion. -The old squire was at the door to bid her welcome, and Lucy Blyth, the -blacksmith's daughter, crossed the threshold of Waverdale Hall. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -DR. JEPHSON'S PRESCRIPTION WORKS WONDERS. - - "She is coming, my own, my sweet! - Were it ever so airy a tread, - My heart would hear her and beat, - Were it earth in an earthly bed: - My dust would hear her and beat, - Had I lain for a century dead, - Would start and tremble under her feet, - And blossom in purple and red." - - _Tennyson._ - - -Lucy Blyth was conducted with softened footfall and bated breath into -the darkened chamber of the helpless invalid. She bent over him and -heard the monotonous and untiring moan. She was more shocked than -words can express to see how the fine stalwart youth had been laid -low. His hair was close shaven, and his lacklustre eyes were sunk far -into his head, while the cheekbones stood prominent as those of a -skeleton, and the poor thin hands, that were clutching nervously at -the coverlet, were bloodless as a stone. Lucy's heart sank within her; -the doctor, the nurse, and the squire softly turned away; sinking on a -chair by the bedside she burst into a flood of silent tears. The -precious relief to her pent-up soul was of infinite value to her. -After her grief had spent its force, she rose, bathed her face and -hands in cold water, and turning to the bed, took the poor listless -fingers of her lover in her own. - -"Philip! dear Philip!" she said, softly. The fingers closed -convulsively; a sigh, which sounded like a gasp, broke from his lips. -Fixing wondering eyes on her, he whispered, "Lucy! dear Lucy!" and -this with a smile of rapturous content. What cared she in that moment -who were lookers-on? What cared she that the stately squire was -standing on tiptoe by the door, looking with the eyes of his soul for -the crisis? What would she have cared had all Waverdale been standing -by? Love, imperial love, asserted its unequalled rights. That ebbing -life was flowing back beneath her royal power! That soul upon the wing -was re-folding its pinions at her command! Stooping down she signed -his reprieve upon his parched lips. If any of my readers object to -this, they have my full permission to close these pages and go their -way. I write not for those behind whose vest and beneath whose bodice -there beats no human heart, but only the tick of a machine; but for -those who hold that pure and true affection has rights which may not -be invaded, and that in a case like this "Love is lord of all." - -In the course of another day or two, Dr. Jephson reported a stronger -pulse and a brighter eye, and bade the grateful father hope for the -best. The old man listened in silence, scarcely daring to believe. - -"What is your opinion, Miss Blyth?" said the doctor. - -"By God's blessing he will recover," Lucy said; and strange to say, -Squire Fuller felt her verdict to be more assuring than the dictum of -the experienced man of skill. - -Nor did her judgment prove without warrant. Slowly, O how slowly! inch -by inch, point by point, the fell destroyer Death was beaten back, -and Philip Fuller obtained an even stronger lease of life. When he had -so far recovered as to be able to converse, his father would sit for -hours by his side, holding his boy's hand in his own, and drinking in -his words as though they were some pleasant music falling on his ear. -True, the principal topic was one for which he had never any favour. -On the contrary, he had scoffed at and hated it with all the energy of -his intellectual pride. But from the lips of his boy, his handsome, -manly, high-principled boy--given back to him from an open grave--he -heard it with patience, nay, for the speaker's sake, with unspeakable -delight. There was no longer any cloud between these two, and it did -not need that the father should unsay the rash words which had -half-broken his son's true and faithful heart. All had vanished like -the morning dew, and sire and son were one again in heart and soul. - -"Father," said Philip, on one occasion, as he was propped up with -pillows, while the squire occupied his seldom vacant seat by his side, -"do you know that when I was so weak and ill that I could not speak to -you, I knew all that was going on around me; and when I saw your -sorrow and your love I did so want to tell you of the sweet peace that -filled my soul. My Saviour was so inexpressibly precious to me that I -longed to be with Him, and heaven was so near, that I saw its glories, -the gleam of angels' wings, and heard the sound of harpers harping -with their harps. I really thought that I was dying, but death had no -terrors for me. The one thing that seemed to pull me back to life was -my great love to you and Lucy, and the yearning wish, dear father, to -tell you of my Saviour's boundless love. Father, I know that you have -learned to look upon religion with doubt, and even with dislike. But -now that I have come back--for I feel like one who has taken a long -journey--come back from the very borders of the eternal world--come -back, after sensibly breathing the very atmosphere of heaven--I tell -you that of all the things in this vain shadowy world, Jesus and His -love are the only realities; and dreadful as the struggle for life has -been, I would gladly go through it all again to see you, my father, -bending at the Saviour's feet." - -Nor was this the only way in which the reserved and thoughtful squire -was brought face to face with simple Christian experience. Lucy Blyth, -who had gained all her usual self-command, was able to comply with Mr. -Fuller's genuine request, that she should in all things act without -restraint. Now that the tide had turned, and Philip's life no longer -hung on such a slender thread, she was able to accept the -housekeeper's invitation to join her in her private room. Here, seated -at the piano, she would sing the songs of Zion in such a fashion that -the squire, all unaccustomed to such innovations on his solitude, -would pass and re-pass, often for this only purpose, and listen to the -strains so sweetly winning. It may well be doubted whether the modern -idea of "singing the Gospel" was not, under existing circumstances, -the most effective way of bringing him under the influences of those -blessed truths which were the joy and comfort of his son. - -On one occasion, when thus occupied, she sang a glorious hymn of -Charles Wesley's. Her unknown listener heard the words-- - - "I rest beneath the Almighty's shade, - My griefs expire, my troubles cease; - Thou, Lord, on whom my soul is stayed, - Will keep me still in perfect peace." - -He listened till the trustful strain died out in silence, and retired -to his library. Opening an accustomed volume by a favourite writer, -whose no-faith had chimed in with his own phase of unbelief, he -read--"I look upon human life as being bounded by an impenetrable -curtain, which defies the gaze of man to pierce its texture, the hand -of man to lift its awful folds. Thousands of inquiring minds have -brought their torches and sought to unravel the mystery in vain. A -thousand voices of those without have loudly called to those within, -and asked their questions as to the eternal 'Where?' But they have -received no answer, only the hollow echo of their own question, as if -they had shouted into an empty vault." - -He laid down the book, and sat in thoughtful silence. He thought of -the clear, bright hope of the youth upstairs who had been half within -the curtain. "I saw the glories of heaven, the gleam of angels' wings, -and heard the sound of harpers harping with their harps." How widely -differed this from that! The first was a sad, low wail of despair; the -second was the waving of Hope's golden wing. Rising to his feet, he -opened the door to rejoin his son. Hush! He hears Lucy's voice, -sweetly singing-- - - "While I draw this fleeting breath, - When my eyes shall close in death, - When I rise to worlds unknown, - And behold Thee on Thy throne, - Rock of Ages, cleft for me, - Let me hide myself in Thee!" - -He listened till the verse was concluded, then turning to the stairs, -he ascended to Philip's room, repeating to himself,-- - - "Rock of Ages, cleft for me! - Let me hide myself in Thee!" - -Stepping softly to the bedside, he found his boy sleeping sweetly, -with a smile upon his face that told of perfect peace. His hand was -laid upon the open Bible. Led by an impulse of curiosity, as we -purblind mortals say, he stooped down and read, where Philip's fingers -lay, "There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift -thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.... I will both lay me -down in peace and sleep, for thou only, O Lord, makest me to dwell in -safety." - -"In peace," said the squire, and looking at the restful countenance of -his son, he read a commentary there that he could neither -misunderstand nor dispute. He sat and pondered as the minutes passed, -the subject of thoughts and emotions new and strange. Nor could he -break the spell until Philip, waking refreshed and happy, turned to -him with a gleam of glad surprise, and said,-- - -"My father!" - -"What is it, my son?" - -"Nay, nothing; nothing but the joy of having you by my side." - -The glad old man, melted as his stedfast nature had never been, longed -to do something in his great love. - -"Can I do anything for you?" said he. - -"Yes. Read to me a little," pointing to his Bible. "Read the third -chapter in St. John's Gospel." - -In this way the sceptical parent was brought into potent contact with -the Great Teacher's answer to another doubter, who asked, "How can -these things be?" So the days passed by, the overhanging cloud caused -by the dark deed in Thurston Wood had not density enough to shadow -them very greatly. Both father and son believed that God would bring -forth Philip's righteousness as the light, and His judgment as the -noonday. Philip silently and continuously prayed that the Spirit would -take of the things of God and show them to his father's mind and -heart. Who shall doubt the answer to those pleadings of filial love? -God's providence and grace are both pledged to the fulfilment of -believing prayer. The citadel so long impregnable to the assaults of -Gospel truth was trembling under the combined influences at work. Will -it yield to these? If not, the Lord hath yet other arrows in His -quiver. "He hath bent his bow and made it ready, and ordained his -arrows at the heart of" those who resist him. But if those hearts lay -down their weapons and submit to Him, though the arrow may be sped, it -shall wound to heal, and "dividing asunder between the joints and the -marrow," the sword of the Spirit shall open a way for the life-giving -balsam of His own precious blood! - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -HANNAH OLLIVER'S "YOUNG MAN." - - "The branch is stooping to the hand, - And pleasant to behold; - Yet gather not, although its fruit - Be streaked with hues of gold. - - For bitter ashes lurk concealed - Beneath that golden skin; - And though the coat be smooth, there lies - But rottenness within." - - _Smedley._ - - -Adam Olliver, as our readers may remember, had a daughter, Hannah by -name, who was a servantmaid at Waverdale Hall. She was a bright, -good-looking lass, with no graver faults than those which often attach -to an unrestrained vivacity and a considerable weakness for "ribbins, -frills, an' fal-de-rals," as her plain-spoken father called them, -which, though purchased by her own money, were scarcely in keeping -with her position. Even if they had been, they were sorely at enmity -with good taste. Greens and violets, blues and buffs, orange and red, -and other hues equally self-assertive, were worn in combinations -which would have alarmed a _modiste_ and driven an artist into -hysterics. Hannah was a dressy girl, and being remarkably chatty, not -to say loquacious, she was not the unlikeliest girl in the world to -pick up a sweetheart--_a_ sweetheart, did we say? It would be -venturesome to fix on any number of briefly happy swains on whom she -had conferred that honour, and had then peremptorily dismissed. Hannah -was evidently a coquette. At the time when Philip Fuller was hovering -between life and death, and soon after Lucy Blyth had been installed -by his bedside, Hannah Olliver's evanescent and volatile affections -were placed for the nonce on a fine Adonis-looking young fellow, with -whom she had become acquainted through her intimacy with a housemaid -at Cowley Priory. His name was Aubrey Bevan, and his somewhat -aristocratic cognomen did not seem to Hannah's admiring eyes to be at -all inappropriate to the dark curly locks, neatly-trimmed moustache, -semi-Bond-street attire, and jauntily-set hat of her favoured lover. - -Aubrey Bevan had been a kind of valet--a sort of gentleman's gentleman -to Sir Harry Elliott's eldest son, a fast young gent of horsey tastes -and gaming proclivities, who cut a considerable dash amongst the young -bloods, who, during the season, mustered in great force at Almack's, -Tattersall's, and Rotten-row. With him, however, we have scant -business, but from his quondam valet, discharged for some occult -reason, we cannot at present part company. The discipline as regarded -servants and their followers was somewhat strict at Waverdale Hall, -and so Hannah's interviews with her "intended" had to take place -either when she was off the premises, or in stealthy meetings in the -park or gardens under cover of the night. - -Mr. Bevan, at the outset of his wooing, was exceedingly assiduous and -demonstrative, but as all this only served to develop his young lady's -ingrained propensity to coquetry, he changed his tactics, and with a -cleverness which brought its own reward, he feigned indifference, as -though his loveflame was considerably dwindling down. This had the -desired effect, and may afford a hint to ardent swains whose chosen -ones are given to fluctuations and indecision. Latterly Hannah had -shown a steady loyalty to her lover, as though at last she had found -her fate. One evening, as she and the courtly Bevan were holding a -stolen interview beneath a spreading beech-tree in the park, some evil -spirit entered into Hannah, and led her to throw out vague hints and -insinuations that he was not so certainly the "man in possession" as -he seemed to think. She intimated that there was another "Richmond in -the field," and, true to Sir Walter Scott's description of woman, who -is, - - "In our hours of ease, - Uncertain, coy, and hard to please," - -she succeeded in annoying and perhaps alarming her lover with the idea -that his mittimus was looming in the distance. Aubrey Bevan brought -out his final weapon for repelling the attack, and coolly informed her -that he was about to leave for London, the elysium of valets, the -paradise of love and beauty. This startling information was more than -Hannah bargained for. There was a perceptible change in her voice, -speedily noted by Mr. Bevan, as she said,-- - -"You are not really going, are you, Aubrey?" which only brought the -unrelenting answer,-- - -"Yes, my prairie flower. I am really going. 'My bark is on the sea, -and the wind blows fair.'" Rather an awkward position, surely, if he -was an intending voyager; but Mr. Bevan was nothing if not poetic. - -"Oh dear, Aubrey! How can you?" - -"Does my impending departure flutter the heart of my little gazelle?" -said the poet, with a tremulous intonation which would have melted a -colder heart than Hannah's. - -"Don't go, Aubrey; you mustn't go. I cannot spare you." - -"Fair syren of my soul! I thank thee for that word! 'Had I a heart for -falsehood framed.'" There were those who had the honour of Mr. Bevan's -acquaintance who would have said, in answer, "Yes, most decidedly!" -"My charming angel! 'Where duty calls I must away. Hark! hark! the -drum.'" - -A little more of this gay troubadour line of business, and Hannah was -fairly subdued. - -"Cheer up! my sunflower!" said the gallant Bevan. "My visit to the -great metropolis will be but temporary. A few weeks, and on the wings -of the wind I shall again 'fly to the Bower by Bendemeer's stream,' -and 'talk of love and Hannah.' But I cannot leave without another -look, a sweet adieu. I'll come again to-morrow night. I will be at the -garden-gate by twelve o'clock; I cannot come earlier; and as your -orderly household will then be in the arms of Morpheus, you can come -down to the door leading out to the stable-yard, and then I shall -carry with me in my exile the sweet memory of that last good-bye!" - -In vain the foolish girl objected, and referred to difficulties as to -time and place. Mr. Bevan showed her, with a marvellous knowledge, -gained unwittingly from her own chatty tongue, of all the -topographical peculiarities of the place, how it could be done; and -having extorted a definite consent, he swore eternal fealty to his -fair companion, and turning away, was speedily lost in the darkness of -the night. - -O foolish Hannah Olliver! Did no qualms of conscience follow that -ill-advised consent? Did no good angel whisper in your ear to disobey -the voice of the charmer? Go to your chamber, unsuspecting simpleton, -and dream of the dreadful plot, to the train of which your own -unconscious hand will lay the spark! - -Mr. Aubrey Bevan had special business on hand that night. After having -kept one assignation, he made all haste to keep another. The second -one, however, was of an altogether different nature, and if Hannah -Olliver could have seen with whom he whispered and consorted during -the hours of that night, it would have broken the spell which he had -cast around her far more effectively than the discovery of some rival -recipient of his gay blandishments and poetic flights. - - * * * * * - -While these events were transpiring at the Hall, joy and gladness -reigned in the cottage of Adam Olliver, for at length the -long-expected letter, with a pleasing monetary inclosure, had been -received from Pete, who had been long struggling with adverse fortunes -in the Western States of North America. At length his circumstances -had taken a definite and effective turn for the better, and now his -hope was that in a little while, having obtained a competency, he -should be able to retrace his steps to dear Old England, and be able -to supply his failing parents with the comforts which they needed in -their old age. When Nathan Blyth called at their little cottage, he -found old Adam, sitting in his arm-chair, with spectacles on nose and -the precious letter in his hand, slowly spelling out his son's -somewhat difficult caligraphy, while dear old Judith sat on the -opposite side of the fire, listening, and smiling through her tears. -The old hedger had every now and again to wrestle with his feelings, -and to gulp down a choking in the throat as Pete's warm, loving -sentences unfolded themselves to his delighted gaze. - -"Judy, my lass," he said, when the whole epistle had been deciphered. -"Thoo sees the Lord is as good as His wod. Thoo an' me's been prayin' -fo' wer lad an' commendin' 'im te God. We begun te think 'at t' answer -was a lang while o' cumin'. It tarried, bud we wayted fo' 't, an' noo -it's cum, an' booath thoo an' me's livin' an' hearty te hear it. The -Lord keeps us waytin' at tahmes, bud He nivver cums ower leeat. His -hand's allus riddy for a deead lift, an' noo I hae faith te beleeave -'at we sall see wer lad feeace te feeace." - -"The Lord's varry good tiv us," said Judith, looking lovingly at her -dear old husband, through her tears of joy. "Ah've done wi' dootin', -an' if He'll only let me see my bairn ah sall go te my grave in -peace." - -"Natty!" said Adam. "You've just cum i' tahme te hear t' good news, -an' ah's seear you'll be glad te join us i' givin' thenks at t' Throne -o' Grace." - -Then the old Christian poured out his soul to God in fervent prayer. -The little room was radiant with the presence of the Abiding Friend, -and when they rose from their knees, Adam shook Blithe Natty by the -hand, and said, with a smile,-- - -"Pete 'll be i' Nestleton be' Can'lemas, an' 'im an' t' Methodist -chapil 'll cum tegither!" - -At the Sunday service in Farmer Houston's kitchen, Adam returned -public thanks for the light which had come to him and Judith from -across the sea. There, too, old Kasper Crabtree, somewhat feeble and -pale yet, and scarce recovered from the severe treatment he had -received on his way home from Kesterton Fair, was present to join in -earnest worship with the faithful few whom he had long persecuted and -despised. As he bowed his head in prayer, we may be sure that, -mingling with his requests for personal grace and help, there rose an -earnest petition that God's best blessing might rest for ever on the -fair evangelist who had led him, while on the bed of sickness, to seek -the Crucified; and through whose gentle instrumentality the moral -darkness of a lifetime had been dispersed, and light and love divine -had streamed in upon his melted soul. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -BILL BUCKLEY SEES AN APPARITION. - - "No; 'tis the tale that angry conscience tells, - When she with more than tragic horror swells - Each circumstance of guilt; when stern, but true, - She brings bad actions forth into review, - And, like the dread handwriting on the wall, - Bids late remorse awake at reason's call." - - _Churchill._ - - -At a late hour one evening the butler at Waverdale Hall appeared -before his master with the information that a stranger wished to see -him on business of the first importance. In vain the faithful servant -had represented to him the lateness of the hour and the unusual nature -of his request; in vain he asked even for the stranger's name. To all -objections and inquiries the stranger, standing by the door closely -shrouded in a large muffler, had simply said, "I must see the squire. -I have walked many a weary mile for that purpose, and I know that if -he will grant me a few minutes' interview, he will be deeply grateful -that ever the interview took place." There was a time, and that not -many weeks since, when the stately squire would have peremptorily -refused such an unseasonable application; but now, after the strange -and mollifying experiences to which he had been subjected, he -considered but a moment, and then said,-- - -"Show the man into the library, Thompson. I will go and see what his -errand is." - -The interview was long, and the worthy butler was devoured by -curiosity to ascertain who the stranger was, and what he wanted. -Eventually the squire re-appeared, and gave the housekeeper orders to -prepare a room for the unknown new-comer, who in a little while -silently and secretly retired to rest. - -Not one word did the squire say to the wondering lady or the puzzled -butler as to the who, or what, or why of the untimely visitor; but -they noticed that he walked with a firmer step, and a bearing more -erect, and spoke in tones more quick and pleasant than they had heard -from him for many a day. In a little while the inmates of Waverdale -Hall were wrapped in slumber, with one exception; for Hannah Olliver, -though she had retired to her little room over the laundry, re-trimmed -her lamp, and sat, still dressed, watching and waiting for the -midnight hour. Not without much trepidation, for she was conscious of -wrong-doing, and would gladly have foregone the pleasure of meeting -her effusive lover; but still her undoubted affection for Aubrey Bevan -made her long for the promised interview, that she might bid him a -warm and affectionate good-bye. The clock in the servants' hall had no -sooner struck the hour of twelve than the errant damsel stole softly -down the servants' staircase in the silence of that lonesome hour. It -was dark, for no solitary beam of moon or star relieved the gloom of -the cloudy sky, and for safety's sake she dared not carry forth her -lighted lamp. Groping slowly along, and so carefully that not a single -creaking stair should imperil the secresy of her nocturnal walk, she -stood at last beside the outer door of the servants' kitchen, which -opened into the stable yard and the kitchen garden which lay beyond. -Slowly and silently she unbarred it; the massive bolts were each in -turn noiselessly drawn back into their sockets. The key, which she had -abstracted from the usual nail whereon the butler had suspended it, -was gently turned, and then gradually opening the door, she peered out -into the thick darkness of the night. Three short coughs were to be -the signal of her presence. No sooner were those given than the -amorous valet, at whose instance the assignation had been made, was by -her side, and had clasped her to his heart. - -"O Aubrey!" said the trembling girl, "I am so frightened! I feel sure -that I am doing wrong. I wish I had not consented to this meeting. Bid -me good-bye, and let me shut the door again." - -But the light and airy gentleman to whom her words were addressed had -no intention of letting her off so cheaply, and of risking so much for -so small an issue. He soothed her fears, and expressed undying -gratitude for this proof of the genuineness of her regard. - -"'Cold blows the wind, and in the chilly night' it is not pleasant to -be exposed to the rage of rude Boreas," said the glib deceiver. "But -for the 'bliss of meeting her my soul adores' I should have taken the -coach from Kesterton to-day, and gone direct to London. I'll just step -within the door a moment, 'twill be warmer there," and before his -sweetheart could utter an objecting word, Aubrey Bevan was inside, -with his arm around her waist. In another instant a handkerchief was -placed upon her face, and Hannah Olliver was seated unconscious in a -chair. To bind her hand and foot and to gag her was the work of a few -minutes, and then, in answer to the soft hooting of a night owl, three -brawny men, with crape-covered faces, slid through the open doorway, -and Waverdale Hall was at the mercy of four of the most skilful and -daring burglars that ever broke into house and home! - -"Well," said Bill Buckley, whose acquaintance the reader has already -made, "this crib is cracked as easily as a nut. Bevan, which is the -way?" - -That worthy, by means of skilful questions cunningly put, had obtained -from his unconscious dupe, the housemaid, full particulars of the -interior of the house. He had its arrangements clearly mapped out in -his clever, but sadly-prostituted brain, and was at no loss as to the -evil work they had in hand. - -"Follow me," said he, and led the way to the front division of the -house. He coolly locked behind them the doors which connected it with -the servants' quarters, so as to secure them from that source of -danger. The library and drawing-room received the careful attention of -Mr. Bevan and two of his colleagues. The butler's pantry was left to -the skilful and efficient manipulation of an experienced "magsman," -who fully understood what metal spoil was worth carrying away. The -whole place was ransacked, and so far without suspicion or alarm. One -great object of this very unceremonious visit, however, was as yet -ungained. This was nothing less than the capture of certain -jewel-cases, whose contents were of great and notable value, and which -were, as Bevan well knew, placed for safe keeping in a certain room on -the second floor. Ascending the stairs, Buckley stumbled and fell, and -Squire Fuller, who in wakeful unrest had imagined that he heard noises -about, leaped from his bed, and hastened to Philip's bedroom, in fear -lest something was the matter with his son. As soon as he had opened -the door, out bounded "Oscar," Philip's canine companion and friend, -who leaped to the first landing, and pinned one crape-veiled villain -to the floor. Just then Lucy Blyth, who had been awakened by the -stumbling of Bill Buckley, lighted her lamp, put on her dressing-gown, -and appeared upon the scene in real alarm. The squire, with uplifted -candle in his hand, was peering down the stairs. Lucy's young and -keener vision saw Bill Buckley point a loaded pistol. A moment more, -and the bullet would have sped on its fatal errand; but Lucy, on the -impulse of the moment, screamed aloud, and throwing her lighted lamp -with all her force at the villain's extended arm, his aim was -diverted, and the shot was lodged in the wall. From the next flight of -stairs had come a third witness on the scene--none other than the -squire's mysterious guest. Standing in his shirt, leaning over the -balustrade, with peering eyes, unkempt hair, and extended hands, he -caught the attention of Bill Buckley. That worthy turned livid as -death, staggered back a few paces with lifted hands, and gasping out, -"The ghost of Black Morris!" fell backward down the stair! At this -turn of events, Aubrey Bevan, ever quick to realise results, darted -down the stairs, and retreated by the way he had come. He gave no -passing thought to the wretched girl he had entrapped, but bearing -with him a small tin box and other booty which he had stolen from the -library, he took his flight through park and garden, and left his -companions in guilt to the tender mercies of those they had sought to -harm. The stranger speedily bound Bill Buckley, whose heavy fall and -guilty conscience had for a while almost stopped the beating of his -heart. The second villain, who lay at the mercy of the noble beast, -which would have strangled him had he struggled, was then bound hand -and foot by the servants, whom the squire had aroused. Mr. Fuller -hastened to his son's apartment to calm his agitation, as he lay weak -and helpless on his bed. The thief in the pantry had made good his -escape, and in a little while poor Hannah Olliver, who had learnt a -lesson which had sobered her gay spirits for life, was liberated and -permitted to retire to her little chamber, where she spent the rest of -the night in bitter and unavailing tears. Bill Buckley and his comrade -were placed in safe keeping previous to their transfer to the county -gaol. Black Morris--for the mysterious stranger whose appearance had -filled the heart of Buckley with an awful terror, was really Black -Morris in the flesh, and not his ghost--was again closeted with the -squire, and informed him that the captured burglar was none other than -the man who shot him down in Thurston Wood. - - * * * * * - -The circumstances of the burglary formed the subject of much -conversation and speculation among the inmates of Waverdale Hall; but -the interest of these events gave way before the now clear and -undoubted fact that Master Philip was, in the completest fashion, -demonstrated to be utterly innocent of the attack upon Black Morris -which was supposed to have resulted in that errant youth's untimely -death. Calmly and gratefully did Philip receive the information of his -perfect freedom from the terrible cloud which had overshadowed him, -and simply replied to his glad father's communication of the fact,-- - -"Thank God, my father! Thank God! but in my consciousness of a -Saviour's love and yours, that trouble had already lost its sting." - -Early on the following morning, Black Morris made his way to -Kesterton, and greatly astounded the Rev. Theophilus Clayton by this -personal token of his resurrection from the dead. Black Morris -requested that the good man would go with him to Midden Harbour, and -break the news to his weak and ailing mother, as he feared the -consequences of his own sudden appearance before those who believed -him to be numbered with the dead. - -The household of Piggy Morris had just finished breakfast when Mr. -Clayton made his appearance and surprised them by a pastoral call at -such an unconscionably early hour. Piggy Morris was just lacing his -boots previous to going on a huckstering expedition round the -neighbouring farms. In the course of conversation, Mr. Clayton made -what he thought, a moment after, was an unfortunate reference to -Waverdale Hall. It was as a spark upon gunpowder, and Piggy Morris -began to denounce Philip as the murderer of his son. - -"Are you quite sure that he did receive his death-wound in Thurston -Wood?" said Mr. Clayton. - -Mrs. Morris looked into the speaker's face, as if she wondered and -half hoped that something lay behind his words. - -"Parson," said Piggy Morris, "you should have some good reason for -asking that question. Have you any ground for doubting it?" - -"Mr. Clayton!" said Mary eagerly, "Is he, can he be alive?" - -"Courage! Mrs. Morris," said the minister, "God is often better than -our fears. I have reason to believe that, though he was wounded, he -escaped with his life!" - -"O Mr. Clayton!" said the mother, rising to her feet and laying her -hand on his arm, "Where's my lad?" - -Mr. Clayton coughed loudly, which was a preconcerted signal, and in a -moment Black Morris walked in, and was clasped to his mother's heart -in a long embrace. Strange to say, that weakly and despondent woman -seemed to be endowed with an access of strength and vigour. Her -re-awakened hopes had accepted the apparently impossible; there were -no tears, no hysterics; she ran her thin fingers through the dark -locks of her recovered boy, as she said, with a happy smile, "Rejoice -with me, for this my son was dead, and is alive again; was lost, and -is found." Mary received her brother's embrace with tearful joy. Piggy -Morris stood with open mouth in wondering silence. Here was a sudden -end to his notions of revenge; the father in him, however, won the -day, and, holding out his hand, he said, "Jack, my lad, thy feyther -bids thee welcome back. I'm glad to see thee safe and sound." - -"Yes," said Black Morris, in faltering and broken tones, "I thank God -for a saved life and a saved soul. I have a strange story to tell, and -it will relieve my heart and do me good to tell it." Black Morris and -his eager auditors gathered round the cheerful fire, which was all the -more cheerful for the angry and nipping wind that blew in noisy gusts -outside, and there and then he told them the thrilling story of his -miraculous escape. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -THE STORY OF THE DEAD-ALIVE. - - "Mark, mark, Ulysses! how the gods preserve - The men they love, even in their own despite! - They guide us, and we travel in the dark! - But when we most despair to hit the way - And least expect, we find ourselves arrived!" - - _Lansdowne._ - - -Black Morris drew his chair to his mother's side, took her hand -lovingly in his own, and proceeded to tell his story:-- - -"When I met Bill Buckley," said he, "in Thurston Wood, I was -struggling with a terrible temptation to take my own life, and so put -an end to my remorse for a wasted life and my fear of justice -together. Since that strange meeting with Mr. Clayton on the Bexton -highway I had lost all taste for the evil courses and companionships -which had so long disgraced my life. The idea of going back to them -filled me with a loathing that I can't express, and I resolved to -break with them for ever. The thought of Jesus dying for His enemies, -of Mr. Clayton's gentle kindness and forgiving love, with that ugly -scar upon his cheek, of my mother's weakness and the minister's visit -to her, upset me entirely, and I felt that I was too bad to live. I -went about from one place to another like a man in a dream. I kept -meeting with the fellows whose company I hated, and I could not get -away from them without appearing, at any rate, to be the same as -usual, though I believe they were led to suspect that I was not -altogether to be depended on. Things were like that up to the evening -of Kesterton Fair. I had been away to Gowthorp, to my Aunt Emma's, to -get out of the road of a lot of fellows that I knew would want me to -go to the revels; but I felt so wretched that I could not stop -anywhere, and so it was that I was on the Kesterton Road, when Bill -Buckley, Dick Spink, and another chap, were on the look-out for Old -Crabtree. I refused to join them, when Bill Buckley seized me like a -vice, and with murder in his eyes declared that I should not leave -them till they had 'settled with Old Crabtree.' Mother!" said Black -Morris, "I had nothing to do with it, but the whole thing was done in -a few minutes, and when Spink hit the old man a blow on the head which -might have killed an ox, I managed to break away from Buckley, and ran -to the poor old fellow's help. He fixed his eyes on me, with a look -such as I shall never forget, and said, 'Black Morris! I know you!' He -fell senseless directly after, and I felt that I should be charged -with highway robbery, and perhaps with murder. What happened after I -hardly know. I roamed about from place to place, expecting every -moment to be seized and punished for the crime. I said to myself it's -no use; you've sold yourself to the devil, and must submit to the -bargain." Here his voice faltered, and his hearers could not repress a -murmur of sympathy. "I felt myself to be the most forlorn and hopeless -wretch in the world. I found myself at last in Crib Corner, a dark, -low, sheltered spot in Thurston Wood, where I used to hide my gun and -other things. I heard a voice as plainly as I hear my own this -minute, 'It's all up with you, Black Morris! You can't repent, and -you're sure to be hanged. You had better shoot yourself like a man and -balk them all.' I believe I should have done it, but for God's mercy. -I went out with the gun in my hand, and walked rapidly up and down, -saying, I will; I will! Then I heard the cracking of the brushwood, -and I stood face to face with Bill Buckley! All the hate of a thousand -devils seized me at once. I clutched my gun, and my hands shook with -excitement as I heard the voice, as plain as ever, 'Shoot him, Black -Morris; it's the man who has put the halter round your neck!' He -sneered at me and chuckled at the scrape he had brought me into. I -answered him in a passion; one word led to another; at last I told him -that the paper money had gone back to Old Crabtree. I was about to -tell him that I had told him of my innocence. Before I could finish -the sentence he yelled out, 'Thoo black d----!' and lifting his gun, -he fired at me. I seemed to feel an awful blow on my head, sharp pains -shot through my neck and face, everything reeled round me, and I fell -senseless on the ground. When I came to my senses I found myself -swimming, for you know I was always a good hand at that, swimming, as -naturally as though I had had my reason all the time. I heard the roar -and rush of water, and in a moment was floated along the cascade, and -plunged fathoms down into the deep pit below. I remember its being -awfully dark and cold. I had risen to the surface again on the further -side of the pit, and having recovered my breath, found myself at the -mouth of the shallow stream which feeds the fish-ponds. The rush of -water helped me through the opening, and seizing the grass and bushes -on the bank I managed to scramble out, to find myself laid on the -grass in Waverdale Park. For a long time I lay motionless and -helpless, though fully sensible, and I fancied I heard my father's -voice at some distance having high words with somebody." - -"Bless my soul!" said Piggy Morris, strangely stirred; "that must have -been when I met with the young squire!" - -"A severe and smarting pain in my head roused me," said Black Morris, -continuing his startling story, "and then I recollected all about it. -I found that the skin, flesh, and hair had gone from near one temple, -that part of my ear was shot away, and I could feel some grains of -shot beneath the skin of my neck. My plunge into the cold and rapid -waters of the beck had stopped the bleeding. I felt that Bill Buckley -had missed his aim by an inch, and that, for good or evil, my life was -spared. I do not know whether you believe me, but there and then, -wounded and weak as I was, I fell upon my knees and thanked God. I -prayed as I had never prayed since I was a child. 'Lord have mercy on -my poor soul!' I said, 'and the life Thou hast spared shall be Thine -for ever!' Mr. Clayton's words about Jesus praying for His enemies -came into my mind, and I said, 'Jesus! I have been Thy enemy, pray for -me.' Mother mine! there and then I felt and knew that I was forgiven; -I seemed to hear a voice from the skies saying to me, 'Go in peace and -sin no more!' I got up with a strange peace in my heart, such as I had -never felt before." Here Black Morris's voice failed him, and he burst -into tears. Mother and sister wept in tender and thankful joy. Mr. -Clayton looked at Piggy Morris through his own tears, and saw two -pearly drops falling unhindered down the father's bearded and sunburnt -face. - -"New strength was given me," continued Black Morris, "I bound my head -with my handkerchief, and was preparing to move away, when I heard -voices in the park. The remembrance of Old Crabtree's murder, for as -such my fears had painted it, came back upon me like a thunderbolt. I -knew that I should now be in danger of a more successful attack from -Buckley, so silently stealing off under the shadow of the hedge, I -gained the shelter of Thurston Wood." - -"What a pity," said Mr. Clayton, "that you did not follow the voices, -or go straight home to Midden Harbour!" - -"I know it now," said Morris, "but I could not get rid of my horror of -the gallows and of Bill Buckley's hate. I had a new and passionate -love for life, and longed to get to some distant place, where, -unknown, unnoted, I could begin a new and better career. I struck -across the country, and found myself at last by a little solitary inn -on the turnpike road to Hull. The landlady regarded me with a good -deal of suspicion, but as I paid for some refreshment, and told her I -had fallen into some water, and should pass on after I had dried my -clothes, she did not further interfere. At last I found myself in -Hull, and got a job at some oil mills, and both there and at my -lodgings, in a quiet street, I felt that I was comparatively safe from -observation and pursuit; but, somehow or other, my peace of mind was -gone; all my new hatred of self and sin was as great as ever, but -still I had lost the joy and comfort which came to me in Waverdale -Park. Then I thought about my mother, and I began to feel that I had -done wrong to go away. Somebody seemed to say, 'What doest thou here?' -I tried to pray, but could not, until one night after I had got to -bed, I tossed and sighed and grew so wretched that I got out of bed, -and falling on my knees, I said, 'Oh! my God! tell me what to do?' 'Go -home!' was the instant and powerful impression on my mind. 'That's -God's orders,' I said, and went to bed again with the settled resolve -to start for Nestleton as soon as Saturday came. As I was returning to -work after the dinner hour next day, I was walking along Silver-street -when I heard a well-known voice shout, 'Black Morris!' and I saw Old -Adam Olliver standing with his hands uplifted and both eyes and mouth -open, in unmistakable surprise. He stared and looked so thoroughly -thunderstricken as to attract the attention of the passers-by. When I -advanced to meet him, the old man drew back a few paces, but said -never a word. - -"'Hallo! Adam Olliver!' said I. 'Is that you?' - -"'The Lord hae massy on us! Black Morris! are ye alive?' and again the -old man started back in undisguised astonishment. 'Why, all Nestleton -thinks 'at you'er layd at t' bottom o' Thurston Beck!' - -"I felt half inclined to be thankful that this was so, because it put -any search for me on Old Crabtree's account out of the question, and -with that feeling came one of sorrow that he had found me out. The -thought of my mother's bitter grief, however, soon dissipated that -idea, and I felt how wrong it had been of me to go away. All this -passed through my mind in a moment. I said, 'How is my mother, Adam?' - -"The old man smiled, as he answered,-- - -"'Just middlin'. Ah's glad 'at you've ax'd efther hor. Ye'r heart's -somewhere's i' t' right spot; an' t' best thing yo can deea is te gan -streyt away yam an' see 'er. Bud, bless my sowl, Black Morris! are yo' -alive?' - -"He told me he had come to Hull, a greater journey than he had ever -taken in his life, to see an aged and dying sister; that he had closed -her eyes in peace, and was returning the next day. - -"'An' you'll gan wi' ma', weean't yo'?' said he. - -"I replied, 'I will. But tell me where you are staying, and I'll come -and see you.' - -"From him I learnt the pleasing news that Old Crabtree had survived -his injuries; that he was in all respects an altered man; and that he -had expressed his opinion that I was innocent of the outrage that -nearly took his life. - -"'Bud,' said Adam, 'there's a pratty peck o' trubble aboot you. They -say 'at t' yung squire was fun' i' t' spot wheer yo' were kill'd, wi' -your gun iv his hand, an' your blood on his clooas; an' 'at he -murder'd yo' iv a quarrel aboot Lucy Blyth. Ah nivver beleeaved it, -though ah did think 'at somebody 'ad shutten yo'. Maister Philip's a -good lad, an' wadn't ho't a worm. It's throan 'im intiv a brain -feeaver, an' t' poor aud squire's varry near fit for Bedlam wi' -sorro'. Gan yer ways yam, Morris, as fast as ye'r legs'll carry yo', -an' put t' poor aud man oot ov 'is misery.' - -"I reached Waverdale Hall late at night, and told the squire all about -it. He insisted, in his gratitude, that I should stay all night, and -so it happened that when Bill Buckley, the housebreaker, saw me, he -fell on the stairs like a dead man, shrieking, 'Black Morris's ghost!' -And now, mother," said he, as he concluded his stirring recital, "I'm -back again to be a comfort and a help to you; and never again, by -God's help, to cause you a sigh or a tear." - -The proud and happy mother, like the parent of the prodigal in the -unmatched Gospel story, "fell upon his neck and kissed him." - -"Father," said Black Morris, "I've been a bad and reckless son; -forgive _me_, once for all." - -Piggy Morris rose from his chair, took the two hands of his son in -his, and said,-- - -"Son Jack, a greater brute of a feyther never made a lad go wrong. -Forgive _me_, once for all." - -Mary was utterly overcome at this, and flinging her arms around her -father's neck, kissed him on either cheek, which was in itself a deed -unknown from childhood until now. - -"Let us pray," said Mr. Clayton. That good man lifted up his voice in -praise and prayer; and no happier, holier scene took place on that -cold December day, and no more sweetly solemn spot was looked upon by -angels than that which was sheltered by the roof-tree of Piggy -Morris. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - -MIDDEN HARBOUR HAS A NEW SENSATION. - - "I saw one man, armed simply with God's Word, - Enter the souls of many fellow men, - And pierce them sharply as a two-edged sword, - While conscience echoed back his words again; - Till, even as showers of fertilising rain - Sink through the bosom of the valley clod, - So their hearts opened to the wholesome pain,-- - One good man's prayers, the link 'twixt them and God." - - _Caroline E. Norton._ - - -The two burglars who had made their escape from Waverdale Hall on the -eventful night before referred to, had managed to carry with them -considerable booty in the shape of plate and other valuables, but none -of these things, nor all of them put together, were so important as -their theft of a certain tin box from the library, which contained -several precious parchments concerning land about which the squire was -engaged at that moment in troublesome litigation with a rival -claimant. Squire Fuller was convinced that the abstraction of these -deeds was the first and principal errand of the housebreakers, and -that they had been induced to make their entry into Waverdale Hall by -the promptings of unprincipled opponents who had held out to the -burglars the hope of a liberal reward. Hence he caused a very close -and constant watch to be placed, in the post-office, and around the -doors of the opposing solicitors in London, and in every other way he -could think of, strove to re-capture the deeds which were of the first -importance to himself and son. - -The removal of the last vestige of doubt, the last shadow of -suspicion, from Philip Fuller as the author of the dark deed in -Thurston Wood, materially hastened his recovery, and as Lucy Blyth now -felt that her mission was accomplished, she made arrangements for her -immediate return to the Forge. The squire was called away on county -business, and on the evening of his departure she suddenly appeared -before him, and announced that her father had come to see her home. -The squire was dumbfoundered at what seemed to him to be the -suddenness of her resolve, and before he knew exactly what to say or -do, she bade him "Good evening," and departed. Under the peculiar -circumstances of the case, Lucy must again be complimented on the wit -and wisdom that marked the "order of her going." For the present, -therefore, now that Lucy is safely housed in her own pleasant and -happy home; now that Philip is gaining strength every day; and now -that the squire is absent at the assizes; we may turn away from -Waverdale Hall awhile, and pay a little special attention to the -"short and simple annals of the poor." - - * * * * * - -One evening, when the weather was unusually fine and open for the -winter season of the year, the Rev. Matthew Mitchell mounted the -circuit gig, and drove the staid and sober Jack to Nestleton. Putting -up his antique conveyance, and not much younger steed, at Farmer -Houston's, he joined the family to an early tea, and then took his way -to Midden Harbour. Piggy Morris, true to his promise to Lucy Blyth, -had emptied the old malt-kiln, and had swept and garnished it into the -bargain. Jabez Hepton, the carpenter, had made a number of rough -benches for the prospective congregation; he and Nathan Blyth had -rigged up a sort of pulpit platform; and all things were ready for -opening a campaign among the heathen and semi-savage denizens of that -queer locality. As an introduction to his mission there, our young -evangelist made a house-to-house visitation, including every dwelling -within its borders, and announced that he was going to preach in the -open air, at the corner of the cottage of Dick Spink, the besom-maker. -At the appointed hour he took his stand on a heap of stones, with -half-a-dozen Nestletonian Methodists by his side to keep him in -countenance, and to help to sing. Mr. Mitchell gave out a hymn, and -during the singing, the small fry of the place, unwashen, unkempt, and -almost unclad, gathered round in wonder. By-and-bye, a few slatternly -women, with ragged print dresses, tattered stockings, shoes down at -the heel, and heads like mops, approached with curious gaze. As the -service advanced, two or three queer customers of the male gender came -lounging out, each with a short black pipe in his mouth and his hands -in his pockets; a motley group as ever you could find either in -Whitechapel or the Seven Dials. During the prayer, no hat was removed, -no pipe was extracted, no head was bent in prayer amongst all the -natives of the Harbour there assembled. - -"This is a rum go!" said one unshaven fellow to his neighbour. - -"What a precious feeal he is," said another. - -"Let's heeave hoaf-a-brick at him!" said a third. - -Sal Sykes, a tall, raw-boned woman, with a baby in her arms, called -out,-- - -"We're all gannin' te tonn Methody, noo!" - -"Nut for the likes of 'im!" said an equally uncanny member of the -Midden Harbour sisterhood. "Ah've a good mind te duck the lahtle -beggar i' t' 'osspond." - -Mr. Mitchell calmly and quietly opened his commission. "Come unto me, -all ye that are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest," was -the text from which he preached a short and simple sermon. As one who -felt the rest which he offered to his hearers, his heart was on his -lips, and his tearful earnestness won them, at any rate, into quietude -of behaviour. He thanked them for listening, and invited them to the -malt-kiln, whither they were about to adjourn. The little -home-missionary band was now strengthened by the arrival of Nathan -Blyth, Farmer Houston, Adam Olliver, and some others, and the first -service in the odd conventicle was fairly well attended, but almost -solely by those who did not need the special efforts they were making. -The inhabitants of the locality held themselves almost entirely aloof, -and seemed to ignore the matter altogether, except by an occasional -stone flung into the place, or a loud shout at the door, by some young -Harbourite, "just for fun." Nevertheless, the worshippers felt their -Master's presence, and left the old malt-kiln confirmed in their -determination to keep their torch alight in the midst of a moral -darkness which might be felt. - -Services were now held in quick succession, and first one and then -another of the people of the place found their way within the sound of -the Gospel message, and in cases not a few the preached Word became -the power of God unto salvation to them that believed. Mary Morris -found a congenial mission in beating up recruits for the malt-kiln -meetings. Her quiet and gentle manners won upon the rough and rude -inhabitants of the unattractive colony, and many, both men and women, -were persuaded to "come and see." So matters went on for some time, -until at length Mr. Mitchell, hopeful and determined, arranged for a -series of special services. Mr. Clayton himself and a few local -preachers took turn about on the little platform pulpit, and on the -third night of the series the power of God came mightily down upon the -worshippers; many were constrained to utter the cry of the Philippian -jailor and the prayer of the publican, and a revival of religion took -place such as had not been seen or known in the Kesterton Circuit -since the olden days, when the "early Methodist preachers," Boanerges -by name and nature, every man of them, first awoke the echoes of the -moral wilderness, crying, "Repent ye! for the kingdom of God is at -hand!" Nor was the cry of penitence and the shout of joy heard only -among the young and female portion of the population, neither were -they confined to those who dwelt in Midden Harbour. Big men, bearded -and burly, wept like children, and groaning aloud in distress of soul, -were led by the eager toilers to the Lifted Cross, and rejoiced in -conscious peace and pardon through the blood of Christ. The wife and -sons of Dick Spink, an entire household of the name of Myers, -itinerant pot-sellers, were all converted in most unmistakable -fashion, and many others, until at last there was not a house in -Midden Harbour in which there was not at least one happy witness of -the Gospel grace. The fire spread to Farmer Houston's kitchen, to -Kesterton, to Chessleby and Bexton, and eventually the whole circuit -was thrilled and blest by the potent power of "the great revival," as -it is called to this day, and which had its origin in the unlikely -locality of Midden Harbour. - -Amongst other willing and tireless labourers in this unpromising, but -most productive field, was Old Kasper Crabtree, whose regeneration was -to the full as wonderful as that of Zaccheus, when he exchanged the -grasping rapacity of the publican for the ungrudging benevolence which -halved its possessions with the poor and needy. He could not help -seeing how much the wretched tenements, the open ditches, the -disgraceful condition of his property had to do with the squalor, -wretchedness, intemperance, and general bestiality which had long held -sway in Midden Harbour, and he mentally resolved to introduce at any -cost a new and better state of things. Two classes were formed, which -assembled weekly in the malt-kiln, the one conducted by Farmer Houston -and the other by Old Adam Olliver, whose deep and fervent piety, whose -plain and honest manner of speech and thought, won the sympathy and -love of his rude and ignorant flock in the most surprising manner. - -"Bless the Lord," Adam would say; "there's nowt ower hard for the -Lord! He's tee'an us up oot of a doonghill, an' setten us amang t' -princes ov 'is people! Mrs. Spink! you've helped te mak' monny a -beesom, bud t' beesom o' t' Lord's swept yer heart clean o' sin an' -misery; hezn't it? Keep on prayin', mah deear sister--'Porge mah wi' -hyssop an' ah sall be clean, wesh mah, an' ah sall be whiter then -snoa!'" - -Passing on to another, he would say--"Tinker Joe! the Lord's meead a -grand job o' you. There's neea tinkerin' when He begins. He clean -mak's ower ageean, seea that wer' souls can hod t' watter o' life." - -Nor was the experience, crudely and rudely expressed, of the new -converts much less vigorous and quaint, and even those who looked -askance at this sort of sensational religion, and even those who -opposed religion altogether, were constrained to acknowledge that a -marvellous change for the better had come over the denizens of Midden -Harbour. - -Amid all these startling experiences and developments, nothing was -more noteworthy than the conduct and characteristic energy which -distinguished Black Morris. He gathered together the poor little dirty -and ragged children, and formed them into a class, the nucleus -of a Sunday-school, and Sunday after Sunday taught them the -gracious lessons of Jesus and His love, with an aptitude and a -self-sacrificing zeal which were attended with results of the most -pleasing kind. In this work he was assisted by Hannah Olliver. -Dismissed from Waverdale Hall for her gross imprudence anent Aubrey -Bevan and the burglary, she had returned home, and under the wise -influences of her worthy old parents, her eyes were opened to a clear -conception of her foolishness and sin. She had commenced business for -herself as a milliner and dressmaker, for in the mysteries of these -arts she was a skilled adept. She had been brought to God in "the -great revival," and found a congenial employment in teaching the -little children their letters, and in pointing them to Jesus. In this -fashion the good work continued, prospered, and extended, until the -need of a chapel was simply vital, and it was felt that the -all-essential sanctuary must be provided. - -At a leaders' meeting, held at Farmer Houston's, that good man and -true said,-- - -"Well; it seems to me that we cannot possibly get on any further -without a chapel. We are so pressed with prosperity that we don't know -which way to turn." - -"Yes," said Nathan Blyth, "We are fairly driven into a corner. There's -no mistake about it; the time is ripe for it, if we could only get a -piece of ground." - -"Don't you think," said Mr. Clayton, "that Mr. Crabtree would now give -us a 'place to dwell in?' It's true his property is rather out of the -way, but I think he would listen to us." - -Adam Olliver, who had been listening with sparkling eyes to this -conversation, rubbing his hands together with delight, here broke -in,-- - -"You all seeam te be o' yah mind, 'at t' tahme's ripe for a chapil, -an' 'at we can't deea withoot it nae langer. Ah's just o' that opinion -mysen; and seea we may expect te get it. The Lord nivver works till t' -tahme _is_ ripe; an' He allus comes an' mak's bare His airm te meet a -heavy need. His 'and's allus riddy for a deead lift. He didn't splet -t' Rid Sea till Pharaoh's souldiers was treeading on t' 'eels ov His -people. He didn't cum te Abr'm till t' knife was lifted te slay his -son. He didn't cum tiv His disciples upo' t' sea when their lahtle -booat was toss'd aboot i' t' storm like a cockle-shell, till t' fowert -watch i' t' mornin'. He didn't cum te Peter till Herod was just -gannin' te bring him oot te dee. But He comm i' tahme te ivvery yan on -'em, an' he nivver cums ower leeat. Let things be a bit. Stand still, -an' see t' salvaytion o' God." - -As usual Old Adam Olliver's philosophy was unanswerable. They gave -themselves to the Word of God and to prayer, and separated, to "wait -for the Lord, more than they that watch for the morning." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - -"BALAAM" DECLARES HIMSELF A "SPIRITUALIST." - - "What may this mean, - That thou, dread corse, - Revisitest thus the glimpses of the moon, - Making night hideous?" - - _Shakespeare._ - - -Although two of the burglars engaged in the nocturnal attack on -Waverdale Hall had been safely lodged in gaol, the whole region round -about seemed to be infested with desperadoes, whose depredations where -continually being heard of, and whose outrages, alike on travellers -and dwellings, kept that portion of East Yorkshire in a state of -perpetual fear. Squire Fuller had not been able to obtain tidings of -the missing box, nor had the few and inefficient officers of justice -been able to lay hands on any other of these dangerous disturbers of -the public peace. To add to the general feeling of insecurity and -alarm, the villagers of Nestleton were much exercised by reports to -the effect that "Sister Agatha's ghost," to which my readers were -introduced in the first chapter of these veracious chronicles, had -latterly been seen by more than one belated villager who had passed -the ruins of the old Priory at the witching hour of night. Jake -Olliver, old Adam's son and foreman on Gregory Houston's farm, -declared that he himself, on his return from certain amatory visits to -Cowley Priory, had seen in the silvery moonlight the spirit of the -erratic nun, arrayed in flowing robes of white, and with a broad -crimson stain upon her breast. He saw her pace with outstretched arms -around the ruined walls, and then at a certain crumbling archway, -nearly overgrown with thorns and briars, a blue flame enveloped her, -and with a wild, weird shriek, she vanished from his sight. He did not -hesitate to confess that at the sight of that last phenomenon he took -to his heels and ran. - -The burly landlord of the Green Dragon, too, had seen the awful -apparition. He deposed to two uncanny tenants of the haunted pile; but -as he was rather partial to the spirit of malt, it is more than likely -that he had an alcoholic gift of second sight, a faculty for "seeing -double." Probably, even out of the mouth of two witnesses, the truth -would hardly have been established; but their story was confirmed in -its chief particulars by a pillar of the Church, no less a dignitary, -indeed, than the parish clerk. - -It is not to be wondered at that the resurrection of Sister Agatha, -who had for some years forgotten to revisit the glimpses of the moon, -became the subject of subdued and anxious conversation at the Green -Dragon. There was none of its _habitues_ who dared to cast a doubt -upon the story except Piggy Morris. That saturnine ex-farmer had not -given up his visits to the bar-room as the result of his late -experiences, though it must be acknowledged that they had lately -become few and far between. He did not hesitate to call the witnesses -a parcel of cowards, and to insinuate with a sneer that the moonlight -visitor was nothing more dreadful than Farmer Houston's white bullock, -which he himself had sold to its present owner some few weeks before. - -"It's all nonsense and gammon," said Piggy Morris, as he pulled away -at his pipe in the chimney corner, "I don't believe in ghosts, an' -them 'at does has got a maggot in their brains, in _my_ opinion." - -At this audacious utterance, the burly Boniface waxed exceeding wroth, -and being upheld by several beery supporters, who went in for the -ghost, blood-spot, blue-fire, scream and all, he replied,-- - -"I'll tell you what it is, Piggy Morris. I don't mind standing a quart -o' Plymouth gin, if you'll go at twelve o'clock to-night, and bring a -stone from the old Abbey with a bit of carving on it to show that -you've been there; an' what's more, I'll draw beer enough to keep the -company together till you come back again." - -This challenge, and the prospect of a good supply of foaming ale, won -the emphatic approval of the assembled topers, who loudly dared Piggy -Morris to show the courage of his opinions. - -"That's easily done," said Morris, bravely. "It'll be twelve by I get -there; I'm off." - -He rapidly made his way along the back lane of the village until he -arrived at the gate leading into the field, at the further corner of -which stood the dark secluded ruins, from whose crumbling walls he -meant to take the witness of his deed of daring. - -He did not feel exactly comfortable, but would not give himself time -to hesitate. He opened the gate, and noiselessly strode along the -paddock, towards the haunt of Sister Agatha's restless ghost. Lifting -his eyes towards the hoary gables, standing gaunt and grim in the -sombre night, he saw a sight which drove the blood from his beating -heart. There, right before him, he saw the identical ghost of the -suicidal nun! A tall figure draped in white, with cadaverous face, -looking all the more deathly for the conventual linen bound tightly -round the brow, and the dark blood-stain on her breast. She stretched -her arm in silent menace to the astonished Morris, who stood -transfixed with fear. Slowly advancing to the centre of the broken -arch, she stood a moment in statuesque stillness, a low murmur rose -from her bloodless lips, a lurid light shone round her and through -her, culminating in a bluish vapour, out of which shriek after shriek -echoed through the ruins. Then the darkness gathered as before, and -the stillness was unbroken, save for the screech of the night owls and -the twitter of birds which had been disturbed by the dread nocturnal -scream! Piggy Morris, in a perfect ecstasy of terror, turned and fled, -nor paused, till pallid and panting, he flung himself upon the oaken -settle, saying,-- - -"It's as true as Gospel! I've seen the ghost!" - -The next day Piggy Morris was driving his light cart over Nestleton -Wold, with half-a-dozen porkers, covered by a net, in the body of his -ramshackle vehicle. These he was about to dispose of at Kesterton -Market. Half-way up a steepish hill, he stopped to give his not too -flourishing steed a rest, just where Old Adam Olliver was "laying -down" a quick-set hedge. - -"Good mornin'," said that cheery rustic. "Good mornin', Maister -Morris. Then you're off te Kesterton. Ah wop you're tackin' yer pigs -tiv a feyn markit, as t' sayin' is; an' 'at you'll cum back wiv a -empty cart an' a full poss." - -"Nay, I haven't much hope as far as t' purse goes, but the pigs 'll -hev to stop, whether they fetch little or much. But I'm fair bothered -out of my wits this mornin', an' not in good trim for making -bargains." - -"Why, bless uz," said Adam, "Ah's sorry for that. What's matter wi' -yo'? Noo ah cum te leeak at yo', you deea leeak a bit seedy like. Ah -wop all's right at yam. Hoo's t' missis?" - -"Oh, she's all right, for anything I know. But I'll tell you what it -is, Adam. I've seen Sister Agatha's ghost!" - -"Why, bless me soul, Piggy Morris! You're t' last man i' t' wolld 'at -ah sud expect te say that. Ah didn't think 'at you'd neea mair sense -then te lissen te sitch an aud wife's teeale as that." - -"Why, I thought so myself," said Morris, in a tone of discontent at -having to succumb to the general belief. "But it isn't 'listenin',' as -you say. It's _seein'_; and 'seein's believin',' all the world round. -I tell you that I saw it last night about twelve o'clock, and I've not -got over it yet, and never shall, I doubt, for I was frightened out of -my seven senses." - -"Ha, ha! Ah fancy you must ha'e left all seven on 'em at yam. Ah's of -opinion 'at it's only fooaks 'at's letten their wits gan -wool-getherin' 'at sees that sooart o' cattle. Ah've been up an' doon -this neighbourhood for weel-nigh seventy year, an' aud Balaam there's -been wi' ma' meeast o' t' tahme; an' ah've niwer seen nowt na warse -then him, an' he's niwer seen nowt mair awful then me. Balaam! hez -thoo ivver seen a boggle?" - -Whatever may have been the cause of the coincidence, it is true that, -at that moment, Balaam was taken with one of those odd cantrips -peculiar to his tribe. He cocked his ears, set his tail on end, and -giving vent to a loud and continuous hee-ho that made the welkin ring, -he galloped round and round, as if in vigorous protest against the -sweeping scepticism of his matter-of-fact proprietor. - -"There," said Piggy Morris, with a sarcastic grin, "even your donkey -rebukes your unreasonable want of faith, and looks for all the world -as though he saw a ghost this minute." - -"Why," said Adam laughing, "he _diz_ seeam te differ fre' ma' in his -judgment; but what can yo' expect frev a donkey? Mebbe," and this with -a humorous twinkle in his eye, "it's gi'en te hasses te see ghausts -an' te donkeys te beleeave in 'em; but I isn't gannin' te pin mah -faith te what they can testify, you may depend on't." - -Piggy Morris was very irate at the uncomplimentary imputation. -"Donkeys here or donkeys there," said he, "I tell you that I went o' -purpose to see for myself, because I would not believe what folks -said." - -"Why, if yo went te leeak for it, it isn't mitch wunder 'at yo' fun' -it. It was i' ye'r fancy an' ye'r een afoore yo' went. An' as yo' -teeak it wi' yo', it wad ha'e been a wunder if yo' hadn't catch'd a -glint on't. Maister Morris! if yo' wad nobbut gi'e ye'r heart te God, -that'll lay all t' ghausts i' t' wolld i' t' Rid Sea!" - -"Nonsense," said Piggy Morris, who did not mind the practical turn the -conversation was taking. Mounting his cart, he drove off to Kesterton -Market to dispose of his porkers, and to tell his nocturnal adventures -to more credulous hearers in the infragrant bar-room of the Cowley -Arms. - -Adam Olliver picked up his slashing-knife and hedging-gloves, and -mounting that disciple of spiritualism, his four-footed retainer, he -cantered homeward, saying,-- - -"Balaam! If there is a ghaust, as thoo seeams te think, thoo an' me -mun see it, an' ah promise tha' 'at if thoo dizn't run away, ah -weean't, an' we'll hev a crack o' talk wi' Sister Agatha's ghaust." - -O, Adam Olliver! are you not aware that there are things between -heaven and earth not dreamt of in your philosophy? Both you and Balaam -will see the "sight horrific," before many days are over, and when -that great event transpires, then, as the immortaliser of John Gilpin -says, "May I be there to see!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII - -PIGGY MORRIS HEARS A "KNOCK AT THE DOOR." - - "The specious sermons of a learned man - Are little else but flashes in the pan; - The mere haranguing upon (what they call) - Morality is powder without ball; - But he who preaches with a Christian grace, - Fires at our vices, and the shot takes place." - - _John Byrom._ - - -The service at the malt-kiln in Midden Harbour continued to be -attended with results most gratifying to the little band who had made -so bold a raid on territory long held by the devil in undisputed -peace. One Sunday evening the rude platform-pulpit was occupied by -Nathan Blyth, who, as my readers know, was a very effective local -preacher. The place was well filled by an eager but decorous crowd. -Few of the residents in Midden Harbour were absent from the service, -and a goodly number of people from the higher part of the village, and -even from other places, had assembled to hear "the word of the Lord." -There were many there who, a little while ago, were little better, -either in habits or appearance, than the Gadarene demoniac, who were -now, thanks to the Great Miracle-worker, "sitting clothed, and in -their right mind." Nathan Blyth, as a preacher, was in great request -at Midden Harbour, and it is no disparagement of the itinerant -preachers to say that Nathan was, on the whole, and before that -audience, even more popular than they. On the present occasion, Nathan -was speaking to a "people prepared of the Lord," to expect in simple -trust and confidence the manifestations of the saving power of God. At -the further end of the malt-kiln sat Piggy Morris, who had hitherto -apparently withstood the gracious influences around him. He was not, -however, by any means contented or at ease. The combined influence of -his great favourite, Lucy Blyth, his son John's remarkable conversion -and deliverance, the wise and well-timed visits of Mr. Clayton, the -earnest and honest activity of Mr. Mitchell, as well as the quiet -influence of his own godly daughter, had all conspired to make Piggy -Morris out of love with himself. The wonderful revival, too, though it -had not as yet seemed to lay much hold on him, had nevertheless -brought messages and impressions that rendered him unhappy and -discontented with himself, and at this stage, with everybody else; not -at all an uncommon state of things this, in those who are not far from -the kingdom of God. - -Nathan Blyth preached a most touching and effective sermon from the -words, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock!" "You see," he said, -"that the Lord is outside the sinner's heart! He dwells in the bosom -of the Father, and is His glory and delight. He dwells in the angels, -and fills them with His glory! He dwells in the happy saints in -heaven, and their bliss is complete. He dwells in the heart of every -Christian believer here, and they are happy in His love. Everybody is -happy who has Jesus in his heart. He doesn't dwell in the hearts of -devils, and their misery is complete. Sinner! He does not dwell in -your heart, and you are ripening for the same ruin. You are hastening -to that dark place where the doors can never be opened inward to admit -Him, or outward to release you from the terrors of the second death. - -"But, my dear friends, though Christ is outside, He dearly wants to -come in. And what for, think you? Because He loves you! His love for -you brought Him from heaven to earth, led Him to Calvary, and brings -Him to your heart's door, where He stands to-night! He wants to come -in! He knows how bad and sad, how poor and helpless you are, and so He -'knocks' and says, 'Let Me in! Thy soul is perishing; I can save it! -Thy enemies are legion; I can conquer them! Thy needs are great; I can -supply them! Thy sorrows are many; I can lift them! Thy tears fall -fast; I can dry them! Thy sins are red like crimson; I can make thee -white as snow! Poor, lost, helpless, dying sinner, I can save thee! I -am thy Friend. I love thee! I died for thee! Now I plead with thee. -Sinner, poor sinner, let Me in!' - -"But there's somebody in already that keeps Him out. Satan is in the -heart. He has no right to it; but he has got it, and has become king -of it. His commands are wicked, but they are obeyed. His counsels are -deadly, but they are followed. That strong man armed holds his -ill-gotten goods, and the world and the flesh help him to keep the -house which he has stolen from the Lord Jesus. The devil fills it with -bad company, with selfishness, with wicked thoughts and lusts, with -worldliness and pleasure. It is like a great warehouse, or an -overcrowded inn, and _there's no room_ for Jesus. He stands knocking -and asking, that loving Saviour! and He gets no answer except the -laughter or the scorn of the unrighteous guests inside. The door is -shut! the bars and bolts are all shot into their sockets; Prejudice -and Pride double-lock the door; a big dead-weight of stone called -'don't care' is rolled against it, and the porter cries gruffly -through the keyhole, 'Go Thy way; when it's convenient I'll let Thee -know!' Oh, what a wonder that Jesus does not come with the hammer of -judgment, and nail the door to, and leave him to perish, with his own -heart for his coffin, and his sins for his grave! But no, no! Although -there's a deaf ear and a closed door, Jesus stands, with bowed head -and folded hands, waiting, praying for thee, and crying, 'The time is -short, poor sinner; let Me in!' - -"Sinner, don't you hear how He knocks? He knocks at your common sense, -and says, 'Come, and let us reason together!' He knocks at your -feelings, tells you of His sufferings, agony, and death, and says, 'I -suffered this for you!' He knocks at your hopes; He tells you of peace -and victory, of immortality and life. 'There's a heaven for you, only -let Me in!' He knocks at your fears, and tells you, weeping as He -speaks, of the undying worm and the unquenchable fire. And all the -while He pleads, and calls, and prays, and entreats, 'Poor sinner, let -Me in!' - -"Sinner, don't you hear His voice? Listen to your own _conscience_. -That's His voice; what does it say? Listen! It says, 'Open the door!' -Hark to His ministers; they're His voice. They give knock after knock, -message after message, with a 'thus saith the Lord' Can anybody knock -louder or call more tenderly than the good men who come here to say, -as they do say with tears, for their Master's sake, 'Poor sinner, let -Him in?' Listen to your mercies; they're His voice. If you count them -they are more in number than the hairs of your head. Listen to your -troubles; they're His voice, and bid you ask Jesus in to cure them. I -tell you the knockings and the voices are always at it; and Jesus is -speaking through them all, as He sees your sad and desperate -condition--'Poor sinner, open the door and let Me in!' - -"The wonder of it is that He waits so patient and so long. He won't -break in. It's your house, and you can do as you like. You have liked -for years to keep the devil and the world in, and you've had your way. -If you want them turned out, it can soon be done, only give Him -liberty. No, He won't break in, but He will wait. Why, He has been -waiting for some of you for twenty, thirty, or forty years, and more. -It seems as though His love can't be tired. Sometimes you nearly gave -way, and put your hand on the latch; but the good impression passed -away. You turned from the door, took your seat again to warm yourself -by your besetting sin; and Jesus, what did He do? He listened, sighed, -and wept, and waited still. Oh, how long He stands! You would not wait -long if you had come to offer anybody a favour. No; you would say, 'If -they don't want it, let them go without it.' Oh, thank God, that Jesus -doesn't! Sinner, He has been waiting through your merry youth, waiting -all along your mis-spent manhood, and now, when your back is bending, -and your hair is turning grey, and you are going graveward into the -shadow of death, the loving Saviour is waiting still. Hark to Him: 'O, -Ephraim, how shall I give thee up! Open to me, my beloved, for my head -is filled with dew, and my locks are wet with the drops of the night! -The time is very short. Sinner! poor sinner, let Me in!' - -"If you'll only admit Him, He will be a glorious and welcome guest. He -says, 'I will come into him, and sup with him, and he with me.' It is -true the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him, yet He will dwell in a -humble and contrite heart, aye, and bring heaven with Him, too. Is -there a poor sinner here who says, 'No, that cannot be; I wish He were -in my heart, but there's no room; my heart is full of guests, and, -alas! they have become my masters, and I'm their slave?' Still Christ -says, 'Never mind their numbers or their power. Open the door; I will -first bind the strong man, and then expel him to make joyful room for -thee and Me.' - -"But maybe the poor sinner is saying, 'It can't be, Lord, for even if -Thy enemies were gone, the chamber is so dirty, and the place so -filthy and unclean, that there is no place for Thy pure presence.' -'Never mind,' says Jesus; 'open the door! I will not only thrust out -the tyrants, but I will wash thy heart in the fountain of My precious -blood. I will purge thee with hyssop, and thou shalt be clean. I will -wash thee, and thou shalt be whiter than snow.' - -"Here again the poor sorrowing sinner says, 'Yes, Lord; come in, but -not to sup with me, not to sit at my table. I have nothing to set -before Thee. I myself am hungry, but I have no bread.' Still the -Saviour says, 'Never mind; open the door! I will bring the bread; I -will spread the feast; I will do everything for thee; only open the -door and let Me in!' O, my brothers, my sisters, all He wants is a -willing heart; an open door; an honest invitation! Give it Him now, -just now. Say, 'Come in, my Lord, come in!' Hark! 'I will come in, -never more to leave thee, alike when skies are shining and clouds are -frowning. I'll fill thee for ever with peace and joy. Thou shalt go to -the grave rejoicing, through the river of death with a song, into the -home of glory, the mansions of the blest.' Then He will say, 'Thou -didst open thy heart to Me; I will open My house to thee. Thou didst -take Me for thy guest, now thou shalt sit at My table.' The Guest of -earth becomes the Host in heaven, and all who give the Saviour welcome -here are sure of a glorious welcome yonder. - -"But if you persist in your refusal to open the door, He will one day -go away. 'I stand,' He says; He does not sit. Maybe from some of you -He is already turning away. If He goes, you are lost. Oh, stop Him; -open the door! Remember, Death is waiting as well as Jesus. Waiting, -not for your hand to open, but for the bidding of the Saviour to -_break in_. Then, Jesus has gone; then you will knock, but all in -vain. You will pass through another door. It shall be shut upon you by -the hand of Him who so long tried the latch of yours, and when He -shuts no man can open. But, thank God, sinner,-- - - 'He _now_ stands knocking at the door - Of every sinner's heart; - The worst need keep Him out no more'"---- - -"That's me!" shouted Piggy Morris, in a surging agony of deep -conviction. He sprang out from his seat just within the door, and -rushing forward to a form placed in front of the pulpit, the usual -praying-place for penitents, and falling upon his knees, cried aloud -for mercy like the publican of old. Nathan Blyth instantly gave out -the verse,-- - - "Jesus, the name that charms our fears, - And bids our sorrows cease, - 'Tis music in the sinner's ears, - 'Tis life, and health, and peace." - -Kneeling by the side of Morris, who was soon joined by many others who -had been pierced by the two-edged sword, Nathan simply and wisely -directed the seeking sinner to the Cross. The meeting was held far on -into the night, and of course the denouncers of religious excitement, -then, as now, had much to say in condemnation of such fanatical and -unreasonable doings. Piggy Morris struggled hard and long. When such a -nature as his is grappled with by the spirit of conviction, there is -sure to be a sore fight. At length Lucy Blyth came forward, and -kneeling by his side, took his hand in hers, and whispered in his -ear,-- - -"The door's open, Mr. Morris. Isn't it?" - -"It is! it is!" was the energetic answer. - -"Jesus is on the threshold. Isn't He? Hark! 'I _will_ come in!' Isn't -it true?" - -"Yes, Lord! come in!" - -Leaping to his feet, and almost throwing Lucy down in his excitement, -he exclaimed,-- - -"He _is_ in! Glory be to God! Jesus is my Saviour! Mine!" and so, like -the lame man, he, too, went in through the Beautiful gate of the -temple "walking and leaping and praising God!" - -"Let me go and tell Sally!" he shouted, and running out of the -malt-kiln, he went to tell his wife the sweetest news she had heard -from him, poor woman, since, more than thirty years ago, she had stood -by his side at the marriage altar in Nestleton Church. The good woman -could but weep and sob in voiceless gratitude, as he cast himself at -her feet and said,-- - -"Sally, my lass, the Lord has forgiven me, and so must you!" - -Can we doubt that all the weary trials of the years were blotted out -in that delightful moment, and that Sarah Morris knew she held again -to her heart the loving husband of her youth! - -No grander and more triumphant issue ever attended the preached Word -than that which, that day, crowned the labours of Nathan Blyth, the -local preacher. No prelatic hands had ever been laid upon his head; no -solemn ordination vows had ever set him apart for the high and holy -calling; no clerical training or episcopal degree had ever given him -conventional status as a minister of Christ; but God had sent him, his -Church had called him, the love of Christ sustained him, and neither -Paul nor Peter had a higher warrant for the message they proclaimed. - -There is a lamentable tendency in these days among the Methodist -people to look askance at the local preachers. In many places they are -unacceptable in town and city pulpits; they are relegated to small and -unimportant spheres of labour. The natural consequence is a marked -indisposition on the part of young and capable men to enter the local -ranks, and an outcry on the part of superintendent ministers that -appointments are difficult to supply. Let Methodism beware! Let her be -careful how she trifles with this agency, so rife with power and -blessing. The enrolment of this glorious army was one of Wesley's -grandest inspirations, and in the day when her local preachers fail -her, Methodism will be as weak as Samson was when his locks were -shorn. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - -SQUIRE FULLER INTRODUCES AN INNOVATION. - - "List to the Saviour's words: 'Where two or three - Meet in My name, there in the midst am I.' - Believe, and welcome to thy family - The gracious Guest; and by His blessing try - How much domestic bliss and amity - Hang on domestic worship's hallowing tie." - - _Bishop Mant._ - - -After Squire Fuller had returned home from the county business which -demanded his presence in the ancient town of York, he found himself -much exercised in mind, as to certain important matters which pressed -upon his notice. Lucy Blyth's sudden departure was a surprise, and he -was bound to acknowledge to himself that it was an unwelcome one. The -fair girl had cast around him the magic spell which had taken captive -all who came within its influence. Her presence in his lonely mansion, -long unbrightened by the sweet subtleties of woman, had thrown more -than a gleam of sunshine through its stiff and stately grandeur; her -wondrous magic had given back to him the son of his right hand; her -cheerful and attractive piety had excited something more in him than -admiration; and her sweet songs of Zion and her clear witness for her -Saviour had touched his heart. These things, together with his own -son's beautiful and consistent religious profession, and his -convincing testimony of the power of Christianity, had left his harsh -and narrow scepticism without a leg to stand on. Besides all this, -Lucy had undoubtedly saved his own life by her well-aimed blow on the -extended arm of the villain, Buckley. He felt that he must make some -return to her, commensurate with the weighty and unspeakable service -she had rendered, but how to set about it, under the peculiar -circumstances of the case, he did not know. Then, again, he felt in -his conscience that both she and Philip had possession of some secret -inborn talisman which brought them peace, happiness, and hope, to -which he was an utter and a miserable stranger. Intelligence of "the -great revival" had reached him through the medium of his son, who was -as yet unable to endure excitement and exposure, but who was kept well -posted up as to the course of Methodist events, by his much-loved -class-leader and minister, the Rev. Matthew Mitchell. The marvellous -change which had come over Midden Harbour, and the other delightful -results of that great movement, were all told to the wondering squire -by his son, whose pale face was lit up the while, with a heaven-born -joy, as he related the triumphs of the Gospel; and the poor old -squire, drawn more and more by the unseen hand of Him who was "lifted -up" for this very purpose, had a chronic heartache for the possession -of the heaven-sent secret which was such a treasure to his son. Other -witness, too, was now forthcoming, which still more clearly evidenced -the mighty power of Methodism, hitherto despised, to work the highest -moral wonders, and to produce in the hardest hearts and most unlikely -cases, the sterling results of that Gospel which its ministers and -people so vigorously proclaimed. - -Immediately after that notable Sunday, on which Piggy Morris found -peace with God, Squire Fuller received the following letter:-- - - "HONOURED SIR,--Years ago you turned me off the farm on which I - was born, and which was rented by my father before me. You did - justly, and only what I deserved. From that day until now I have - hated you and yours, and would have gone far and done much to - work you harm. There was a triumphant vengeance in my heart when - circumstances led me to believe that I could strike at you - through your son. I deeply repent, and would hereby express my - bitter sorrow for the trouble my wicked hate has caused. God has - shown me the greatness of my sin; He has shown me the greatness - of His mercy; He has forgiven my sin. I pray you, forgive me - also. I desire to subscribe myself, with great respect, - - "Yours humbly and repentingly, - - "GEORGE MORRIS." - -"Well! that's a miracle, at any rate," said the squire, as he handed -the letter to his son; "that's casting out a devil of no ordinary -strength and size. I am bound to say it is a most satisfactory letter, -and I shall write and express my pleasure at the receipt of it." - -"And your hearty compliance with his request?" said Philip. - -"Certainly, my boy; George Morris's conduct shall be forgotten and -forgiven." - -"Father!" said Philip, softly and half timidly; "Is not that a -miracle, too?" - -The old gentleman, once stiff, stately, proud and unyielding to a -degree, was compelled to feel that he himself had marvellously -changed. He knew that that change had been largely wrought by the son -he had received from the dead, and by the fair girl who had gotten so -strong a hold upon his heart. - -"Yes, Philip," and the father's eyes reddened with suffusing tears, -"I'm bound to own that I too am something other, and I think, better -than I was." - -Philip wisely and prudently said no more, but his soul was full of a -yearning love to his mollified and chastened parent and of gratitude -to God, who was so evidently leading him by a way he knew not, to a -hitherto undiscovered resting-place for intellect and heart. - -In the course of the day the squire met his head gamekeeper. - -"Well, Hatfield," said he, "how are you getting on?" - -"Why, sir," said Hatfield, touching his hat, "we don't seem to have -very much to do now. A fortnight or two since, me and my mates were in -peril of our lives, and Waverdale Woods were as flush of poachers as -they were of game; but they seem to be pretty nearly all gone." - -"Gone? What's gone? The game?" - -"No, sir; the poachers. I haven't seen a snare set, or heard a gun for -three weeks, and the hares that were snared at the beginning of that -time we had the pleasure of taking ourselves." - -"I'm very glad to hear it, Hatfield. But how do you account for it?" - -"Why, sir, it's all owing to the Methodist preaching in Midden -Harbour. I met Potter Bill the other day, and I said, 'Why, Bill, -you've given us no trouble lately.' He said, 'No, I ha'nt, an' what's -mair, ah nivver sall nae mair. God's been givin' me trubble i'steead. -Methody preeachers ez been pooachin' i' Midden Harbour, an' they've -aboot bagged all t' game i' t' spot. You can tell Squire Fuller 'at he -may knock off hoaf-a-dozen watchers, for we shan't worrit him nae -mair.'" - -"Capital!" said the squire. "I'm sure I ought to be heartily obliged -to them, and to the Methodist parsons, too. By the way, do you know -anything about them yourself?" - -"Yes, sir. I go to their preachings sometimes on a Sunday night; -indeed I may say every Sunday." - -"Why, I thought you went to church, Hatfield, like the rest of my -servants," said the squire, with half a frown. - -"Yes, so I do, sir: but that's in the morning, you know; and as I go -to church because you wish it, I felt myself free to go to chapel as -well." - -"Because I wish it?" said the squire. "Wouldn't you go if I had no -wish on the subject? Surely the parish church is the proper place for -the people of the parish to go to." - -"Why, sir, I'm quite sure that nearly all the servants at the hall -_do_ go because you wish it, and for nothing else. Parson Elliott -would have very few else. Among the Methodists things is plainer and -more hearty like. I own I like it best myself." - -"But the Liturgy of the Church of England, Hatfield, is one of the -most beautiful compositions in the English language, and nothing can -be better for public worship." - -"Yes, sir, I dare say it is; but it doesn't seem to come from the -heart like the Methodist preacher's does. He prays without any book at -all, and the things he asks for comes so pat that you can't help -joining in them. At the church it only seems to send us to sleep, and -as for the sermons, Parson Elliott reads something for ten minutes, -and it's all over. But Mr. Clayton, and Mr. Mitchell, and Nathan -Blyth, they preach right out of their heads and hearts, for -half-an-hour or more, and one can't help thinking about what they -say." - -It would be well if certain degenerate Methodist preachers of modern -times, who read their sermons without a blush, would take to heart -this witness of the honest gamekeeper, and mend their evil and utterly -unacceptable ways. The strength of Methodism has been chiefly in the -pulpit, and the introduction of manuscript sermons into that place of -power sadly mars its effect, and leaves the congregation, like -Gideon's fleece, "unwatered still and dry." - -The squire turned away from the loquacious gamekeeper to ponder on the -results of Methodist "poaching" and Methodist preaching, and he felt -half inclined to go himself and hear what the thing was like. Nor did -his day's experiences end here, for as he retraced his steps, walking -as his wont was with his head bent down and his hands behind him, he -suddenly came upon Adam Olliver, who was returning homewards from his -daily labour, on the back of Balaam. The squire was walking on the -grassy path by the roadside, and the short winter's day was fast -deepening into night, so that neither form nor foot betrayed his -presence to the happy old hedger, who was, as usual, opening his mind -to his dumb companion, without any reserve. Conversation with bipedal -donkeys needs a strong infusion of the latter article; with Balaam, -however, the case was different. - -"Balaam, aud boy," the old man was saying, "a warse crew then them i' -Midden Harbour couldn't be fun' atween York and Lunnun, an' ivvery yan -on 'em 'll be browt te God. His seeaving grace is cum te Potter Bill -an' Nanny Spink, just as it com te t' yung squire, for the Lord mak's -nae difference. May the Lord seeave t' aud squire. He nobbut wants t' -luv o' Jesus iv 'is 'eart te be a blessin' te all Waverdale, an' then -t' new chapil wad be built iv a twinklin'." - -"Hem!" coughed the squire loudly, still keeping in the shade, deepened -now by overhanging trees. - -"Massy on uz! Ah did'nt knoa there was onnybody there!" - -"Good evening!" said the squire. "You are just coming from work, I -suppose." - -"Hey! Ah've been deeain' a lahtle bit, but ah isn't up te mitch -noo-a-days. Ah can nobbut faddle aboot a bit wi' me slashin'-knife, -an' if t' maister nobbut payd me what ah addled, there wad be a good -monny mair pennies then shillin's te draw o' Setterda' neets. Are yo' -gannin' te Nestleton?" - -"Yes, I'm going in that direction for a little way." - -"That's right. Ah's fond ov a bit o' cumpany, tho' ah mak's a shift te -get on withoot. Ah was talkin' te Balaam, when ah heeard yo' cough." - -"That's the name of your donkey, I suppose?" said the squire, with a -smile. - -"Yes. He hezn't mitch te say te ma' i' answer, tho' noo an' then he's -noisy aneeaf, bud he's a varry good lissener, at onny rate he's better -then nowt. Ah reckon you've heeard what's bin gannin' o' in Midden -Harbour latly. The Lord's been gettin' tiv Hissen a glorious victh'ry, -an' scoores o' poor sowls hez been tonned frae darkness te leet, an' -frae t' poo'er o' Satan te God. De yo' knoa owt aboot that, ah -wunder?" - -"Not much, I'm afraid," said the squire, who was getting more than he -bargained for. - -"Why then, bless yo', why nut? Jesus dee'd fo' yo', bare your sins iv -His aun body upo' t' tree. Try Him! Beleeave iv Him, an' ah'll lay me -life He'll mak' yo' as 'appy as yo' can live." - -"Then you are happy, are you?" - -"'Appy! Prayse the Lord. Ah sud think I is, an' hae been for mair then -fifty year; an' this minnit ah knoa nowt sae sartain as that Jesus is -my Saviour, an' 'at me' neeame's written i' t' Lamb's Book ov Life." - -"What were you saying about a new chapel, when I overtook you? Is -there likely to be one in Nestleton?" - -"Hey, mair then likely, it's sartain. Meeast o' t' monney's riddy, and -noo the Lord's gi'en us a congregation an' a society riddy, we're -nobbut waitin' for t' squire te be riddy, an' then we sall 'rise an' -build.'" - -"But have you any hope that the squire is likely to be ready? I -thought he had refused you a piece of ground long since." - -"Why, seea he did--nay, nut exactly refused oot an' oot; bud he said -he wad tak' tahme te think aboot it, an' we've been prayin' and -beleeavin' an' waitin' ivver since; an' bless yo', ah've neea mair -doot aboot it, then I hev 'at t' squire hisself 'll cum te Jesus, an' -be meead as 'appy as Maister Philip is, God bless 'im. Ah tell yo', -that yung man's a glorious and noble fello' 'at 'll sum day be yan o' -t' greeatest blessin's Waverdale's ivver knoan." - -"And you really hope that the squire himself will become a Methodist, -do you?" - -"Why, ah didn't say that. A man 'at's a Methodist an' nowt else is -like a nut withoot a kennil, or a tree withoot sap, bud ah said 'at t' -squire 'll becum a Christian. Why, his sun's prayin' for it, an' ah -nivver lets a day pass withoot prayin' for it mysen--an' mah lahtle -class 'at meets i' my hoose ivvery Thosday, prays for 'im as reg'lar -as t' neet cums. He's bun' te be seeaved, God bless 'im! an' he's bun' -te give us a bit o' land for a chapil!" - -"Well, good evening. I hope you will succeed," said the squire, for -here his road diverged. - -"Good neet te yo', an' ah wop 'at you'll finnd yer way te t' Cross. -That's the spot for all on uz! Good neet." - -Old Adam Olliver went on his way, utterly unconscious as to the -identity of his companion, and when seated by his humble fireside, he -told Judy that he had just had the chance of "sayin' a wod for Jesus." -Meanwhile Squire Fuller bent his steps to the gate of Waverdale Park, -saying to himself, "Praying for me, are they? Thank God for it." As he -passed through the park gate, he saw the household of Gaffer Green, -the lodge-keeper, kneeling round their little room at family prayer. -The lighted candle on the round table shone through the diamond panes -of the cottage window, and Squire Fuller saw the open Bible, the -spectacles laid upon them, the kneeling forms of wife, and son, and -daughter, and the uplifted face of the white-haired old man, as he -commended his household to God. "God forgive me!" sighed he to -himself, and then, with a firm step, as though some new resolve was -born in him, he hastened home. That earnest prayer was heard in -heaven, and its answer was recorded in his own submissive and -believing heart! - -For a little while neither Philip nor his father spoke. The former -thought he saw a change in his father's countenance, a new light in -his eye; the latter was lost in solemn but not unpleasant thought. - -"Philip!" said he, at last, "ask the butler to call all the servants -in for family prayer." - -Philip threw one quick and joyful glance, which fell with an ineffable -benediction on the father's heart, and hastened to give the welcome -message. Without one prefatory word, the squire read the fifty-third -chapter of Isaiah to the amazed and wondering household. Then as they -knelt around, he opened the unfamiliar prayer-book, and began to read. -The printed form was too strait for him; he broke away on the -flood-tide of the new life which had come to him. He pleaded, praised, -and prayed, until the most indifferent was melted into tears. After -commending them all to the watchful care of Heaven, they rose from -their knees, and the two were left alone. Philip could contain himself -no longer; he flung himself upon the old man's neck, and wept with -joy. The stars that night looked down upon no holier spot than that -stately home in which the Ark of God had found an honoured place. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV. - -LUCY BLYTH HAS AN EYE ON "LANDED PROPERTY." - - "Avaunt all specious pliancy of mind - In men of low degree, all smooth pretence! - I better like a blunt indifference - And self-respecting slowness, disinclined - To win me at first sight:--and be there joined - Patience and temperance with this high reserve,-- - Honour that knows the path and will not swerve; - Affections which if put to the proof are kind; - And piety towards God." - - _Wordsworth._ - - -It will be necessary to retrace our steps a little, and turn our -attention to Lucy Blyth and the heir of the House of Waverdale. Lucy's -hasty and unexpected departure from Waverdale Hall and Squire Fuller's -compulsory absence on county business, had prevented that grateful -recipient of her services and hearty admirer of her character from -rendering her at once the thanks to which she was entitled, and from -bestowing on her such reward as was in any sense commensurate with the -exceeding value of the good work she had wrought. Eventually he wrote -her a letter full of unstinted gratitude, and stated therein that he -should count it an honour and a privilege to oblige her in any way -that was in his power. He avowed that she had saved his son's life -from the fever, and his own from the burglar; that she had been the -means of bringing to him thoughts and feelings concerning religion to -which he had long been a stranger; and that, though he felt such -services were priceless and beyond compensation, he entreated her to -test his sincerity and regard in any way she chose. The answer he -received was couched as follows:-- - - "DEAR SIR,--God has enabled me to do my duty under very trying - circumstances. That duty would have been more willingly - performed for the poorest family in Nestleton. Your thanks, and - the sense of having done what was right, fully repay me. I am - thankful to God that Master Philip is spared to you, and if my - short stay at Waverdale Hall has enabled me in any way to alter - your views and feelings about religion, I am thankful all the - more. As you so earnestly press me to receive some - acknowledgment at your hands, I will not refuse so generous an - offer. If you will give a plot of ground on which to build a - Methodist chapel so that the Methodists of Nestleton may be able - to worship God in comfort under their own vine and fig-tree, you - will not only confer the greatest favour upon me, but will win - the lasting gratitude of a poor and worthy people, who will - richly repay you in their prayers for your happiness and - prosperity. - - "I remain, - - "Yours most respectfully, - - "LUCY BLYTH." - -This missive was placed by the butler in the hands of the squire as he -sat in his customary chair by the library fire; his son and heir, now -quite recovered from the trying ordeal through which he had passed, -though still somewhat pale of countenance, sitting opposite. Mr. -Fuller could not help smiling with satisfaction at Lucy's unselfish -response to his letter of inquiry, and at the admirable persistency -with which she pleaded the cause of her people. - -"Your correspondence amuses you, father," said Philip, as he noted the -smile on the old man's face. - -"Amuses me, you think, do you?" said the squire, assuming a serious -air. "I wonder whether it will amuse you. Here's a pretty effusion -from your model young lady!" - -"What, Lucy?" said Philip, with an honest blush and such a manifest -interest, that it was not hard to see that our youthful lover was -quite as much enchained to that young lady's chariot wheels as ever; -"May I ask what it is?" - -"Why, I wrote to convey to her our hearty thanks for the -unquestionably important services she has rendered, and I foolishly -promised to account myself her debtor for any reward she might name, -and this is the advantage she takes of my unguarded offer!" - -"No unfair advantage, I'll be bound," quoth Philip, stoutly; "she is -altogether too good for that." - -"Oh, you think so? Well, then, let me tell you; the covetous little -minx has had the audacity to ask for a portion of my estate." - -"Estate!" said Philip, in blank amaze. "I'll never believe it. Never; -no, not if I saw it in her own handwriting." - -"Well," said the squire, inwardly amused and strongly impressed with -his son's unswerving loyalty to the village maiden, but looking at the -same time sufficiently serious, "Then it's no use showing you the -letter; but I tell you, here it is, in black and white, and signed -with her own name." The squire here placed the precious little -signature beneath his eyes. "Won't you believe it now?" - -"No," said Philip, stoutly; "nothing in the world will make me believe -anything other than that Lucy Blyth is as free from self-seeking and -greed as the sunlight that flows out of heaven; and, what is more, I -believe my father is of the same opinion." - -"Well, then, take and read it for yourself, you sceptic, and you will -see that the charge I bring against her is absolutely true; so you -may prepare your mind for a definite diminishing of your own -inheritance, thanks to my thoughtless promise, which, on the honour of -a Fuller, may never be withdrawn." - -Philip read the letter, and lifting a bright and hopeful glance at his -father, said,-- - -"And you will grant this request?" - -"Certainly, Master Philip; when did your father ever break his promise -or shirk his word?" - -Quick to perceive the underlying willingness of his father's somewhat -ostentatious reverence for a promise, Philip rose from his seat, -exclaiming, "Father, you are doing this for Lucy's sake!" - -"Master Philip, don't under-estimate my fidelity to a pledge," said -the father, with a happy smile; "and now that you are fairly given -back to me, I feel bound to offer you the same privilege. 'What is thy -request, and I will give it to thee, even to the half of my kingdom?'" - -"Give me Lucy," said Philip, with his heart upon his lips. - -"That's beyond my power, and rests with the excellent blacksmith and -his glorious girl. But I'll give you permission to make the -application, and from my heart, my boy, I hope your request will not -be made in vain." - -Overpowered with love, gratitude, and joy, Philip stood silent, with -his heart too full for speech; but nothing could be more eloquent than -the look which sent an exquisite thrill of gladness through his -father's heart. - -"Philip, my son," said the squire, "My eyes are open at last, thank -God! God's dealings with us have been wonderful, and I am bound to say -that His providential guidance has all the while been answering Adam -Olliver's prayers. Your own and Lucy's conduct, under circumstances of -the most trying kind, had furnished proof which there is no -gainsaying, of the great and holy power of real religion. The -beautiful loyalty to duty, the ungrudging self-sacrifice, the -elevated motives which actuate Lucy Blyth, led me to study -Christianity from a new stand-point; and your own clear, triumphant -testimony of the saving grace of God, compared so grandly with the -cold and heartless scepticism I had largely imbibed, that my -prejudices were compelled to give way, and at length beneath the -shadow of the Cross I found 'rest to my soul.' As for Lucy Blyth, good -and pure and beautiful in every relation of life, I will not, do not -wish, to place a straw in the way of her becoming your wife, and I -believe her to be singularly fitted for the high station she will be -called upon to fill. Strange to say, I have now doubts which tend to -sadden me, that she will not be induced to accept the alliance which -once I opposed with all the bitterness of prejudice and pride. This -one thing I know, that if you can but win her consent, I will welcome -her to my house and heart, as a daughter, with as warm a love as I -give my son." - -We draw the curtain on the scene, and leave the two, now one in a -higher, holier, happier sense than they had ever been before. - - * * * * * - -As may be imagined, Philip did not permit the grass to grow under his -feet, but speedily made his way to the village Forge. - -Nathan Blyth had regained his old cheerfulness. The light of his -hearth had been re-lit by Lucy's return, and so, as of old, he was -singing the songs of Zion, as his hammer rang on the anvil, making -merry music because his heart was glad. The red forge fire sent its -inviting glow in long ribbons of rosy light athwart the December -gloom, crimsoning the light snow-flakes which besprinkled the frosty -ground, tinging the hedgerow and the tall poplar boles with its -radiant hue, and gilding the implements of husbandry which were -gathered for repairs outside the door. When Philip approached the -smithy door, Blithe Natty's voice was heard above the ringing anvil, -and this was the harmonious blacksmith's song,-- - -THE RIVER OF THE WATER OF LIFE. - -_Ezekiel_ xlvii, 9. - - O glad proclamation! - The stream of salvation - Is flowing from Calvary's Cross-crowned hill; - Is flowing for ever, - And faltereth never, - And every sinner may drink to his fill. - - From Satan's enslaving, - These waters are saving-- - From sin and corruption it washeth us free; - Peace, pardon, and blessing, - And joys without ceasing, - It bears on its bosom for thee and for me. - - Temptations which harass, - And doubts which embarrass, - The soul as it travels this region below; - These waters shall banish; - All sorrow shall vanish-- - Borne away on its bosom, as onward they flow. - - All sorrow it chaseth, - All pain it eraseth, - The soul of the drinker it filleth with good; - For trouble and sadness - It bringeth us gladness, - And comfort and soothing roll in like a flood. - - When the body is dying, - When the spirit is flying, - And the night cometh in at the close of the day; - Then on Jesus believing-- - These waters receiving-- - The soul of the Christian passeth away. - - This river so precious, - So healing and gracious, - Is flowing for ever, unbounded and free; - Then come and possess it, - And drink it and bless it, - For none are more needy, more welcome than we. - - O earth's sons and daughters! - Come, drink of the waters-- - With healing and blessing and joy they are rife; - Then come to the river, - And, thanking the Giver, - Drink! Drink, weary sinner, the Water of Life! - -"Good morning, Mr. Blyth," said Philip. "I am glad to hear you sing so -merrily. It promises well for the errand on which I come." - -"Good morning, Master Philip. I'm heartily glad to see you strong and -well again. That would be quite enough to set me singing. There's many -a heart in Nestleton that thanks God for that." - -"I'm very much obliged to them," said Philip heartily. "There are few -things in the world better worth winning and holding than the -affection and esteem of honest neighbours. This morning, however, I -own that there is something nearer my heart than that; and as nobody -can help me in it as well as you can, I say again, I am glad you are -in so pleasant a mood. Will you help me?" - -"Anything in the world that I can do for you, Master Philip, I shall -be glad to do--at least anything but one," and this with a meaning -look that his hearer clearly understood. - -"And that one, Mr. Blyth?" - -"Nay, I need say no more, sir. 'That one' is an impossibility, and -need not be mentioned." - -Philip stepped forward, and, taking Nathan by the hand, said, -seriously enough,-- - -"And why impossible? My dear friend--for friend you have always -been--that _is_ the errand on which I come." - -Nathan lifted an astonished eye to the eager and anxious youth, who at -that moment, at any rate, wore his heart upon his sleeve. - -"Because my word is given to your father, and because that promise -coincides fully with my own judgment. I will never encourage any -special attention of yours to Lucy, nor favour any such tendency in -Lucy herself." - -"But, Nathan Blyth," said Philip, "my father's views are changed, as, -thank God, he himself is changed, and it is with his permission and by -his wish that I am here this morning, and that I ask you, beseech you, -to give me Lucy for my wife." - -It is not too much to say that Nathan Blyth was surprised almost out -of his senses. He had never in any remote degree expected this. His -own manly sense and sturdy independence were fully opposed to the idea -of such a thing. Lucy's confession of her love for Philip was an -unmixed source of sorrow to him, and all his wise and gentle policy -had been directed towards weaning his darling from a love so hopeless -and unwise. Her brief stay at the Hall had been a trouble of no -ordinary kind. But when Lucy returned promptly and at her own request, -and had shown in unmeasured terms her joy at being once more under her -father's roof; when he heard her merry voice singing by his hearth -stone, as though she had left no hopeless love behind, he had gladly -argued that the spell was broken, and that Lucy, heart-whole and -happy, had cast aside the dangerous dream for ever. Though he was -wrong in thinking that Lucy's love for Philip was any the less, he was -also wrong in thinking that union with him had ever been any dream of -her's. With Lucy duty was paramount, and the grace of God was -omnipotent, and so she had been able to accept the inevitable, and not -to pine or sigh for what was as utterly unreachable, to her thinking, -as the moon. Nathan saw in Squire Fuller's consent the result of a -grateful impulse, or an unwilling consent for his son's sake, certain -to be followed by an ultimate though distant repentance. The idea of -such an event ever dawning to distress his darling, stirred his soul -to the depths. - -"No, Mr. Philip; it cannot be. My mind was one with your father's on -this point, and though his may change, mine has not changed, and I -say, now and ever, Keep away from Lucy. Your path and her's lie wide -apart." - -Thrusting a bar of iron into the smithy fire, Blithe Natty laid hold -of the bellows-handle, and worked it as one who has uttered a fiat -against which there is no appeal. In vain did Philip urge his suit; in -vain he sought permission to come again. - -"Mr. Philip, I love and esteem you as much as any living man," said he -at last, "and I cannot bear your entreaties. I know I'm right, and I -shall stand to it. Yes; though your father himself should come, my -answer will still be 'No,' and if nothing else will do, I'll sell my -business, and go away with my girl to some distant place." - -Philip was roused and somewhat angry. "Nathan Blyth," said he, "I'll -follow her to the world's end," and like a man at his wits' end, he -turned round and left the Forge. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV. - -OLD ADAM OLLIVER TO THE RESCUE. - - "Who is it that will doubt - The care of Heaven, or think immortal - Powers are slow, 'cause they take privilege - To choose their own time, when they will send - Their blessings down?" - - _Davenant._ - - -Not one word did Nathan Blyth breathe to Lucy of his unsatisfactory -interview with Philip Fuller. He was more affected than he cared to -own, and went about his work with an absent and a heavy heart. Quick -to read all the changes in her father's moods, Lucy soon missed his -cheery anvil song, and wondered what dark cloud had come to cast its -shadow over him. In vain she sought his confidence. Seeing her -anxiety, Nathan sought to deceive her by a constrained pleasantry and -a heartless song. But Nathan was a poor hand at playing the hypocrite, -and Lucy's loving eyes were not to be deceived. - -When Philip returned home, his father's first glance at the sad and -excited face told him that his errand, as he feared, had been in vain. -This, instead of giving him pleasure, as it would once have done, -increased alike his admiration of the character of the village -blacksmith, and his desire to secure his peerless daughter as a -life-mate for his son. - -"I'll go myself," said the old man, when Philip had described his -unsatisfactory and disheartening interview. - -"That will be of no use," said Philip; "he told me that even if you -came, his mind would not alter, and Nathan Blyth always means what he -says." - -The next morning the squire wrote a note to Lucy, to inform her that a -piece of land, admirably situated in the centre of the village, was at -the disposal of the Methodists, and that he had given orders for its -transfer to Farmer Houston, free of cost. Great was Lucy's rejoicing -at this glorious victory, and Nathan Blyth was compelled to admire the -tone of the letter which announced the grateful and timely gift. It -breathed such love and esteem for Lucy, and what struck the blacksmith -still more forcibly, it displayed such a spirit of Christian piety, -and was marked by such a genuine religious feeling, that Natty -wondered more and more. - - * * * * * - -That evening Farmer Houston, Nathan Blyth, and Adam Olliver were -seated in the dining-room of the former, when Mr. Houston read the -note which he had himself received, and which ran as follows:-- - - "MY DEAR HOUSTON,--When you last made a request to me for a - piece of land on which to build a Methodist chapel, I imagined - that I had sufficient reasons for refusing, and I did refuse - accordingly. Subsequent events and a careful study of the whole - matter have convinced me that I was in the wrong. I have now - given orders for the transfer to you of a plot of ground on - Nestleton Green, believing as I do, that the erection of the - desired sanctuary will be of great moral and spiritual advantage - to the village, and will be to the praise and glory of God. I - shall be glad when your scheme is ripe to render further aid to - your godly undertaking. - - "Yours faithfully, - - "AINSLEY FULLER." - -"Wonderful!" said Mr. Houston. "Isn't it?" - -"Marvellous!" said Nathan Blyth. - -"Joost as ah expected!" said Adam Olliver. "The Lord's nut only -answered 'wer prayers, bud He's gannin' te giv uz t' squire inte t' -bargain. God be thenk'd! Maister, let uz pray!" - -The three good men and true knelt to offer heartfelt gratitude to God, -and Adam Olliver, with tearful eyes and a heart gushing with love and -praise, poured out his soul in prayer and thanksgiving, pleading for -the old squire, for Philip, for God's cause in Nestleton, until the -very atmosphere seemed to be charged with the presence and power of a -loving and gracious God. As soon as they had risen from their knees, -Adam said,-- - -"Halleluia! Mah poor aud een 'll see a Methodist chapil i' Nestleton, -an' then ah'll say, 'Noo, Lord, lettest thoo thi' sarvant depayt i' -peeace, for mi' ees hez seen Thy salvation.' Prayse the Lord! T' -moontain was varry greeat an' varry high, bud afoore oor Zerubbabel -it's becum a playn! O Maister Houston! O Nathan Blyth! Nivver doot Him -nae mair!" - -"Well," said Nathan, "it is the Lord's doing, and it _is_ marvellous." -Bringing forth the letter which the old squire had written to Lucy on -the same subject, he said, "Now, then, what do you think to this?" - - "MY DEAR MISS BLYTH,--Your request, offered in response to my - sincere desire to show my gratitude and esteem, at first - surprised me; but the more I thought of it, the more clearly I - saw in it another illustration of your own self-forgetting and - self-sacrificing character. I should cordially have given the - plot of land for your sake; I believe, however, that it will be - more pleasing to you to know that I make this gift to the - Methodist people in genuine admiration of the high and holy work - they have done in this village, as well as in other places, and - as a personal thank-offering for mercies, providential and - spiritual, lately received at the hands of a forgiving and - gracious God. As far as you are concerned, I would fain hope - that I may have other and _constant_ opportunities of showing - the affectionate regard in which you are held by - - "Yours very sincerely, - - "AINSLEY FULLER." - -"God bless 'im," said Adam Olliver, "'is 'art's i' t' right spot noo, -hooivver, whativver it was fower munths since. An' as for what he says -aboot Lucy, it's true, ivvery wod on't. She's t' sweetest, goodest -lass i' Waverdale, an' t' squire hez t' feynest lad. Lucy Blyth an' -Philip Fuller! Mah wod, Natty, what a pair they wad mak'! Ah ain't -mitch fayth i' rich fooaks marryin' poor fooaks. I offens finnds 'at -they beeath on 'em marry mair then they reckon on. But Lucy's a laydy, -if ivver there was yan, if Philip's a gentleman; they beeath luv the -Lord, an' they beeath luv tee-an t' other, an' if they wer' joined -tegither, all Waverdale wad be the better fo't. Natty Blyth!" said -Adam, noticing Nathan's troubled countenance, and suddenly alive to -probabilities, "Natty Blyth, aud friend! deean't you gan an' fight -ageean God. Maister Houston, we've been an' prayed te God for a -twelve-munth 'at He wad tonn'd 'art o' t' aud squire an' owerrule -things seea as te get a chapil for uz. Noo, the Lord's gi'en us what -we wanted, an' He's getten things mixed up i' deein' it. Are we te -leeav Him, an' say, 'There, Lord, Thoo mun brayk t' threeads off noo; -we've getten all we care aboot, an' t' rest may drop?' Ah weean't be -sae meean an' sae wicked; we mun still be co-workers wiv Him accordin' -tiv His will. If t' web ov His providence hez a Methodist chapil i' t' -pattern, it's gotten Lucy Blyth an' Philip Fuller in it as weel. Then, -God helpin' uz, we moan't hinder t' shuttle, but gan on till t' -weeavin's deean. Sud we hae gotten this land if Philip Fuller hadn't -been sick? Sud we hae gotten this land if Lucy Blyth hadn't gone te t' -Hall? Isn't t' aud squire ower heead an' ears i' luv wi' beeath Philip -an' Lucy? Deean't the two young fooaks luv t' grund t' eean t' uther -walks on? Aren't they meead for yan anuther like two hoaves ov a pair -o' sithers? An' isn't t' Methodist chapil gannin' te be built te wed -'em in? Oppen thi' een, Natty, an' see what the Lord's deein'. Ah -fancy there's a good bit o' pride i' yo'; for it may be just as strang -under a blacksmith's leather appron as under a squire's white -weeastcooat. You want te be independent, an' it's all varry weel up -tiv a sartain point, bud you can't be independent o' God, an' you'd -better nut try. Natty, aud friend, ha'e you ivver axed Him what He hez -te say aboot it?" - -This last inquiry struck Nathan Blyth very forcibly, and he was -compelled to own that to Philip Fuller's appeal, he had given a final -answer on the strength of previous convictions. The marvellous change -in the squire's attitude to Lucy and Methodism had not presented -itself to him as the result of Divine interposition, and as requiring -new guidance from the Throne of Grace. He made no answer. Adam Olliver -rose to his feet, and with great solemnity said, "Natty, you an' me'll -mak' this a matter o' prayer." - -Bidding Farmer Houston good-night, Adam and his companion wended their -way homeward, and on arriving at his cottage the old hedger pressed -Nathan Blyth to go in with him. Judy was over at the Forge, chatting -with Lucy, and the two men drew up to the fire and resumed the -conversation on the subject of Philip Fuller's request. - -"Ah feel 'at there's nowt for it this tahme bud te ax the Lord te mak' -yer duty plain, Natty. You mun deea right, an' if you're bent o' that -an' ax Him, He'll mak' t' way as playn as dayleet. Ah's fair bothered -aboot it. Ah's sartain that God hez His 'and iv it. Let's ax Him!" -With wondrous power and unction did Adam plead at the Throne of Grace: -"If it's for their good an' Thah glory, an' t' good o' t' Chotch, -bring 'em tegither, Lord, an' let nut man payt 'em asunder. Guide -beeath Natty an' 'is lahtle lass i' t' right way. Show all consarned -what's best. Guide 'em all wi' Thah coonsel, an' efterwards bring 'em -te glory. We ax it all for Christ's seeak. Amen." - -"_Amen_," said another voice, and rising from their knees they saw -within the door the white and bended head of Squire Fuller. - -"Forgive my intrusion," said he; "I tapped twice at the door, but -could not make you hear. When I opened it and heard your petitions, I -could not help joining in them with all my heart, for I felt their -need as much as you." - -"Cum in, sir, an' sit yo' doon," said Adam, freshening up the cushion -of his old arm-chair for his unusual guest. - -"I did not expect to find you here, Mr. Blyth, but my errand has to do -with you and yours. The prayer I heard just now shows that you have -trusted our aged friend, and as I have come on purpose to do the same, -I hope you will give me a few minutes in his presence." - -Nathan bowed, blushed, felt very uncomfortable, stood half a second -irresolute, and then resumed his seat. - -"That's right, Natty," said Adam; "the Lord's showin' yo' t' way. Gan -on, sir!" - -"I came to you, Adam Olliver, because I know that you are a good man, -that your influence with God and with good men is great, that you are -Mr. Blyth's trusted friend, and because I want you to be a trusted -friend of mine." - -"God bless yo', sir. I isn't mitch use, but ah'll deea t' best ah can -fo' yo', wi' all mi' 'art." - -"Thank you! The case is just here. My son Philip--("God bless 'im," -said Adam)--loves Lucy Blyth--("God bless 'er," said Adam)--with all -the strength of his nature. I believe that his love and his life are -bound up together. As you know, I strongly opposed it, as also did her -father. Both the young people, with a filial devotion beyond all -praise--("God bless 'em," said Adam)--submitted to our decision. Since -then, I and mine have been in the furnace. My son has been at the door -of death, and my life has been shadowed by the heaviest cloud that -ever darkened a human heart. My life was saved from the hand of a -ruffian, my boy was brought from the brink of the grave, and I was -brought back to my Bible and my Saviour--("Halleluia!" said Adam)--by -the instrumentality of Lucy Blyth. All I have to-day of trust in -Christ, and peace of mind and hope of heaven, I owe to these two young -people--("Glory be te God!" said Adam, while sympathetic tears were -coursing down his cheeks). Do you wonder, Adam Olliver, that all my -opposition died away? Do you wonder that the great desire of my heart -is to see these two man and wife? I gave my son permission to ask for -her at her father's hands. He refused, and my son came back to me with -no light in his eye, and I cannot bear to see my boy breaking his -heart over an impossible love. Be my friend, and gain from him the -consent he will not give to me. Tell him that before God and man it is -right that these two, so strangely and mysteriously brought together, -should be one in life and death, one to labour for Jesus and His -cause; one to be a blessing to Waverdale, and good stewards for God -when I am dead and gone!" - -"Nathan Blyth!" said Adam, "noo's the tahme 'at we've been axin' for. -Yah wod frae you will mak' three 'arts 'appy, will pleease God, an' -fill all Nestleton wi' joy! Ah deean't think 'at you've mitch doot -ye'rsen, bud if yo' hev, just let ma' remind yo' 'at Lucy owt te hev a -mind ov 'er aun, an' 'at yo' owt te lissen te what _she_ hez te say." - -In all his life Nathan Blyth had never been so moved. His independent -spirit, his conviction of duty wrestled with his tenderness of heart, -while the question forced itself upon him as to whether his -convictions were of God. His cool judgment was at war with the -impulses of his soul. But Adam's last idea had laid abiding hold upon -him. What will Lucy say? After all, her's was the weightiest voice; -beyond a certain point, he had no right to force her obedience, or be -the arbiter of her destiny, or bind an adamantine chain around her -life. He had done his duty with an honest conscience; now he was -compelled to own that he himself was wavering, that Providence seemed -to be on the other side, and so standing up before the anxious -squire, whose humility was something wonderful to see, he said,-- - -"Squire Fuller, I yield. I've done all I can to hinder it, but I dare -not further withhold my consent. My judgment does not approve, but it -may be misguided and unsound, and I have never known Adam Olliver at -fault; he lives too near to God for that. The matter rests with Lucy, -and no influence of mine shall be exerted to hinder her from deciding -according to the dictates of her conscience and the wishes of her -heart." - -"Thank you for that, Nathan Blyth. I have as much confidence in her as -you have," said Squire Fuller. "I cannot ask you for more, and may God -guide us all aright." - -"He will," said Adam Olliver, "an' as seear as ah's a livin' man, Lucy -Blyth's 'Yis' or 'No' 'll be gi'en be' t' grace o' God. Squire Fuller, -ah've neea desire te see fooaks get oot o' their station i' life, bud -t' truth is, Lucy Blyth isn't in hors, an's called be' t' Providence -o' God te cum up higher." - -"I believe you are right, good old man," said Mr. Fuller, half beside -himself with joy, "and if ever 'marriages were made in heaven,' it -will be the case when that charming girl becomes the bride of my -noble-hearted son!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI. - -SISTER AGATHA'S GHOST. - - "True as the knights of story, - Sir Lancelot and his peers, - Brave in his calm endurance, - As they in tilt of spears. - - * * * * * - - Knight of a better era, - Without reproach or fear! - Said I not well that Bayards - And Sidneys still are here?" - - _Whittier._ - - -It was customary to hold missionary meetings in the various villages -of the Kesterton Circuit during the months of winter; and these -occasions were almost always characterised by an outcome of -hospitality on the part of the sympathising villagers, an enthusiasm -in the great mission cause, and a liberality in its support which was -very beautiful to see. The speakers usually consisted of, at least, -one of the circuit ministers, a minister from a neighbouring circuit -as "the deputation," and a local preacher or two, with some -neighbouring man of influence and means to take the chair. The reading -of the "report," containing an abstract of the general doings of the -society, was not usually a popular part of the programme, but the -statement of local subscriptions and donations always made up for -that. Probably the names of one or two neighbouring farmers appeared -with the time-honoured "guinea" appended as their annual donation. -There was sure to be a missionary box or two, containing the result of -much patient painstaking on the part of the collector during the -preceding year. Not seldom, a missionary lamb, or goose, or pear-tree, -or other cash-producing entity, figured in the report, and told of -contrivance and self-sacrifice on the part of some who desired to have -an honourable "share in the concern." - -About the period of which I am writing, the annual meeting was -appointed to be held at Bexton, a considerable village situated a few -miles from the circuit town. As usual, the day was regarded by the -generality of Bextonians as being quite as fit an occasion for a -holiday as the village feast. The farmyards of the Methodist farmers, -as well as the open space beside the "King's Head," was filled with -gigs, traps, spring-carts, and other vehicles, which had brought a -large number of invited visitors; for the good folks of Bexton were -resolved that the proceeds of the anniversary should go "beyond last -year." They accounted themselves peculiarly fortunate in having -secured the young squire of Waverdale as the chairman on this -auspicious occasion, and on having captured a "great gun from York as -the deputation." Both Mr. Clayton and his colleague were present, as -well as Mr. Harrison, a local preacher from Kesterton; and last, not -least, Old Adam Olliver had accepted the warm invitation of a sister -of Mrs. Houston's who resided in the village, and as the quaint old -man was a prime favourite all round the neighbourhood, nothing would -do but he must take a seat on the platform and say a few words to the -people. - -Philip Fuller opened the proceedings with a brief and simple address, -and did his work in such a transparently earnest and unassuming -fashion that he was heartily cheered; and Mr. Mitchell was led -subsequently to make the original remark that "the chairman had struck -the keynote, and given a good tone to the meeting." Philip described -himself as only a "raw recruit" in the great army, but, "thanks to his -old friend, Adam Olliver," he had no doubt of his enlistment in the -Church militant, and, said he, "by God's help, I will not only never -desert or betray my Captain, but will spend my life in the interests -of His cause." - -In the course of the meeting, the Chairman, having called upon Mr. -Mitchell, Mr. Clayton, and Mr. Harrison, said that "Mr. Olliver" would -now address the meeting. Loud and long-continued cheers greeted the -announcement, amid which Adam retained his seat, looking all round the -platform and the congregation, and finally at the door, to see the man -who was having so warm a welcome. When the cheering had subsided, the -Chairman looked at Adam, and Adam looked at him. All at once a light -broke in on the old man, and jumping to his feet, he said,-- - -"Lawk-a-massy! Maister Philip! Ah didn't knoa 'at yo' meant me. Ah -nivver was called 'Mr. Olliver' i' all mi' life afoore, an' me an' it -dizn't seeam te agree. It's like blo'in' t' cooachman's 'orn iv a -wheelbarro', or puttin' a gilt knocker on a barn deear. Ah've been -ax'd te say a few wods, bud ah isn't mitch ov a speeaker, an' yo' -needn't be freeten'd 'at ah sall tak' up mitch o' yer tahme. Ah knoa -'at yo' want te hear t' greeat man 'at's cum all t' way frae York te -help i' this good cause. God bless 'im! an' give him mooth, matter, -an' wisdom, an' tak' 'im seeafe yam ageean, nae warse i' body an' -better i' sowl. Maister Philip, ah've cum frae Kesterton mainly te see -you i' that chair. You're t' right man i' t' right spot. Ah sall -nivver forget that 'appy day upo' Nestleton Woad, when the Lord -'listed yo', as you say, an' gav' yo' the boonty munny o' pardonin' -peeace. Ah's quite sartain 'at t' greeat Captain ov oor salvaytion -meeans yo' te be, nut a private souldier, bud a general i' t' hosts o' -God's elect; an' ah pray ivvery day o' my life 'at God 'll bless yo', -an' mak' yo' a blessin': that yo' may fight the good fight o' fayth -an' lay hod ov etarnal life. Ah luv t' mission cause, because it -brings perishin' sowls te Jesus, an' tak's t' blood-stayned banner o' -t' Cross inte heeathen lands. Ah prays for it all'us, an' ah gives all -t' brass ah can spare, efter buyin' breead an' cheese for me an' Judy, -te the Lord's cause beeath at worn an' abroad. Ah's glad te see sae -monny labourin' men here te-neet. Mah deear frens, you an' me can't -gie mitch munny, but we can pray as hard as onybody; an' it isn't hoo -mitch we gie, bud hoo mitch we luv, an' hoo 'artily we deea wer best. -Angels can deea nae mair then that, an' God 'll bless it. T' poor -wido' 'at nobbut put two mites inte t' box, did what was pleeasing te -Jesus, an' her munny fell thro' t' nick wiv a sweeter chink then t' -golden sovereigns o' t' rich fooaks meead, because she put 'er heart -atween t' bits o' brass, an' sae gay' mair then 'em all. May the Lord -bless uz, an' cause His feeace te shine on uz, an may His way be knoan -upo' t' 'arth an' His seeavin' health te all naytions." - -Adam's speech elicited a round of applause, and then the deputation -had full swing. A collection succeeded, and Mr. Mitchell was able to -announce that the financial results were more than five pounds ahead -of last year's. The "Doxology" was sung with much enthusiasm, and the -village missionary meeting was brought to a close. It was a little -meeting, it is true, but there are thousands of such meetings held in -Methodism, and in the aggregate they wield an influence which reaches -to the uttermost parts of the earth, carries saving health to -thousands who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, and helps -to overspread the world with the "glory of the Lord." - -After partaking of the bounteous and really sumptuous supper provided -by his hosts, Adam Olliver was prevailed upon to smoke his pipe in the -chimney-corner in company with other guests who indulged in that -regalement. It was getting late when the old man mounted his faithful -steed, and started on his homeward way. For a while he was favoured -with the companionship of fellow guests, but as he proceeded, first -one and then another turned down highway or byeway, until, at length, -Balaam and his master were left to jog along, beneath the stars, -alone. - -As usual, the old hedger made a confidant of his dumb companion. It -was a bright moonlight night; the clear blue sky was studded with -stars, and Balaam's hoofs were pattering along the frosty road, when -the big bell at Cowley Priory boomed out the hour of eleven. - -"Balaam, aud friend, this is a bonny tahme o' neet for thoo an' me te -be wanderin' throo' t' coontry, when a'most ivvery honest body's gone -te bed. Besides, thoo knoas it's dangerous travellin' noo-a-days, for -there's robbers, an' hoosebrekkers, an' 'ighwaymen aboot. They'll hae -sum trubble te rob me, hooivver, for that man frae York 'ticed ivvery -copper oot o' my pocket, an's left ma' as poor as a chotch moose. -What'll Judy think on us, gallivantin' aboot at midneet i' this -oathers? She'll think thoo's run away wi' ma', Balaam." The idea of -Balaam being guilty of any such absurd indiscretion, tickled the old -man's risible faculties so finely, that he broke out into a hearty fit -of laughter, loud and long. Scarcely had the sound subsided than there -rose upon the air a scream so wild and piercing, that for a moment -both Balaam and his rider were astonished. Rising up in his stirrups, -Adam Olliver looked across the adjoining hedge. The hoary gables of -the old Abbey stood out bold and clear, and the crumbling walls and -shapeless heaps of stone, and the all-pervading ivy were to be seen -almost as clearly as by day. But there was one sight that never could -be seen by day which now displayed itself to Adam's wondering gaze. -This was nothing less than the veritable apparition of the ancient -nun. Robed in flowing white, with white folds across the brow, and -that awful crimson stain upon the breast, there it stood, or slowly -walked with measured pace around the ruined pile. One death-white hand -was laid upon the bosom, the other one was lifted heavenward, as if in -deprecation or in prayer. - -"Balaam," said Adam, as he settled himself again in his saddle, "there -_is_ a boggle, hooivver!" - -This startling information was received by that philosophic quadruped -with no symptoms of surprise. The fact is that Balaam had, for reasons -which will shortly appear, made up his mind in favour of the -genuineness of the ghost in which even his sceptical master had now -confessed a tardy, but definite belief. Balaam simply laid one ear -backwards, and cocked the other upright, as who should say as plain as -signs could speak,-- - -"There, I told you so, but you didn't believe me. You see I'm right, -after all." - -"All right, Balaam," said Adam Olliver. "Ah telled tha' 'at if thoo -didn't tonn tayl if we sud see it, ah wadn't. What diz tho' say? will -tho' feeace it?" - -By this time they had arrived at the gate of the paddock in which the -haunted ruins stood. Balaam had for many years enjoyed the free run of -that pasturage whenever he was off duty, and this with the hearty -good-will of Farmer Houston, for his owner's sake. This familiarity -with the haunts of Sister Agatha doubtless accounted for Balaam's -belief in spiritualism, as he had in this way repeated opportunities -of studying the remarkable phenomena connected with this particular -illustration of that occult and mysterious science. As Piggy Morris -said, "Seein's believin', all the world over," and as "familiarity -breeds contempt," according to the well-known proverb, there is little -cause of surprise that the sagacious animal did not display any fear -of the dread nocturnal visitor that filled all Nestleton with alarm. - -Be this as it may, Balaam, altogether unaccustomed to such -unconscionably late hours, promptly came to the conclusion that his -master would now turn him into the paddock for the night, and so he -trotted boldly up to the gate, and inserting his nose between the -bars, looked with wistful eye, though not much like the poet's -"disconsolate Peri," into the green and restful Paradise within. - -"Well dun, Balaam! That's a challenge, at ony rayte," said Adam, "an' -ah weean't refuse it. Ah nivver was freetened o' nowt bud the divvil, -an' noo, thenk the Lord, ah deean't care a button for 'im. Nut 'at ah -think it is 'im. It's sum Tom Feeal, ah fancy, at's deein' it for a -joak; bud he hez neea business te flay fooaks oot o' the'r wits, an' -ah'll see whea it is." - -He opened the gate, and, nothing loth, Balaam boldly trotted over the -grass, and again the apparition showed itself, just as it had appeared -to Jake Olliver several nights ago. - -"Woy," said Adam to his reckless steed, and the ghost, observing the -daring intruder, stretched out its hands in menace, and advanced until -it stood beneath the arch, on the spot it usually selected for its -subterranean evanishment. Here another woeful, wailing shriek arose; -Adam for the first time felt an odd tingling sensation, and a sort of -creepy-crawly feeling that would be difficult to analyse. The ass, -however, showed not the least surprise, so Adam stood up again in his -stirrups, though he was "a goodish bit dumfoonder'd," as he afterwards -confessed, and said in a loud voice,-- - - "Jesus the neeame 'igh ower all, - I' hell or 'arth or sky; - Aingels an' men afoore it fall, - An' divvils fear an' fly!" - -Hereupon the ghost itself was "a goodish bit dumfoonder'd" too; -however, the last act of the drama was accomplished as usual, for -instantly a pale blue flash surrounded the figure, which sank, at once -among the briars and brambles that grew in unchecked profusion on that -uncanny ground. - -"Cum oop! Balaam," said the daring knight of the slashing-knife, and -that unflinching steed, worthy to rank henceforth with Rosinante, -Bucephalus, the war-horse of the Roman Curtius, and other equine -heroes, trotted under the broken arch! Adam's observant eye had -noticed that as the figure sank the brambles bent and waved to and -fro, as if set in motion by some living thing. He was not greatly -learned in ghost lore, still he had the idea that a real, genuine -ghost, with no nonsense about it, ought to have gone through the -briars with no more commotion than the moonbeams made. - -"That'll deea for te-neet, Balaam," said Adam; "t' ghaust's run te -'arth like a fox, an' we mun dig 'im oot." - -Balaam obeyed the bridle, turned his steps homeward, and in a few -minutes the anxiety of Judy was allayed by the appearance of her good -man, all safe and sound. - -"Adam!" said she, "Wherivver hae yo' been, te be so late?" - -"Why, me an' Balaam's been te see t' boggle!" - -"What, Sister Agatha's ghost?" said Judy, who was not by any means a -sceptic with regard to spirits from the vasty deep in general, and -this one in particular. - -"Sister Agatha's gran'mother," said Adam, contemptuously. "It's my -opinion 'at it isn't a sister at all, but a brother, an' a precious -rascal at that, wiv 'is white smock, an' 'is bloody breest, an' 'is -blue bleeazes. If he dizn't mind, he'll get mair o' them last sooat o' -things then he'll care for; bud we'll dig 'im oot." - -The next day Adam related his midnight encounter to Farmer Houston -and Nathan Blyth, and they resolved to go and explore the haunted -spot. They were ultimately rewarded by the discovery of an underground -cave, probably the handiwork of the monkish denizens of Cowley Priory, -with whose monastery it was said Nestleton Abbey had been connected by -a subterranean passage in those "auld-warld" times, when Rome ruled -the roast in England, and when its anchorites led not only an ignoble -and wasted life, but were guilty of evil doings and malpractices that -were infinitely worse. The spacious hollow which the explorers -discovered, penetrated far into the earth. Candles were provided to -prosecute the search, and there they found much thievish booty, -including the tin box which had been abstracted from Waverdale Hall. -The astonished discoverers kept their secret, and quickly arranged to -set a secret watch on the bramble-covered entrance to the burglar's -den. Two or three nights afterwards they were successful in capturing -a man just as he was in the act of descending to his secret lair. He -was seized by strong hands and carried to Farmer Houston's kitchen. As -may be imagined, the entrance of the redoubtable ghost caused no -little stir among that peaceful household, each of whom in turn came -to "have a look" at him. Among the rest came Hannah Olliver, who was -plying her needle for the good of the household wardrobe, and as soon -as she set her eyes upon the prisoner she screamed out, "Aubrey -Bevan!" and fell fainting on the floor. The quondam valet was safely -lodged in York Castle. Eventually that crafty, clever, but -craven-hearted rascal turned king's evidence; the entire gang, which -had long been a terror to the country side, was captured, and speedily -"left their country for their country's good." It is gratifying to be -able to say that both poetical and practical justice was at length -able to lay its hands on Master Bevan himself, and he, too, was sent -to join his former comrades in the distant and uncomfortable -settlements of Botany Bay. Hannah Olliver, who had been instrumental -in his identification, was permitted to be the bearer of the tin box -to its rightful owner, and on giving up the precious article to Squire -Fuller, she received a kind and full forgiveness for the unwary folly -of which she had been guilty in introducing the burglars into -Waverdale Hall. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII. - -PHILIP FULLER BOLDLY MEETS HIS FATE. - - "He says he loves my daughter; - I think so too; for never gazed the moon - Upon the water, as he'll stand, and read, - As 'twere, my daughter's eyes; and, to be plain, - I think there is not half a kiss to choose - Who loves the other best." - - _Shakespeare_. - - -The short winter's day was over, and night had closed around Waverdale -Hall, when Squire Fuller joined his son by the cosy fire in the -library, after his affecting and successful interview with Nathan -Blyth and Adam Olliver. - -"Well, Master Philip," said the squire; "what will you give me for my -news to-night?" - -"My best attention and my warmest thanks," said that young gentleman, -who divined that the intelligence hinted at was of a pleasant nature -by reason of the glow on his father's countenance, and the tell-tale -tone in which he spoke. - -"Hadn't you better reserve your thanks until you know whether or not -my information will be welcome?" said the squire, evidently enjoying -the parley, and willing to prolong it. - -"I'll risk it, father mine, for from that happy face of yours I augur -something pleasant, and you couldn't, if you tried, introduce bad news -by asking for a reward for bringing it." - -"Well, then," said the squire, with mock seriousness, "prepare -yourself for a dread calamity. Nathan Blyth has withdrawn his -opposition, and if you can gain Lucy's consent, you and I may obtain -our heart's desire." - -True prophet as he was, Philip was hardly prepared for news so good -and so direct as this. He was touched to the quick with the way in -which his father spoke of their interests in this all-engrossing -subject, as being one and indivisible. His face lighted up with hope -as he said,-- - -"Thank God for that. I'll soon ask for her verdict. But how have you -managed to overcome an opposition so determined as Nathan Blyth's?" - -"Why, to tell the truth, it is not so much my doing as it is Adam -Olliver's. That fine old Christian wields a marvellous influence both -with God and man." - -The squire then told of his visit to the old hedger: how he found him -and Nathan Blyth upon their knees, how he opened his heart to both of -them, how Adam Olliver had said the very wisest words in the most -impressive way, and finally how Nathan Blyth was unable any longer to -withstand the strong appeal, and had promised not to put a straw in -the way, but to leave Lucy to decide the matter for herself. - -"Dear old Adam," said Philip, earnestly, "my debt to him is such as I -never can repay. Lucy's decision I shall get to-morrow, and I will not -for a moment doubt that she will be true to the pleadings of her own -heart, and those, I know, are in my favour." - -"Go, my boy, and God prosper your errand, and I believe He will. And -now, if you can stoop to anything more prosy and less interesting, -what about this new chapel? I am inclined to build it myself, and -present it to the Methodist society as a token of my admiration of -their work, and a thank-offering to God. What do you think of it?" - -Philip sat thinking for a little while, and then said, "No, I wouldn't -do that. They have already obtained a considerable sum, and many will -be eager to give and to work now that the land is secured, and it -would be a pity to deprive them of what will be a pleasure and -delight. Besides, it will do the people good to receive their -offerings, and so to let them feel that it is the outcome of their own -zeal. You can give a contribution such as the case may need, and what -will be much better, you can offer something handsome towards the -maintenance of a third minister to reside in Nestleton, and so to -secure the more effective working of this side the Kesterton Circuit." - -With this advice the squire heartily coincided, and ere long the two -retired to rest, the one to plan and contrive for a preacher's house -at Nestleton, the other to dream of Lucy and the morrow, which should, -as he dared hope, seal her his own for ever. - - * * * * * - -Though the little sitting-room of Nathan Blyth was neither so large -nor so imposing as the spacious library of Squire Fuller, the fireside -was just as cosy, and the two who sat beside it were just as loving -and true-hearted as the pair we have just left. Lucy was seated by her -father's side; with one hand he was stroking her dark hair, the other -was cast lovingly round her waist. - -"Lucy, darling, can you guess who has been to see me and Adam Olliver -to-night?" - -If Lucy had uttered the name that was uppermost in her heart, and the -first on her tongue, she would undoubtedly have said "Philip," and -nothing else; for still, as when she mentioned his name as her rescuer -from the unwelcome attentions of Black Morris, there was no other -Philip in the world to her, but unwilling to hint at what she regarded -as a forbidden and unwelcome subject, she heaved a sigh, and said,-- - -"I can't tell, daddy; perhaps the squire has been about the plot of -land." - -"No, my dear, but you need not sigh about it; sighing doesn't suit -those sweet lips of yours. Squire Fuller it was, but he came about -another 'plot,' by which he means to steal my daughter from her -father's heart and home." - -Lucy's fair head drooped upon his bosom, as she blushed a rosy red, -and softly said,-- - -"Never from his heart, my father, whatever else might happen, and, -without his permission, never from his home." - -"Aye," said Nathan, with a tearful smile, "but _with_ his permission, -light of my life, what then?" - -Closely nestled the head upon the manly bosom in which the heart of as -true and good a father as ever bore the name was loudly beating, and -then she looked, with all her soul in her eyes, and said,-- - -"What is it, father? Do not try me more than I can bear." - -"My glorious girl," said Natty; "it is that, at last, Philip Fuller's -welcome here on whatsoever errand he may come. I've had no thought, -felt no emotion, entertained no wish, but for my darling's happiness. -I believe that happiness is in Philip Fuller's keeping, and I believe -with all my heart that now and ever he will loyally and lovingly -fulfil the precious trust. Kiss me, sweet, and be sure that your -decision will willingly be mine." - -For all answer, Lucy kissed him again and again, then flung her arms -around his neck and burst into tears--tears which had no sorrow in -them, only a wealth of happiness and love. - - * * * * * - -Whoever overslept themselves next morning, be sure that Philip Fuller -was up betimes. Old Father Time, whose fingers force the hands around -the dial at such relentless speed, appeared to our eager lover to be -smitten with paralysis, or to have forgotten the awful cunning of his -usual despatch. But no sooner did the laggard timepiece point to a -reasonable hour for paying a morning call, than Philip turned his -steps toward Nestleton Forge. It was a glorious winter's morning; the -clear, bracing air was quite in harmony with Philip's buoyant spirit, -as he rapidly sped along the frost-bound road. Long before he could -see the home where dwelt the "damsel sweet and fair," whose "soft -consent he meant to woo and win," he heard the musical ring of -Nathan's anvil; but this time he did not pause even to look through -the open door, much less to listen to Nathan's song. Had he done so, -however, he would have heard strains of good omen, for Blithe Natty -was in good feather and chanted a hopeful strain, which might well -have inspired the listener with even a more gladly expectant spirit -than that which he undoubtedly possessed. Stop a moment, Master -Philip, and hear the oracle:-- - - Came Love one day across my way, - And with inviting finger, - Enticing smile, and subtle wile, - Said, "Follow me, nor linger. - - "I offer joy without alloy, - A ceaseless round of pleasure-- - A vision bright of sweet delight, - And bliss that knows no measure. - - "Within my bowers the fleeting hours - Are always bright and sunny; - From rosy lip come thou and sip - The nectar and the honey." - - "O Love!" I cried, and swiftly hied - To follow, as she bade me; - Across my path, in sturdy wrath, - Stood Duty, and he stayed me. - - Quoth Duty, "Stay! That's not the way; - Rash youth, beware her wooing! - Her magic spell, O mark it well, - May be thy soul's undoing. - - "Her beauteous things have hidden stings, - And though she proffers nectar, - The poisoned cup will conjure up - A dread, life-haunting spectre. - - "Whom she leads on, they find anon - Her beauty swiftly dying; - Like bird on wing, the gleaming thing - From singing takes to flying. - - "Turn, gentle youth, and mark this truth-- - True love is linked with duty; - Come then with me and thou shalt see - A richer, rarer beauty." - - "Lead on," I cried, and by the side - Of Duty forth I sped me; - Resolved to go, for weal or woe, - Wherever Duty led me. - - I followed still, for good or ill, - Through thorny brake and briar; - Or up the steep, or down the deep, - Through water or through fire. - - And now at last, the testing's past, - And Duty sits beside me; - Quoth Duty, "Once, and for the nonce, - Thy Love was quite denied thee. - - "That tempting elf was 'Love of Self,' - And 'neath her smile lay lurking - An aspish sting--a deadly thing-- - Dire, deathless evils working. - - "Now Love once more stands thee before, - To fill thine eyes with glamour; - This gift of mine is love divine, - And shall thy soul enamour." - - He waved his wand, gave his command,-- - "True Love, come forth," said Duty; - Before my eyes she did arise, - _My_ love, of rarest beauty. - - My youth's ideal! Now mine and real; - O Love, how long I sought thee! - Cries Love, "I come; Thy heart's my home! - 'Twas Duty, love, that brought me." - - Thrice happy I to testify - Whate'er the wind and weather, - 'Tis mine to prove that truest Love - And Duty dwell together. - - No more I roam, for here at home, - My love and I, united, - Blessing and blest, know perfect rest, - And Duty is delighted. - - And when at last our lives are past, - And we become immortals; - Through heaven's door we two shall soar - When Duty opes the portals. - -Had Natty Blyth known of Philip's morning call, he could not have been -more wise in his choice of a song, and I have every reason to believe -that Lucy had heard the rehearsal, for Nathan Blyth knew how to make -his muse the channel alike of counsel and of cheer. Philip Fuller, -however, as I have said, had no time or will this morning to listen to -Blithe Natty's song. Love is royal, and the king's business requireth -haste. Now I might stay to descant on the music of Philip's "tap, tap, -tapping at the" blacksmith's door, for, depend upon it, there was a -tremor of excitement in the hand that did it, and another tremor of -excitement in the ear that heard it, that put it altogether beyond -comparison with ordinary tappings, even the postman's knock, though -probably the mystic tappings of a table-haunting spirit may have -something of the same expectancy in it, but certainly not the same -delight. Lucy Blyth was never above opening the door herself, either -to visitor or shop-boy, but on this occasion she sent her little -serving-maid to the door, as the damsel Rhoda was sent to answer -Peter's knock; and so it came to pass that Philip was ushered into the -little sitting-room to wait, and perhaps to whistle to keep his -courage up, while our little bird flew upstairs to preen her feathers -for a minute or two, and hush down the flutterings of her heart. -By-and-bye comes in Miss Lucy, and sure I am no fairer vision ever -fell on mortal sight. The tell-tale blush that mantled on her cheek, -did only lend a new and witching grace, and as Byron has it,-- - - "To his eye - There was but one beloved face on earth - And that was shining on him," - -and Byron is, of course, the apostle of love, though Moore perhaps -successfully disputes his primacy. The Irish bard, with true Hibernian -fire, sings,-- - - "Oh, there are looks and tones that dart - An instant sunshine through the heart; - As if the soul that minute caught - Some treasure it through life had sought. - - As if the very lips and eyes, - Predestined to have all our sighs, - And never be forgot again, - Sparkled and spoke before us then!" - -So Philip's eyes "sparkled and spoke" as he advanced to meet the -idol of his heart, and as for Lucy, why, as dear old Dan Chaucer puts -it,-- - -[Illustration: NATHAN AT DINNER.--_Page 265._] - - "No lesse was she in secret heart affected, - But that she masked it in modestie." - -"Lucy!" - -"Philip!" - -His arms were open, her blushing face was buried on his shoulder, and -at last, long last, the two loving hearts were one. I am very sorry -that I am not able to enlarge upon this tender scene. The two words of -conversation which I have here recorded, contain really the core and -marrow of the whole interview. Doubtless, many of my readers -understand it thoroughly, and the rest of them will do so, if they be -good and patient. _Multum in parvo_ is very true in declarations of -mutual love, and as I am in a quoting vein, I'll e'en quote from -Tupper, so oft the butt of "witlings with a maggot in their brain;" -his writings will at any rate bear favourable comparison with those of -the sibilant geese who hiss at him. Quoth he,-- - - "Love! What a volume in a word! An ocean in a tear! - A seventh heaven in a glance! A whirlwind in a sigh! - The lightning in a touch!--A millenium in a moment!" - -Well, the "millenium" had dawned on Philip and Lucy; they remained -long in close and peculiarly interesting conversation, but the door -was shut, and all I know about it is, that Nathan Blyth thought Lucy -unconscionably late with dinner. All things, however, have an end, and -at length Master Philip was ruthlessly expelled from Paradise, and -betook himself to the blacksmith's shop. The gallant and noble knight -of the anvil laid down his hammer to greet his visitor, but Philip was -beforehand with him,-- - -"Nathan Blyth! Lucy has consented to be my wife." - -"Philip Fuller, you've loved her long, you've wooed her honourably, -you've won her heart, and in my soul, I believe you deserve her, and -that's more than I could say of any other man on earth." - -A warm and hearty hand-grasp sealed the covenant. Philip Fuller hasted -to his ancestral Hall to gladden the heart of his father with the -welcome news that Lucy Blyth was his affianced wife. So Lucy Blyth's -filial love and duty were at length rewarded, and Philip Fuller's -loyalty to God, his father, and his love, obtained their well-won -prize. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII. - -BLACK MORRIS "WANTS THAT BRICKBAT AGAIN." - - "O I have often seen the tear - From Pity's eye flow bright and clear, - When Sympathy hath bid it stay, - And tremble on its timid way; - But there's a tear more pure and bright, - And moulded with as soft a light,-- - The tear that gushes from the eye, - Fresh from the founts of memory." - - _Anon._ - - -The Rev. Theophilus Clayton and the earnest Methodist band of which he -was the head, did not let the grass grow under their feet anent the -scheme for the erection of the new chapel in Nestleton. After the -securing of the land, a public meeting had been called, plans were -presented, additional subscriptions promised, and finally a day was -fixed upon for the all-important ceremony of laying the foundation -stone. Philip Fuller, who was an active member of the Building -Committee, being quite aware that his father would help to any amount -that a free expenditure might require, succeeded in getting such a -scheme adopted as would secure an elegant and attractive sanctuary, -sufficiently spacious for aggression, and so effective in its -architecture as to be an ornament to the lovely village in which it -was to be erected. Again the famous minister from York was secured. -Squire Fuller himself had promised to lay the stone, and every -preparation was made for the grand occasion when the corner-stone -should be laid, and the long-hoped-for undertaking should be -inaugurated with enthusiasm and success. - -A large and capacious tent was improvised by the aid of farmers' -stack-cloths, builders' scaffold-poles, and other materials, on -Nestleton Green. Jabez Hepton and his apprentices were very busy in -rigging up temporary tables and rude forms, a platform for the -speakers, and other essentials for the great tea-meeting, and for the -public gathering which was to follow. An enormous boiler had been -borrowed from the Hall, urns and tea-pots, whose name was legion, were -requisitioned from all and sundry, and all things were ready for the -grand emprise. A glorious spring day, beautifully soft and balmy, was -providentially accorded them. Banners and bunting, evergreens and -flowers, adorned the scaffold-poles around the brick foundations which -had been already laid, waved from the summit of the tent, and were -lavishly scattered in its bright interior; while just before the -canvass doorway, John Morris and his brothers, with the help of Jake -Olliver, had erected a triumphal arch, which was quite a marvellous -triumph of village art. - -The "trays" for the public tea had all been given and provided in that -bounteous and luxurious fashion for which the Yorkshire farm -mistresses are proverbial. Hams, tongues and fowls, tarts and pies, -cheese-cakes, tea-cakes, plum-cakes, rice-cakes, and other toothsome -triumphs of confectionery, mingled with a profusion of plainer fare, -and exhibited such a sum total of appetising edibilities, that Jabez -Hepton's tables curved and creaked beneath their weight. As for the -people who gathered there on that auspicious day, it really seemed as -though the whole Kesterton Circuit had immigrated to Nestleton Green. -Kesterton was represented by scores of sympathisers, and every village -in Messrs. Clayton and Mitchell's pastorate sent a detachment to swell -the crowd. As for Nestleton itself, why it was there bodily. On that -day, at any rate, the plough might stand in the furrow, and the horses -experienced two Sundays in the week. The central ceremony passed -smoothly off: Squire Fuller did his unfamiliar duty in a deft and -skilful way, and finished his short address of warm congratulation, by -placing a hundred pounds upon the stone he had just "well and truly -laid." Two or three speeches were delivered, the indispensable -collection was made, the "Doxology" and "God save the King" were sung -with a perfect furore of enthusiasm, and then a general adjournment -was made to the "tented field." A battle royal succeeded; such an -overwhelming charge was made upon urn and teapot, loaf and pastry, -flesh and fowl, that in a very little while the boards were swept of -their supplies, and the trampled ground was strewed with shattered -fragments, the only surviving token of the fierceness of the fray. At -the evening meeting the squire of Waverdale again took the place of -honour, and delighted all his hearers with the simple relation of his -religious experience, and his grateful references to the Methodist -influences which had been brought to bear on himself and son. "As for -good old Adam Olliver," quoth the squire, "he is one of Nature's -noblemen. No, that won't do either, for our grand old friend is in the -highest sense a patriarch in holiness and grace. My debt to him is -greater than he knows; greater than he will ever know until the light -of eternity flashes on the doings of time. I desire in his name to -contribute a further sum of fifty pounds, and I heartily pray that -the chapel about to be built may be the means of perpetuating and -multiplying such genuine specimens of piety, integrity, and goodness -among the villagers of Nestleton." - -Mr. Houston read a statement of a financial kind, which set forth a -very hopeful state of things, and then the squire called on Philip -Fuller to address the meeting. The young and handsome heir of the -Waverdale estates received an unmistakable ovation which said much for -his hold upon the general esteem, and promised much for his future -influence over those among whom he would one day occupy so powerful a -position for evil or for good. When Philip rose to his feet there was -a certain young lady who felt a sudden flutter at her heart as to how -he would acquit himself. He was quite as effective, however, in his -work as she had been in hers, and that is saying much, for in the -dreadful fight among the crockery and its contents, Lucy Blyth had -handled her weapons like a heroine, as many a sated tea-bibber and -muffin-eater could testify. - -"My dear father and Mr. Chairman," quoth Philip--and here the -unconscionable tipplers of the not inebriating stimulus cheered -again--"among the many causes of gratitude and joy that fill my heart -to-day, one of the very greatest is the joy of seeing you in that -position. How good God has been to me you know full well. I stand here -happy in the consciousness of a Saviour's love, as one raised by a -miracle from the bed of death, rich in the possession of your sympathy -and love, both intensified by the power of a common faith in Jesus, -and as the prospective possessor of the fairest prize in Waverdale." -Here the applause was almost deafening; hats and handkerchiefs were -waved in frantic excitement, and if any purblind idiot was ignorant of -Lucy's hold upon the people's hearts, he was there and then -enlightened fully and for evermore. "I, too, sir, must render my -acknowledgments to Adam Olliver, my spiritual father, my trusted -friend, my counsellor and guide. My heart is far too full for fitting -speech. To honest, humble, hearty Methodist people, under God, I owe -all that is worth having in this world; and I propose by God's help to -live among them and to labour with them as long as He shall please to -spare my life. I, too, sir, with your permission, would give L100 in -token of my gratitude to the Great Giver of all my good." - -In the same high strain of gratitude, speaker followed speaker, and -the interest of the meeting was not only sustained but heightened. The -minister from York gave a full, clear exposition of the distinctive -doctrines of Methodism and the chief peculiarities of its discipline, -to which, it was noted, the squire gave earnest, studious, and -approving heed; Mr. Clayton talked wisely and well of Methodism's -special mission to Nestleton, and sketched in glowing colours a -prophetic history of the new chapel, and the good work that should -there be done for God. Mr. Mitchell found a thrilling and congenial -theme in the Midden Harbour mission, and the triumphs of grace among -its vicious and degraded inhabitants. Then the meeting was thrown open -for the reception of gifts and promises, and it soon appeared as if, -like Moses with the Israelites, Mr. Clayton would have to ask them to -"stay their hand." Jabez Hepton would make and give the pulpit; Kasper -Crabtree would build the wall around the chapel grounds and surmount -it with iron palisades; George Cliffe the carrier, and other owners of -horses would "lead" the bricks, lime, sand, stone, slates, and timber -free of cost. Widow Appleton promised the proceeds of her jargonelle -pear-tree, and Piggy Morris would give a litter of porkers to increase -the swelling funds. At length, up rose Black Morris, but so widely -different was his aspect as compared with the sad, bad times of -old--clean shaven, and with shortened locks, the old scowl conspicuous -by its absence, and the entire countenance so illuminated with the -gleam of grace, that all present felt that Black Morris was as dead -as Queen Anne, that the _soubriquet_ was a libel, and that the "John -Morris" of his innocent youth-hood had risen from the dead. Latterly -the ex-poacher had sought with much success to gather employment as a -farrier, and there seemed to be a reasonable prospect of prosperity in -that particular line. John Morris asked permission to address the -meeting; in feeling strains that held his hearers spell-bound, he -recounted his strange and startling experience. He told the story of -the brickbat, and pointed, with tears in his eyes, to the scar on Mr. -Clayton's face; ofttimes half-choked with sobs, he struggled through -the narrative of his never-to-be-forgotten ride in the circuit gig. He -told how he watched Mr. Clayton at Kesterton town-end with the -brickbat in his hand. "I said as I put it in my pocket," said he, "and -turned down the Nestleton-road, 'Hey, I shall want it again.' And now -I _do_ want it again. Here it is! (and he held the missile up before -them), I want to give it to the new chapel. I've saved five pounds, -and will save, by God's help fifteen more, which I rejoice to give in -gratitude to God; but I want to ask you to build the brickbat into the -building, for it has been bathed many a time in tears of penitence, -and I thank God, it has also been bathed in tears of joy." The scene -which followed baffles description. Mr. Clayton hid his face in his -hands and wept like a child, the sobs of Piggy Morris and his gentle -Mary were heard above the deep but suppressed murmurs of sympathy -which ran through the tearful crowd. By-and-bye, "Aud Adam Olliver" -arose and said,-- - -"Mr. Chairman! If ivver there was a man upo' t' 'arth 'at was a'most -ower 'appy te live, it's me. Halleluia! Halleluia! Prayse the Lord! -an' let all the people say, Amen." And they _did_ say it, as if they -meant it. Adam proceeded, "Neet an' day for mair then fotty year, -ah've bin prayin' an' waitin' te see this day. An' noo its cum, an' -cum iv a shap' 'at fair tonns me' heead wi' joy. When me an' mah dear -aud Judy com' here te-day, and ah saw this greeat big tent afoore uz, -an' t' flags flappin' on t' top on it, ah could'nt help sayin', 'Judy, -mi' lass! There's t' tabernacle there alriddy, an' t' temple 'll be up -and oppened afoare Can'lemas-day. Prayse the Lord!' We've had monny a -blessed tahme i' mah lahtle hoose, an' Maister Houston's kitchen's -been filled wi' t' glory o' the Lord. Beeath on 'em's been a Bochim -wi' t' tears o' penitent sowls, an' thenk the Lord beeath on em's been -a Bethel, wheer poor wanderin' sinners like Jacob hez fun' the Lord. -Ah've been thinkin' o' t' good aud sowls 'at's gone te heaven oot o' -mah lahtle class, since fost it wer' started, playmaytes an' -cumpanions o' mahne an' Judy's. Why scoores on 'em hez crossed ower -Jordan, dry-shod, an' gone te be for ivver wi' the Lord. Me an' Judy's -aboot all there's left o' t' real aud standers. We are like a coople -o' poor, dry trimmlin' leeaves, still shackin' upo' t' tree i' winter; -when wa' fall we sall fall as leet as they deea, an' t' wind 'at bloas -us doon 'll bloa us up ageean an' carry us inte Paradise,-- - - 'Te flourish in endurin' bloom - Seeaf frae diseeases an' decline.' - -Then there's that grand victh'ry 'at the Lord's gi'en us i' Midden -Harbour. Scoores o' poor sowls 'at's been liggin' amang t' pots hez -gotten 'wings o' silver an' feathers o' yallow gold.' Prayse the Lord! -An' noo, Mr. Chairman, let's remember what the Lord said te t' -Israelites when they camped bi' t' side o' Jordan, 'at owerfload its -banks i' harvest-tahme. It seeamed as though they could nivver cross -it, it was sae rough an' sae deep. He said, be' t' mooth ov 'is -sarvan, Joshua, 'Sanctify ye'rsens, an' i' t' mornin' the Lord 'll -work wunders fo' yo' l' an' sae He will for uz. Noo, Mr. Chairman, -ah'll say nae mair, bud nobbut propooase 'at John Morris's hoaf-brick -be built i' t' frunt o' t' chapil, i' sitch a spot 'at 'is bairns an' -their bairns efter 'em may nivver forget hoo the Lord mak's t' wrath -ov man te prayse Him, an' hoo He browt John Morris te t' Sayviour's -feet." - -The meeting was at length brought to a conclusion, and the people trod -their homeward way, filled with precious experiences of a day which -still lives in the memories of some who are yet spared by the sweeping -scythe of Time, to tell the story of the glorious meeting on Nestleton -Green, and the episode of Black Morris's singular contribution. In due -time the front gable reared its graceful head, and midway in the wall -was placed a slab of stone, with a square orifice cut in the middle, -in which the brickbat was inserted, and round about it an inscription -to the following effect:-- - -[Illustration: WESLEYAN METHODIST CHAPEL, BUILT 1835.] - -One day, when Mr. Clayton was sauntering round the new erection, -noticing with much satisfaction how nearly it approached completion, -he was joined by John Morris, who paid a daily visit of inspection to -the building in which he had so deep and strong an interest. They -stood together, reading the inscription on the tablet and looking at -the suggestive square within. - -"Morris," said Mr. Clayton with a smile, "that cut in the stone will -outlast the scar on my cheek! I count that seam one of the most -precious things that I possess." - -"And I," said Morris, "count it one of the most shameful things that -even I ever did in my reckless wickedness. But, see, there is a B -directly below it and an M immediately above it, and so it will -perpetuate Black Morris's repentance so long as the walls endure; or, -if you read it downwards, Morris's Brickbat is intimated quite as -clearly." - -"Well, that's one way of looking at it," said Mr. Clayton, laughing, -"but I have already read it downwards, and in my own mind have -translated it into Methodist Booty; and I declare to you that I would -willingly bear the brunt of another attack if I could capture another -brickbat and another warm-hearted Christian like John Morris;" so -saying he shook his companion warmly by the hand. That worthy fellow's -answer was a grateful look, through glistening eyes, as he silently -turned away. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIX. - -NESTLETON PUTS ON HOLIDAY ATTIRE. - - "Now all is done; bring home the bride again, - Bring home the triumph of our victory; - Bring home with you the glory of her gain, - With joyaunce bring her and with jollitie. - Never had man more joyful day than this, - Whom heaven would heap with bliss. - Make feast, therefore, now all this livelong day, - This day for ever to me holy is." - - _Spenser._ - - -The spring buds had expanded into summer flowers, May blossoms had -developed into autumn fruits, and the corn-fields were nearly white -unto the harvest, when the finishing touch was given to Nestleton -Chapel, and the day came round when that much-admired sanctuary was to -be publicly opened and solemnly consecrated to God. Great as was the -stir and the enthusiasm when the corner-stone was laid, that event had -to hide its diminished head in presence of this crowning ceremony. The -top-stone was emphatically brought on with shouting, and on that day -Nestleton, with the whole Kesterton Circuit as a boon companion, gave -itself up to an ecstacy of godly dissipation. Nor will this be -wondered at, when it is remembered that the programme of the opening -ceremonies included so joyous and important an episode as the marriage -of Philip Fuller and Lucy Blyth. The fact that this ceremony was to -take place in a "Methodist conventicle," as the new building was -contemptuously called, an act which was just made legally possible, -thinned the number of invited guests considerably, as well as did the -fact of Philip's plebeian choice of a bride from a blacksmith's -hearth-stone. Both he and his father could well afford to excuse the -absence of all such pitiful slaves to an unreasonable conventionalism, -which cared more for caste than character, and paid a grovelling -homage at the shrine of Mrs. Grundy. Philip knew that he was about to -gain a first-class prize in what, as things go, is too truly a -"matrimonial lottery." His father knew that he was about to welcome to -Waverdale Hall a member of the higher aristocracy of goodness and -virtue, compared with which, blue blood and a pedigree dating from the -Norman Conquest were trivialities too insignificant for mention; as -for a mere Plutocracy, whose merit consists in money and acres, the -old squire, even before his moral change had come, would have looked -down on it with disdain. Now, both his own and his son's convictions -chimed in with Tennyson's sentiment,-- - - "Trust me, Clara Vere de Vere; - From yon blue heavens above us bent, - The grand old gardener and his wife, - Smile at your claims of long descent. - Howe'er it be, it seems to me, - 'Tis only noble to be good; - Kind hearts are more than coronets, - And simple faith than Norman blood." - -And so it was, that no shadow of regret or drawback mingled with the -glad events of that auspicious day, which crowned the happiness of two -loyal hearts, filled the old squire's cup with blessing, dispersed the -last vestige of fear from Blithe Natty's mind, drove Nestleton into -hysterical delight, and filled all Waverdale with joy. - -At Old Adam Olliver's suggestion, the first service on the opening day -was held at eight o'clock in the morning, and consisted solely of -prayer and praise, with a brief address from Mr. Clayton, to whom they -were so greatly indebted, alike for the initiation of the scheme and -its triumphant completion. Herein, the wise and thoughtful villagers -happed exactly on what was indisputably the fitting thing to do, both -as to the nature of the primal service and the choice of the -individual who should line out the first hymn of praise and offer the -consecrating prayer. The custom which prevails of asking some popular -minister from a distance to perform this honourable task, and to make -a sermon the chief feature of the dedication, is one which would be -much more honoured in the breach than the observance. _He_ has had no -sleep-depriving cares, no tireless labours, no anxious heartaches, -during the harassing history of the work, and probably never heard of -it, until he receives the invitation to be the high priest of the day. -Let those who present the gift lay it upon the altar, and then it may -be wise to summon whatever oratorical harp, sackbut, and psaltery may -add effect and interest to the holy festival. During that early -morning meeting the crowd of worshippers had evidence prompt and -potent that their gift had "come up acceptable before God." - -"Cum an' fill the hoose in which we sit!" pleaded Adam Olliver; -"suddenly cum te Thi' temple. It's Thahne! It's nobbut a poor thing -cumpared wi' what Thoo's gi'en te uz, bud it's best we can deea! Mair -sud Thoo hev, if we had mair! An' we gi' Thoo oorsens wiv it. Tak' it -an' tak' uz, O Lord. Cum an' live in it, an' iv oor 'arts. Let t' -cloven tungues o' fire sit on uz while we kneel! Greeat grace be noo -upon uz all!" - -And "great grace" did come, "and the glory of the Lord filled the -temple," for we may be assured that such a gift offered in such a -spirit, by those inspired by such motives, shall now and ever be -graciously acknowledged by Him whose name is recorded there. It will -be seen that the building was now fitly prepared for the second -ceremonial, which was nothing less than the joining together of Philip -and Lucy in the holy bands of matrimony. I am sorry to disappoint -those of my readers who are eagerly looking for "a true and particular -description of that interesting transaction." Were I to make the -attempt my pen would be like Pharaoh's chariots in the Red Sea's -vacated bed, which "drave heavily," and would lag in tedious -despondency, conscious that the feat was beyond its power. Suffice it -to say that there were all the usual accessories common to such a rare -occasion: orange flowers and veils and coaches, horses with white -rosettes and tasseled ear-caps, wedding guests in white gloves, white -waistcoats, or white robes, according as their sex demanded. This I -may note, that the Rev. Matthew Mitchell was promoted to the high -position of "best man," adding my own opinion that a much better man -would have been difficult to discover. Mr. Mitchell was kept in -countenance by a couple of Philip's college chums, who loved him in -his student days, and whose esteem was of that true metal which did -not lose its ring at the sight of a Methodist chapel or a cottage-born -bride. Amongst the bridesmaids was one of Lucy's school companions, -who rejoiced in being the daughter of "a private gentleman of -competent means," which may probably be accepted by Mrs. Grundy as a -passable certificate, giving right of entry within the magic circle of -"people of position." It may be depended on, however, that this was -not our Lucy's reason for selecting her. That was because she was as -good as gold, had been for years a correspondent given to writing -crossed letters, and was a true and bosom friend. I should not like to -forget that bonny Grace Houston was also an attractive feature of the -bridal train, and more than one or two observant spectators of the -day's proceedings were led to suspect, from certain numerous, but -undefinable phenomena, that Mr. Mitchell "had an eye in that -direction." As for the two chief actors in this exciting and brilliant -business, I can only say that Philip bore himself as nobly as a -conqueror should, and led his captive with so proud a mien that you -might have thought she was a De Montmorency or a Fitzroy at the very -least. Lucy was simply Lucy, for I declare that yards and yards of -white tulle, yards and yards of silvery drapery, a marvellous wreath -of orange blossoms, satin shoes, and all the rest of her bridal -adornments, could not add one iota to the magical charm which dwelt in -and around the plain unvarnished "Lucy" whom we know. - -"Isn't she an angel," said little Alice Vokes, one of the white-kilted -fairies who strewed the carpet pathway from gate to altar with -flowers. - -"Isn't she a stunner," said Tom Raspin, a chubby youth of ten who -formed one of a Sunday-school detachment "on guard." - -My own opinion is that she was both, even with the addition of the -adjectives "perfect" and "regular" which were tacked on by the -respondents in their emphatic replies. - -There! I beg to decline further penny-a-lining on this subject. Let my -readers paint the picture themselves, and then get an artist in colour -to touch it off, with special orders "not to spare the paint," and -thus they may arrive at a satisfactory idea of Lucy's wedding. Mr. -Clayton tied the "hymeneal knot," and I am in a position to affirm -that he was "assisted by"--nobody; that nonsensical innovation was -then happily unknown. When the wedding party drove off to Waverdale -Hall, amid the enthusiastic applause of no end of uninvited -spectators, Adam Olliver turned to Farmer Houston, and said with a -smile,-- - -"There, Maister! T' pattern's finished. God set t' shuttle te wark i' -answer te wer' prayers. Nestleton Chapil was in it, Squire Fuller was -in it, Philip and Lucy's weddin' was in it. Noo it's finished, bless -the Lord, an' a pratty pattern it is." - - * * * * * - -The wedding breakfast was a grand business. The great dining-hall was -"furnished with guests;" stately lackies with powdered hair and -abnormal calves, got as usual into each other's way, and looked -innocently unconscious of all that was going on. The most rigid -justice was measured out to the sumptuous viands waiting sepulture, -and then, that time of test and trial, that running of the gauntlet, -that shivering plunge amid broken ice, the speechifying time, came -round. Lucy pierced the Brobdignagian Greco-Gothic edifice of a -bride-cake gallantly and resolutely, as though she had a spite against -it, an article she never possessed against anything or anybody; then -Philip gripped the weapon and speedily put it to the sword, sending -round its ice-and-sugar mailed morsels to the expectant guests. Then -followed the various toasts customary on such occasions, connected -with speeches which need not be reported: their gist and character may -be well imagined. Mr. Mitchell was the last speaker. He could not -begin with, "unaccustomed as I am to public speaking," as is often the -case, but he displayed a nervousness which nobody who had heard him -hold forth in Piggy Morris's malt-kiln would ever have given him -credit for. For a minute or two he floundered, and no wonder, the -surroundings were somewhat different from those in the Midden Harbour -Chapel of Ease; but he happened to catch a suspicious smile on the -face of one of Philip's college friends, and at once he felt the -gravity of the occasion. The honour of Methodism, of Lucy Blyth's--I -beg her pardon, Lucy Fuller's--clerical connections, of Philip's -choice of a Church were at stake, so he pulled himself together, and -planted his feet firmly en the ground, as though he was about to quote -Sir Walter Scott,-- - - "Come one, come all! this rock shall fly - From its firm base as soon as I!" - -"Mr. Chairman!" A roar of laughter and rappings that made the glasses -dance a fandango, greeted this _lapsus linguae_, but he was now equal -to the occasion,-- - -"That is the word I should have used if 'my foot had been on my native -heath,' as it is I must forego the familiar formula, and at once -address myself to the attractive task before me. There can be but one -opinion as to the peculiar charm which the bridesmaids have lent to -the happy proceedings of the day. Their winning beauty, the magic -influence, shall I say, the grace,----" - -"Yes, Grace Houston!" said a waggish guest, who had noted the -speaker's marked devotion to that more than comely damsel: whereupon -our tyro blushed like a boy, and almost lost his equilibrium, while -Grace herself found something amiss with the rose on her bosom, which -required close attention to secure its proper re-adjustment. - -"I recommend the young gentlemen here present," continued he, "to 'use -well the present moment,' for not only may they go further and fare -worse, but they may go anywhere and not fare so well. I hope that this -bevy of fair damsels may speedily follow in the steps of the bride, -and have the promise of as fair a future." - -Of course, "all went merry as a marriage bell," until at last the -carriage rolled up to the door, and the bridal pair departed amid -cheers, and tears, and blessings, to spend the honeymoon at -Scarborough, in which delightful resort of health and pleasure I will -leave them awhile, and proceed to chronicle the subsequent doings of -Nestleton in its holiday attire. - -The entire village, together with its numerous visitors, had -immigrated bodily to Waverdale Park. A bountiful feast was spread for -all comers, an ox had been roasted whole for their delectation, and a -boundless supply of other comestibles had been provided by the squire -and his son, to an extent that defied the heavy run upon them to -exhaust. I am bound to say that there was also a sufficient supply of -foaming ale, for beneficent teetotalism had not yet penetrated those -rural regions, and Good Templary had not been even dreamed of by the -most determined and sanguine votary of anti-Bacchus. Of course, there -were more speeches, in the course of which the squire himself proposed -the health of Old Adam Olliver. The old hedger received an ovation -such as might well have turned the heads of less humble men. For a -moment or two the old man was in danger of being mounted, chair and -all, upon the shoulders of his fellow-villagers, and carried in -triumph round the park. They contented themselves, however, by calling -for a speech. - -"Ah's varry mitch obliged te yo'," quoth Adam, "bud speeach-mackin' at -tahmes like theease is altegither oot o' mah line. Ah will say this, -hooivver, 'at Nestleton nivver saw sitch a day as this afoore, an' ah -deean't think 'at it's ivver likely te see sitch anuther. Mah poor aud -een's run a'most dry wi' tears o' grattitude an' joy. Nestleton's -getten a chapil, an't' yung squire's getten Lucy, an' t' aud squire's -getten a dowter withoot a marro', an' Nathan Blyth's getten a son 'at -owt te mak' 'im stand three inches bigger iv his shoon; an' what -Nestleton's getten i' hevin' 'em all 'll be a blessin' tiv it for -ivver an' ivver. As for me an' Judy, we've nobbut gotten yah wish -left, an' that's te see Pete ageean. But that's as the Lord will. Ah's -an aud man, an' me' wark's deean. Ah've hed te hing up me -slashin'-knife an' hedgin'-gluvs, an' ah's just waitin' quietly te gan -when t' Maister calls ma'. Ah pray 'at t' yung cupple may be varry -happy, an' ah's seear they will, for-- - - ''Tis religion 'at can give - Reeal pleasure while we live;' - -an', prayse the Lord, they hev it, beeath on 'em. Ah wop they'll hae -their quiver full ov bonny bairns, an' bring 'em up i' t' fear o' God: -an' efter a lang an' 'appy an' useful life, 'at they'll end their days -i' peeace, an' gan te be for ivver wi' the Lord; for-- - - ''Tis religion can supply - Solid cumfort when we die.' - -May God bless 'em, an' bless t' aud squire, an' bless uz all. Amen!" - -Old Adam's words were felt to be a benediction, and a deep and earnest -"Amen!" arose to float the old man's prayer to heaven. - -The day was fitly wound up with another service in the new chapel, -when a sermon was preached by a minister of mighty name and fame from -London, who had come to aid them in the dedication of their holy and -beautiful house of prayer. So ended a day, which will long be -remembered in the annals of Waverdale, as the day of "Nestleton Chapel -opening and Lucy Blyth's wedding!" - - - - -CHAPTER XL. - -AN EPISODE IN A METHODIST LOVE-FEAST. - - "While listening to the tale - Her spirits faltered and her cheeks turned pale; - While her clasped hands descended to her knee, - She, sinking, whispered forth, 'O God! 'tis he!' - - * * * * * - - The long-lost found, the mystery cleared, - What mingled transports on her face appeared! - The gazing veteran stood with hands upraised-- - 'Art thou indeed my son? then God be praised!'" - - _Blomfield._ - - -The opening services were continued for three successive Sundays, and -one noteworthy feature in the course was the holding of a love-feast; -that peculiarly Methodistic institution which was so rich a blessing -to the Church in the earlier days, and is yet, in the places which -have maintained their primitive simplicity, and into which the cold -criticisms of lethargic respectability and the frosty influences of a -stately formality, have not found their mischievous and unwelcome way. -In those old times the love-feast was not relegated to a brief -half-hour after the evening service, when the jaded congregation is -glad to get out of a spent and oppressive atmosphere, and when a -careful examination of the tickets of membership, once a precious -certificate of union with the Church, and a passport to peculiar -privileges of spiritual intercourse, is rendered all but -impracticable. Then, the love-feast was held in the afternoon, each -member showed his ticket at the door, and those who came without that -token had to go to the minister for a written "permit." A few kindly -and serious words spoken to the applicants often resulted in their -decision for Christ, and their connection with His people. - -At the Nestleton love-feast there was a full gathering of members, not -only from the village, but the region round about. After singing and -prayer, "Grace before Meat" was sung, and then the time-honoured -custom of eating bread and drinking water together was observed. There -are those, even among Methodists, who speak jocosely and slightingly -of this usage, as one which "might be very well spared." They are -degenerate children, who sadly underrate and misunderstand its -meaning, and are recreant and disloyal to the spiritual mother that -bore them. They forget that Methodism has for one of its main elements -of strength, one of its most effective equipments for moral service, a -principle and bond of brotherhood, a family relationship such as -belongs to no other Christian Church on earth. The breaking of bread -together is the sign and token of that moral freemasonry, and has done -much to make the Methodists at home with each other, wherever their -lot is cast. In an Australian hut or Indian bungalow, an American -shanty or a Canadian log-house, on a South Sea Island or a Western -prairie, as well as in an English rural homestead or an urban villa, -two Methodist hearts, hitherto strangers, will beat in unison, and the -hand-grasp that follows betokens a welding power in the Methodist -polity which it will be stark, staring madness either to weaken or -destroy. Besides this, the cultivation of the family bond by such -means as the love-feast is an effective means of checking feuds, -jealousies, coolnesses, and of re-twisting the brotherly bonds that -friction with the outside world tends to loosen, to the serious loss -of spiritual power. He is the most loyal Methodist who will heartily -conserve all those rules and usages which tend to bind its world-wide -constituency into one homogeneous, harmonious, and resistless whole. - -[Illustration: ADAM OLLIVER ADDRESSING A MEETING.--_Page 287._] - -"Grace after Meat" was sung, and then Mr. Clayton, who conducted the -service, related his own experience of the saving and sustaining grace -of God. Then the meeting was thrown open, and one after another stood -up to tell "what God had done for their souls." There was no -unwillingness to bear this godly witness. Young men and maidens, old -men and children--youthful Samuels and aged Simeons--all spoke briefly -and feelingly of their new-found or time-tested faith in Jesus. The -old wept tears of joy to hear the lispings of the young, the young -listened with interest to the "wisdom spoken by years." Once only was -the current of grateful love and joy broken in upon by another kind of -testimony. A good brother, who was sadly given to doubts and fears, -and generally to an unsatisfactory and discontented view of things, -spoke in such a sighing, doubting fashion as to cause quite a -depressing influence to fall upon the meeting. He was instantly -followed by Adam Olliver, who seemed to regard that sort of thing as a -libel on the goodness and grace of God. - -"Ah think," said he, "'at Brother Webster, 'at's just sitten doon, -lives i' Grumblin'-street. Ah lived there mysen yance; but ah nivver -had good 'ealth. T' air was bad, an' t' watter was bad, an' t' sun -nivver shined frae Sunday mornin' te Setterday neet. Sae ah teeak a -hoose i' Thenksgivin'-street, an' ivver since then things ez been -quite different; t' air's feyn an' bracin', an' t' watter's pure and -refreshin', an' t' sun shines like summer, an' t' bods sing, an' ah -can't help bud sing mysen. Ah recommend Brother Webster te flit. It'll -deea him a wolld o' good, an' ah sall be varry glad te get a new -neighbour. Te-day ah thenk the Lord 'at me' peeace floas like a river; -an' though ah's nobbut a poor aud sheep 'at can't forage for mysen, -an' isn't worth tentin', 'the Lord is mi' Shippard, an' ah sall nut -want. He mak's me te lig doon i' green pasthers beside still watters, -an' leads ma' i' t' paths ov righteousness for His neeame's seeak.'" - -He was followed by Judith, who spoke in clear and joyous language of -her calm repose on the bosom of infinite love, and of her hope of -heaven, which she said was brighter than ever. - -"I sall soon be there," said the ripe old saint. "I can't say as Jacob -did to Pharaoh, 'few and evil have the days of the years of my life -been,' for I seems to hev had nothing but mercies all t' way through. -As Adam says, we've lived i' Thanksgiving-street, an' though there's -been trials and cares, they've all been swallowed up in a multitude of -blessings. Now I feel that I's getten to be a poor totterin', old -woman, but I'm going home to Jesus. - - 'There all the ship's company meet - Who sailed with the Saviour beneath.' - -I had a hope 'at I should see my lad again, that's been ower t' sea -for monny a year. I fair pines sometimes to hev another look at his -dear face. But he's in the Lord's hands. He's found t' pearl of great -price, thank God, an' if I don't see him on earth, I shall meet him i' -heaven." - -By-and-bye there rose up just behind her a tall, fine-looking man, -about thirty years of age, whose brown and weather-beaten face was -"bearded like the pard." To him Mr. Clayton had given a "permit" on -the strength of a "note of removal," which, unlike many careless -Methodists of nomadic habits, who neglect this duty and so slip out of -Church fellowship, he had taken care to bring along with him. - -"I'm glad to be here to-day," said he; "I have only just arrived in -your beautiful little village, but as I know something of this -religion, and have the love of God shed abroad in my heart, I cannot -resist the opportunity of telling you what God has done for my soul. I -was a wild, harum-scarum lad when I left my home to seek my fortunes -in a foreign land. My parents were two as godly Christians as were to -be found out of heaven; but the restraints of a Christian home, and -the hum-drum life of a country village were more than my wilful spirit -and roaming tendencies could bear, so I left home somewhat suddenly -and much against my parents' will. A long, rough, and tedious voyage -across the sea partly cured me of my roving desires, and I felt half -inclined to come home again, especially as I had left my mother in -tears and my father sad at heart. When I landed, however, I made up my -mind not to go home until I had earned what it was worth my while to -carry back. For a long time I led a wandering life, not bettering my -condition, and I'm sorry to say not much better myself. At last the -tide turned; I settled down and made money very fast. I could never -forget, however, that the dear old folks at home were praying for me. -One night I was away on business, and found my way to a Methodist -chapel, for there's plenty of them yonder as well as here. It was only -a prayer-meeting, but I heard them sing the old hymns to the old -tunes, so familiar to my boyhood, and when a plain-spoken old man -began to pray it reminded me so much of my father's voice that I burst -into tears. My wild and careless life condemned me all at once, and I -could not help crying out, 'God be merciful to me a sinner!' They -gathered round me and prayed with me. I was in an agony of trouble, -and cried loudly for mercy, and at last the Lord spoke peace to my -soul." - -During the last two sentences the speaker's voice had faltered, and -under the influence of deep feeling he spoke in tones such as can -never be mistaken by a mother's ear. They fell like a revelation on -Judith Olliver; rising from her seat she turned fully round, looked -the speaker in the face, and crying, "It's mah Pete! mah bairn!" flung -her arms around her boy, and buried her grey head upon his shoulder, -murmuring the endearing words she used long years ago when she held -him on her knee. The congregation rose upon their feet in strong -excitement; Mr. Clayton, who was in the secret, brushed aside his -tears, and Old Adam Olliver, pale and silent with excess of joy, -walked across the chapel floor to greet his long absent son. - -"Adam!" said the mother, smiling through her tears, "thoo said he -would come, an' here he is!" - -The old hedger took the hand of his stalwart son, and shook it a long -while in an eloquent silence, his face working, his lips quivering in -his earnest efforts to keep back the gush of feeling, but all in vain, -it would come; throwing himself up on his boy's brawny breast, he -burst into tears of joy. Recovering himself, he said,-- - -"God bless tha', mah lad! God bless tha'!" Then lifting up his hands, -he said, amid the hush which waited on his words, "'Noo, Lord, lettest -Thoo Thi' sarvant depayt i' peeace, for me ees hae seen Thi' -salvaytion!" - -Mr. Clayton gave out the "Doxology," which was sung as only they can -sing who feel every word of it. He offered an earnest thanksgiving for -the wanderer's safe return, and commended the people to the Divine -keeping, and so ended the memorable love-feast which is remembered and -spoken of in Nestleton to this day. - -Farmer Houston was standing by the door to welcome Pete, and to -congratulate his parents on their boy's return. - -"Maister," said Old Adam, "you see Pete was i' t' 'pattern' all t' -tahme, an' we didn't knoa; 'This is the Lord's deein', an' it's -marvillous i' wer ees.'" - - - - -CHAPTER XLI. - -THE REVOLUTION IN MIDDEN HARBOUR. - - "O happy home! where man and wife in heart, - In faith and hope are one, - That neither life nor death can part - The holy union here begun. - - O happy home! where little voices - Their glad hosannas love to raise; - And childhood's lisping tongue rejoices - To bring new songs of love and praise." - - _Spitta._ - - -Amongst all the good people of Nestleton and its environs there was -none who entertained a more grateful love to the fair young mistress -of Waverdale Hall than Old Kasper Crabtree, to whom she had been so -gentle a nurse, and by whom he had been brought into possession of the -Gospel hope. Soon after the return of Philip and Lucy from their -wedding trip, and when they had fairly settled down among the -villagers, in the midst of whom their lives were to be spent "in -giving and receiving good," they received a message from the old man -requesting an early visit. He was seriously ill, and desired, with -their permission, to put into their hands a solemn and important -trust. His request was promptly responded to. The old man's face -lighted up with pleasure at the sight of Lucy, and it was with equal -pleasure that she heard his testimony of peace with God and hope of -heaven. - -"And now," said he, "my end is near, and I wish to unburden myself of -a trouble which has lately distressed me a good deal. You know that -I'm a solitary old man, without relatives, near or distant. I am -anxious to put what little fortune I have inherited and accumulated, -in trust for the thorough renovation of Midden Harbour. The miserable -houses, the want of drainage, and the generally dilapidated and -uncleanly condition of my property there, makes it all but impossible -for the poor tenants to improve much in morality and decency. I want -to ask you if you will kindly take charge of this work, and expend -such monies as I shall devote to that purpose in carrying out a -radical improvement of the place." - -To this his hearers willingly consented, heartily approving of his -design. - -"Now," said he, "I can die in peace. The result of my shameful neglect -you will undo, and repair the consequences of my selfish -indifference." - -Philip prayed with him; he and Lucy bade him good-bye, and in a few -days the old man passed away, rejoicing in the sure and certain hope -of eternal life. When his will came to be read it was discovered that -Kasper Crabtree had left all he possessed, absolutely and without -condition, to Lucy Fuller, "in grateful acknowledgment," said the -will, "of my eternal debt of gratitude to her, and in full confidence -that it will be well employed for the good of those I have too much -neglected, and for the glory of God." - -The reformation of Midden Harbour was a congenial task to Philip and -his wife. One after the other the old ricketty cottages were pulled -down and others built, healthy, comfortable, and commodious. The place -was effectively drained, gardens were laid out, an abundance of trees -and shrubs were planted, the pathways were paved, and the whole -appearance of the place was so thoroughly revolutionised as to have -lost its identity. The inhabitants, most of whom were members of the -Methodist society, drew up a round robin, and presented it to their -new landlord, with a unanimous request that the old name, once -sufficiently descriptive of its unsavoury condition, should be changed -for some other which should be more in harmony with the new and happy -condition of things. It was some time before its youthful owners could -hit upon a satisfactory title; at last they decided to call it Kasper -Grove, and so to hand down to posterity the name of the old man to -whom it was indebted for its transformation. Midden Harbour was -defunct, swept out of existence, but Kasper Grove continues to this -day, and holds a place among the lions of Nestleton quite as -attractive as the ancient abbey or Saint Madge's Well. - - * * * * * - -My story now draws nigh to a conclusion, but I must give my readers -just a final glimpse at the principal actors in the village history I -have tried to chronicle. - -Nathan Blyth transferred his business to a son of Jabez Hepton, who -had been taught his handicraft by Nathan himself, and was said to -possess much of the skill and cunning for which his master had long -been famous, and which had brought so much of profit, that in Nathan's -prudent hands, it had made him independent of the anvil. That good man -was able to retire on a comfortable competency and to devote his time -to tending the olive plants that soon began to grow round Lucy's -table, to active evangelic service in the Kesterton Circuit, for as a -preacher he was in great request, and to give pleasure and delight to -the old squire, who found in him an intelligent and congenial -companion, well read in that sacred lore which was now Squire Fuller's -favourite study. Nathan retained his old house, in which also Harry -Hepton and his young wife resided and cared for his creature comforts. -He didn't spend much time there, as may be well imagined, but still, -like a wise man, he kept his household goods around him, and lived as -happily as most mortals may. Though he had forsaken the anvil's -musical clink, he did not, by any means, give up singing. His grand -tenor voice, mingling with Lucy's musical treble and the tones of the -piano, out of which her magic fingers evolved sweetest harmonies, -formed an unfailing attraction to the happy inmates of Waverdale Hall. - -The old squire continued hale and hearty and it may be safely said -that he never enjoyed life as much as now. His lonely habits were all -broken in upon under the new _regime_. The library was still a -favourite resort, but Lucy was there with her wool-work or other -dainty task, and Philip or his father read for their mutual -delectation. By-and-bye, the squire developed quite a romping -tendency, and the youthful scions of the house of Fuller were in a -fair way of being spoiled by "Grandy," who in their society renewed -his youth. His lines were cast in pleasant places, and his gratitude -to God found increasing expression in his kindly visits to the -villagers and his unflagging interest in everything that pertained to -the cause of Christ. - -Philip himself was speedily elevated to the dignity of a county -magistrate, and, to what he regarded as even a higher honour, the -position of a local preacher on the Kesterton plan. He was beloved and -esteemed by all whose lot was cast within the circle of his -wide-spread influence, and was universally respected throughout the -Riding. As for Lucy, I need scarcely say that she dove-tailed into her -new position like one to the manner born, and all that this life can -give of peace and happiness was enjoyed in connection with a piety and -a Christian service, which will give mellow memories to Waverdale as -long as its sylvan glories shall unfold their beauties beneath the -breath of returning spring. - -Old Adam Olliver and Judith, blest and happy, lived with Pete, whose -Transatlantic gains sufficed for more than all their wants. He -embarked in the corn trade, and soon gained for himself a connection -that promised to be even more lucrative than the employment he had -left beyond the sea, when he was drawn homeward by the magic of his -mother's prayers. He soon gave a convincing proof of his good sense by -selecting for a wife the fair and gentle Mary Morris, who was as good -a daughter to Judith and Old Adam as she had been to her ailing -mother, and so the declining years of the dear old couple were spent -in comfort and in peace. - -Piggy Morris, under the influence of the new life which had dawned on -him in Midden Harbour, forsook for ever the bar of the Green Dragon -and the drinking habits which had been the bane of his life. His was a -thorough regeneration, and his hearty activities in connection with -the Methodist Church were only equalled by the vigour with which he -turned his keen business abilities to the best account as a cattle -dealer. He became known in this character through all East Yorkshire, -and by his rapidly-increasing gains speedily surrounded his -long-suffering but now happy "Sally," with a home atmosphere which -wrought a wondrous change in her health and made her quite a bustling -body, a happy and contented wife. - -John Morris, to be known as Black Morris no more for ever, pursued his -chosen occupation with much diligence. He studied hard, gaining wisdom -and experience in his profession, until his services as a veterinary -surgeon were in continual request. He found a fitting partner in -Hannah Olliver. As fellow-labourers in the Sunday-school, their -friendship had ripened into love, and that once dressy, but always -good-looking, damsel made him a wife of whom he was justly proud. - -Bob and Dick Morris, aided by Pete Olliver and Philip Fuller, were -enabled to regain their father's farm at Eastthorpe. Here Mrs. Morris, -senior, found unfailing pleasure in the oversight of the familiar -dairy of her younger years. Jake Olliver mated with the maiden whom, -despite the ghost of Nestleton Abbey, he had paid many a late visit to -Cowley Priory to see. As the hind on Mr. Houston's wold farm, he began -his married life under sunny auspices, and had no more of cloudy -weather than usually falls to mortal lot. - -Of the Houston family, I have little to say. That good man and his -estimable wife lived to old age, and were succeeded by still another -Houston; there is indeed every probability of the farm being handed -down in connection with the Houston name for ever. It will interest my -readers to know that the Rev. Matthew Mitchell secured the lovely -Grace in bonds which only death could loosen. Impelled by a spirit of -zeal for his Master's cause, Mr. Mitchell became a missionary, with -the hearty good-will of his devoted wife. Should these village annals -find acceptance, I may venture to tell the story of these two brave -souls, and of the mission which they established beneath the mango and -the palm. - -The Rev. Theophilus Clayton, after a few more years spent in active -work, became a supernumerary. He settled down at Nestleton in response -to Philip Fuller's earnest invitation. That open-handed friend of the -Lord's servants rendered his declining years exceptionally pleasant. -Methodism has yet much to learn in the way of just or generous -treatment of those who have spent their lives and exhausted their -strength in her service. The pitiful pittance she doles out to them -often amounts to semi-starvation. This grudging policy reacts -mischievously on the Church, in forcing feeble men to occupy the posts -of onerous duty, and also in depriving the time-worn toiler of the -quiet repose which would lengthen life and perpetuate, at least, a -portion of their Church activities. - -It would never do to forget so important a character as honest Balaam, -who was now permitted, not only to taste, but positively to banquet on -the sweets of leisure. He revelled on the sweet grass of Farmer -Houston's paddock, and was fast getting demoralised under the -influence of unmixed prosperity. Many a feed of corn, many a luscious -cabbage or succulent carrot was given him by the younger branches of -the Houston family, until like Jeshurun, he waxed fat and kicked, -affording another sad example of the mischievous effects of the -continuous smiles of fortune. At length, however, Adam Olliver, who -rode him almost daily to Waverdale Park, was induced to lend him to -the youngest squire of all, aged three years and a-half; and to his -little brother who had attained the mature age of five years. A pair -of panniers was provided, of superior basket work, cushioned and -lined, and, under the charge of a youthful groom, the precious two -were paraded round the park for a daily "constitutional." Balaam, -feeling the responsibility of his position, behaved himself as soberly -and sedately as his office demanded. No sooner, however, was duty done -than he felt at liberty to enjoy himself as his high spirits dictated. -He would then, as in former times, erect his tail, throw back his -ears, give voice in such a fashion as to wake all the echoes of -Thurston Wood, and gallop to and fro and round about in so comical a -manner as to delight the youthful hope of Waverdale. If Adam Olliver -happened to be present during one of these singular escapades, he -would say,-- - -"Balaam! Balaam! diz tho' see a boggle?" Whereupon the excitable -quadruped would lapse again into a quietude of deportment more in -keeping with his years. - -So the years went on; Time dealt gently with all and sundry, and -Nestleton Magna and its villagers held on their way in rural -simplicity, harmony, and peace. - - - - -CHAPTER XLII. - -AUD ADAM OLLIVER'S "NUNC DIMITTIS." - - "The wise man, said the Bible, walks with God; - Surveys, far on, the endless line of life; - Values his soul; thinks of eternity; - Both worlds considers, and provides for both; - With reason's eye his passions guards; abstains - From evil; lives on hope--on hope, the fruit - Of faith; looks upward; purifies his soul; - Expands his wings, and mounts into the sky; - Passes the sun, and gains his Father's house; - And drinks with angels from the fount of bliss." - - _Pollok._ - - -For several years after the stirring events previously narrated, -Nestleton Magna had largely reverted to the even tenor of its way. Not -that it could ever again be as it was in the olden time. The erection -of the chapel proved a very permanent and abiding source of good. The -society continued to increase in numbers; Kasper Grove was always the -very antipodes of Midden Harbour; the Sunday-school had grown in -numbers and in efficiency, until it occupied a position of the highest -value and importance, and all the younger generation of Nestletonians -were happily subjected to the godly influences there at work. - -Waverdale Hall was a centre of blessing, a fountain whose continuous -outflow refreshed and purified the region through which it coursed in -wise beneficence and Christly love. Still, there was an absence of -startling or exciting events, and the quiet peacefulness which -generally characterises rural districts brooded over the village -undisturbed. At the Hall there was a growing family of attractive -little squirelings and more attractive little ladies. Master Ainsley -Olliver Fuller, the eldest son and heir of my favourite friends, -Philip and Lucy, had two brothers, to wit, Philip Blyth and -Theophilus, one little sister, who could be called nothing else than -Lucy, and another sister, who was called Beatrice, after the old -squire's first and only love, long since gone to heaven. - -Old Adam Olliver was even more rich in grandchildren, for around the -tables alike of Jake and Pete and Hannah, the olive-branches increased -at a surprising rate. Very happily and peacefully did the old man's -last years ebb away. Judith was the first to receive the call from -that solemn messenger who brings his summons to every door. As she -lived, so she died; her departure was more a translation than a death. -She had not been well for some days, and one evening, while loving -Hannah was in the act of stroking her silver hair and speaking words -of cheer, she said, "Call your father." When the old man appeared, she -said, with a radiant smile, "Adam, I'm going home. Jesus calls. I'm -going on before, a little while, and the way is very light. A little -while, dear, true, good husband, and we shall meet again." And so she -slid quietly out of her clay tabernacle, and "took the nearest way to -her Father's house." - -Old Adam did not long survive her. He had grown very feeble; age and a -life of hard labour had bent his frame, and for the last few months of -his life he had to be guided across the floor. Mary was a gentle, -loving, and unwearying nurse, and fifty times a day did he ask God's -blessing on her for her kindly care. A bed had been set up for him on -the ground floor, as he was incapable of mounting the stairs, and -because he liked to have her near him, while she attended to her -household duties. But though the outward man was perishing, was -becoming a small, thin, filmy prison-house indeed, the inward man was -being renewed, beautified, and ripened day by day. - -"Mary," he would say, when he had sat still and silent for a long -time, and she had asked him how he felt, "Mary, ah've been i' good -cumpany. Judy's been wi' ma' i' spirit, an' ah've seen aingels wi' -breet an' wavin' wings, an' Jesus is allus wi' ma'. He says, 'Ah'll -cum ageean an' receeave tha' te myself,' an' ah says, 'Eaven seea, -Lord Jesus, cum quickly.' Ah sall be gannin' sum neet, an' when t' -sun's settin' wi' you, it'll be risin' wi' me, an' it'll be mornin' -an' nivver a neet nae mair." - -"Oh, Pete, mah lad," he would say, "bud religion _is_ sweet. Thoo's -crossed yah sea, an' ah's just aboot te cross anuther, bud it's a -varry narro' un', an' there isn't as mitch ov a ripple as wad toss a -chip, an' as seean as ivver ah tutch it, it'll splet, an' ah sall gan -through dryshod. An' t' other side, Pete! Ah gets a leeak at it noo -an' then, an' ah feels as though ah can hear t' music, an' see t' -saints o' God i' their glory, an' hear t' waff o' their wings. Prayse -the Lord, deein's nobbut like gannin' oot o' t' kitchen inte t' -parlour, an' 'ah sall dwell i' t' hoose o' the Lord for ivver.'" - -The old squire of Waverdale came to see him, during those last failing -months, nearly every day. He was a capital listener. Seated by Adam's -side, he would hold the old man's hand in his, and listen, with an -occasional smile, exclamation or nod, by the hour, while the veteran -talked of his religious history, gave his opinion on Scripture -passages, or bore witness of the love and grace of God. - -"Oh, Maister Fuller," said he one day, "I hev a peeace 'at's aboot -parfect. Ah've been thinkin' o' that text wheere the Lord says if His -people wad nobbut hae hearkened tiv His commandments, their peeace sud -hae floa'd like a river. Why, when fost ah gav' me 'art te God, me -peeace floa'd wiv a rush for a while, an' then gat inte t' shallo's. -Then it met fost a temptation, an' then a trubble, an' then a bit o' -neglect o' prayer, an' t' streeam was owt bud eeather smooth or full; -it went like a shallo' beck, wiv a lot o' steeanes, an' twists, an' -bendin's in it, cheeafin', an' splutterin', an' bickerin'; frothin' up -ageean this corner, an' bubblin' ower that, bud noo that it gets nigh -te t' sea, it gans deeper an' stiddier, an' floas sae smooth 'at ah -can scaycely tell it's movin' at all. That's just hoo ah feel te-day. -Ah's near t' sea; t' aushun ov infanite luv an' glory oppens oot -afoore ma', and ah's slitherin' on an' slippin' away, still, an' -quiet, an' 'appy; an' ah sall seean gan inte t' sea." Here the old man -waved his arms as "one who spreadeth forth his hands to swim." "Oh, -what a sea! t' luv o' Jesus, all on it. Prayse the Lord, ah've knoan -summut aboot it; ah've drunken it, an' ah've dipped in it, an' it's -shed abroad i' me 'art. Bud ah's gannin te swim iv it, an' te knoa Him -as ah is knoan. T' Revalation talks aboot a sea o' glass mingled wi' -fire. What it meeans ah deean't knoa, bud ah think it meeans parfect -peeace glowin' wi' t' glory o' parfect luv. Halleluia! ah sall-- - - 'Plunge inte t' Godheead's deepest sea, - Lost i' luv's immensaty.'" - -Is there anything on earth more beautiful than a scene like this? The -hoary head is indeed a crown of glory if it be found in the way of -righteousness. Age invests many things with a certain attractiveness. -An aged oak for instance, gnarled, widespread, stalwart and stately; -an ancient castle, weather-worn, storm-swept and furrowed with the -tooth of Time; an old church, moss-clad and ivy-covered; but of all -attractive pictures that Old Time can draw, nothing is more beautiful -than the silver locks and radiant features of a godly and joyous old -age. See this grand old saint, seated in "the old arm-chair," looking -placidly back upon the line of trodden years, looking hopefully -forward across the borders of the Beulah land, while the light of -heaven gilds his hoary hair. "The beauty," says Solomon, "of old men -is the grey head." That is a glorious picture which John Bunyan -paints, of the last stage of the Christian pilgrimage--the land of -Beulah, a land of glorious beauty, a place of broad rivers and -streams, spanned with heaven's undimmed blue, swept by breezes from -the hills of God, which bear on their fragrant wing the echoes of the -heavenly chimes, the foretaste of immortal joys. The Methodist -societies have ever been rich in a wealth of such experiences. A -careful perusal of the obituaries in the Methodist and Arminian -Magazines is quite sufficient evidence of the power of godliness over -pain, weakness and death to thrill the heart of the despiser, and -strike the sceptic dumb. - -At length, it became evident that Old Adam Quiver's hours were -numbered. As he felt his end approaching, he sent for friend and -neighbour, and bade them, one by one, a loving good-bye, mingling ever -a blessing with his parting words. His sons and daughters and his -grandchildren gathered round his bed, and, like Jacob, he blessed them -all by name. - -When Nathan Blyth came to take a last farewell, the old man said, with -a smile, as he noted Nathan's tears,-- - -"Nay, nay, and friend! That'll nivver deea. You owt to be Blithe Natty -noo, if ivver yo' wer' i' yer life. Ah's Blithe Adam, hooiver. It's -all sunshine, Natty,-- - - 'Nut a clood doth arise, - Te darken mi' skies, - Or te hide for a moment my Lord fre' mi' eyes.' - -'Roond aboot an' underneeath ma' are the ivverlastin' airms,' an' iv -'em ah sail swing inte heaven, as Mary tosses 'er bairn till it fair -screeams wi' joy. God bless yo', dear and friend. Ah sail seean sing -as weel as you, an' when you've waited a lahtle bit langer, we'll sing -tegither the prayses o' wer Greeat Redeemer. Deean't yo' remember yer -aun sang,-- - - An' when ah'm landed on Canaan's breet shore, - Befoore aingels an' saints will ah shoot it! - Give Glory te Jesus the King ivvermair - The King 'at ah tell'd all aboot it!" - -On the day of his death, Squire Fuller, Philip, Lucy and the little -children, gathered round his bed to receive his parting blessing. -Philip had rightly said, "Old Adam's benediction on the children will -prove a richer heritage than houses or land." - -On one and all the patriarch placed his feeble hands, the while he -breathed a silent prayer, and said aloud, "O Lord, mah God an' -Sayviour! bless the bairn!" The children were dismissed, the elders -remained, and were joined by Adam's sons and daughters, who gathered -round to see a golden sunset such as was never equalled by any -gorgeous glory of the western sky. The old man lay propped with -pillows, his scant white hair smoothed from his brow, and his thin -brown hands laid on the spotlessly white coverlet of his bed. The -shadows of evening had not yet fallen, but the sun was fast declining, -and its slanting beams fell upon his pillow, and lit up his features -with their glow Mary partially drew down the blind to shade his eyes. - -"Nay, nay, mah lassie," said Adam, "draw t' cottain up; 'It's a -pleeasant thing for t' ees te behold the sun.' It weean't ho't ma'; -mah poor and ees iz gettin' a cottain drawn ower them, bud that only -'elps 'em te see t' leet o' t' glory 'at's jost dawnin' upo' ma'. Will -yan o' ye read t' ninety-fost Psalm?" - -Lucy read it, and as soon as she began, he said, with infinite -tenderness,-- - -"God bless yo', mah dear; ah've heeard yer pratty voice ivver sin yo' -had yan, an' it's sweeter noo then ivver. Oh, Maister Philip! bud you -_are_ rich! Some fooaks get a treasure _wiv_ a wife, bud you've gotten -a treasure _iv_ a wife. Bless 'em, Lord, ten thoosandfoad wi' Thi' luv -an' fayvour." - -When the Psalm was ended he turned to the old squire. - -"Gi'e ma' hod o' yer 'and," said he; "the Lord's dealt boontifully wi' -yo', Maister Fuller, an' noo, prayse the Lord! that psalm belangs te -you as weel as me. 'He that dwells i' t' seeacret pleeace o' the -Meeast High,' that's iv His luv i' Jesus Christ, 'sall abide under t' -shado' ov t' Almighty.' _Abide!_ hey, for ivver an' ivver an' ivver! -'He sall cuver thee wiv 'is feathers.' Halleluia! Warm ageean His -'art, an' oot o' t' reeach o' 'arm. Ah's there! nestlin' an' cuddlin' -an' seeafe. 'Thoo sall nut be aflaid for t' terror be neet.' Flaid! -No: what is there te be freetened on? Jesus ez killed all that, -because He's slayn t' enmaty, an' God an' uz iz yan. He sall give His -aingels chayge ower tha'. Glory be te God! they're here! Ah can 'ear -t' rustlin' o' th'ir wings. They're waitin' fo' ma'! - - 'Aingels beckons ma' away, - An' Jesus bids ma' cum.' - -Bud that last vess caps ivverything! 'Ah'll show 'im me' salvaytion!' -Ah've seen a good deal, an' felt a good deal mair, bud it's nowt -cumpared te what's cumin'. Ah've seen it through a glass darkly, an' -ah've felt it through a gluv. Noo ah sail see Him feeace te feeace, -an' tutch Him as Thomas did, till me' sowl is ravished wi' glory an' -delight Moses saw t' Promised Land, bud he was a lang way oft, and t' -river rowlled atween. Ah sall be on t' spot, an' be a citizen o' that -cuntry. St. John saw it i' Patmos, bud it was a vision an' a dreeam. -Ah sail see t' real thing an' be payt on it, an' hev it for t' lot o' -me' inheritance. St. Paul saw it, bud he 'ad te cum doon ageean te be -pricked wi' thorns an' buffeted wi' trubbles. Ah sall gan oot nae mair -for ivver! Maister Fuller! Ah'll be riddy fo' yo' when yo' cum, an' -we'll gan tegither te t' King, an' as Nathan Blyth says, we'll shoot -and sing till we mak' heaven ring wi' prayse!" - -It is not to be supposed that this and much other joyous and -triumphant speech was said without break and pause. Now and again he -was utterly spent with excess of joy, and the feeble tongue refused to -follow the spirit's eager flight, and failed to syllable the rapture -of his exulting soul. About eight o'clock in the evening the messenger -came. The old man seemed to be asleep, but he suddenly opened his -eyes, and, looking upward, lifted his hand towards heaven; a strange -soft light and a beaming smile broke upon his face. "Heaven's oppen!" -said he; "Ah see Jesus Christ standin' at t' right 'and o' God. He hez -a star in His 'and. Beautiful! Beautiful!" The light upon his face -deepened; it seemed to be haloed with a glory. "He's cumin'," said he, -"cumin' for me. No, it isn't a star; it's a croon. Oh, mah Sayviour, -cum quickly. A croon o' glory!" Lifting up both hands, he half sprang -from the bed, crying, "It's mahne, prayse the Lord, it's mahne!" He -fell back upon his pillow, with a triumphant smile upon his face, and -Adam Olliver's glorified spirit went to heaven to wear it--that crown -of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, had laid up for -him against that day. - -So died Adam Olliver, and thus a life of singularly winning and -beautiful piety was fitly crowned by a singularly beautiful and -exultant end. - -The old man was buried in the grounds around the chapel which his -faith and prayer had chiefly reared. The whole of the societies in the -Kesterton Circuit were represented at his burial, and the large -concourse which assembled to pay this final tribute of respect agreed -in this, that though he was but an old and illiterate hedger, his -holiness, his integrity, his wondrous power with God, had made him -royal, and that "a prince and a great man had fallen in Israel." -Squire Fuller asked and received permission to erect a marble tablet -to his memory in Nestleton Chapel. There it continues to this day, and -every tourist passing through Waverdale, may turn aside and read for -himself the inscription thereon engraven. Beneath the record of his -name, age, and death, and a brief reference to his noble life are -inscribed the following texts of Scripture. Those who have read these -brief chronicles of village life will justify their choice. - - "THE EFFECTUAL, FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN - AVAILETH MUCH." - - "A MAN FULL OF FAITH AND OF THE HOLY GHOST." - - "MARK THE PERFECT MAN, AND BEHOLD THE UPRIGHT, - FOR THE END OF THAT MAN IS PEACE." - - "LET ME DIE THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS, AND LET - MY LAST END BE LIKE HIS." - - -_Printed by_ BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. _Edinburgh and London_ - - - * * * * * - - -_Books for Young Readers._ - - -By Rev. J. JACKSON WRAY. - - BETWIXT TWO FIRES. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. - - OLD CRUSTY'S NIECE. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. - - WILL IT LIFT? A Story of a London Fog. With Illustrations. - Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. - - JACK HORNER THE SECOND. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 1s. 6d. - - SIMON HOLMES, THE CARPENTER OF ASPENDALE. With Illustrations. - Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. - - THE SECRET OF THE MERE; or, Under the Surface. 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By Miss GIBERNE, Author of "The Dalrymples," &c. - - SWEETBRIAR; or, Doings in Priorsthorpe Magna. By AGNES GIBERNE. - - COULYING CASTLE; or, A Knight of the Olden Days. By AGNES - GIBERNE. - - AIMEE: A Tale of the Days of James the Second. By AGNES - GIBERNE. - - LILLA THORNE'S VOYAGE; or, "That Far Remembrancer." By GRACE - STEBBING. - - NESTLETON MAGNA. By the Rev. JACKSON WRAY. - - MATTHEW MELLOWDEW. By the Rev. JACKSON WRAY. - - BETWIXT TWO FIRES. By the Rev. JACKSON WRAY. - - SHIP DAPHNE. By the Rev. T. S. MILLINGTON. _Just Published._ - - - THE "ROUNDABOUT" SERIES. - - _Extra crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. each._ - -[Sidenote: 3s. 6d. each.] - - THE RIGHT ROAD. A Manual for Parents and Teachers. By J. KRAMER. - - THROUGH BIBLE LANDS. Notes of Travel in Egypt, the Desert, and - Palestine. Profusely Illustrated. By PHILIP SCHAFF, D.D., and - an Essay on Egyptology and the Bible, by EDOUARD NAVILLE. - - PALESTINE EXPLORED. By Rev. 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