THE VILLAGE CARRIER.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 35, 2 September 1867, Page 4

THE VILLAGE CARRIER.

(Continued from our last.) The room in which John had been shut by his tutor was one of the most splendidly furnished apartments of the mansion. Its costly style was no doubt pleasing to its late proprietor, but quite embarrassing to the present one, who feared to move on account of knocking down some of the elegant little articles of vertu that so liberally adorned the room, and could not imagine that those magnificent chairs were meant to sit in. Wliile considering in his own mind what to do, he caught sight of a gentleman at the farther end of the room, to whom, remembering his lessons in politeness, he made his best bow. The stranger did the same. John advanced towards him; and, hoping that the gentleman was well, held forth his hand. The other extended his hand: but when John would have taken it, he only struck his fingers on a looking-glass. *At this moment the captain entered; the sight overcame even his gravity; and to his pupil’s surprise, who imagined it impossible, he had a hearty laugh. But he admitted that it was by no means to be wondered at that John should make such a mistake, considering that he never beheld himself so well dressed before. At length night came on; and John, heartiy tired with his day’s journey and excitement, was very glad to go to bed. But here another surprise awaited him, when ho found himself sinking in a mass of the softest down. At length he slept soundly, and forgot all the trouble of being a gentleman, in that blessing which is so often denied the wealthy —tranquil and refreshing slumber.

CHAPTER 11. When John awoke the following morning he was rather surprised to see an elderly man, of a grave and humble appearance, moving quietly about the room and arranging his garments ready for him to put on. “Well ?” said John. “ Good morning sir,” said the intruder, in that subdued kind of voice, peculiar to well-trained servants. “I hope, sir, you have slept well,” “Yes, thank you, pretty tolerably,” replied John. “Would you wish to rise now, sir ?” inquired the stranger. “ Yes, I will getup at once,” said John, and then seeing that the other still lingered, he added, “Well, what are you waiting for?”

“If you please, sir, I am your valet,

“ What is that ?' cried John, without waiting for him to finish. The attendant looked rather surprised, hut recollecting the lawer’s caution of the previous day, said quietly, “ I shall have the pleasure of dressing you, sir,” “ Will you ?” cried John, starting up in bed; “not if I know it, my friend. Now, old fellow, take a sight at me,” which the valet, thinking him a very extraordinary sort of gentleman, had been doing for some time. “ Now, how old do you think I am ?” said John, when he thought he had been gazed at sufficiently. “ Really, sir, I have no idea,” replied the servant, hastly putting a razor out of sight, and edging towards the poker, for he began to fancy his master must be a lunatic.

“I do not look like a babhy, do I?” said John.

The valet cast a glance at is huge red face and sandy whiskers, and readily admitted that he did not in any way resemble a “ bahhv.”

“ And I do not appear to have lost the use of my limbs ?” continued the proprietor of Templar Hall, giving himself, as he spoke, a tremendous shake and a roll, in order to enforce his assertion.

“ No, sir. No, certainly not, sir,” stammered the valet. “ You appear to be in good health, sir—in very good health, sir; and vigorous, sir—indeed remarkably vigorous,” he added, anxious to propitiate ono whom he looked upon as decidedly insane, and getting a step nearer to the door.

“ Then, you see I am able to wash my own face, and put on my own coat without you,” said John ; “so be scarce.” The man waited for no further orders; but running down-stairs, he met Captain Higgins, to whom he related what had passed. The Captain listened with the most praiseworthy gravity, and reflecting on the wisdom of the proverb, “ thatno man has secrets from his valet,” decided that it was better for John to perform his own toilet, and told the man that his master f [referred to dress himself. 'The servant poked grave at this, fearing to loose his situation; but the captain, pitying his distress, said that in future he could attend on him.

When John came to the breakfast table he laughed heartily at the idea of his not being able to dress himself, and expressed great astonishment when told that men of his rank always employed valets. Breakfast being concluded, John was conducted over the mansion by Mr. Keene. The number of rooms and vast quantity of furniture drew from him such ludicrous remarks, that even serious Mr. Keene, in spite of himself, was bound to smile. When they entered the picture gallery, hung with some of the choicest works that money could purchase, John seemed struck dumb with admiration, and sXflnaroeddbr some time lost in thought.

Glad to see that the Fine Arts had so much attraction for him, the lawyer asked what he was pondering on. “ This great place is ever so much larger than Farmer Long’s barn,” replied John; “ I was trying just to reckon up how many sacks of corn it would hold. When they had finished their tour of inspection round the house, they visited the out-buildings and stables; the excarrier had plenty to interest him, and for the first time since he left his village, he found himself quite at his ease. When they sat down to dinner, John with expectancy beaming in every feature anxiously awaited the risingof the covers; fancy his severe disappointment when nothing came to view, except a series of light and elegant dishes. He grumbled as much as he dared to in the presence of his two preceptors; but even Captain Riggins “ eyeing him over,” could not hinder him from remarking that “Nothing there was equal to a “biled ” leg of mutton with “ tunrnups.” It was in vain that they represented to him that a gentleman of his station should not require such substantial and plebeian joints. On that point John remained firm; and so a compact was entered into between all parties, thathe should choose his own dinner three times a week. During dinner the captain had to exert all his authority to prevent his pupil from putting 1 his knife in his mouth; but John stopped him in the middle of his lecture by commencing to pick his teeth with his fork, which so horrified the captain that he relapsed into silence. When the cloth was removed, the captain lit his cigar, and with the legal gentleman proceeded to discuss some choice port. John’s luxuries were of a much more humble class, but after much opposition he was allowed to solace himself with a long clay pipe, and a large mug of ale. Mr. Keene now said he wished to talk with him on matters of business, and so John had to lend an unwilling ear. “What are you intentions, Mr. Bennett ?”

John started at this; he had been so long accustomed to he called John the carrier, happy John, and so forth, that for the moment he wondered who Mr. Bennett might be; but recollecting, he said quickly, “ Yes, that’s right. Bennett. Oh, yes.” 11 Your predecessor,” said the lawyer, without heeding the interruption, “you perhaps have heard, kept a great deal of company, which of course you will not want to do, or, at all events, notforsome time, and therefore one half at least of the servants are not required. I did not like to take upon myself the responsibility of either discharging or retaining any of them, so they await your orders, “Let them stay,” said John, “every one of them.”

“They make a great increase in the household expenses, sir,” expostulated the lawyer. “Never mind,” said the proprietor; “ there is more money belonging 1 to me than I can use. They get better food in this house than they would out of it! and I know what it is to want a meal. Let them stay,” Mr. Keene was going into some other matters, but John stopped him. “It is not a hit of use for you to consult meahout these things,” he exclaimed. “I am quite ignorant about them; and you know it. I tell you to do just as you like, and let things go on as they used to do,”

“ You are master here, Mr. Bennett,” said the lawyer, “ and you order me to act for you. Of course I obey. It is my intention to return into town to-morrow as one or two trifling formalities are still unfinished. Until I shall again wait on you, sir, have yon any further wishes ?” “ I should he glad if, before you go, you would leave orders with the cook that I must have a leg of mutton roasted or boiled on the days we fixed,” said John.

“ Certainly, sir,” said the lawyer, repressing a smile. “ Should you require any small sum of money, Captain Biggins holds some for yon.” “I am glad of that,” said John. “If I should chance to meet with any poor man who is saving his money to take a public-house, I shall be glad to assist him.”

The captain and Mr. Keene became quite immersed in a game of chess; and John, taking advantage of their abstraction, cut with a penknife a number of lines on a fine mahogany table, and amused himself with the interesting game of shove-halfpenny. The following day after thelawyerhad taken his departure, the newly-created gentleman strolled again to the spot that had any charms for him—the stables. A boy was busily employed in sweeping out one of the coach-houses, and John, who had already begun tc tire of his inactive life, watched him with a feeling of envy. After a time the lad went to his dinner; but John, to whom the desire for active occupation had become almost overpowering, stood eyeing the broom most wistfully. He strove to picture to himself what his tutor, the captain, would say if he detected him, but it was all useless; off went his coat, up he rolled his shirt-sleeves—another moment, and he was handling the broom, as if sweepfor life. In his pleasant task he forgot for a time the existance of Captain Riggins, until that individual made his appearance, his furious eyes absolutely red-i hot with indignation. He seized the

broom from his hopeful pupil’s hand, and for the moment seemed inclined to hurl it at his victim’s head; but changing his mind, he penned him up in a corner, and alternately scolded him and gave him good advice until be had talked himself hoarse. When he had finished John ventured to ask what, as a gentleman, he might do without losing his dignity. Tne captain replied that, if he wanted active exercise, he should ride or drive, or fish, or take a gun, the covers affording some excellent sport; and if he preferred indoor amusements, there were billiards, hooks, and newspapers. John expressed a wish to drive, and on the following day a nicely appointen trap and first-rate horse were brought round for him. TO BE CONTINUED,