CHAPTER III.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2113, 23 January 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER 111.

(Continued.)

He could not, of course, long conceal tins latter fiint from his father ; and when the Vicar forcibly pointed out to him how that, after paving a life insurance yearly for the benefit of hiß wife, he had barely been able to save four thousand pounds for his five portionless daughters, George first saw his thoughtless conduct in its true light. Tt. was then that he insisted on declining his uncle's offer of purchasing him a commission in the army, and determined to devote his energies to some pursuit where he would be likely to make money enough to repay his father ; who, at his good wife's earnest entreaty, sacrificed the four thousand pounds to his son's necessities. Deeply touched by this genero-ity, George at once threw aside the heieditaiy distaste for "trade," to which he had been brought up, and borrowed of his uncle, Sir Hugh, sufficient means to commence business as a merchant in the town of Oldcastle, which in about sixty miles distant from Narbrough. Through the family solicitor, who resided ttere, a partner, who also possessed a small capital and considerable experience, was provided for him ; and hitherto they hid been tolerably successfull in their undertaking. Already, indeed, George had been able to repay to the Vicar the sum of one thousand pounds, and had a fair prospect of, in another ye.irorso, being able to free himself entirely from the galling debt. These honourable and manly struggles had also made him a wiser and a better man. The George Manners of Cambridge — thoughtloi>s, improvident, and clever — was a very different person to the Georiie Manners of Oldcastle — who, quiet, j perseverinsr, and energetic, was gradu- j ally winning himself a name among the wealthier merchants ot the town, as I being a steady, industrious man of business, almost certain to rise in his calling, and he was respected among them accordingly. At home he was exceedingly beloved. By his half-sisters he was spoilt to his heart's content, and hie step-mother regarded him with peculiar affection. He was the one member of the family who had always treated her with the tenderest respect. Perhaps an illness in his boyhood, through which she had nursed him with the greatest devotion, tended to endear her to him. Be this as it may, George had invariably been the champion at the hall, and the champion at the Vicarage of the lowly-born stepmother, and fie greatest affeotion had ever existed between thetn. The Vicar now also regarded him with considerable respect. This feeling, however, might properly be dated to have arisen since the repayment of th 6 thou«and pounds with interest, and the prospect which he now had of one day seeing the other three thousand also safely returned to him. Before this, Mr Manner", in spite of his own marriage with so humble a per-on as hi* handsome Nelly, lrid secretly in his heirt despised his son for piefemng to make an honourable endeavour to save his sister from denend.inon by his own pxertions, to a •oldier'a life of idleness and ease. The old hereditary prejudice was still strong within him, yet he fully admitted the wisdom of having overcome it ; and during his son's almost weekly visits to the Vicarage, he always treated him with the greatest consideration. Perhaps he had some v.igue idea, too that when — when a time came he never Cared to tl ink of or prepare for, tbat George would -tand by the widow and the orphans. But he was so hale and strong. He had time before him, and had no need yet for such gloomy thoughts ra fiese.