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Japhet, In Search Of A Father by Frederick Marryat

F >> Frederick Marryat >> Japhet, In Search Of A Father




"Whom have we here?" inquired the magistrate.

"A pickpocket, sir," replied they.

"Ah! one of the swell mob," replied he. "Are there any witnesses?"

"Yes, sir," replied a young man, coming forward. "I was walking up Bond
Street, when I felt a tug at my pocket, and when I turned round, this
chap was running away."

"Can you swear to his person?"

There were plenty to swear that I was the person who ran away.

"Now, sir, have you anything to offer in your defence?" said the
magistrate.

"Yes, sir," replied I; "I certainly was running down the street; and it
may be, for all I know or care, that this person's pocket may have been
picked--but I did not pick it. I am a gentleman."

"All your fraternity lay claim to gentility," replied the magistrate;
"perhaps you will state why you were running down the street."

"I was running after a carriage, sir, that I might speak to the person
inside of it."

"Pray who was the person inside?"

"I do not know, sir."

"Why should you run after a person you do not know."

"It was because of his _nose_."

"His _nose_?" replied the magistrate, angrily. "Do you think to trifle
with me, sir? You shall now follow your own nose to prison. Make out his
committal."

"As you please, sir," replied I; "but still I have told you the truth;
if you will allow any one to take a note, I will soon prove my
respectability. I ask it in common justice."

"Be it so," replied the magistrate; "let him sit down within the bar
till the answer comes."

In less than an hour, my note to Major Carbonnell was answered by his
appearance in person, followed by Timothy. Carbonnell walked up to the
magistrate, while Timothy asked the officers in an angry tone, what they
had been doing to his _master_. This rather startled them, but both they
and the magistrate were much surprised when the Major asserted that I
was his most particular friend, Mr Newland, who possessed ten thousand
pounds per annum, and who was as well known in fashionable society, as
any young man of fortune about town. The magistrate explained what had
passed, and asked the Major if I was not a little deranged; but the
Major, who perceived what was the cause of my strange behaviour, told
him that somebody had insulted me, and that I was very anxious to lay
hold of the person, who had avoided me, and who must have been in that
carriage.

"I am afraid, that after your explanation, Major Carbonnell, I must, as
a magistrate, bind over your friend, Mr Newland, to keep the peace."

To this I consented, the Major and Timothy being taken as
recognisances, and then I was permitted to depart. The Major sent for a
hackney coach, and when we were going home he pointed out to me the
folly of my conduct, and received my promise to be more careful for the
future. Thus did this affair end, and for a short time I was more
careful in my appearance, and not so very anxious to look into
carriages; still, however, the idea haunted me, and I was often very
melancholy. It was about a month afterwards, that I was sauntering with
the Major, who now considered me to be insane upon that point, and who
would seldom allow me to go out without him, when I again perceived the
same carriage, with the gentleman inside as before.

"There he is, Major," cried I.

"There is who?" replied he.

"The man so like my father."

"What, in that carriage? that is the Bishop of E----, my good fellow.
What a strange idea you have in your head, Newland; it almost amounts to
madness. Do not be staring in that way--come along."

Still my head was turned quite round, looking at the carriage after it
had passed, till it was out of sight; but I knew who the party was, and
for the time I was satisfied, as I determined to find out his address,
and call upon him. I narrated to Timothy what had occurred, and
referring to the Red Book, I looked out the bishop's town address, and
the next day, after breakfast, having arranged my toilet with the utmost
precision, I made an excuse to the Major, and set off to Portland Place.




Chapter XXVII

A Chapter of Mistakes--No benefit of Clergy--I attack a Bishop, and
am beaten off--The Major hedges upon the filly stakes.


My hand trembled as I knocked at the door. It was opened. I sent in my
card, requesting the honour of an audience with his lordship. After
waiting a few minutes in an ante-room, I was ushered in. "My lord," said
I, in a flurried manner, "will you allow me to have a few minutes'
conversation with you alone?"

"This gentleman is my secretary, sir, but if you wish it, certainly, for
although he is my confidant, I have no right to insist that he shall be
yours. Mr Temple, will you oblige me by going up stairs for a little
while."

The secretary quitted the room, the bishop pointed to a chair, and I sat
down. I looked him earnestly in the face--the nose was exact, and I
imagined that even in the other features I could distinguish a
resemblance. I was satisfied that I had a last gained the object of my
search. "I believe, sir," observed I, "that you will acknowledge, that
in the heat and impetuosity of youth, we often rush into hasty and
improvident connections."

I paused, with my eyes fixed upon his. "Very true, my young sir; and
when we do we are ashamed, and repent of them afterwards," replied the
bishop, rather astonished.

"I grant that, sir," replied I, "but at the same time, we must feel that
we must abide by the results, however unpleasant."

"When we do wrong, Mr Newland," replied the bishop, first looking at my
card, and then upon me, "we find that we are not only to be punished in
the next world, but suffer for it also in this. I trust you have no
reason for such suffering?"

"Unfortunately, the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children,
and, in that view, I may say that I have suffered."

"My dear sir," replied the bishop, "I trust you will excuse me, when I
say, that my time is rather valuable; if you have anything of importance
to communicate--anything upon which you would ask my advice--for
assistance you do not appear to require, do me the favour to proceed at
once to the point."

"I will, sir, be as concise as the matter will admit of. Allow me,
then, to ask you a few questions, and I trust to your honour, and the
dignity of your profession, for a candid answer. Did you not marry a
young woman early in life? and were you not very much pressed in your
circumstances?"

The bishop stared. "Really, Mr Newland, it is a strange question, and I
cannot imagine to what it may lead, but still I will answer it. I did
marry early in life, and I was, at that time, not in very affluent
circumstances."

"You had a child by that marriage--your eldest born--a boy!"

"That is also true, Mr Newland," replied the bishop, gravely.

"How long is it since you have seen him?"

"It is many years," replied the bishop, putting his handkerchief up to
his eyes.

"Answer me, now, sir;--did you not desert him?"

"No, no!" replied the bishop. "It is strange that you should appear to
know so much about the matter, Mr Newland, as you could have hardly been
born. I was poor then--very poor; but although I could ill afford it, he
had fifty pounds from me."

"But, sir," replied I, much agitated; "why have you not reclaimed him?"

"I would have reclaimed him, Mr Newland--but what could I do--he was not
to be reclaimed; and now--he is lost for ever."

"Surely, sir, in your present affluence, you must wish to see him
again?"

"He died, and I trust he has gone to heaven," replied the bishop,
covering up his face.

"No, sir," replied I, throwing myself on my knees before him, "he did
not die, here he is at your feet, to ask your blessing."

The bishop sprang from his chair. "What does this mean, sir?" said he,
with astonishment. "You my son!"

"Yes, reverend father--your son; who, with fifty pounds you left--"

"On the top of the Portsmouth coach!"

"No, sir, in the _basket_."

"My son! sir,--impossible; he died in the hospital."

"No, sir, he has come out of the _hospital_," replied I; "and as you
perceive, safe and well."

"Either, sir, this must be some strange mistake, or you must be trifling
with me," replied his lordship; "for, sir, I was at his death-bed, and
followed him to his grave."

"Are you sure of that, sir?" replied I, starting up with amazement.

"I wish that I was not, sir--for I am now childless; but pray, sir, who,
and what are you, who know so much of my former life, and who would have
thus imposed upon me?"

"Imposed upon you, sir!" replied I, perceiving that I was in error.
"Alas! I would do no such thing. Who am I? I am a young man who is in
search of his father. Your face, and especially your nose, so resembled
mine, that I made sure that I had succeeded. Pity me, sir--pity me,"
continued I, covering up my face with my hands.

The bishop, perceiving that there was little of the impostor in my
appearance, and that I was much affected, allowed a short time for me to
recover myself, and then entered into an explanation. When a curate, he
had had an only son, very wild, who would go to sea in spite of his
remonstrances. He saw him depart by the Portsmouth coach, and gave him
the sum mentioned. His son received a mortal wound in action, and was
sent to the Plymouth hospital, where he died. I then entered into my
explanation in a few concise sentences, and with a heart beating with
disappointment, took my leave. The bishop shook hands with me as I
quitted the room, and wished me better success at my next application.

I went home almost in despair. Timothy consoled me as well as he could,
and advised me to go as much as possible into society, as the most
likely chance of obtaining my wish, not that he considered there was any
chance, but he thought that amusement would restore me to my usual
spirits. "I will go and visit little Fleta," replied I, "for a few
days; the sight of her will do me more good than anything else." And the
next day I set off for the town of ----, where I found the dear little
girl, much grown, and much improved. I remained with her for a week,
walking with her in the country, amusing her, and amused myself with our
conversation. At the close of the week I bade her farewell, and returned
to the Major's lodgings.

I was astonished to find him in deep mourning. "My dear Carbonnell,"
said I, inquiringly, "I hope no severe loss?"

"Nay, my dear Newland, I should be a hypocrite if I said so; for there
never was a more merry mourner, and that's the truth of it. Mr M----,
who, you know, stood between me and the peerage, has been drowned in the
Rhone; I now have a squeak for it. His wife has one daughter, and is
_enceinte_. Should the child prove a boy, I am done for, but if a girl,
I must then come in to the barony, and fifteen thousand pounds per
annum. However, I've hedged pretty handsomely."

"How do you mean?"

"Why they say that when a woman commences with girls, she generally goes
on, and the odds are two to one that Mrs M---- has a girl. I have taken
the odds at the clubs to the amount of fifteen thousand pounds; so if it
be a girl I shall have to pay that out of my fifteen thousand pounds per
annum, as soon as I fall into it; if it be a boy, and I am floored, I
shall pocket thirty thousand pounds by way of consolation for the
disappointment. They are all good men."

"Yes, but they know you never pay."

"They know I never do now, because I have no money; but they know I will
pay if I come into the estate; and so I will, most honourably, besides a
few more thousands that I have in my book."

"I congratulate you, with all my heart, Major. How old is the present
Lord B----?"

"I have just been examining the peerage--he is sixtytwo; but he is very
fresh and hearty, and may live a long while yet. By-the-bye, Newland, I
committed a great error last night at the club. I played pretty high,
and lost a great deal of money."

"That is unfortunate."

"That was not the error; I actually paid all my losings, Newland, and it
has reduced the stock amazingly. I lost seven hundred and fifty pounds.
I know I ought not to have paid away your money, but the fact was, as I
was hedging, it would not do not to have paid, as I could not have made
up my book as I wished. It is, however, only waiting a few weeks, till
Mrs M---- decides my fate, and then, either one way or the other, I
shall have money enough. If your people won't give you any more till you
are of age, why we must send to a little friend of mine, that's all, and
you shall borrow for both of us."

"Borrow!" replied I, not much liking the idea; "they will never lend me
money."

"Won't they?" replied the Major; "no fear of that. Your signature, and
my introduction, will be quite sufficient."

"We had better try to do without it, Major; I do not much like it."

"Well, if we can, we will; but I have not fifty pounds left in my desk;
how much have you?"

"About twenty," replied I, in despair at this intelligence; "but I think
there is a small sum left at the banker's; I will go and see." I took up
my hat and set off, to ascertain what funds we might have in store.




Chapter XXVIII

I am over head and ears in trouble about a lady's ear-rings; commit
myself sadly, and am very nearly committed.


I must say, that I was much annoyed at this intelligence. The
money-lenders would not be satisfied unless they knew where my estates
were, and had examined the will at Doctors' Commons; then all would be
exposed to the Major, and I should be considered by him as an impostor.
I walked down Pall Mall in a very unhappy mood, so deep in thought, that
I ran against a lady, who was stepping out of her carriage at a
fashionable shop. She turned round, and I was making my best apologies
to a very handsome woman when her ear-rings caught my attention. They
were of alternate coral and gold, and the fac-simile in make to the
chain given by Nattee to Fleta. During my last visit, I had often had
the chain in my hand, and particularly marked the workmanship. To make
more sure, I followed into the shop, and stood behind her, carefully
examining them, as she looked over a quantity of laces. There could be
no doubt. I waited till the lady rose to go away, and then addressed the
shopman, asking the lady's name. He did not know--she was a stranger;
but perhaps Mr H----, the master, did, and he went back to answer the
question. Mr H---- being at that moment busy, the man stayed so long,
that I heard the carriage drive off. Fearful of losing sight of the
lady, I took to my heels, and ran out of the shop. My sudden flight from
the counter, covered with lace, made them imagine that I had stolen
some, and they cried out, "Stop thief," as loud as they could, springing
over the counter, and pursuing me as I pursued the carriage, which was
driven at a rapid pace.

A man perceiving me running, and others, without their hats, following,
with the cries of "Stop thief," put out his leg, and I fell on the
pavement, the blood rushing in torrents from my nose. I was seized,
roughly handled, and again handed over to the police, who carried me
before the same magistrate in Marlborough Street.

"What is this?" demanded the magistrate.

"A shoplifter, your worship."

"I am not, sir," replied I; "you know me well enough, I am Mr Newland."

"Mr Newland!" replied the magistrate, suspiciously; "this is strange, a
second time to appear before me upon such a charge."

"And just as innocent as before, sir."

"You'll excuse me, sir, but I must have my suspicions this time. Where
is the evidence?"

The people of the shop then came forward, and stated what had occurred.
"Let him be searched," said the magistrate.

I was searched, but nothing was found upon me. "Are you satisfied now,
sir?" inquired I.

"By no means. Let the people go back and look over their laces, and see
if any are missing; in the meantime I shall detain you, for it is very
easy to get rid of a small article, such as lace, when you are caught."

The men went away, and I wrote a note to Major Carbonnell, requesting
his attendance. He arrived at the same time as the shopman, and I told
him what had happened. The shopman declared that the stock was not
correct; as far as they could judge, there were two pieces of lace
missing.

"If so, I did not take them," replied I.

"Upon my honour, Mr B----," said the Major, to the magistrate, "it is
very hard for a gentleman to be treated in this manner. This is the
second time that I have been sent for to vouch for his respectability."

"Very true, sir," replied the magistrate; "but allow me to ask Mr
Newland, as he calls himself, what induced him to follow a lady into the
shop?"

"Her ear-rings," replied I.

"Her ear-rings! why, sir, the last time you were brought before me, you
said it was after a gentleman's nose--now it appears you were attracted
by a lady's ears; and pray, sir, what induced you to run out of the
shop?"

"Because I wanted particularly to inquire about her ear-rings, sir."

"I cannot understand these paltry excuses; there are, it appears, two
pieces of lace missing. I must remand you for further examination, sir;
and you also, sir," said the magistrate, to Major Carbonnell; "for if he
is a swindler, you must be an accomplice."

"Sir," replied Major Carbonnell, sneeringly, "you are certainly a very
good judge of a gentleman, when you happen by accident to be in his
company. With your leave, I will send a note to another confederate."

The Major then wrote a note to Lord Windermear, which he despatched by
Timothy, who, hearing I was in trouble, had accompanied the Major. And
while he was away, the Major and I sat down, he giving himself all
manner of airs, much to the annoyance of the magistrate, who at last
threatened to commit him immediately. "You'll repent this," replied the
Major, who perceived Lord Windermear coming in.

"You shall repent it, sir, by God," cried the magistrate, in a great
passion.

"Put five shillings in the box for swearing, Mr B----. You fine other
people," said the Major. "Here is my other confederate, Lord
Windermear."

"Carbonnell," said Lord Windermear, "what is all this?"

"Nothing, my lord, except that our friend Newland is taken up for
shoplifting, because he thought proper to run after a pretty woman's
carriage; and I am accused by his worship of being his confederate. I
could forgive his suspicions of Mr Newland in that plight; but as for
his taking me for one of the swell mob, it proves a great deficiency of
judgment; perhaps he will commit your lordship also, as he may not be
aware that your lordship's person is above caption."

"I can assure you, sir," said Lord Windermear, proudly, "that this is my
relative, Major Carbonnell, and the other is my friend, Mr Newland. I
will bail them for any sum you please."

The magistrate felt astonished and annoyed, for, after all, he had only
done his duty. Before he could reply, a man came from the shop to say
that the laces had been found all right. Lord Windermear then took me
aside, and I narrated what had happened. He recollected the story of
Fleta in my narrative of my life, and felt that I was right in trying to
find out who the lady was. The magistrate now apologised for the
detention, but explained to his lordship how I had before made my
appearance upon another charge, and with a low bow we were dismissed.

"My dear Mr Newland," said his lordship, "I trust that this will be a
warning to you, not to run after other people's noses and ear-rings; at
the same time, I will certainly keep a look-out for those very ear-rings
myself. Major, I wish you a good morning."

His lordship then shook us both by the hand, and saying that he should
be glad to see more of me than he latterly had done, stepped into his
carriage and drove off.

"What the devil did his lordship mean about ear-rings, Newland?"
inquired the Major.

"I told him that I was examining the lady's ear-rings, as very
remarkable," replied I.

"You appear to be able to deceive everybody but me, my good fellow. I
know that you were examining the lady herself." I left the Major in his
error, by making no reply.




Chapter XXIX

I borrow money upon my estate, and upon very favourable terms.


When I came down to breakfast the next morning, the Major said, "My dear
Newland, I have taken the liberty of requesting a very old friend of
mine to come and meet you this morning. I will not disguise from you
that it is Emmanuel, the money-lender. Money you must have until my
affairs are decided, one way or the other; and, in this instance, I will
most faithfully repay the sum borrowed, as soon as I receive the amount
of my bets, or am certain of succeeding to the title, which is one and
the same thing."

I bit my lips, for I was not a little annoyed; but what could be done? I
must have either confessed my real situation to the Major, or have
appeared to raise scruples, which, as the supposed heir to a large
fortune, would have appeared to him to be very frivolous. I thought it
better to let the affair take its chance. "Well," replied I, "if it must
be, it must be: but it shall be on my own terms."

"Nay," observed the Major, "there is no fear but that he will consent,
and without any trouble."

After a moment's reflection I went up stairs and rang for Timothy.
"Tim," said I, "hear me; I now make you a solemn promise, on my honour
as a gentleman, that I will never borrow money upon interest, and until
you release me from it, I shall adhere to my word."

"Very well, sir," replied Timothy; "I guess your reason for so doing,
and I expect you will keep your word. Is that all?"

"Yes; now you may take up the urn."

We had finished our breakfast, when Timothy announced Mr Emmanuel, who
followed him into the room.

"Well, old cent per cent, how are you?" said the Major. "Allow me to
introduce my most particular friend, Mr Newland."

"Auh! Master Major," replied the descendant of Abraham, a little puny
creature, bent double with infirmity, and carrying one hand behind his
back, as if to counterbalance the projection of his head and shoulders.
"You vash please to call me shent per shent. I wish I vash able to make
de monies pay that. Mr Newland, can I be of any little shervice to you?"

"Sit down, sit down, Emmanuel. You have my warrant for Mr Newland's
respectability, and the sooner we get over the business the better."

"Auh, Mr Major, it ish true, you was recommend many good--no, not always
good--customers to me, and I was very much obliged. Vat can I do for
your handsome young friend? De young gentlemen always vant money; and
it is de youth which is de time for de pleasure and enjoyment."

"He wants a thousand pounds, Emmanuel."

"Dat is a large sum--one tousand pounds' he does not vant any more?"

"No," replied I, "that will be sufficient."

"Vel, den, I have de monish in my pocket. I will just beg de young
gentleman to sign a little memorandum, dat I may von day receive my
monish."

"But what is that to be?" interrupted I.

"It will be to promise to pay me my monish and only fifteen per shent,
when you come into your own."

"That will not do," replied I; "I have pledged my solemn word of honour,
that I will not borrow money on interest."

"And you have given de pledge, but you did not swear upon de book?"

"No, but my word has been given, and that is enough; if I would forfeit
my word with those to whom I have given it, I would also forfeit my word
with you. My keeping my promise, ought to be a pledge to you that I will
keep my promise to you."

"Dat is veil said--very veil said; but den we must manage some oder way.
Suppose--let me shee--how old are you, my young sir?"

"Past twenty."

"Auh, dat is a very pleasant age, dat twenty. Veil, den, you shall shign
a leetle bit of paper, that you pay me L2000 ven you come into your
properties, on condition dat I pay now one tousand. Dat is very
fair--ish it not, Mr Major?"

"Rather too hard, Emmanuel."

"But de rishque--de rishque, Mr Major."

"I will not agree to those terms," replied I; "you must take your money
away, Mr Emmanuel."

"Veil, den--vat vill you pay me?"

"I will sign an agreement to pay you L1500 for the thousand, if you
please; if that will not suit you, I will try elsewhere."

"Dat is very bad bargain. How old, you shay?"

"Twenty."

"Vell, I shuppose I must oblige you, and my very goot friend, de Major."

Mr Emmanuel drew out his spectacles, pen, and inkhorn, filled up a bond,
and handed it to me to sign. I read it carefully over, and signed it; he
then paid down the money, and took his leave.

It may appear strange to the reader that the money was obtained so
easily, but he must remember that the Major was considered a person who
universally attached himself to young men of large fortune; he had
already been the means of throwing many profitable speculations into the
hands of Emmanuel, and the latter put implicit confidence in him. The
money-lenders also are always on the look out for young men with large
fortunes, and have their names registered. Emmanuel had long expected me
to come to him, and although it was his intention to have examined more
particularly, and not to have had the money prepared, yet my refusal to
sign the bond, bearing interest, and my disputing the terms of the
second proposal, blinded him completely, and put him off his usual
guard.

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