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Japhet, In Search Of A Father by Frederick Marryat

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




"It is strange that I did the same, and a very unlucky bench it proved
to me."

"So it did to me, as you shall hear. I had taken up my quarters at that
inn, and for three days had done very well in Brentford. On the third
evening I had just come back, it was nearly dusk, and I took my seat on
the bench, thinking of you. My dog, rather tired, was lying down before
the cart, when all of a sudden I heard a sharp whistle. The dog sprang
on his legs immediately, and ran off several yards before I could prevent
him. The whistle was repeated, and away went the dog and cart like
lightning. I ran as fast as I could, but could not overtake him; and I
perceived that his old master was running ahead of the dog as hard as he
could, and this was the reason why the dog was off. Still I should, I
think, have overtaken him, but an old woman coming out of a door with a
saucepan to pour the hot water into the gutter, I knocked her down and
tumbled right over her into a cellar without steps. There I was, and
before I could climb out again, man, dog, cart, cat's meat and dog's
meat, had all vanished, and I have never seen them since. The rascal
got clear off, and I was a bankrupt. So much for my first set up in
business."

"You forgot to purchase the _good-will_ when you made your bargain,
Timothy, for the stock in trade."

"Very true, Japhet. However, after receiving a very fair share of abuse
from the old woman, and a plaister of hot greens in my face--for she
went supperless to bed, rather than not have her revenge--I walked
back to the inn, and sat down in the tap. The two men next to me were
hawkers; one carried a large pack of dimities and calicoes, and the
other a box full of combs, needles, tapes, scissors, knives, and
mock-gold trinkets. I entered into conversation with them, and, as I
again stood treat, I soon was very intimate. They told me what their
profits were, and how they contrived to get on, and I thought, for a
rambling life, it was by no means an unpleasant one; so having obtained
all the information I required, I went back to town, took out a hawker's
licence, for which I paid two guineas, and purchasing at a shop, to which
they gave me a direction, a pretty fair quantity of articles in the tape
and scissor line, off I set once more on my travels. I took the north
road this time, and picked up a very comfortable subsistence, selling
my goods for a few halfpence here and a few halfpence there, at the
cottages as I passed by; but I soon found out, that without a newspaper,
I was not a confirmed hawker, and the more radical the newspaper the
better. A newspaper will pay half the expenses of a hawker, if he can
read. At every house, particularly every small hedge ale-house, he is
received, and placed in the best corner of the chimney, and has his board
and lodging, with the exception of what he drinks, gratis, if he will
pull out the newspaper and read it to those around him who cannot read,
particularly if he can explain what is unintelligible. Now I became a
great politician, and, moreover, a great radical, for such were the
politics of all the lower classes. I lived well, slept well, and sold
my wares very fast. I did not take more than three shillings in the
day, yet, as two out of the three were clear profit, I did pretty well.
However, a little accident happened which obliged me to change my
profession, or at least, the nature of the articles which I dealt in."

"What was that?"

"A mere trifle. I had arrived late at a small ale-house, had put up my
pack, which was in a painted deal box, on the table in the tap-room, and
was very busy, after reading a paragraph in the newspaper, making a fine
speech, which I always found was received with great applause, and many
shakes of the hand, as a prime good fellow--a speech about community of
rights, agrarian division, and the propriety of an equal distribution of
property, proving that, as we were all born alike, no one had a right to
have more property than his neighbour. The people had all gathered round
me, applauding violently, when I thought I might as well look after my
pack, which had been for some time hidden from my sight by the crowd,
when, to my mortification, I found out that my earnest assertions on
the propriety of community of property had had such an influence upon
some of my listeners, that they had walked off with my pack and its
contents. Unfortunately, I had deposited in my boxes all my money,
considering it safer there than in my pockets, and had nothing left but
about seventeen shillings in silver, which I had received within the last
three days. Every one was very sorry, but no one knew anything about it;
and when I challenged the landlord as answerable, he called me a radical
blackguard, and turned me out of the door."

"If you had looked a little more after your own property, and interfered
less with that of other people, you would have done better, Tim,"
observed I, laughing.

"Very true; but, at all events, I have never been a radical since,"
replied Tim. "But to go on. I walked off to the nearest town, and I
commenced in a more humble way. I purchased a basket, and then, with
the remainder of my money, I bought the commonest crockery ware, such
as basins, jugs, mugs, and putting them on my head, off I went again
upon my new speculation. I wandered about with my crockery, but it was
hard work. I could not reap the profits which I did as a hawker and
pedlar. I averaged, however, from seven to nine shillings a week and
that was about sufficient for my support. I went down into as many
kitchens as would have sufficed to have found a dozen mothers, supposing
mine to be a cook; but I did not see anyone who was at all like me.
Sometimes a cook replaced a basin she had broken, by giving me as much
meat as had cost her mistress five shillings, and thus avoided a
scolding, for an article which was worth only two-pence. At other times,
a cottager would give me a lodging, and would consider himself rewarded
with a mug that only cost me one penny. I was more than three months
employed carrying crockery in every direction, and never, during the
whole time, broke one article, until one day, as I passed through
Eton, there was a regular smash of the whole concern."

"Indeed, how was that?"

"I met about a dozen of the Eton boys, and they proposed a cockshy, as
they called it; that is, I was to place my articles on the top of a post,
and they were to throw stones at them at a certain distance, paying me a
certain sum for each throw. Well, this I thought a very good bargain, so
I put up a mug (worth one penny) at one penny a throw. It was knocked
down at the second shot, so it was just as well to put the full price
upon them at once, they were such remarkably good aimers at anything.
Each boy had a stick, upon which I notched off their throws, and how
much they would have to pay when all was over. One article after another
was put on the post until my basket was empty, and then I wanted to
settle with them; but as soon as I talked about that, they all burst
out into a loud laugh, and took to their heels. I chased them, but one
might as well have chased eels. If I got hold of one, the others pulled
me behind until he escaped, and at last they were all off, and I had
nothing left."

"Not your basket?"

"No, not even that; for while I was busy after some that ran one way,
the others kicked my basket before them like a football, until it was
fairly out of sight. I had only eight-pence in my pocket, so you perceive,
Japhet, how I was going down in the world."

"You were indeed, Tim."




Chapter LXVIII

Timothy finishes his narrative.


"Well, I walked away, cursing all the Eton boys and all their tutors,
who did not teach them honesty as well as Latin and Greek, and put up at
a very humble sort of abode, where they sold small beer, and gave beds
at two-pence per night, and I may add, with plenty of fleas in the
bargain. There I fell in with some ballad singers and mumpers, who were
making very merry, and who asked me what was the matter. I told them how
I had been treated, and they laughed at me, but gave me some supper, so
I forgave them. An old man, who governed the party, then asked me
whether I had any money. I produced my enormous capital of eight-pence.
'Quite enough if you are clever,' said he; 'quite enough--many a man
with half that sum has ended in rolling in his carriage. A man with
thousands has only the advance of you a few years. You will pay for your
lodging and then spend this sixpence in matches, and hawk them about
the town. If you are lucky, it will be a shilling by to-morrow night.
Besides, you go down into areas, and sometimes enter a kitchen, when the
cook is above stairs. There are plenty of things to be picked up.' 'But I
am not dishonest,' said I. 'Well, then, every man to his liking; only if
you were, you would ride in your own coach the sooner.' 'And suppose I
should lose all this, or none would buy my matches, what then?' replied
I, 'I shall starve.' 'Starve--no, no--no one starves in this country;
all you have to do is to get into gaol--committed for a month--you will
live better perhaps than you ever did before. I have been in every gaol
in England, and I know the good ones, for even in gaols there is a great
difference. Now the one in this town is one of the best in all England,
and I patronises it during the winter.' I was much amused with the
discourse of this mumper, who appeared to be one of the merriest old
vagabonds in England. I took his advice, bought six pennyworth of matches,
and commenced my new vagrant speculation.

"The first day I picked up three-pence, for one quarter of my stock, and
returned to the same place where I had slept the night before, but the
fraternity had quitted on an expedition. I spent my two-pence in bread
and cheese, and paid one penny for my lodging, and again I started the
next morning, but I was very unsuccessful; nobody appeared to want
matches that day, and after walking from seven o'clock in the morning,
to past seven in the evening, without selling one farthing's worth, I
sat down at the porch of a chapel, quite tired and worn out. At last,
I fell asleep, and how do you think I was awoke? by a strong sense of
suffocation, and up I sprang, coughing, and nearly choked, surrounded
with smoke. Some mischievous boys perceiving that I was fast asleep,
had set fire to my matches, as I held them in my hand between my legs,
and I did not wake until my fingers were severely burnt. There was an
end of my speculation in matches, because there was an end of all my
capital."

"My poor Timothy, I really feel for you."

"Not at all, my dear Japhet; I never, in all my distress, was sentenced
to execution--my miseries were trifles, to be laughed at. However, I felt
very miserable at the time, and walked off, thinking about the propriety
of getting into gaol as soon as I could, for the beggar had strongly
recommended it. I was at the outskirts of the town, when I perceived
two men tussling with one another, and I walked towards them. 'I says,'
says one, who appeared to be a constable; 'you must come along with I.
Don't you see that ere board? All wagrants shall be taken up, and dealt
with according to _la_.' 'Now may the devil hold you in his claws, you
old psalm-singing thief--an't I a sailor--and an't I a wagrant by
profession, and all according to law?' 'That won't do,' says the other;
'I commands you in the king's name, to let me take you to prison, and I
commands you also, young man,' says he--for I had walked up to them--'I
commands you, as a lawful subject, to assist me.' 'What will you give
the poor fellow for his trouble?' said the sailor. 'It's his duty, as a
lawful subject, and I'll give him nothing; but I'll put him in prison if
he don't.' 'Then you old Rhinoceros, I'll give him five shillings if
he'll help me, and so now he may take his choice.' At all events, thought
I, this will turn out lucky one way or the other; but I will support the
man who is most generous; so I went up to the constable, who was a burly
sort of a fellow, and tripped up his heels, and down he came on the back
of his head. You know my old trick, Japhet?"

"Yes; I never knew you fail at that."

"'Well,' the sailor says to me, 'I've a notion you've damaged his upper
works, so let us start off, and clap on all sail for the next town. I
know where to drop an anchor. Come along with me, and as long as I've a
shot in the locker, d--n me if I won't share it with one who has proved
a friend in need.' The constable did not come to his senses; he was very
much stunned, but we loosened his neckcloth, and left him there, and
started off as fast as we could. My new companion, who had a wooden leg,
stopped by a gate, and clambered over it. 'We must lose no time,' said
he; 'and I may just as well have the benefit of both legs.' So saying, he
took off his wooden stump, and let down his real leg, which was fixed up
just as you saw mine. I made no comments, but off we set, and at a good
round pace gained a village about five miles distant. 'Here we will put
up for the night; but they will look for us to-morrow at daylight, or a
little after, therefore we must be starting early. I know the law-beggars
well, they won't turn out afore sunrise. He stopped at a paltry ale-house,
where we were admitted, and soon were busy with a much better supper than
I had ever imagined they could have produced; but my new friend ordered
right and left, with a tone of authority, and everybody in the house
appeared at his beck and command. After a couple of glasses of grog,
we retired to our beds.

"The next morning we started before break of day, on our road to another
town, where my companion said the constables would never take the trouble
to come after him. On our way he questioned me as to my mode of getting
my livelihood, and I narrated how unfortunate I had been. 'One good turn
deserves another,' replied the sailor; 'and now I'll set you up in
trade. Can you sing? Have you anything of a voice?' 'I can't say that I
have,' replied I. 'I don't mean whether you can sing in tune, or have a
good voice, that's no consequence; all I want to know is, have you a
good loud one?'

'Loud enough, if that's all.' 'That's all that's requisite; so long as
you can make yourself heard--you may then howl like a jackal, or bellow
like a mad buffalo, no matter which--as many pay us for to get rid of us,
as out of charity; and so long as the money comes, what's the odds? Why,
I once knew an old chap, who could only play one tune on the clarionet,
and that tune out of all tune, who made his fortune in six or seven
streets, for every one gave him money, and told him to go away. When
he found out that, he came every morning as regular as clock-work. Now
there was one of the streets which was chiefly occupied by music-sellers
and Italian singers--for them foreigners always herd together--and this
tune, 'which the old cow died of,' as the saying is, used to be their
horror, and out came the halfpence to send him away. There was a sort
of club also in that street, of larking sort of young men, and when
they perceived that the others gave the old man money to get rid of his
squeaking, they sent him out money, with orders to stay and play to them,
so then the others sent out more for him to go away, and between the two,
the old fellow brought home more money than all the cadgers and mumpers
in the district. Now if you have a loud voice, I can provide you with all
the rest.'--'Do you gain your livelihood by that?'--' To be sure I do;
and I can tell you, that of all the trades going, there is none equal to
it. You see, my hearty, I have been on board of a man-of-war--not that
I'm a sailor, or was ever bred to the sea--but I was shipped as a
landsman, and did duty in the waist and afterguard. I know little or
nothing of my duty as a seaman, nor was it required in the station I was
in, so I never learnt, although I was four years on board; all I learnt
was the lingo and slang--and that you must contrive to learn from me. I
bolted, and made my way good to Lunnun, but I should soon have been
picked up and put on board the Tender again, if I hadn't got this wooden
stump made, which I now carry in my hand. I had plenty of songs, and I
commenced my profession, and a real good un it is, I can tell you. Why,
do you know, that a'ter a good victory, I have sometimes picked up as
much as two pounds a-day, for weeks running; as it is, I averages from
fifteen shillings to a pound. Now, as you helped me away from that land
shark, who would soon have found out that I had two legs, and have put
me into limbo as an impostor, I will teach you to arn your livelihood
after my fashion. You shall work with me until you are fit to start
alone, and then there's plenty of room in England for both of us; but
mind, never tell any one what you pick up, or every mumper in the island
will put on a suit of sailor's clothes, and the thing will be blown
upon.' Of course, this was too good an offer to be rejected, and I
joyfully acceded. At first, I worked with him as having only one arm,
the other being tied down to my side, and my jacket sleeve hanging loose
and empty, and we roared away right and left, so as to bring down a shower
of coppers wherever we went. In about three weeks my friend thought I was
able to start by myself, and giving me half of the ballads, and five
shillings to start with, I shook hands and parted with, next to you,
the best friend that I certainly ever had. Ever since I have been
crossing the country in every direction, with plenty of money in my
pocket, and always with one eye looking sharp out for you. My beautiful
voice fortunately attracted your attention, and here I am, and at an end
of my history; but if ever I am away from you, and in distress again,
depend upon it I shall take to my wooden leg and ballads for my support."

Such were the adventures of Timothy, who was metamorphosed into a precise
Quaker. "I do not like the idea of your taking up a system of deceit,
Timothy. It may so happen--for who knows what may occur?--that you may
again be thrown upon your own resources. Now, would it not be better that
you should obtain a more intimate knowledge of the profession which we
are now in, which is liberal, and equally profitable? By attention and
study you will be able to dispense medicines and make up prescriptions
as well as myself, and who knows but that some day you may be the owner
of a shop like this?"

"Verily, verily, thy words do savour of much wisdom," replied Tim, in a
grave voice; "and I will even so follow thy advice."




Chapter LXIX

I am unsettled by unexpected intelligence, and again yearn after
the world of fashion.


I knew that he was mocking me in this reply, but I paid no attention to
that; I was satisfied that he consented. I now made him assist me, and
under my directions he made up the prescriptions. I explained to him the
nature of every medicine; and I made him read many books of physic and
surgery. In short, after two or three months, I could trust to Timothy as
well as if I were in the shop myself; and having an errand boy, I had
much more leisure, and I left him in charge after dinner. The business
prospered, and I was laying up money. My leisure time, I hardly need say
was spent with Mr Cophagus and his family, and my attachment to Susannah
Temple increased every day. Indeed, both Mr and Mrs Cophagus considered
that it was to be a match, and often joked with me when Susannah was not
present. With respect to Susannah, I could not perceive that I was
farther advanced in her affections than after I had known her two months.
She was always kind and considerate, evidently interested in my welfare,
always checking in me anything like levity--frank and confiding in her
opinions--and charitable to all, as I thought, except to me. But I made
no advance that I could perceive. The fact was, that I dared not speak
to her as I might have done to another who was not so perfect. And yet
she smiled, as I thought, more kindly when I returned than at other
times, and never appeared to be tired of my company. If I did sometimes
mention the marriage of another, or attentions paid which would, in all
probability, end in marriage, it would create no confusion or blushing
on her part, she would talk over that subject as composedly as any other.
I was puzzled, and I had been a year and nine months constantly in her
company, and had never dared to tell her that I loved her. But one day Mr
Cophagus brought up the subject when we were alone. He commenced by
stating how happy he had been as a married man, that he had given up
all hopes of a family, and that he should like to see Susannah Temple,
his sister-in-law, well married, that he might leave his property to her
children; and then he put the very pertinent question--"Japhet--
verily--thou hast done well--good business--money coming in fast--settle,
Japhet--marry, have children--and so on. Susannah--nice girl--good
wife--pop question--all right--sly puss--won't say no--um--what d'ye
say?--and so on." I replied that I was very much attached to Susannah,
but that I was afraid that the attachment was not mutual, and therefore
hesitated to propose. Cophagus then said that he would make his wife
sound his sister, and let me know the result.

This was in the morning just before I was about to walk over to the shop,
and I left the house in a state of anxiety and suspense. When I arrived
at the shop, I found Tim there as usual; but the colour in his face was
heightened as he said to me, "Read this, Japhet," and handed to me the
"Reading Mercury." I read an advertisement as follows:--

"If Japhet Newland, who was left at the Foundling Asylum, and was
afterwards for some time in London, will call at No. 16,
Throgmorton Court, Minories, he will hear of something very much
to his advantage, and will discover that of which he has been so
long in search. Should this reach his eye, he is requested to
write immediately to the above address, with full particulars of
his situation. Should anyone who reads this be able to give any
information relative to the said J.N., he will be liberally
rewarded."

I sank down on the chair. "Merciful Heaven! this can be no mistake--'he
will discover the object of his search.' Timothy, my dear Timothy, I
have at last found out my father."

"So I should imagine, my dear Japhet," replied Timothy, "and I trust
it will not prove a disappointment."

"They never would be so cruel, Timothy," replied I.

"But still it is evident that Mr Masterton is concerned in it,"
observed Timothy.

"Why so?" inquired I.

"How otherwise should it appear in the Reading newspaper? He must have
examined the postmark of my letter."

To explain this, I must remind the reader that Timothy had promised to
write to Mr Masterton when he found me; and he requested my permission
shortly after we had met again. I consented to his keeping his word, but
restricted him to saying any more than "that he had found me, and that
I was well and happy." There was no address in the letter as a clue to
Mr Masterton as to where I might be, and it could only have been from
the postmark that he could have formed any idea. Timothy's surmise was
therefore very probable; but I would not believe that Mr Masterton would
consent to the insertion of that portion of the advertisement, if there
was no foundation for it.

"What will you do, Japhet?"

"Do," replied I, recovering from my reverie, for the information had
again roused up all my dormant feelings--"Do," replied I, "why, I shall
set off for town this very morning."

"In that dress, Japhet?"

"I suppose I must," replied I, "for I have no time to procure another;"
and all my former ideas of fashion and appearance were roused, and in
full activity--my pride recovered its ascendency.

"Well," replied Timothy, "I hope you will find your father all that you
could wish."

"I'm sure of it, Tim--I'm sure of it," replied I; "you must run and take
a place in the first coach."

"But you are not going without seeing Mr and Mrs Cophagus, and--Miss
Temple," continued Tim, laying an emphasis upon the latter name.

"Of course not," replied I, colouring deeply. "I will go at once. Give
me the newspaper, Tim."

I took the newspaper, and hastened to the house of Mr Cophagus. I found
them all three sitting in the breakfast parlour, Mr Cophagus, as usual,
reading, with his spectacles on his nose, and the ladies at work. "What
is the matter, friend Japhet?" exclaimed Mr Cophagus, as I burst into
the room, my countenance lighted up with excitement. "Read that, sir!"
said I to Mr Cophagus. Mr Cophagus read it. "Hum--bad news--lose
Japhet--man of fashion--and so on," said Cophagus, pointing out the
paragraph to his wife, as he handed over the paper.

In the meantime I watched the countenance of Susannah--a slight emotion,
but instantly checked, was visible at Mr Cophagus's remark. She then
remained quiet until her sister, who had read the paragraph, handed the
paper to her. "I give thee joy, Japhet, at the prospect of finding out
thy parent," said Mrs Cophagus. "I trust thou wilt find in him one who
is to be esteemed as a man. When departest thou?"

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