Japhet, In Search Of A Father by Frederick Marryat

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"I don't know," said Num, looking up with his idiotical, melancholy
face.

"Ha! ha! ha'" roared the crowd at Num's stupid answer.

"The fellow's a fool'" said Melchior, to the gaping audience.

"Well, then, if he can't tell, perhaps you may, Mr Dionysius," said I,
addressing Tim.

"How many, sir? Do you want to know exactly and directly?"

"Yes, sir, immediately."

"Without counting, sir?"

"Yes, sir, without counting."

"Well then, sir, I will tell, and make no mistake; there's _exactly as
many again as half_."

"Ha! ha! ha!" from the crowd.

"That won't do, sir. How many may be the half?"

"How many may be the half? Do you know yourself, sir?"

"Yes, sir, to be sure I do."

"Then there's no occasion for me to tell you."

"Ha! ha! ha!"

"Well then, sir," continued Melchior to Philotas, "perhaps you'll tell
how many ladies and gentlemen we may expect to honour us with their
company to-night."

"How many, sir?"

"Yes, sir, how many."

"I'm sure I don't know," said Num, after a pause.

"Positively you are the greatest fool I ever met with," said Melchior.

"Well, he does act the fool as natural as life," observed the crowd.
"What a stupid face he does put on!"

"Perhaps you will be able to answer that question, Mr Dionysius," said I
to Tim.

"Yes, sir, I know exactly."

"Well, sir, let's hear."

"In the first place, all the pretty women will come, and all the ugly
ones stay away; and as for the men, all those who have got any money
will be certain to come; those who haven't, poor devils, must stay
outside."

"Suppose, sir, you make a bow to the ladies."

"A very low one, sir?"

"Yes, very low indeed."

Tim bent his body to the ground, and threw a somerset forward. "There,
sir; I bowed so low, that I came up on the other side."

"Ha! ha! capital!" from the crowd.

"I've got a round turn in my back, sir," continued Tim, rubbing himself.
"Hadn't I better take it out again?"

"By all means."

Tim threw a somerset backwards. "There, sir, all's right now. One good
turn deserves another. Now I'll be off."

"Where are you going to, sir?"

"Going, sir!! Why, I left my lollipop in the tinder-box, and I'm going
to fetch it."

"Ha! ha! ha!"

"Strike up, music!" and Master Jumbo commenced tumbling.

Such was the elegant wit with which we amused and attracted the
audience. Perhaps, had we been more refined, we should not have been so
successful.

That evening we had the room as full as it could hold. Signor Velotti
_alias_ Melchior astonished them. The cards appeared to obey his
commands--rings were discovered in lady's shoes--watches were beat to a
powder and made whole--canary birds flew out of eggs. The audience were
delighted. The entertainment closed with Fleta's performance on the
slack wire; and certainly never was there anything more beautiful and
graceful. Balanced on the wire in a continual, waving motion, her eyes
fixed upon a point to enable her to maintain her position, she performed
several feats, such as the playing with five oranges, balancing swords,
&c. Her extreme beauty--her very picturesque and becoming dress--her
mournful expression and downcast eyes--her gentle manner, appeared to
win the hearts of the audience; and when she was assisted off from her
perilous situation by Melchior and me, and made her graceful courtesy,
the plaudits were unanimous.

When the company dispersed I went to her, intending to praise her, but I
found her in tears. "What is the matter, my dear Fleta?"

"O nothing! don't say I have been crying--but I cannot bear it--so many
people looking at me. Don't say a word to Melchior--I won't cry any
more."

Chapter XII

It is very easy to humbug those who are so eager to be humbugged as
people are in this world of humbug--We show ourselves excessively
disinterested, which astonishes everybody.

I kissed and consoled her; she threw her arm round my neck, and remained
there with her face hid for some time. We then joined the others at
supper. Melchior was much pleased with our success, and highly praised
the conduct of Timothy and myself, which he pronounced was, for the
first attempt, far beyond his expectations.

We continued to astonish all the good people of ---- for five days, when
we discovered the indubitable fact, that there was no more money to be
extracted from their pockets, upon which we resumed our usual clothes
and smock frocks, and with our bundles in our hands, set off for another
market town, about fifteen miles distant. There we were equally
successful, and Melchior was delighted with our having proved such a
powerful acquisition to his troop: but not to dwell too long upon one
subject, I shall inform the reader that, after a trip of six weeks,
during which we were very well received, we once more returned to the
camp, which had located within five miles of our last scene of action.
Every one was content--we were all glad to get back and rest from our
labours. Melchior was pleased with his profits, poor little Fleta
overjoyed to be once more in the seclusion of her tent, and Nattee very
glad to hear of our good fortune, and to see her husband. Timothy and I
had already proved ourselves so useful, that Melchior treated us with
the greatest friendship and confidence--and he made us a present out of
the gains, for our exertions; to me he gave ten, and to Timothy five,
pounds.

"There, Japhet, had you hired yourself I should not have paid you more
than seven shillings per week, finding you in food; but you must
acknowledge that for six weeks that is not bad pay. However, your
earnings will depend upon our success, and I rather think that we shall
make a much better thing of it when next we start, which will be in
about a fortnight; but we have some arrangements to make. Has Timothy a
good memory?"

"I think he has."

"That is well. I told you before that we are to try the 'Wise Man,'--but
first we must have Nattee in play. To-morrow we will start for ----,"
mentioning a small quiet town about four miles off.

We did so, early the next morning, and arrived about noon, pitching our
tents on the common, not far from the town; but in this instance we left
all the rest of our gang behind. Melchior's own party and his two tents
were all that were brought by the donkeys.

Melchior and I, dressed as countrymen, went into the town at dusk, and
entered a respectable sort of inn, taking our seats at one of the tables
in the tap-room, and, as we had already planned, after we had called for
beer, commenced a conversation in the hearing of the others who were
sitting drinking and smoking.

"Well, I never will believe it--it's all cheat and trickery," said
Melchior, "and they only do it to pick your pocket. Tell your fortune,
indeed! I suppose she promised you a rich wife and half-a-dozen
children."

"No, she did not," replied I, "for I am too young to marry; but she told
me what I know has happened."

"Well, what was that?"

"Why, she told me that my mother had married again, and turned me out of
doors to work for my bread."

"But she might have heard that."

"How could she? No, that's not possible; but she told me I had a mole on
my knee, which was a sign of luck. Now how could she know that?"

"Well, I grant that was odd--and pray what else did she promise you?"

"Why, she said, that I should meet with my dearest friend to-night. Now
that does puzzle me, for I have but one in the world, and he is a long
way off."

"Well, if you do meet your friend, then I'll believe her; but if not,
it has been all guess-work; and pray what did you pay for all this--was
it a shilling, or did she pick your pocket?"

"That's what puzzles me,--she refused to take anything. I offered it
again and again, and she said,'No; that she would have no money--that
her gift was not to be sold.'"

"Well, that is odd. Do you hear what this young man says," said
Melchior, addressing the others, who had swallowed every word.

"Yes," replied one; "but who is this person?"

"The queen of the gipsies, I am told. I never saw such a wonderful woman
in my life--her eye goes right through you. I met her on the common,
and, as she passed, she dropped a handkerchief. I ran back to give it
her, and then she thanked me, and said, 'Open your hand and let me see
the palm. Here are great lines, and you will be fortunate;' and then she
told me a great deal more, and bid God bless me."

"Then if she said that, she cannot have dealings with the _devil_,"
observed Melchior.

"Very odd--very strange--take no money--queen of the gipsies," was
echoed from all sides.

The landlady and the barmaid listened with wonder, when who should come
in, as previously agreed, but Timothy. I pretended not to see him, but
he came up to me, seizing me by the hand, and shaking it with apparent
delight, and crying, "Wilson, have you forgot Smith?"

"Smith!" cried I, looking earnestly in his face. "Why, so it is. How
came you here?"

"I left Dublin three days ago," replied he, "but how I came here into
this house, is one of the strangest things that ever occurred. I was
walking over the common, when a tall handsome woman looked at me, and
said, 'Young man, if you will go into the third public-house you pass,
you will meet an old friend, who expects you.' I thought she was
laughing at me, but as it mattered very little in which house I passed
the night, I thought, for the fun of the thing I might as well take her
advice."

"How strange!" cried Melchior, "and she told him the same--that is, he
would meet a friend."

"Strange--very strange--wonderful--astonishing!" was echoed from all
quarters, and the fame of the gipsy was already established.

Timothy and I sat down together, conversing as old friends, and Melchior
went about from one to the other, narrating the wonderful occurrence
till past midnight, when we all three took beds at the inn, as if we
were travellers.

The report which we had circulated that evening induced many people to
go out to see Nattee, who appeared to take no notice of them; and when
asked to tell fortunes, waved them away with her hand. But, although
this plan of Melchior's was, for the first two or three days very
expedient, yet, as it was not intended to last, Timothy, who remained
with me at the inn, became very intimate with the barmaid, and obtained
from her most of the particulars of her life. I, also, from repeated
conversations with the landlady, received information very important,
relative to herself, and many of the families in the town, but as the
employment of Nattee was for an ulterior object, we contented ourselves
with gaining all the information we could before we proceeded further.
After we had been there a week, and the fame of the gipsy woman had been
marvellously increased--many things having been asserted of her which
were indeed truly improbable--Melchior agreed that Timothy should
persuade the barmaid to try if the gipsy woman would tell her fortune:
the girl, with some trepidation, agreed, but at the same time, expecting
to be refused, consented to walk with him over the common. Timothy
advised her to pretend to pick up a sixpence when near to Nattee, and
ask her if it did not belong to her, and the barmaid acted upon his
suggestions, having just before that quitted the arm of Timothy, who had
conducted her.

"Did you drop a sixpence? I have picked up one," said the girl,
trembling with fear as she addressed Nattee.

"Child," replied Nattee, who was prepared, "I have neither dropped a
sixpence nor have you found one--but never mind that, I know that which
you wish, and I know who you are. Now what would you with me? Is it to
inquire whether the landlord and landlady of the Golden Lion intend to
keep you in their service?"

"No," replied the girl, frightened at what she heard; "not to inquire
that, but to ask what my fortune will be?"

"Open your palm, pretty maid, and I will tell you. Hah! I see that you
were born in the West--your father is dead--your mother is in
service--and let me see,--you have a brother at sea--now in the West
Indies."

At this intelligence, all of which, as may be supposed, had been
gathered by us, the poor girl was so frightened that she fell down in a
swoon, and Timothy carried her off. When she was taken home to the inn,
she was so ill that she was put into bed, and what she did say was so
incoherent, that, added to Timothy's narrative, the astonishment of the
landlady and others was beyond all bounds. I tried very hard to bring
the landlady, but she would not consent; and now Nattee was pestered by
people of higher condition, who wished to hear what she would say. Here
Nattee's powers were brought into play. She would not refuse to see
them, but would not give answers till she had asked questions, and, as
from us she had gleaned much general information, so by making this
knowledge appear in her questions to them, she made them believe she
knew more. If a young person came to her, she would immediately ask the
name--of that name she had all the references acquired from us, as to
family and connections. Bearing upon them, she would ask a few more, and
then give them an abrupt dismissal.

This behaviour was put up with from one of her commanding presence, who
refused money, and treated those who accosted her, as if she was their
superior. Many came again and again, telling her all they knew, and
acquainting her with every transaction of their life, to induce her to
prophesy, for such, she informed them, was the surest way to call the
spirit upon her. By these means we obtained the secret history of the
major part, that is, the wealthier part of the town of ----; and although
the predictions of Nattee were seldom given, yet when given, they were
given with such perfect and apparent knowledge of the parties, that when
she left, which she did about six weeks after her first appearance, the
whole town rang with accounts of her wonderful powers.

It will appear strange that Melchior would not permit Nattee to reap a
harvest, which might have been great; but the fact was, that he only
allowed the seed to be sown that a greater harvest might be gathered
hereafter. Nattee disappeared, the gipsie's tent was no longer on the
common, and the grass, which had been beaten down into a road by the
feet of the frequent applicants to her, was again permitted to spring
up. We also took our departure, and rejoined the camp with Nattee, where
we remained for a fortnight, to permit the remembrance of her to subside
a little--knowing that the appetite was alive, and would not be
satisfied until it was appeased.

After that time, Melchior, Timothy, and I, again set off for the town
of ----, and stopping at a superior inn in another part of the town,
dressed as travellers, that is, people who go about the country for
orders from the manufacturers, ordered our beds and supper in the
coffee-room. The conversation was soon turned upon the wonderful powers
of Nattee, the gipsy. "Nonsense," said Melchior, "she knows nothing. I
have heard of her. But there is a man coming this way (should he happen
to pass through this town) who will surprise and frighten you. No one
knows who he is. He is named the Great Aristodemus. He knows the past,
the present, and the future. He never looks at people's hands--he only
looks you in the face, and _woe be to them who tell him a lie_.
Otherwise, he is good-tempered and obliging, and will tell what will
come to pass, and his predictions never have been known to fail. They
say that he is hundreds of years old, and his hair is white as silver."
At this information many expressed their doubts, and many others vaunted
the powers of the gipsy. Melchior replied, "that all he knew was, that
for the sum of two guineas paid down, he had told him of a legacy left
him of six hundred pounds, which otherwise he would never have known of
or received." All the town of ---- being quite alive for fortune-telling,
this new report gained wind, and after a week's sojourn, Melchior
thought that the attempt should be made.

Chapter XIII

The seed having been carefully sown, we now reap a golden
harvest--We tell every body what they knew before, and we are
looked upon as most marvellous by most marvellous fools.

We accordingly packed up, and departed to another market town. Timothy,
dressed in a sombre suit of black, very much like an undertaker, was
provided with a horse, with the following directions: to proceed
leisurely until he was within half a mile of the town of ----, and then
to gallop in as fast as he could, stop at the best inn in the place, and
order apartments for the Great Aristodemus, who might be expected in
half an hour. Every thing in this world depends upon appearances, that
is, when you intend to gull it; and as every one in the town had heard
of the Great Aristodemus, so every one was anxious to know something
about him, and Timothy was pestered with all manner of questions; but he
declared that he was only his courier, and could only tell what other
people said; but then what other people said, by Timothy's account, was
very marvellous indeed. Timothy had hardly time to secure the best
rooms in the hotel, when Melchior, dressed in a long flowing silk gown,
with a wig of long white hair, a square cap, and two or three gold
chains hanging from his neck, certainly most admirably disguised, and
attended by me in the dress of a German student, a wig of long brown
locks hanging down my shoulders, made our appearance in a post-chaise
and four, and drove up to the door of the inn, at a pace which shook
every house in the street, and occasioned every window to be tenanted
with one or more heads to ascertain the cause of this unusual
occurrence, for it was not a very great town, although once of
importance; but the manufactures had been removed, and it was occupied
by those who had become independent by their own exertions, or by those
of their forefathers.

The door of the chaise was opened by the obsequious Timothy, who pushed
away the ostlers and waiters, as if unworthy to approach his master, and
the Great Aristodemus made his appearance. As he ascended the steps of
the door, his passage was for a moment barred by one whose profession
Melchior well knew. "Stand aside, exciseman!" said he, in a commanding
voice. "No one crosses my path with impunity." Astonished at hearing his
profession thus mentioned, the exciseman, who was the greatest bully in
the town, slipped on one side with consternation, and all those present
lifted up their eyes and hands with astonishment. The Great Aristodemus
gained his room, and shut his door; and I went out to pay for the chaise
and order supper, while Timothy and the porters were busy with our
luggage, which was very considerable.

"My master will not see any one," said I to the landlord; "he quits this
town to-morrow, if the letters arrive which he expects by the post;
therefore, pray get rid of this crowd, and let him be quiet, for he is
very tired, having travelled one hundred and fifty miles since the dawn
of day."

When Tim and I had performed this duty, we joined Melchior in his room,
leaving the news to be circulated. "This promises well," observed
Melchior; "up to the present we have expended much time and money; now
we must see if we cannot recover it tenfold. Japhet, you must take an
opportunity of going out again after supper, and make inquiries of the
landlord what poor people they have in the town, as I am very generous,
and like to relieve them; you may observe, that all the money offered to
me for practising my art, I give away to the poor, having no occasion
for it." This I did, and we then sat down to supper, and having unpacked
our baggage, went to bed, after locking the door of the room, and taking
out the key.

The next morning we had every thing in readiness, and as the letters, as
the reader may suppose, did not arrive by the post, we were obliged to
remain, and the landlord ventured to hint to me, that several people
were anxious to consult my master. I replied, that I would speak to him,
but it was necessary to caution those who came, that they must either
offer gold--or nothing at all. I brought his consent to see one or two,
but no more. Now, although we had various apparatus to use when
required, it was thought that the effect would be greater, if, in the
first instance, every thing was simple. Melchior, therefore, remained
sitting at the table, which was covered with a black cloth, worked with
curious devices, and a book of hieroglyphics before him, and an ivory
wand, tipped with gold, lying by the book. Timothy standing at the door,
with a short Roman sword buckled round his belt, and I, in a respectful
attitude, behind the Great Aristodemus.

The first person who was admitted was the lady of the mayor of the town;
nothing could be more fortunate, as we had every information relative to
her and her spouse, for people in high places are always talked of.
Aristodemus waved his hand, and I brought forward a chair in silence,
and motioned that she should be seated. Aristodemus looked her in her
face, and then turned over several leaves, until he fixed upon a page,
which he considered attentively. "Mayoress of ----, what wouldst thou
with me?"

She started, and turned pale. "I would ask--"

"I know; thou wouldst ask many things, perhaps, had I time to listen.
Amongst others thou wouldst ask if there is any chance of thy giving an
heir to thy husband. Is it not so?"

"Yes, it is," replied the lady, fetching her breath.

"So do I perceive by this book; but let me put one question to thee.
Wouldst thou have blessings showered on thee, yet do no good? Thou art
wealthy--yet what dost thou and thy husband do with these riches? Are ye
liberal? No. Give, and it shall be given. I have said."

Aristodemus waved his hand, and the lady rose to withdraw. A guinea was
in her fingers, and her purse in her hand; she took out four more, and
added them to the other, and laid them on the table.

"'Tis well, lady; charity shall plead for thee. Artolphe, let that money
be distributed among the poor."

I bowed in silence, and the lady retired.

"Who will say that I do no good," observed Melchior, smiling, as soon as
she was gone, "Her avarice and that of her husband are as notorious as
their anxiety for children. Now, if I persuade them to be liberal, I do
service."

"But you have given her hopes."

"I have, and the very hope will do more to further their wishes than
anything else. It is despair which too often prevents those who have no
children, from having any. How often do you see a couple, who, after
years waiting for children, have at last given up their hope, and
resigned themselves to the dispensations of Providence, and then, when
their anxiety has subsided, have obtained a family? Japhet, I am a
shrewd observer of human nature."

"That I believe," replied I; "but I do not believe your last remark to
be correct--but Timothy raps at the door."

Another lady entered the room, and then started back, as if she would
retreat, so surprised was she at the appearance of the Great
Aristodemus; but as Timothy had turned the key, her escape was
impossible. She was unknown to us, which was rather awkward; but
Melchior raised his eyes from his book, and waved his hand as before,
that she should be seated. With some trepidation she stated, that she
was a widow, whose dependence was upon an only son now at sea; that she
had not heard of him for a long while, and was afraid that some accident
had happened; that she was in the greatest distress--"and," continued
she, "I have nothing to offer but this ring. Can you tell me if he is
yet alive?" cried she, bursting into tears; "but if you have not the art
you pretend to, O do not rob a poor, friendless creature, but let me
depart!"

"When did you receive your last letter from him?" said Melchior.

"It is now seven months--dated from Bahia," replied she, pulling it out
of her reticule, and covering her face with her handkerchief.

Melchior caught the address, and then turned the letter over on the
other side, as it lay on the table. "Mrs Watson," said he.

"Heavens! do you know my name?" cried the woman.

"Mrs Watson, I do not require to read your son's letter--I know its
contents." He then turned over his book, and studied for a few seconds.
"Your son is alive."

"Thank God!" cried she, clasping her hands, and dropping her reticule.

"But you must not expect his return too soon--he is well employed."

"Oh! I care not--he is alive--he is alive! God bless you--God bless
you!"

Melchior made a sign to me, pointing to the five guineas and the
reticule; and I contrived to slip them into her reticule, while she
sobbed in her handkerchief.

"Enough, madam; you must go, for others require my aid."

The poor woman rose, and offered the ring.

"Nay, nay, I want not thy money; I take from the rich, that I may
distribute to the poor--but not from the widow in affliction. Open thy
bag." The widow took up her bag, and opened it. Melchior dropped in the
ring, taking his wand from the table, waved it, and touched the bag. "As
thou art honest, so may thy present wants be relieved. Seek, and thou
shalt find."

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