Part 42 (1/2)

Whilst they were considering, the bigger of the two, a very powerful man, made a murderous attack upon the other, whom he evidently looked upon as his betrayer, and tried to kill him in the dock. The struggle was a fearful one, but the warders at last separated them.

They were both sentenced to death and hanged.

[The fact of these men making a noise in entering the house was strongly against them on a question of intent. Burglars work silently, and at the least noise decamp, as a rule. In the present case, there being only one old man to contend against, it was easy to silence him as they did, and as they doubtless intended, when they went to the house.]

CHAPTER x.x.xIX.

SEVERAL SCENES.

I think I have said that I had a favourite motto, which was, ”Never fret.” It has often stood me in good stead and helped me to obey it.

I was once put to it, however, on my way to open the Commission at Bangor on the Welsh Circuit. The a.s.sizes were to commence on the following day. It was a very glorious afternoon, and one to make you wish that no a.s.size might ever be held again.

I had engaged to dine with the High Sheriff, who lived three or four miles away from the town, in a very beautiful part of the country; so there was everything to make one glad, except the a.s.sizes. Added to all this pleasurable excitement, the Chester Cup was to be run for in the meanwhile, and I had many old friends who I knew would be there, and whom I should have been glad to meet had it been possible.

The Sheriff had made most elaborate calculations from his Bradshaw and other sources as to the times of departure and arrival by train. I did not know what to do, so arranged with the stationmaster at Chester to shunt my carriage till the afternoon, having no doubt I should be able to fulfil my engagements easily.

It so happened, however, that the racing arrangements of the railway had been completely disturbed by the great crowds of visitors, and the result was that I did not reach Carnarvon at the proper time, and my arrival in that place was delayed for nearly an hour.

Nevertheless, I opened the Commission, and the High Sheriff asked me if I would allow him to go on to his house to receive his guests, whom he had invited to meet me, and permit the chaplain to escort me in the performance of my duties.

Having dressed in full uniform, I got into the carriage with the chaplain, who was quite a lively companion, of an enterprising turn of mind, and desirous of learning something of the world. I could have taught him a good deal, I have no doubt, had I allowed myself to be drawn. My friend had no great conversational powers, but was possessed of an inquiring mind. After we had ridden a little way, to my great amus.e.m.e.nt he asked me if I had any favourite _motto_ that I could tell him, so that he might keep it in his memory.

”Yes,” said I, ”I have a very good one,” and cheerfully said, ”Never fret.”

This, when I explained it to him, especially with reference to my business arrangements, seemed to please him very much. It was as good as saying, ”Don't fret because you can't preach two sermons from two pulpits at the same time.”

He asked if he might write it down in his pocket-book, and I told him by all means, and hoped he would.

”Excellent!” he murmured as he wrote it: ”Never fret.”

He then asked modestly if I could give him any other pithy saying which would be worthy of remembrance.

”Yes,” said I, thinking a little, ”I recollect one very good thing which you will do well to remember: Never say anything you think will be disagreeable to other persons.”

He expressed great admiration for this, as it sounded so original, and was particularly adapted to the clergy.

”Oh,” said he, ”that's in the real spirit of Christianity.”

”Is that so?” I asked, as he wrote it down in his book; and he seemed to admire it exceedingly after he had written it, even more than the other.

Then he said he really did not like to trouble me, but it was the first time he had had the honour of occupying the position of Sheriff's chaplain, etc.; but might he trouble me for another motto, or something that might go as a kind of companion to the others in his pocket-book?

This a little puzzled me, but I felt that he took me now for a sage, and that my reputation as such was at stake. I had nothing in stock, but wondered if it would be possible to make one for him while he waited.

”Yes,” said I, ”with the greatest displeasure: Never do anything which you feel will be disagreeable to yourself.”

”My lord!” he cried in the greatest glee, ”that is by far the best of all; that must go down in my book, it is so practical, and of everyday use.”

I was, of course, equally delighted to afford so young a man so much instruction, and thought what a thing it is to be young. However, here was an opportunity not to be lost of showing him how to put to the practical test of experience two at least, if not all three, of the little aphorisms, and I said so.