Part 22 (1/2)
”An' Fat Collins--”
”An' Bobby Sprat. Oh!” exclaimed Pax, with a glowing countenance, ”we've got lots o' first-rate men among the message-boys, though there _are_ some uncommon bad 'uns. But we'll have none except true-blues in _our_ literary a.s.sociation.”
The society thus planned was soon called into being, for Philip Maylands was one of those determined characters who carry their plans into execution with vigour and despatch. His first move was to seek counsel of Mr Sterling, a city missionary--the same who had directed George Aspel to the abode of Abel Bones on the night of that youth's visit to Archangel Court,--with whom he had become acquainted on one of his visits to Miss Lillycrop. That good lady was a staunch ally and able a.s.sistant of many city missionaries, and did much service in the way of bringing them into acquaintance with people who she thought might be helpful to them, or get help from them. A mutual liking had sprung up between Mr Antony Sterling and Phil on that occasion, which had ripened into friends.h.i.+p.
”You'll help us at our first meeting, won't you?” asked Phil, after they had talked the matter over.
”Yes, if you wish it,” replied Mr Sterling. ”But I won't come at the beginning. I'll drop in towards the close, and won't say much. You'd best begin the work by yourselves. I'll come to your aid whenever you seem to require it. But have a care how you start, Phil. Whatever the other members may do, remember that you, as the originator of the a.s.sociation, are bound to lay the foundations with the blessing of G.o.d.”
Phil did not neglect this all-important point, and, having obtained permission from Solomon Flint to use the shed, the society was soon auspiciously commenced with a lively debate, in Pegaway Hall, as to the best method of conducting its own affairs. On this occasion Philip Maylands proved himself to be an able organiser. Long Poker showed that he had not dabbled in newspapers without fis.h.i.+ng up and retaining a vast amount of miscellaneous knowledge. Jim Brown roused the meeting to a pitch of enthusiasm almost equal to his own. Little Grigs made stinging remarks all round, and chaffed little Pax with evident delight. Macnab disputed with everybody. Sandy Tod argued and objected more or less to everything, while Tom Blunter, Jim Scroggins, Limp Letherby, Fat Collins, and Bobby Sprat, lent more or less effectual fire to the debate. Big Jack did not speak much. He preferred, as he said, to form a large audience, but, if he might be permitted to offer an opinion, would suggest that less talk and more action might facilitate the despatch of business, and that they ought to try to emulate the House of Commons by allowing a little common sense to mingle with their discussions.
As for Peter Pax, he a.s.sumed the _role_ of peacemaker-general. When the debaters seemed to be getting too warm, he rose to order; and, in a calm dignified manner, commented on the conduct of the disputants with such ineffable insolence as to draw down their wrath on his devoted head--to the great delight of the other members. Thus he threw oil on the troubled waters, and, generally, kept the meeting lively.
Finally, the laws of the Pegaway Literary a.s.sociation were fixed, the plan of meetings was arranged, and the whole thing fairly started.
The society worked well for a time, but after the various members had done their best, as Pax said, to keep the pot boiling, it was felt and suggested that they should seek a little aid from without. A reading or a lecture was proposed, seconded, and carried. Then came the question who should be asked to read or lecture. Macnab proposed that their chairman should endeavour to procure a lecturer, and report to next meeting. Sandy Tod objected, and proposed a committee to consider the subject. Phil Maylands said he had antic.i.p.ated the demand, and had already secured the promise of a lecturer--if the members chose to accept him.
”Name! name!” cried several voices.
”Our excellent landlord, Solomon Flint,” said Phil. ”You all know his admirable powers of memory, and his profound knowledge of men and things (`At least if you don't, you ought to,' from Pax), and you may be sure he'll give us something good.”
”And proverbial,” added little Grigs.
”Ay, Flint will certainly strike fire out of whatever he tackles,” said Big Jack.
(”Order!” from Pax.)
”When is he to give it?” asked one.
”Won't fix the time just yet,” said Phil.
”What's his subject?” asked another.
”Can't say; not yet decided.”
With this uncertainty as to time and subject the a.s.sociation was obliged to rest content, and thereafter the meeting was dissolved.
We are grieved to be obliged to state that the society thus hopefully commenced came to a premature close at an early period of its career, owing to circ.u.mstances over which its members had no control.
Some time before that sad event occurred, however, Solomon Flint delivered his discourse, and as some of the events of that memorable evening had special bearing on the issues of our tale, we shall recur to it in a succeeding chapter.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
GEORGE ASPEL RECEIVES VARIOUS VISITORS AT THE ORNITHOLOGICAL SHOP, AND IS CALLED TO VIGOROUS ACTION.
As long as a man retains a sc.r.a.p of self-respect, and struggles, from any motive whatever, against his evil tendencies, his journey to destruction is comparatively slow; but when once he gives way to despair, a.s.sumes that he has tried his best in vain, and throws the reins on the neck of his pa.s.sions, his descent into the dark abyss is terribly rapid.
For a time George Aspel was buoyed up by hope. He hoped that May Maylands might yet come to regard him with favour, though she studiously avoided giving him ground for such hope. He also continued, though faintly, to hope that Sir James Clubley might still think of fulfilling his promises, and, in pursuance of that hope, frequently inquired whether any letters had been left for him at the hotel where he first put up on arriving in London. But, when both of these hopes forsook him, and he found himself in what he deemed the ridiculous position of shopman to a bird-stuffer, without an influential friend in the great city, or the slightest prospect of improving his condition, he gave way to despair.
Before quite giving way, however, he made several attempts to obtain work more suited to his tastes and acquirements, in which efforts he was heartily seconded by Mr Enoch Blurt; but Enoch was about as unknown in London as himself, so that their united efforts failed.
In these circ.u.mstances the ambitious youth began to regard himself as a martyr to misfortune, and resolved to enjoy himself as he best might.