The Black Baronet; or, The Chronicles Of Ballytrain

rship for those who belonged to the Methodist connection, It was nearly half a mile long, lay nearly due north and south,

and nearly adjoining the cathedral church, which faced you, stood a bishop's palace, behind which lay a magnificent demesne. At that time, it is but just to say that the chimneys of this princely residence were never smokeless, nor its saloons silent and deserted as they are now, and have been for years. No, the din of industry was then incessant in and about the offices of that palace, and the song of many a light heart and happy spirit rang sweetly in the valleys, on the plains and hills, and over the meadows of that beautiful

erally did; but, at all events, during their absence, or during their residence, constant employment was given, every working-day in the year

llage was gone-razed to the very foundations-the demesne was a solitude-the songs of the reapers and mowers had vanished, as it were, into the recesses of memor

le of this absence of employment, and its consequent destitution, to disturb him

nied by unclean and slovenly habits, and that the processes of husbandry and tillage were disfi

ed-looking young man, who had, however, about him the evidences of having seen better days

quired the stranger, without

her under a cloud; and, if you have no objection, would prefer to remain a

ias, by which y

h you by, the thing, to a man like me, is impossible. I am consequently known as Frank Fenton, a name I borrowed from a former friend of mine, an old

ed the stranger, "to judge. Is this y

have resided here from hand to mouth long enough to

self, very closely; in fact, he watched every feature of his wit

before." asked Fenton; "or

d the other; "but it is likely I s

our health, I presume

ome months; now, pray, attend, and mark me-whenever you and I chance, on any future occasion, to meet, it is to be understo

and not ungraceful bow; "that's a complim

etty general throug

s of only a single

have something to add, in order to make

e. I shall pledge myself under no terms-and I care not what they may be-to answer

necessary," repl

d Fenton, starting; "do you m

never saw before? No; it is merely concerning the local his

e of dry irony, however,

see why I am to comply with a condition so dictator

dly educated; I think-and, as it is likely that you have no very direct connection with the inhabitants of th

what you would say? and so I can. But suppose a spark of the gentleman shoul

d, if I offend you, say so-but it is not my wish to say anyt

like, and who, after all, has a touch of humanity and truth about him, to such a man, I say, I myself am all truth, at whatever cost; but to every other-to yo

badly d

connected with it have all been effaced from my mind and feelings for years. So long as we are capable of looking to our dress, ther

-I commit them absolutely to your own keeping-your own honor, your self-respect, or by whatever name you are pleased to call it. Purchase plain clothes, get better linen, a hat and shoes: when this is done, if you have strength o

the life he led, were nearly gone-a circumstance which did not escape the keen eye of the stranger, on whose face there was an evident expression of deep compassion. The unfortunat

k your money; I know myself too well to accept of it. I never could keep money, and I w

Drink it-eat it-spend it is you may; but I rely on your own honor

ve had the enormous sum of five shillings in my possession, much less the amount of the national debt, which I presume must be pretty close upon five pounds; and in honest bank notes, too. One, two, three-ha!-eh! eh!-oh yes," he pro