The Virgin in Judgment

hat happened in the world appeared to remind him sorrowfully of her, that the folk found him depressing. Some air of romance from the past hung about Mr. Shillabeer: he had moved in sporting circles

fore the spectator and explain how that hand had shaken the un

with Andy Davison, 'the Rooster,' but he had other business on hand. And now," Mr. Shillabeer would sum up mournfully, "now Cribb be in his grave and Spring in his, and Sayers will fight no more, though still the glory of th

stril had been split and flattened in battle, and the symmetry of his countenance was thereby spoiled. He shaved clean, but under his double chin there sprouted and spread a thick fringe or mat of hair--foxy-grey and red mingled. Tremen

prize-fighting had passed into the control of dishonest rascals and the fighters were merely exploited by the lowest and most ruffianly types of sporting men. The Ring had perished and many

and genial. He even cracked a massive joke with Charles Moses, the shoemaker and vicar's warden. There were pr

a certain levity in

s evening. But you'm not built for it, my dear. 'Tis like an

sided. He drew beer for Bowden, cast David's thre

view of life. Working in leather dries up the humours of the body and makes all the organs brisk and quick about their business, I believe. Then

ted Mr. Moses. "

r. "Some people might say you had a more religious face tha

John Barleycorn in the colour, only nature in him. Yet an unfortunate

my face, so to speak; and that was by a holy man of all men. In charity, I've always supposed him short-sighted. 'Twas the 'reviva

d it made me having him here," said the

re you saved?' You could have knocked me down with a feather, folks. 'Saved,' I said, 'saved! Me! Good God A'mighty, man,' I said, 'you'm talking to the vicar's wa

" said Mr. Snell. "I wasn't saved

urer l

Simon. It ban't in yo

oughts with the worst among you," answered Snell. "I

nly when the snow-banks choke the water that you have anything to do, save

rd to Plymouth. Behind Lowery, Simon's home, it passed, and for a space of two miles was in his care. They argued now upon the extent and gravity of Snell's tas

ere pointed out. And if any good fortune have fallen to you, I beg you'll name it, for t

aid Mr. Moses; "your goo

in fact, from an old London friend of mine. A very onusual sort of man by th

u call 'Frosty-faced Fo

ndon, who's backing one of 'em, be down to see the lad through. And what's made me so cheerful is just this: that, for the sake of old times, 'Frosty-face' is coming on here to put up with me for a week

. "There's nought rejoices him like valour, and he wo

Burke, 'the Deaf 'Un,' and many of the great mills in the forties. I was the very daps of Ben Gaunt myself--though he stood half an inch higher. We was neither of us in the fir

I feel almost as if such a man of war threat

e chance of it now and again. If I was a policeman, I should soon get tired of just paddling up and down through Sheep's Tor mud, week in

aintain law and order, and that I will do, Bowden. And to tell me I'm a fool is very disorderly

should want to earn my money, and have a dash at life, and

, poachers ban't my business. Poachers come under a different law, and unless I have the office from headquarters to set out against 'em to t

l think yourselves so much above the common people--God knows why for. One would guess you was spoiling for a fight yo

d Bowden. "When yo

hy, you'm a stone heavier t

ded David with some

icult to get 'em a job, because they was thought too light for the heavies and too heavy for the lights. But Dutch Sam in his day, and Tom Sayers in his, showed how eleven-stone men, and even ten-stone

son, I'd fight anything on two legs--light or heavy--but not for fun. And I hope

e, and if I don't set an example of it, who should? Twice only in my life have I drawed my truncheon in the nam

ith thanks, and the c

bar. Where sporting prints of race-horses and fox-hunting are generally to be met with, Mr. Shillabeer had a circle of prize-fighters; and now he rubbed the yellow stains of smoke off the glasses that covered them, so that the st

e said, "if I'd bee

mps, the old man retired and left h