Bristol Bells: A Story of the Eighteenth Century

ad thought it better not to take a horse and cart from his

night. As the light strengthened in the east, and lines of pink and gold announced the approach of the sun, the birds began

black line, winged their way, cawing as they went, to seek a breakfast for their young ones, yet

lambs in a fold, awaiting the shepherd's voice to go forth with their mo

e supreme. All these sights and sounds of beauty, and the youth of the day and of the year, were in harmony with his

ng the loose stone of the coping, found the letter. He placed it carefully in the large pocket of his long buff waistcoat, which reached far below the w

he old farm, and at the open casement of th

h mingled feelings

et it's what she wants, and I have done it for her sake. Oh, bless her!' he continued,

st lines of the stanza of her elegy on the lamb which she had composed the n

attle's o'er, t

er are th

on her lips to which she cou

found himself in Dowry Square just as the dee

ry Square was wrapt in repose when Jack Henderson entered it. The blinds in the u

d a broom in her hand, and began to raise a great dust by sweeping out the entrance and the dirty steps. She watched

y is stirring there yet, I'll lay a wager. Fol

g once more, leaned against the side of the do

rd and the bolts withdrawn a

he eyes that met Jack's were literally blazing with anger, and the mass of hair

n, for knocking like that

up and half-way to the office by this time. I know Bristol folks are lie-a-

hey never catch when awake. Come, Henderson, I sha'n't parley any longer. I suppose you are come to beg, li

o hold your tongue; but I have got a letter here for Madam Lam

hand it

m, and say I'll call back for

is it

but I say, Tom, if ever you set eyes on the writ

oud, strident voice was heard from the head of the wide oak

gossiping like any old woman at

was the sh

end to the door. It's not yo

re his bed in the cellar. I should have

well as by the contemptuous tossing back of the thick hair and shrug of the shou

l find means to make you

l reply, as Thomas Chatterton departed whence he ca

foot of the stairs, and looking up he could dimly discern the figure of a gentleman in a lo

second flight of wide stairs, and pee

lady to Madam Lambert. She is a relative of

derson's nephew. Well, judging from his experience,

was first cousin of

e letter, and I will see my mother has it, though

or an answer, sir,

Mrs Symes, and I suppose we shal

household, assisted by the footboy Sam, who wore a suit of livery and answered the door to clients who migh

gan to throw open shutters and draw up blinds a

rly walk he was very hungry. He was just turning out of the s

as laid on his arm

n one is treated like a cur one is apt to snarl like one.

in high favour, and don't go near him till next Mon

weethea

to the root

ke about he

. I snatch a roll and a draught of water somewhere at a

pa were returning from drinking the waters in sedan chairs or wrapped up in fur. A band was pl

hunger several gaily dressed beaux and young gentlewomen, probably relatives of the sick people who were drinkin

melancholy procession from the baths, coughing continuously, and with faces where consumption had too plainly left

ss of water, and then stalked out of the shop, while Jack demolished a pork pie and two rolls, asking for a mug of cider to com

of St Vincent's Rocks, and Jack, wit

'shall I walk back with y

ream, staring with his wonderful eyes at the giant rock

already struck Jack Hend

d back from his capacious brow, his hands clasped and his lips moving, though no sound escaped them, he looked as if he belonged to a different race from the big

terton spoke,

e to the great ocean. I see them as they go-the evil spirits which make Bristol a

ck ventured to say at last. 'You will not be ther

k the spell, and Chatterton la

ell your angel she is coming to a place where she will find no good company.' And then, before Jack could say another word, Chatterton's sl

ut him are true, I daresay; but, after all, he is only a boy-sixteen at the most-and I am twenty. Hang that jewe

ng river, under the giant rocks, and your dreams are sweet, sweeter than those of the marvellous