The School Friends; Or, Nothing New Read online

received a visit from him, when the usual pipe and ale wereprepared for his entertainment.

  "Curious that we should meet again, Master Emery, in this big city,"observed Sass. "We all have our `ups and downs,' and you have had oneof the `downs' lately, so it appears. Well, I have had them in my time.I never told you that I got my education, such as it is, at ElmerstonGrammar-School, and I might have been a steady-going burgess, with pinkcheeks and a fat paunch, if I had stuck to business. But I had no fancyfor that sort of life; so one morning, taking French leave of school,and father and mother, and brothers and sisters, I went off to sea.When I came back some years afterwards, all who were likely to care forme were dead or scattered; so I set off again, and knocked about in allparts of the world till about two or three years ago, when, having alittle money in my pocket, and thinking I should like a spell on shore,I found my way back to the old place. I made myself useful, as youknow, to the grandees; and as I did not wish to go to sea again justthen, one of them got me this situation. Though I can't say it's muchto my taste, I intend to stick to it as long as it suits me."

  "I don't see anything very tempting in the life you have led," observedEmery.

  "I have not told you much about its pleasures, the curious countries Ihave visited, and the strange adventures I have met with," answeredSass. "For my part, I would not have missed them on any account.""When you come to hear about them, you will have a fancy for setting offtoo, or I am much mistaken. With a young companion like you I shouldnot mind taking another trip, and enjoying myself for a few years moreafloat, instead of leading the dull life you and I are doomed to inLondon."

  Such was the style of conversation with which the old rogue entertainedhis credulous young guest. The adventures he described were highlyentertaining, garnished as they were by his fertile imagination, andEmery began to wonder how he could consent to remain on shore when sodelightful an existence might be led by going off to sea.

  Emery, however, had not got over his fancy for trying to assume the airsof a fine gentleman. On Sundays, though he went with his employer'sfamily and the rest of the young men in the establishment to church, assoon as dinner was over it was his delight to saunter out into the Park,and loll over the railings round the drive with a gold-headed cane inhis hand, watching the gay people as they drove past in their carriages.Occasionally he would lift his hat as if returning a bow from a lady,or he waved his hand as if recognising a gentleman acquaintance. Somemight have considered him only foolish; but he was undoubtedly acting alie, and trying to deceive those around him. He was besides wastingtime given for higher purposes.

  Unhappily, not only such as he, but many others waste time, without fora moment considering their guilt, and that they will some day be calledto account for the way in which every moment of their lives has beenspent.

  In time Emery formed a number of acquaintances, mostly silly lads likehimself, and inclined to consider him a remarkably fine fellow; severalwere vicious, and they, as vicious people always wish to make otherslike themselves, tried to induce him to accompany them to see something,as they called it, of London life. He at first feebly declined, but atlength yielded; and though such scenes, it must be said to his credit,were not to his taste, he was over-persuaded again and again, and soonfound that the greater part of his wages were spent at theatres,dancing-rooms, and other places to which he and his companions resorted.His employer, finding that he was out late at night, spoke to him onthe subject. He excused himself with a falsehood, saying that he hadgone to visit a friend of his father's, who had just come up to town,promising that he would not again break through the rules of theestablishment. After this he was very exact in his conduct, and again,in consequence, rose in the estimation of his employer. He had, indeed,an attraction to keep him at home. Mr Padman possessed a daughter, apretty, good-humoured young lady; and though she was considerably olderthan Emery, he took it into his head that she was not insensible to hispersonal appearance and gentlemanly manners. Whenever he had anopportunity, he offered his services to attend on her; and as he madehimself useful, and he was quiet and well-behaved, they were frequentlyaccepted, while Miss Madelene Hayward was, happily perhaps, soonforgotten.

  Thus a year or more went by. Poor Emery might under proper guidancehave become a useful member of society, as all people are who do theirduty in the station of life for which they are fitted; but he wantedwhat no one can do without--right religious and moral principles.

  CHAPTER FOUR.

  Mr Dulman did not fall alone. The bank at Elmerston, which had made himlarge advances, got into difficulties, and though its credit wasbolstered up for some time, it ultimately failed, and many of the peoplein the place suffered. Among others of small means who had cause tomourn the wicked extravagance and folly of their ambitious townsman, wasMrs Loughton. Some cursed him in their hearts, loudly exclaimingagainst his extravagance, which had brought ruin on themselves and theirfamilies. Mrs Loughton bore her loss meekly. The sum of which she hadbeen deprived she had saved up, by often depriving herself ofnecessaries, to assist in starting her dear Lance in life. This wasindeed a great trial. Lance entreated her not to mourn on his account.He was not even aware that she had saved so much money, and onlyregretted that she should not have it to benefit herself and Maddie. Hehad for long determined to go forth into the world, trusting, with God'shelp, to his own industry and perseverance to make his way. He wasready to take any situation which offered, or to do anything which wasthought advisable. All he desired was to perform his duty in thatstation of life to which he might be called, and to be able to assisthis mother and Maddie. To secure their happiness and comfort was hisgreat aim; for himself; independent of them, he had no ambition. He wasaware that talent, such as his master considered he possessed, withhonesty, industry, and zeal, must, should he get his foot on the ladder,enable him to rise higher. Still, metaphorically speaking, he wascontent to secure his position on the ground where he stood, while herefrained from withdrawing his attention, by looking up at the prize atthe top.

  "By thinking only of the prize, and not duly employing the means toobtain it, many a man has slipped off the ladder, and, crushed by hisfall, has failed again to reach it," the Doctor observed to him one day."Go on as you propose, my boy, and never trouble yourself about theresult; God blesses honest efforts when His assistance is sought. I donot advise you to remain at Elmerston. Seek your fortune in London.You may have a much harder struggle to endure than you would here, butyou will come off victorious, and gain ultimately a respectableposition."

  Such was the tenor of the remarks of his late master to Lance, during avisit he paid him, after he had left school. His mother agreed withwhat had been said.

  "I should grieve to part with you, Lance; but as I am sure it will befor your advantage, it must be done, and we shall have the happiness ofseeing you down here when you can get a holiday."

  "That will indeed be great!" murmured Maddie, who had not before spoken.

  She was in the habit of looking at the bright side of things, andthought more of the joyful meeting than of the long, long time they mustbe separated.

  "I will write to your uncle Durrant, and ask him what he can do,"continued Mrs Loughton. "My brother is kind and generous, and though hehas a large family, and I fear his salary from the Government office heholds is but small, yet I am sure he will do his utmost to assist you."

  "I ought to be at work without delay, mother," said Lance; "so praywrite as you propose to uncle Durrant." He cast a glance at Maddie, andadded, "I'll do my best to employ my time profitably while I am at home.You know that I am happier here than I can be anywhere else."

  "Yes," said Maddie, "I am sure there is no happier place than this."

  The letter to Mr Durrant was written, and while waiting for an answer,Lance spent much of the time not occupied in study in the garden, veryfrequently with Maddie as his companion. He had from his boyhood beenaccustomed to cultivate it, and he was anxious to leave it in the mostperfect o
rder possible. It was pleasant to sit reading with Maddie byhis side, but pleasanter still to be working in the fresh air amongsweet flowers, receiving such assistance as she could give, and talkingcheerfully all the time.

  The expected answer from Mr Durrant came in the course of a few days."I lost no time in looking for a situation for Lance, and I was able,from the report I received from the Doctor, to speak confidently ofhim," he wrote. "I have obtained one in the office of my friend MrGaisford, a highly respectable solicitor in the city, who, knowingLance's circumstances, will attend to his interests, and advance himaccording to his deserts."

  "It appears very satisfactory, and we should be truly grateful to youruncle," observed Mrs Loughton. "You are to go to his house. You willhave a long walk into London every