The watchman

CHAPTER XI.

A DARK CLOUD IS GATHERING OVER THE PROSPECTS OF THE
WATCHMAN,

"Thou Power Supreme, whose mighty scheme

These woes of mine fulfil;

Here, firm, I rest, they must be best,

Because they are thy will."-Burns.

"CARTER," said Mr. Blunt, one day, about three months after Henry Selby had gone to sea, "step into my office, while you are waiting for those goods to be packed. I wish to speak with you.

Joseph entered the private office with his employer.

"I want to speak to you, Carter," continued Mr. Blunt, "about your boy. Let me see-how old is he now ?"

Going on for fourteen, sir," replied Joseph.

"What do you think of doing with him? Have you put him to learn any trade yet?"

"No, sir; and sometimes I think I have done wrong in keeping him so long at school, considering my position in life; but I did wish my boy to be a scholar, sir, seeing that I hadn't much education myself, except what I picked up, as I may say, after I was a grown man. But now the boy-who is a cute, good lad-has got too high notions, I'm afraid. My wife's brother, who is a shoemaker, doing a good business in a small way, offered to take him and teach him his trade; but he don't seem to fancy the idea, and I'm afraid his mother backs him up in his proud notions; and yet I'm not in a position to place him in an office, or have him taught a profession."

"I was on a committee at the district school which your son attends, last week, Carter," said Mr. Blunt, "and 1 was much pleased with the appearance of the lad, and making inquiry, I heard an excellent character of him from his teachers. Now I'm in want of a boy in my office, to go of errands and do any little odd jobs that may be required of him, and perhaps, sometimes to assist at the books, if he shows himself smart and diligent. I was thinking of offering to take your son. William is his name, isn't it? What do you say ?-are you willing he should make the trial ?"

"Oh, sir," said Joseph, "nothing could have pleased me better, and I'm sure Willy 'll be ready to jump out of his skin

for joy, when I tell him of it. It's just the situation he's longing for though I never encouraged him in his fanciesand my wife will be delighted."

"The salary will be very little, recollect, Carter. I shall give him only fifty dollars for the first year-because, you know, for some time to come, he will be of little service; but if, after a year's trial, we agree together, and I find the lad turns out as I hope and believe he will, I shall give him a sufficient salary to support and clothe himself entirely, and maybe to help the family into the bargain."

"Thank you, sir-thank you," said Joseph. "If, Mr. Blunt, you had kindly offered to take the boy upon trial, for a year, paying him no salary, I should have gladly accepted the offer, although, to a poor man like me, fifty dollars is a good deal. At any rate, it will pay for Willy's board, sir, and I do hope you will be satisfied with him."

Well, then, Carter, you can send him to me on Monday next. You are still employed as a watchman?"

Yes, sir. I did think of giving it up last election, and my wife strongly urged me to do so; but the Board expressed themselves satisfied, and raised the salary a trifle, so I thought I'd stay on another term."

"You are an industrious man, Carter," said Mr. Blunt, smiling; "take care you don't overwork yourself, though. Good morning. I see the goods are ready to be carted. Don't forget to send your son to me on Monday."

"Be sure I wont, sir," said Joseph, as he left the office. "Good morning, sir, and many thanks.'

It was a happy time when Joseph got home that evening, and told his family that Mr. Blunt had promised to take Willy, and, as the honest carman expressed himself, "make a merchant of him." Bright anticipations of the future flitted before Mrs. Carter's mental vision, and Willy himself, with the sanguine spirit of youth, commenced building castles in the air, of fairy brightness, such as youth have always built at some happy period of their lives, but the fleeting fabrics of which have seldom become materialized. It was Saturday night, and Willy received much wholesome advice, and many admonitions with regard to his future career; and when the boy had at length gone to bed, late as was the hour, Joseph went to his desk and took out a parcel containing his hardearned savings, and abstracted therefrom sufficient to buy the boy an entire new suit of ready-made clothing, with the double object of surprising him on the morrow, and rendering him presentable at the merchant's office on Monday.

And on the Monday the boy went to South-street, and was duly installed in his new situation, where for the present we shall leave him, while we return to other matters.

Shortly after the occurrence of these events, Joseph, while engaged one night in his watchman's duties, heard a signal calling for assistance from one of his comrades, and he immediately hurried in the direction whence the sound proceeded. He soon reached the spot, which was in Liberty-street, and he found there was a skirmish going on between two guardians of the night and a party of young men, who appeared to have but just emerged from a basement drinking-saloon near by. Joseph threw himself into the melée, and a violent struggle ensued, during which the party fled, with the exception of two who appeared to be the leaders, and who, other watchmen having been attracted to the scene, were at length overpowered. The complaint was then listened to. It was given by the keeper of the saloon, who charged the young men with having created an uproar in his place, and broken the glasses, at the same time refusing to pay the damages, and offering to fight it out in the street.

It was very evident to Joseph and his comrades that the two young men who had been arrested belonged to what are called the upper classes of society, as well from their attire as from their appearance, notwithstanding the state of intoxication in which they were. Those who had effected their escape were, on the contrary, vulgar frequenters of these night-saloons, and spongers upon the liberality of the men whom they had left to struggle alone with the watchmen.

"By Jove!" said the taller and stouter of the two, looking round upon his captors, "you fought like heroes-upon the honour of a gentleman. Now are ye veritable Charliesthat much-abused, well-basted set? Why, I've floored a dozen of your kidney in London before now. Come, let's drown all animosity by drinking a glass of the landlord's wine together. Brave men should bear no malice.”

Yes! a glass of wine. I move an adjournment to the cider-cellar, my lords and gentlemen!" exclaimed the other, who was the most deeply intoxicated of the two, and who was embracing the watchman who had him in charge, by clasping both his arms around his neck.

You'll take a glass of water in the station-house, and learn to be contented with that to-night, I fancy," said one of the watchmen. Then addressing the keeper of the saloon, he asked if he meant to press the charge.

"Not if the gentlemen pay for the damage they have done,"

said the man. "I'd be sorry to be hard upon a gentleman when he gets, once in a while, upon a bust.'

"Where are the base caitiffs who fled in the hour of danger? Where are the trembling cowards who forsook their master, when yon-moon-which shone-last night-round-roundWhat is it, George? Why don't you prompt me?" stammered the taller of the men, addressing his companion.

'My name is Norval on the Gr-Gram-pian-hills,” said the one addressed. "These gen-gen-tlemen invite us-to drink-a glass of wine-Put it to the vote-Ayes-Noes. The ayes have it-by Jove!" was the reply.

"I wonder if they have much money about them," said one of the watchmen.

Money-who says money-base trash. He who steals my purse," again stammered the taller man, at the same time pulling a purse, apparently well-filled with gold, out of his trousers'-pocket, and shaking it in the air.

We had better, for security's sake, take them to the station-house," said Joseph. They will surely be robbed else. They have not only a large amount of money, but valuable jewellery upon their persons, and watches in their fobs."

But the landlord of the drinking-saloon and the other watchmen now thought otherwise. Their opinions had undergone considerable change since they had discovered the quality and condition of the captives.

The landlord said that for his part he wished the gentlemen no harm, if so be they were gentlemen. He had been mistaken in them, seeing them in the company of the vagabonds who had got away, whom he knew well. The gentlemen were welcome to stay all night in his saloon, if they pleased. He was sure they'd be more comfortable there than in the stationhouse-let alone the disgrace of the arrest; and with the object of bringing the watchmen into his opinions, he generously offered to treat them all round to "something warm," at his own expense.

One or two seemed inclined to capitulate, and to accept the landlord's proffered hospitality, and release the strangers, placing them under his charge. Others, however, well ima gining that the worthy landlord had an eye to the golden bait which had been so recklessly exposed, thought that they had an equal right to share in the spoil. Joseph perceived this, and noticed the landlord and his comrades whispering together, and glancing significantly towards the two men for they had now descended again into the saloon. He resolved that if he

could prevent it, they should not be robbed, and insisted upon their being taken to the station-house.

Mistaking his motive, the taller of the two gentlemen resisted strenuously this argument, and swore he would not go to the station-house alive. Another row ensued, and the neighbourhood being aroused, Joseph was enabled to carry his point, in spite of his comrades and the keeper of the saloon, who ground their teeth with rage, as they saw their expected prey dragged from them.

As it was, more wine was drunk by the gentlemen, and when at last it was resolved, by the order of a magistrate, who had been attracted to the spot by the noise, to carry them to the City Hall, they were in a condition of complete insensibility, and had to be borne in the arms of their captors.

On the way, Joseph saw one of the watchmen draw the watch from the fob of the taller of the intoxicated men, and when they reached the City Hall, and an examination was made of the articles in their possession, in order that they might be kept safely until they were sober, Carter, who by the order of the clerk was conducting the search, mentioned carelessly, as though he had not suspected the real object of the purloiner,

That appears to be all they have in their possession, except the watch which you, Higsby, took from one of them, to prevent it slipping out of his fob. That'll be, sir," turning to the clerk, "two gold watches, with chains and seals; one eye-glass; one diamond breast-pin; a purse, containing thirtyfive five-dollar gold pieces and English sovereigns; and a pocket-book, with papers, and one Bank of England note for 1007."

The man addressed as Higsby pulled the watch from his pocket, and placed it on the desk, with the remainder of the articles enumerated. He well understood Joseph's thoughts; although the latter had endeavoured to make him think that he believed he had really taken charge of the watch to prevent its being lost. He scowled savagely at him as he moved from the desk, and from that moment Joseph Carter had made an implacable enemy.

On the following morning, the two gentlemen, perfectly sobered, were brought privately before a magistrate, and in the presence of the watchmen who had brought them to the City Hall station-house, their property was restored to them, and they received a mild reproof from the justice for their conduct.

"And now, gentlemen," said the magistrate, "have you

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