Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 349: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

—_ a — ee — that I happened to hear from some old factory- operative that a long time back ke had worked for a Mr. Wakefield at Sheffield, and that this Mr. Wakefield was supposed to have been descended from some younger branch of the great Wakefields of Warwickshire. The operative further told me that the Mr. Wakefield to whom he alluded was dead, but that he had left a family behind. I went to Sheffield; and there I learnt that Mrs. Wakefield and her son had moved to Paisley. I could not journey to Paisley—TI had not the means; but an acquaintance of mine was shortly after going to that town—and I got him to make inquiries. In process of time I learnt that Mrs. Wakefield was dead and her son had gone abroad to some foreign land. Now you understand, Miss Percy, why I said to Dame Betty that if I could only find the Wakefields of Sheffield I might be enabled to do some good for myself: for 1 have always entertained the hope that some day or another these papers might be purchased from my hands by a member of the Wakefield family though I certainly do not see how the possession of them can prove of any material benefit under existing circumstances. Jor there is the Earl of Carshalton—and there is the Viscount—and he may marry and have children “4 “And more than that,” I added, “ the Wake- field claims may be really valueless, even if it should transpire after ali that my cousin Henry is actually the lineal representative of the great Wakefields of Warwickshire. But no matter. I accept these papers from your hand. If they in any way regard my cousin Henry, he will of course keep possession of them: if they do not regard him, they shall be restored to you. And now let me ask in which manner I can best serve you? You have failed in business:—is it worth while to sot you up init again? You best know your own capacities,” Tears were running down the woman’s cheeks as she faltered forth ber thanks; and then she said, “ I know why I failed before, Miss Percy. It was because my own expenses were too great. But adversity has taught me terrible lessons; and rest assured that if I had an opportunity I should profit by them. A very few pounds would suffice to set me upin a little business which would enable me to earn a comfortable livelihood for my children and myself.” ‘“‘ How large a sum?” I inquired. Mrs. Sturton hesitated: then she fumbled in her pocket—she drew forth a piece of a newspaper —and at length she said, “This paper enveloped some little article which through your bounty, Miss Percy, I was able just now to purchase. It is a piece of yesterday’s local journal—and there is an advertisement that happened to meet my eye. It is a small business to be disposed of—I know it well But Ah! fifty pounds! ’tis a very great deal of money!” “Come to me in an hour,” I said; “ and we will see what is to be done. Remember, I do not at all promise you that I shall advance this amount : but I shall think over it.” “And whether you do or not, Miss Percy,” re- plied the woman, “heaven bless you for what you have already done forme !” She then took her temporary leave of me; and so soon as she had departed, 1 summoned Beda, to _-- ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. | on @ point where it is very desirable. ee —_— = -$ | - —— - —-—_—_ -e-— — —— —_—— ——- whom I communicated all that I had heard. then opened the packet which Mrs. Sturton had left behind her; and I found that it contained a number of papers, most of them soiled and greasy —some of them torn—but all in a legible condi- tion. They consisted of memoranda indicative of where genealogies were to be traced and title-deeds to be consulted—of how research was to be made in such-and-such volumes in the British Museum, in such-and-such wills at Doctors’ Commons, and in such-and-such records at the Herald’s Office. Then too, there were marriage and baptismal cer- tificates; and there were copies of pedigrees ; and there were notes indicative of the particular newspapers in which advertisements had at certain times appeared for special objects, all connected with the great Wakefield lawsuits of by-gone times. There were likewise memoranda of the different suits which had been so brought, and the journals in which reports were to be found of the arguments adduced in the pleadings, and the judgments rendered in the Chancery Courts or the Judicial Committee of the House of Lords. The papers showed that they had belonged to Gerald Wakefield: but there was no mention of any younger brother. And what was more extraor- dinary, there were no certificates, allusions, or memoranda, to connect this Gerald himself with the Wakefield family of Warwickshire. There- fore, not merely was everything still in doubt as to whether my cousin Harry were in any way connected with the family—but it was equally un- certain whether the documents now in my posses- sion would be of the slightest service to any human being at all. “‘ Nevertheless, Beda,” I said, “the woman has given them up readily and of her own accord— spontaneously and unasked ; and I will give her the recompense which I contemplated when I bade her return in an hour. Goand make proper inquiries relative to the shop indicated in the ad- vertisement.” While Beda was absent upon her errand, I re- flected upon everything which had this day come to my knowledge; and I said to myself, “ If it be worth while at all to pursue the investigation, there are two necessary steps to be taken as pre- liminaries. One is to ascertain whether my de- ceased uncle James Wakefield of Sheffield had an elder brother named Gerald; and if so, the other preliminary is to discover whether they could claim connexion with the family that was evidently once so great and important in Warwickshire. Now, who in the absence of my father and cousin can satisfy me on the first point?” At that moment the name of Mr. Parks flashed to my memory ; and I at once penned the follow- ing letter :— “ Stafford. “My dear Jane, “Circumstances have transpired which enable you to render me a gervice—or at least I believa that it is possible for you to procure information You know that I had an uncle named James Wakefield, who was & manufacturer in a small way of business at Sheffield, and who died of a broken heart many years ago, in consequence of pecuniary misfortunes, Can you learn for me whether this uncle of mine December 28, 1842. a I Eom @ SS (E(0) ——— LE eee