The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 399: what you’re looking at

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

a Ee ie OO CoCo OO SOC FO Or CC" -- On OOOOOOaas s _—e CC LLL LLL LLL CS TE TC LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF LONDON LIFE. “To the death, sir.” “Even if I wish to get rid of Wilmott?” “He was always a poor drivelling fellow, sir, without a jot of resolution,” replied the fellow, “and you are not more ‘anxious to get rid of him than I to separate from my wife.” “Tn that ease,” said his old master, “ follow me. The prize for which we contend is no ordinary one, Let your resolution be as firm as your fortune is desperate, and we shall succeed; my courage is cer- tain not to fail me.” “Nor mine,” added Dick; “I have so long been henpecked by that termigant at home, that to avoid her I would take Satan by the horns and try a throw with him.” Mr. Briarton, like most men in business, was a most orderly and methodical person. Although he was determined on the morning to give up, not only the concern, but the greater part of his fortune, to his son-in-law, he resolved to sit up and go over the accounts as usual, that his successor might not find a difficulty to encounter in taking the concern in his own hand. For this purpose he bade the young couple, who had just returned from their wedding excursion, good night, and retired to his private Office in the house. One of the overseers and the packers were busy in the factory making up the bales which were to start by the canal in the morn- ing for the covntry. Mr. Briarton’s office was a small room parted off from the entrance hall of the mansion by glass windows, and was only big enough to contain a large iron safe, a desk, and chairs for two or three. A small window at the back looked into the yard, and enabled the ewner to cast an eye upon the proceedings of the men. Close to this window was the rope attached to the factory bell. | “Heigho!” sighed the old man; “how many changes have I seen since I and my poor brother- in-law first took our seats as youths in this office— for we were little more—when, with trusting hearts and slender capital, we commenced business together! I little thought,” he added, “that; I should have re- signed the concern our joint industry made flourish to any) but his son. Poor Dick! Well, well, it is too late to think of that now. I have made up the accounts. I leave my successor a clear set of books and a clean conscience. Thank heaven, I can lay my hand upon my heart and say that not one shilling of my large fortune has been gained by oppressing the poor man, or conduct uaworthy of an honest one.”’ The speaker, with a lingering regret, delayed re- ‘tiring from the little spot where he had made the fortune of which he was so justly proud, and passed the happiest hours of his life; for he had been, heart and soul, devoted to business. There he remained nodding in his chair, dozing over the past, and indulging in dreams for the future. His child—his darling Ellen —was married to a man on whose integrity he could Stake his life—one who owed every thing ,to his bounty and favour; and he felt that, let death come when; it would, he should leave her in the arms of one who would prove worthy of the reposed in him. His mind thus at ease respecting the future, the old gentleman gradually fell asleep in his easy chair, leaving the key in the iron safe beside him. He had not been long in this state of oblivion, when an arm was introduced through the fanlight above the door, ; 397 and the upper bolt carefully withdrawn. Then there was a pause in the proceeding, as if those without waited to listen to the result of their daring. After awhile the door was slowly opened, and Wilmott, Faddle, and Dick entered the hall with slow and stealthy footsteps. “Here we are,” whispered Faddle; “and there,” he added, pointing to the counting-house, ‘‘is the money. Don’t let us lose time. Why, what ails the man?” he added, seeing that his companion was over- whelmed with grief and shame. ‘ “ Nothing,” said Wilmott, “ nething—only-——” “Only what?” impatiently demanded his de- er, “In this house was I born; that staircase leads to my mother’s chamber. There I have seen my father sit a thousand times,” he added, pointing to the counting-heuse. “Oh! could they see me now a dishonoured felon!” “Pshaw! Dick, creep out to the yard; there are lights in the factory; if any one approaches give the signal. And look ye,” continued his master, “show but the tip of the white feather, and I'll send a bullet through your brain.” He cocked the fellow pistol which he had taken from Dick after the flight of Rose, and pointed it most significantly as he spoke. “Trust to me,” said the fellow; “I am ftrue as While Wilmott remained absorbed in his recollec- tions and regrets, looking round, Faddle erept cau- tiously towards the glass partition which separated the counting-house from the hall, and saw, to his as- tonishment, Mr. Briarton fast asleep in his chair. This was a difficulty he kad not calculated upon, and he regretted that he had not set Wilmott to watch instead ef Dick. He foresaw that the nephew would never be brought to use violence against his uncle. “The old man has fallen asleep in the counting- house,” he whispered. “God bless him!” said Wilmott, bursting into tears; “let me look on him once more.” * Fool!” said the rnffian; “is this a time for such feelings and regrets? MRemember that unless we suc- ceed to night, to-morrow we are beggars.” “ True, true,” “The money is beside him.” “ Let us take it and fly, then,” said Wilmott ; “ but not all—no, not ali!’’ “But should he wake ?”’ “You will spare him!” interrupted the wretched man, whose better feelings had returned at the sight of his boyhood’s home; “you will spare him! Hear me, Faddle: I have borne much, committed many crimes; but for all that I have lost I would not have that old man’s blood upon my soul.” * Pshaw! what difference does a drop or two, more or less, make? I am resolved to live happily if I can, but at all events to live free. If he wakes he dies !”” “Nog, nol’”’ said Wilmott. And they crept stealthily towards the ceunting-house. Fortune at first seemed willing to spare the over. burdened souls of the two mer the weight of further crime, for Mr. Briarton continued to sleep while they opened the door and crept towards the iron safe, | which Faddle began greedily to ransack, cramming | both gold, notes, and bills, into his pockets. During the robbery, a pale face might be seen placed against the outward window—it was Rose, who, as well ac- : - COL C) im (Cl 0) books