Newton Forster

by Frederick Marryat

  Chapter XXX

  "Now, by two-headed Janus. Nature hath named strange fellows in her time; Some that will ever more peep through their eyes, And laugh like parrots at a bagpiper; And others of such vinegar aspect, That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile, Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable."

  SHAKESPEARE.

  The next forenoon Nicholas and his son left the inn in good time to keeptheir appointment. The weather had changed, and the streets through whichthey passed were crowded with people who had taken advantage of the fineweather to prosecute business which had admitted of being postponed.Nicholas, who stared every way except the right, received many shoves andpushes, at which he expostulated, without the parties taking even thetrouble to look behind them as they continued their course. This conductproduced a fit of reverie, out of which he was soon roused by another blowon the shoulder, which would twist him half round; and thus he continued inan alternate state of reverie and excitement, until he was dragged byNewton to his brother's chambers. The clerk, who had been ordered to admitthem, opened the parlour door, where they found Mr John Forster, sitting athis table, with his spectacles on, running through a brief.

  "Your servant, young man.--Nicholas Forster, I presume," said he, takinghis eyes off the brief, and looking at Forster without rising from hischair. "How do you do, brother?"

  "Are you my brother John?" interrogated Nicholas.

  "I am John Forster," replied the lawyer.

  "Well, then, I am really very glad to see you, brother," said Nicholas,extending his hand, which was taken with a "humph!"--(A minute's pause.)

  "Young man, you're ten minutes past your time," said John, turning toNewton. "I told you _one o'clock precisely_."

  "I am afraid so," replied Newton; "but the streets were crowded, and myfather stopped several times."

  "Why did he stop?"

  "To expostulate with those who elbowed him: he is not used to it."

  "He soon will be if he stays here long. Brother Nicholas," said Forster,turning round; but perceiving that Nicholas had taken up his watch, and wasexamining the interior, his intended remark was changed. "Brother Nicholas,what are you doing with my watch?"

  "It's very dirty," replied Nicholas, continuing his examination; "it mustbe taken to pieces."

  "Indeed it shall not," replied John.

  "Don't be alarmed, I'll do it myself, and charge you nothing."

  "Indeed you will not do it yourself, brother. My watch goes very well whenit's left alone. Do me the favour to hand it to me."

  Nicholas shut up the watch, and handed it to his brother over the table."It ought not to go well in that state, brother."

  "But I tell you that it _does_, brother," replied John, putting the watchinto his fob.

  "I have brought the things that I mentioned, sir," said Newton, taking themout of his handkerchief.

  "Very well; have you the inventory?"

  "Yes, sir, here it is."

  "No. I, a diamond ring."

  "No. 2--"

  "I should rather think that they were No. 3," observed Nicholas, who hadtaken up his brother's spectacles. "You're not very short-sighted,brother."

  "I am not, brother Nicholas;--will you oblige me by giving me myspectacles?"

  "Yes, I'll wipe them for you first," said Nicholas, commencing his polishwith an old cotton handkerchief.

  "Thanky, thanky, brother, that will do," replied John, holding out his handfor the spectacles, which he immediately put in the case and conveyed intohis pocket. The lawyer then continued the inventory.

  "It is all right, young man; I will sign a receipt."

  The receipt was signed, and the articles deposited in the iron chest.

  "Now, brother Nicholas, I have no time to spare; have you anything to sayto me?"

  "No," replied Nicholas, starting up.

  "Well, then, I have something to say to you. In the first place, I cannothelp you in your profession (as I told my nephew yesterday), neither can Iafford you any time, which is precious: so good-bye, brother. Here issomething for you to read when you go home." John Forster took out hispocket-book, and gave him a sealed letter.

  "Nephew, although I never saw the sea, or knew a sailor in my life, yet thelaw pervades everywhere. An East India director, who is under obligationsto me, has promised a situation for you as third mate on board of the_Bombay Castle_. Here is his address: call upon him, and all will bearranged. _You_ may come here again before you sail; and I expect you willmake proper arrangements for your father, who, if I can judge from what Ihave already seen, will lose that paper I have given him, which containswhat is not to be picked up every day." Nicholas was in a deep reverie; theletter had dropped from his hand, and had fallen, unnoticed by him, on thecarpet. Newton picked it up, and, without Nicholas observing him, put itinto his own pocket. "Now, good-bye, nephew; take away my brother, pray.It's a good thing, I can tell you, sometimes to find out an uncle."

  "I trust my conduct will prove me deserving of your kindness," repliedNewton, who was overjoyed at the unexpected issue of the meeting.

  "I hope it will, young man. Good morning. Now, take away your father, I'mbusy;" and old Forster pulled out his spectacles, and recommenced hisbrief.

  Newton went up to his father, touched him on the shoulder, and said in alow tone, and nodding his head towards the door--"Come, father."

  Nicholas got upon his legs, retreated a few steps, then turnedround--"Brother, didn't you say something about a letter I was to put inthe post?"

  "No, I didn't," replied John, shortly, not raising his eyes from the brief.

  "Well, I really thought I heard something--"

  "Come, father; my uncle's busy."

  "Well, then, good-bye, brother."

  "Good-bye," replied John, without looking up; and Newton with his father,quitted the room.

  No conversation passed during the walk to the inn, except an accidentalremark of Nicholas, that it appeared to him that his brother was very busy.

  When they arrived Newton hastened to open the enclosure, and found in itthe draft for L500, which his uncle had ordered to be filled up the daybefore. Nicholas was lost in astonishment; and Newton, although he hadalready gained some insight into his uncle's character, was not a littlesurprised at his extreme liberality.

  "Now," cried Nicholas, rubbing his hands, "my improvement upon the duplex;"and the subject brought up by himself again led him away, and he was indeep thought.

  There was one little piece of advice upon the envelope--"When you cash thedraft take the number of your notes." This was all; and it was carefullyattended to by Newton, who took but L20, and left the remainder in thehands of the banker. The next day Newton called on the East India director,who gave him a letter to the captain of the ship, lying at Gravesend, andexpecting to sail in a few days. To Gravesend he immediately repaired, and,presenting his credentials, was favourably received, with an intimationthat his company was required as soon as convenient. Newton had now noother object to occupy him than to secure an asylum for his father; andthis he was fortunate enough to meet with when he little expected. He haddisembarked at Greenwich, intending to return to London by the coach, when,having an hour to spare, he sauntered into the hospital, to view a buildingwhich had so much of interest to a sailor. After a few minutes' survey hesat down on a bench, occupied by several pensioners, outside of the gate,wishing to enter into conversation with them relative to their condition,when one addressed another--"Why, Stephen, since the old man's dead,there's no one that'll suit us; and I expects that we must contrive to dowithout blinkers at all. Jim Nelson told me the other day that that fellowin town as has his shop full of polished brass, all the world like thequarter-deck of the _Le Amphitrite_, when that sucking Honourable (what washis name?) commanded her--Jim said to me, as how he charged himone-and-sixpence for a new piece of flint for his starboard eye. Now youknow that old Wilkins never axed no more than threepence. Now, how we're topay at that rate comes to more than my knowledg
e. Jim hadn't the dirt,although he had brought his threepence; so his blinkers are left there inlimbo."

  "We must find out another man; the shop's to let, and all handy. Suppose wespeak to the governor?"

  "No use to speak to the governor; he don't use blinkers; and so won't haveno fellow-feeling."

  Newton entered into conversation, and found that an old man, who gained hislivelihood in a small shop close to the gate, by repairing the spectaclesof the pensioners, had lately died, and that his loss was severely felt bythem, as the opticians in town did not work at so reasonable a rate. Newtonlooked at the shop, which was small and comfortable, commanding a pleasantview of the river; and he was immediately convinced that it would suit hisfather. On his return he proposed it to Nicholas, who was delighted at theidea; and the next day they viewed the premises together, and took a shortlease. In a few days Nicholas was settled in his new habitation, and busilyemployed in enabling the old pensioners to read the newspapers and counttheir points at cribbage. He liked his customers, and they liked him. Hisgains were equal to his wants; and, unless on particular occasions--such asa new coat, which, like his birthday, occurred but once in the year--henever applied to the banker's for assistance. Newton, as soon as his fatherwas settled, and his own affairs arranged, called upon his uncle previousto his embarkation. Old Forster gave a satisfactory "Humph!" to hiscommunication; and Newton, who had tact enough to make his visit short,received a cordial shake of the hand when he quitted the room.