THE NOVELIST.

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 35, 14 May 1881, Page 377

THE NOVELIST.

MANSLAUGHTER.

A STOPtY, By Thomas Sharp. CHAPTER I.

A SUCCESSFUL COLONIST. ' Well, it's the last time as ever I shall make this here v'yage,' said Mr. Plantagenet Banton to a fellow-passenger on board the tine clipper 'Conway Castle,' as, behind her vigorous little tug, she was slowly manoeuvring into the docks* 'And now, sir, Avhat do you take me for? We've been fellow-passengers, shipmates, so to speak, right away from the Cape to this, but I doubt if you've even took the trouble to guess what I might be : now, have you ? ' ' Well, to tell you the truth,' was the langhing rejoinder, 'I can't say I have.' A twinkling of satisfaction came into the old man's shrewd, cunning eye, as he rubbed his palms slowly across each other. 'No,' he said, 'not you. Well, here we are home again, and I don't mind tellin' you. The fact, is I've been a many things in my time, and so no wonder as you couldn't guess, and I've made money and lost it, and made it agin and lost it a<jin, over and over. But now, you see, I'm gettin' on in years, as one may say, and I'm come home to England to spend my days in rest and quiet. I've had a store, I have, and I determined, so soon as I'd got a clear five thousand, as I'd drop speculating altogether and drop b'isness too; and I have, and that's why I'm here.' 'I've no friends, but I'll pick 'em up fast enough ; Planty Banton never was at a loss for a friend so long as he had the means of findiii' a glass of grog in his pocket. Look ye here, the only relation as I know of, or ever want to know of, is a young nephy, but I never seen him, and he never seen me, and now I'm come over to introduce myself. He's a gentleman, he is, compared to me, and well oil' in his way, but if he conies a put-tin' on any of his airs and graces with me he'll find himself in the wrong box. I mean to introduce myself and not let 'cm know who I am ; he's married, he is ; and if his wife and him's agreeable like, and inclined to be friendly before they knows me, don't you see, I shall be agreeable to them arterwards, and I mean to leave them two my money when I'm gone. But if he or her either comes "the fine gentleman, then I shall say, "Look'e yere; I come home to make you my heirs, but as you don't seem agreeable to the arrangement, you'd better find some other uncle as has got five thousand pound to leave you," and then I shall wish 'em good day, and you don't know Planty Banton if you think lie's the one to change his mind when he's come to a determination of that sort. 5 The conversation was broken off by the bringing of the ship up at her proper berth, and the planting of a gangway to the dock side, when, after some brief leave-taking, the passengers went each their several ways. Cumbered with only a small hand-bag, Banton made his way from the ship, and left the docks behind, having stated his intention of returning on the following day, to see to the removal of his various boxes and packages, each of which was duly and conspicuously labelled with his name. While the old man is finding his way to his nephew's suburban cottage, we Avill travel by a more expeditious means to see what awaits him. Young John Banton had commenced life as a commercial clerk, but a series of fortunate events had, at an age little over thirty, made him the head of a small business of his own. For some months his success had been as. remarkable to his associates as it was agreeable to himself ; but his prosperity appeared to be but shortlived. A series of embarrassments overtook him, and lie found the utmost difficulty in procuring a sufficient supply of ready money to provide the ordinary necessities of his household. One of his most unflinching principles had ever been to keep himself free from debt, but at the period of his financial vicissitudes this became a matter which had left the difficult stage behind, and was fast approaching the impossible. A stricter economy than had for some time been practised in his home became a necessity ; in this, however, his wife readily aided him, gladly dispensing with one and then with both of their servants, and reducing expenditure to a very loav minimum. Upon the day of the uncle's arrival in London, Banton returned home somewhat earlier than was his wont upon ordinary occasions, and went into the garden to spend an hour or two gardening. Working his way gradually along a bed, he came presently round to the front of the house, when, rising suddenly from a stooping position, he became conscious that he was the subject of contemplation to a stranger, who was leaning very easily over the gate. Banton was about to ask what lie sought, in something like indignation; but his words were stopped by a remark from the stranger, who was an old and certainly not prepossessing man, weather-beaten and hot from having walked some distance. None other than Plantagenet Banton. ' The name of this yere house struck me as peculiar, sir,' he said. 'Glossop Lodge ain't a name as one comes across every day, and if your own name should happen to be Banton — John Banton — -now, that would make it more peculiar still.' ' That does happen to be my name,' returned the subject of the address, rather coolly ' Might 1 ask— ' J ' He could not see much more than the old man's face, as the door completely concealed his figure ; but it occurred to the younger man that, judging from the expression of that face, winch was a mixture of low cunning and meanness, tinctured with the familiar impudence of a broad grin, very little was lost by the limitation. 'No, you mightn't ask,' returned Planty, as he loved to call himself ; 'you don't happen to have a uncle same name as yourself .? ' 'No,' said Banton, thoughtfully; 'John is not a very uncommon name, but I don't know another John Banton. '

'Ah,' exclaimed Plantagenet with a twinkle in his eye, ' that's it. But, maybe, you've an uncle as is called Planty Banton — Plantaganet, ell ?' 'I believe I have,' was the answer, ' but he's been abroad for years, and as I happen never to have seen him ' ' Well, what ?' inquired the old man eagerly. • Why, I don't happen to know him.' Planty drew a sigh of relief. 'Ah,' he said, 'I thought you was goin' to say you wasn't much interested in him. Now, I do know him, and rather intimate too.' Seeing that Planty stopped at the end of his sentence, and regarded Banton with an expression of peculiar significance, the latter felt called upon to make some remark ; but, nothing more elaborate occurring to his mind, he gave utterance to the single ejaculation, ' Indeed !' The old man indulged in a curious internal chuckle, which appeared to come from some hidden machinery considerably out of gear, and which had a singularly irritating effect upon its hearers. 'I suppose,' he said, "you didn't mean to ask a poor old ■wayfarer, as one may say, to jest come in and have a rest? not along of his knowin' your uncle, now ?' 'My dear sir,' returned Banton, opening the gate, but at the same time considerably exercised hi his mind to imagine Avhat sort of an imcle it must be who was on intimate terms with such an unmitigated old ruffian as this, 'by all means come inside. We, of course, are very willing to welcome a friend of our longlost relation, although at present our domestic affairs are a trifle disorganised. The servants are out for the day.' The old man entered the garden, beaming ■with satisfaction, and taking a comprehensive glance around as he came. ' Servants, eh ?' he said. 'So you do it regular, do you? more'n one servant? How many, now ? maybe two —three ?' 'No,' answered Banton, writhing inwardly at the evasion he was compelled to employ, 'we never had more than two.' Then he led the way hurriedly into the house, and called to his wife. Hearing voices in the garden, she had been hovering near, and appeared instantly. 'This is a friend of my uncle Plantagenet,' , he said ; ' the imcle who has been in Africa so long,' he added by way of explanation. Mrs. Banton appeared more amused than otherwise struck at the eccentric appearance of he quaint old man. She bowed, but reflecting that a bow must appear somewhat incongruous to this old fellow, who seemed like a cross between a river pilot and a mechanic in holiday attire, she smiled and held out her hand. 'That's what I call friendly,' said the visitor, gripping her fingers with a pressure of tremendous force, 'that's what Planty your uncle, mum, would ay done hisself. — My name, s Peter Bream.' ' Will you take a seat, Mr. Brim ? ' said Mrs. Banton. '1 thank you. mum,' returned Planty, 'but Bream it is— B-r-e-a-m, not Brim, if it's all the same to you.' Again that strange and irritating chuckle came from him. He was saying to himself, 'You can't be too partie'lar over a name, specially when it's a false one as you've only jest invented.' Some indecision appeared as to who should : be first to continue the conversation, but, after ' a momentary hesitation, Planty saved his entertainers all trouble by commencing lire himself. 'Touching this uncle of yours,' he said, seating himself with great composure, 'you've no doubt heard he's what they call eccentric. So he is ; there's no denying it. Me and him's been friends a'most ever since he's been out in them parts, livin' together and fwllerin' one another about together, so that we come to be that intimate it seemed as if we never shouldn't part. But the time come and I've chucked it vp — retired, as you might say ; and when I was a eomin' over here, "Planty," I says, "tell us all about your relations." But Planty he laughed anil he says, " Relations," says he — "why, they ain't much to brag about, nor 'many of 'cm" "So much the better," says I; " but tell us where they hang out, for be sure I'll look 'em up." "Well," says Planty, "I had a father and a mother once, and them you'll find near on Kennington Church— in the yard, I shouldn't wonder — it ain't no good lookin' after them ; and I had a brother, but he's gone after his parints, and now there's none of 'em left but my nephy." "Ah," says I, " and what like is he?" "Why, I never seen him," says Planty, "but I've heard he's an educated young chap, and well to do. Not such as the likes of you would cotton to." "Oh," says I, "and why not?' "Because," says Planty, "he's a gentleman, and you ain't, and ain't never likely to be." "Thankee, Banton," says I, "you ain't much to brag on yourself; but tell us where this young chap lives, and I'll go round that way, blowed if I don't." ' Planty stopped to sec what effect his narrative had made, but as it produced nothing except a smile from each of his hearers, he presently took up the thread of his narrative again, diverting its current to his own affairs. 'And so, you see, Mr. Banton,' he went on, * here I am. I only came into London to-day, and ain't got no luggage with me beyond this yere small bag I carry in my hand ; I must iook that all up in the morning. But mark you, I'm no pauper. I don't mind tellin' of you I'm worth three hundred a year, clear, and nothing to do for it.' 'You will have some refreshment, Mr. Bream ?' asked John Banton : ' a glass of wine ?' 'I thank you,' returned Planty with considerable stiffness ; it's a'most dinner time, I take it.' With so broad a hint, there was nothing for it but to ask him' to remain to dinner. 'If you'll excuse a frugal meal,' said Mrs Banton, 'we shall be very happy if you will stop with us.' 'But,' added her husband, hurriedly, 'having given the servants a holiday, we shall have to wait upon ourselves. However, if a chop and a glass of grog — ' 'Say no more,' exclaimed Planty, waving his

hand. ' I'm your guest, and thank' c. The man as can't be happy upon a chop and a glass of grog ain't one as Planty — ain't one as no one would be likely to get on with.' ' Where do you propose to stop, Mr. Bream ?' asked John Banton, more as a means of opening conversation than out of any inquisitive motive. 'At some hotel, I presume ;or have you friends in this neighbourhood ?' 'Well,' answered the old man, with his horrible chuchle and a cunning twinkle in his eye, ' I ain't rightly made up my mind. There ain't no friend just hereaAvay as I know of, but no doubt I shall manage.' Then he added, so suddenly as to start his host into an invitation he immediately regretted, 'I was thinking perhaps you might find a spare room, jest for one night, for your uncle's intimate friend ?' 'I shall be very glad to give you abed,' answered unfortunate Banton. Then he remembered their present biting impeenniosity, and wondered what his wife would say to having this old boor in the house for the night, and how the difficulty of servants could be overcome. It was necessary to make some excuse to get out of the room. 'You'd better have a glass of wine, Mr. Bream,' he said ; ' I'll get you one.' The old man gave a ready assent, whereupon Banton hurried out of the room. ' Jane,' he said to his wife, who was busy in the kitchen, ' like a fool, I have let this old wretch get me to promise him a bed for tonight. He must have it now, and — ' 'But, my dear,' returned Mrs. Banton, 'how is the work to be done ? If you had said in the first instance that we had no servant, it would not have mattered, but now we shall have to keep iip the pretence in the house as well as out of it.' 'Well,' said the unfortunate Banton, whose desire to be hospitable had got him into this plight, 'we must do our best. I will try to keep him quiet, and we must get him to have some grog and go to sleep after dinner.' So saying he returned to the small study, where he had left the old man, taking with him

a bottle of sherry and a couple of glasses l wherewith to beguile the time until dinner should be ready. By the time that Mrs. Banton came in to say that dinner awaited them in the dining-room, the bottle of sherry had nearly vanished, and the visitor was happy as need be wished. 'Well,' exclaimed Planty, when he took his seat at the dinner table, his eye making a rapid survey of the board as he spoke, ' I don't see nothing to make excuses for yere. Chops, sure enough, and right good ones to : and this yere's a bit of cold biled bacon, I take it ; well, you've got a few potaters along of it, and a drop of beer. Now, what more can you want ? Many's the time as Planty and me'd give no end for the likes of this yere feed.' And indeed it appeared to suit him ; for he swept away the mutton chops, which had been obtained oil credit for to-morrow's dinner, with an alacrity and gusto which somewhat startled his hostess, and then he pounded^ into bread and cheese, drinking beer with it in a manner to frighten the storing capabilities of a thirsty boating man. 'And now I'm done, and thank' e,' he said at length, pushing his plate away from him and wiping his mouth upon his coat-sleeve. Then he dipped his hands deep in his trousers' pockets and leant back in his chair, smiling benignly. ' There's only three things wanted to make this yere perfect,' he aded after a moment's reflection ; ' a toothpick, a pie, and a drop— jest a wee drop — of grog. But them I know is coming. Whisky's my taste.' ' Certainly you shall have those, ' said Banton, smiling at the old man's unfettered freedom of manner. He led the way to a smaller room to which the visitor had first been introduced, but Plauty insisted on accompanying Mrs. Banton to the kitchen to procure hot Avater and the necessary glasses for grog-compounding. When these were duly provided he settled himself on a sofa

and reproduced his former smile of satisfied enjoyment. 'Now, this yere's what I call prime,' he said, sipping contentedly from his steaming glass, and drawing long volumes of dense smoke from his greasy old pipe ; ' I'm good at this till one o clock. Banton groaned : it was not yet eight. (To be continued, )