Great Britain -- History -- Stuarts, 1603-1714 -- Fiction
'Yes; the two young gentlemen--Challis is their name--in Exeter. I
have seen them and conversed with them. Strong young men, especially
one of them. 'Tis sad, indeed, to think that they may be cut off in
the very bloom of their age when they would command so high a price
in Jamaica or Barbadoes. I ventured to beg before their trial that
they would immediately begin to use whatever interest they might be
able to command in order to get their sentence (which was certain)
commuted. Many will be suffered to go abroad--why not these young
gentlemen? But they have no interest, they assured me; and therefore
I fear that they will die. 'Tis most sad. They cannot hang all--that
is quite true; but then these young gentlemen were officers in the
army, and therefore an example will be made of them if they have no
interest at Court.'
'Well, Sir,' I told him, pleased to find him of such a kindly and
thoughtful disposition, 'you will be glad to hear that they are
already pardoned, and have been presented by the King to a gentleman
at Court.'
'Aha! Sayest thou so?' His eyes glittered, and he rubbed his hands.
'This is, indeed, joyful news. One of them, Mr. Robin Challis, is a
goodly lad, like to whom there are few sent out to the Plantations.
He will certainly fetch a good price. The other, Mr. Humphrey, who
is somewhat crooked, will go for less. Who hath obtained the gift of
these young gentlemen?'
'It is a person named Mr. Nipho.'
'Mr. Jerome Nipho. I know him well. He is a good Catholic--I mean a
Papist--and is much about the Court. He is lucky in having had many
prisoners given to him. And now, Madam, I hope you will command my
services.'
'In what way, Sir?'
'In this way. I am, as I have told you'--here he wagged his head
and winked both his eyes, and laughed pleasantly--'one of those
foolish busybodies who love to be still doing good to their
fellow-creatures. To do good is my whole delight. Unfortunately,
the opportunities are rare of conferring exemplary benefit upon my
fellow-men. But here the way seems clear.'
He rubbed his hands and laughed again, repeating that the way was
clear before him, so that I believed myself fortunate in falling in
with so virtuous a person.
'Oh, Sir,' I cried, 'would that the whole world would so live and so
act!'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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