Викрадений

           In1715,whatmusthedobutrunawaytojointherebels?Itwasyourfatherthatpursuedhim,foundhiminaditch,andbroughthimbackmultumgementem;tothemirthofthewholecountry.However,majoracanamus—thetwoladsfellinlove,andthatwiththesamelady.Mr.Ebenezer,whowastheadmiredandthebeloved,andthespoiledone,made,nodoubt,mightycertainofthevictory;andwhenhefoundhehaddeceivedhimself,screamedlikeapeacock.Thewholecountryheardofit;nowhelaysickathome,withhissillyfamilystandingroundthebedintears;nowherodefrompublic-housetopublic-house,andshoutedhissorrowsintothelugofTom,Dick,andHarry.Yourfather,Mr.David,wasakindgentleman;buthewasweak,dolefullyweak;tookallthisfollywithalongcountenance;andoneday—byyourleave!—resignedthelady.Shewasnosuchfool,however;it’sfromheryoumustinherityourexcellentgoodsense;andsherefusedtobebandiedfromonetoanother.Bothgotupontheirkneestoher;andtheupshotofthematterforthatwhilewasthatsheshowedbothofthemthedoor.ThatwasinAugust;dearme!thesameyearIcamefromcollege.Thescenemusthavebeenhighlyfarcical.”

           Ithoughtmyselfitwasasillybusiness,butIcouldnotforgetmyfatherhadahandinit.“Surely,sir,ithadsomenoteoftragedy,”saidI.

           “Why,no,sir,notatall,”returnedthelawyer.