The Manchester Rebels of the Fatal '45. Ainsworth William Harrison

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СКАЧАТЬ style="font-size:15px;">      "I like Tom Syddall because he is a Jacobite, and because his father suffered for the good cause," said Beppy. "Though a barber is the least heroic of mortals, Tom Syddall always appears to me a sort of hero, with a pair of scissors and a powder-puff for weapons."

      "He has thrown dust in your eyes, Beppy," said the doctor.

      "He has vowed to avenge his father. Is not that creditable to him, papa?"

      "Yes, he is a brave fellow, no doubt. I only hope he mayn't share his father's fate. I shall endeavour to persuade him to keep quiet."

      "Is it quite certain the prince will come to Manchester?" asked Mrs. Byrom, anxiously.

      "He will be here in two or three days at the latest with his army. But don't alarm yourself, my love."

      "Oh, dear!" she exclaimed. "I think we had better leave the town."

      "You are needlessly afraid, mamma," cried Beppy. "I am not frightened in the least. It may be prudent in some people to get out of the way; but depend upon it we shan't be molested. Papa's opinions are too well known. I wouldn't for the world miss seeing the prince. I dare say we shall all be presented to him."

      "You talk of the prince as if he had already arrived, Beppy," observed Edward Byrom, gravely. "After all, he may never reach Manchester."

      "You hope he won't come," cried his sister. "You are a Hanoverian, Teddy, and don't belong to us."

      "'Tis because I wish the prince well that I hope he mayn't come," said Teddy. "The wisest thing he could do would be to retreat."

      "I disown you, sir," cried the young lady. "The prince will never retreat, unless compelled, and success has hitherto attended him."

      "Are you aware that the townspeople of Liverpool have raised a regiment seven hundred strong?"

      "For the prince?"

      "For King George. Chester, also, has been put into a state of defence against the insurgents, though there are many Roman Catholic families in the city."

      "I won't be discouraged," said Beppy. "I am certain the right will triumph. What do you think, papa?"

      Dr. Byrom made no response to this appeal.

      "Your papa has great misgivings, my dear," observed Mrs. Byrom; "and so have I. I should most heartily rejoice if the danger that threatens us could be averted. Rebellion is a dreadful thing. We must take no part in this contest. How miserable I should have been if your brother had joined the insurgents!"

      "Happily, Teddy has more discretion," said Dr. Byrom, casting an approving look at his son. "Some of our friends, I fear, will rue the consequences of their folly. Jemmy Dawson has joined the Manchester Regiment, and of course Dr. Deacon's three sons are to be enrolled in it."

      "Were I a man I would join likewise," cried Beppy.

      "My dear!" exclaimed her mother, half reproachfully.

      "Forgive me if I have hurt your feelings, dearest mamma," said Beppy, getting up and kissing her. "You know I would do nothing to displease you."

      "Jemmy Dawson will incur his father's anger by the step he has taken," remarked Edward Byrom. "But powerful influence has been brought to bear upon him. A young lady, quite as enthusiastic a Jacobite as you are, Beppy, to whom he is attached, has done the mischief."

      "Indeed! I should like to know who she is?" said his sister.

      "Nay, you must not question me. You will learn the secret in due time, I make no doubt."

      "I have guessed it already," said Beppy. "'Tis Monica Butler. I have seen Jemmy with her. She is just the girl who could induce him to join the insurrection, for she is heart and soul in the cause."

      "You are right. Monica Butler is Jemmy's fair enslaver. His assent was to be the price of her hand. I believe they are affianced."

      "I hope the engagement will end well, but it does not commence auspiciously," said Dr. Byrom. "Their creeds are different. Monica is a Roman Catholic – at least, I conclude so, since her mother belongs to that religion."

      "Mrs. Butler is a widow, I believe?" remarked Mrs. Byrom.

      "She is widow of Captain Butler, and sister of Sir Richard Rawcliffe. Consequently, Monica is cousin to the beautiful Constance Rawcliffe. Though so well connected, Mrs. Butler is far from rich, and lives in great privacy, as you know, in Salford. She is very proud of her ancient descent, and I almost wonder she consented to Monica's engagement to young Dawson. By-the-bye, Sir Richard Rawcliffe and his daughter are now in Manchester, and are staying at the Bull's Head. I met Sir Richard last night. He is very anxious to obtain recruits for the prince, and tried hard to enlist Atherton Legh. The young man resisted, but he will have to go through a different ordeal to-day, for he will be exposed to the fascinations of the fair Constance. I shall be curious to learn the result."

      "So shall I," said Beppy, with some vivacity.

      "Do you take any interest in the young man?" asked her father.

      "I think him very handsome," she replied, blushing. "And I think he would be a very great acquisition to the prince. But it would certainly be a pity – "

      "That so handsome a young fellow should be executed as a rebel," supplied the father. "I quite agree with you, Beppy, and I therefore hope he will remain firm."

      CHAPTER IX.

      THE TWO CURATES OF ST. ANN'S

      Just then a female servant ushered in two young divines, both of them assistant curates of St. Ann's – the Rev. Thomas Lewthwaite and the Rev. Benjamin Nichols. Mr. Hoole, the rector of St. Ann's, was inclined to Nonjuring principles, which he had imbibed from Dr. Deacon, and was very popular with the High Church party, but his curates were Whigs, and belonged to the Low Church, and had both preached against rebellion. Mr. Lewthwaite was a suitor to Beppy, but she did not give him much encouragement, and, indeed, rather laughed at him.

      Both the reverend gentlemen looked rather grave, and gave a description of the state of the town that brought back all Mrs. Byrom's alarms.

      "An express has just come in," said Mr. Lewthwaite, "bringing word that the rebels have reached Lancaster, and that Marshal Wade has turned back to Newcastle. The rebel force is estimated at seven thousand men, but other accounts affirm that it now amounts to thirty thousand and upwards."

      "I hope the latter accounts are correct," observed Beppy.

      "We shall certainly have the Pretender here in a couple of days," pursued the curate.

      "Pray don't call him the Pretender, sir," cried Beppy. "Speak of him with proper respect as Prince Charles Edward."

      "I can't do that," said Mr. Lewthwaite, "being a loyal subject of King George."

      "Whom some people regard as a usurper," muttered Beppy.

      "The news has thrown the whole town into consternation," said Mr. Nichols. "Everybody is preparing for flight. Almost all the warehouses are closed. Half the shops are shut, and as Mr. Lewthwaite and myself passed through the square just now, we didn't see half a dozen persons. Before night the place will be empty.

      "Well, we shan't go," said Beppy.

      "The СКАЧАТЬ