The Amateur Gentleman

The Jaunty Hat "Lord, but this is a great day for the old 'Cow,' sir," said the

landlord, as Barnabas yet stood staring down the road, "we aren't

had so many o' the quality here for years. Last night the young

Vi-count, this morning, bright and early, Sir Mortimer Carnaby and

friend, then the Vi-count again, along o' you, sir, an' now you an'

Sir Mortimer's friend; you don't be no ways acquainted wi' Sir

Mortimer's friend, be you, sir?"

"No," answered Barnabas, "what is his name?"

"Well, Sir Mortimer hailed him as 'Chichester,' I fancy, sir, though

I aren't prepared to swear it, no more yet to oath it, not 'aving

properly ob-served, but 'Chichester,' I think it were; and, 'twixt

you an' me, sir, he be one o' your fine gentlemen as I aren't no

wise partial to, an' he's ordered dinner and supper."

"Has he," said Barnabas, "then I think I'll do the same."

"Ay, ay, sir, very good."

"In the meantime could you let me have pen, ink and paper?"

"Ay, sir, surely, in the sanded parlor, this way, sir."

Forthwith he led Barnabas into a long, low panelled room, with a

wide fireplace at the further end, beside which stood a great

high-backed settle with a table before it. Then Barnabas sat down

and wrote a letter to his father, as here follows:-* * * * * My Dear Father and Natty Bell,--I have read somewhere in my books

that 'adventures are to the adventurous,' and, indeed, I have

already found this to be true. Now, since I am adventuring the great

world, I adventure lesser things also.

Thus I have met and talked with an entertaining pedler, from whom I

have learned that the worst place in the world is Giles's Rents down

by the River; from him, likewise, I purchased a book as to the

merits of which I begin to entertain doubts.

Then I have already thrashed a friend of the Prince Regent, and

somewhat spoiled a very fine gentleman, and, I fear, am like to be

necessitated to spoil another before the day is much older; from

each of whom I learn that a Prince's friend may be an arrant knave.

Furthermore, I have become acquainted with the son of an Earl, and

finding him a man also, have formed a friendship with him, which I

trust may endure.

Thus far, you see, much has happened to me; adventures have

befallen me in rapid succession. 'Wonderful!' say you. 'Not at all,'

say I, since I have found but what I sought after, for, as has been

said--'adventures are to the adventurous.' Therefore, within the

next few hours, I confidently expect other, and perchance weightier,

happenings to overtake me because--I intend them to. So much for

myself.