RANGE OF APPRENTICESHIP. 269 



sure I could have done any thin^. I knew that I had a good 

 side pockety and was determined, be the contents of the bag 

 what it may, to examine it, previously to placing the money 

 there. The pocket was sound and I was satisfied— for I believe 

 that during the time I had the coat it contained nothing bevond 

 a small biscuit for baby. 



** What refreshments I took during the long time I remained 

 in the house, I cannot ^ell. I know I was at home with the 

 cyder, and, that such a luxury at my own home was abroad ; 

 and I may also have taken a little grog. These together, must 

 have made me thoroughly tipsy, had not so many changes from 

 concern to grief, and grief to wonder, and wonder to joy, checked 

 the bad effects of liquor. As it was, I felt otherwise than usual. 

 I was always equal to much — and, smelling the keen air, now to 

 much more. 1 fancied I could fly, walking was out of the 

 question. I recollect bidding mother, and indeed all, good night 

 — but of what transpired between this and my house, I knew 

 nothing. Of the time I took in coming home I was alike 

 ignorant; but scores of hours since, in thinking and dreaming 

 of the circumstance , I have thought and dreamt that I did in 

 reality fly." 



" And if he did not,'' said Mrs. C, "he must have done some- 

 thing very like it, from the state in which Mr. C. was." 



Mr. C. continued. "Home I came. When I entered my 

 own grounds, I found Peggy crying. * Holloa,' said I, * what 

 is the matter ? Crying eh? 1 think I can make you laugh; — 

 and then, seating myself in a chair, I commenced laughing 

 myself. * Hush, hush/ said Peggy, ' the neighbours will hear 

 you.* ^And what if they do,' said I ; Met them hear if they 

 like.' * My dear,' said she * what is the matter, you appear out 

 of breath — rest yourself.' And then, so Peggy says, I fell back 

 in the chair quite exhausted." 



" I was never so frightened in my life," said Mrs. C, " all 

 Mr. C. mentioned before leaning back was, * I have my pocket 

 full of silver.' I did not mind silver, for my part. I took off 

 his hat and neckcloth, and was going to wipe his face with cold 

 water, but finding him as wet as the sea, I rubbed him well with 

 a dry towel. I smelt he had taken spirits — a thing which he 

 had not perhaps before done since our marriage, and I put 

 it down to this. W^hen Mr. C. had recovered, I gave him 

 some warm tea, and very shortly afterwards he put his hand 

 to his head, and sung out, ' Oh, it is going round — Oh ! there, 

 pop it goes, I am as well now, Peggy, as I ever was in my life, 

 what is the matter V At his question I could not help laughing. 

 He said a noise went off' in his head like a gun ; and from that 

 minute he was as we /I as when he left me." 



*' It is all very true," said Mr. C. " Having recovered, I 

 felt very sore, but was quite sober. I told Peggy that I had a 

 bag full of silver given me by father, but she remarked, * odds 



