THE IJFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



very favourably disposed towards them, from all I have read 

 of them." Now, thinks I to myself, surely both ancients and 

 moderns can't be wrong on this here matter ; but as neither 

 seems to have a favourable opinion of womankind, I thought I 

 had best leave them alone. And it was a very clever man who 

 spoke this in my hearing. 



' ' Some rum old fellow of a college, I'll be bound for it,' 

 said Jack Webber, ' who would not have given up his common 

 room comforts, and his old port wine, for the finest woman in 

 England.' 



' No, he warn't,' resumed Jem ; ' but I ain't told you my 

 other reason. I daresay there is much pleasure in the married 

 life, but I am quite certain there is also much pain. What 

 scenes have I witnessed amongst husbands and wives,* and 

 parents and children, since I have drove this coach — I mean 

 when taking leave of each other ! I have seen two or three 

 rascals a-going to be hanged, but I never saw them half so 

 cast down as I have seen passengers on my coach, when 

 leaving their families behind them — perliaps for ever ! I have 

 heard them bellowing and crying for the first two stages, and 

 they wouldn't take no comfort. My very heart has bled for 

 them.' 



' You umst be rich, Jem,' observed Lord Edmonston. 



' No, I arn't rich, my Lord,' replied Jem ; ' not but what, if I 

 was to leave the coach to-morrow, I should have enough to 

 keep me — -just able to make tongue and buckle meet.' 



' But what have you done with your money, Jem, eh ? ' said 

 Jack Webber, ' two coaches a day, and no one to look after you ! 

 Something for the shirt pocket, every day, eh, Jem ? ' 



' Why,' replied Jem, ' I am not a-going to boast that I am 

 honester than other folks ; my having served one master three- 

 and-thirty years will best speak to that point ; but I have been 

 a good friend to my poor brother's widow and children. He 

 was killed last Christmas Day thirteen years, on the Worcester 

 mail, and I have supported his family ever since. Poor fellow, 

 he was one of the nicest light coachmen you ever saw on a 

 coach-box ; and I hope, one day or another, his eldest boy will 

 have my place.' 



' What you have told us is much to your credit,' said 

 Frank Raby, ' and it is no wonder that you have so many 

 friends.' 



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