FATHER AND SON 63 



Once or twice, indeed, I felt disposed to interfere, and to 

 attempt to reason with the young man upon his want of 

 filial respect ; still I thought, as it was no affair of mine, 

 I had no right to interfere — so I held my tongue. 



Arrived at the end of our journey, the old gentleman, 

 in getting off the coach in the inn yard, missed his hold 

 and fell ; he had not Avaited for the ladder, nor had I 

 dismounted. He lay by the side of the fore-wheel, and, 

 calling his companion by his Christian name, asked for 

 help, when the son, looking down, cried, " You may lie 



there, you old , and be damned, before I'll help you." 



He was immediately raised by the porter, who had run 

 to his assistance. 



Standing on the foot-board, I could no longer restrain 

 myself ; so, taking hold of the fellow's arm, I asked him 

 if he were that gentleman's son. His answer, " What's 

 that to you ? " only further raised my choler. 



" It is much to me," I replied, " and to every one who 

 has witnessed your unfeeling conduct this day ; you are 

 a disgrace to humanity, and though your offence is not 

 punishable by law, it deserves a d good horse- 

 whipping, and if you do not instantly get down and 

 assist your father, I will administer it myself." I made 

 him descend with me. I then asked the gentleman if he 

 were much hurt. He replied in the negative, though he 

 appeared to be very much shaken. He expressed a wish 

 for a hackney coach, and, having attended him into it, I 

 directed my porter to get on the box, and see that he 

 was taken to his pro|)er destination. 



As the winter approached the loading fell off, so much 

 so on that road in particular, that the old Cheltenham 



