New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-04-23


Nothing doubling now that the stranger, II not
Mr. Ketch 10 person, was one Of that company, the
whole Of tie young family walled the louder, while
its more iniantne members, unable 10 control the
transports OF emotion appertainiDg 10 their time OF
life threw themselves on their backs like young
birds when terrified By a hawk. aud kicked violent
ly. At length, poor Polly making herself audible,
said, with quivering lips Oh Rob, my poor boy
what have you done a las"
Nothing, mother cried Rob. in pteous voice
ask the gentleman g.
Don't be alarmed" said Mr. Carker, want
TO DO him good
At this announcement Polly. who had not cried
yet, began 10 DO so. The elder Toodles, who ap-
peared to have been nieditating q rescue, IN
cenched their fists. The younger Toodlss cluster
ed round their mothers gown, and peeped from IN
der their own chubby arms at their desperate
brother and his unknown friend. Everybody bless
ed the gentleman with the beautiful teeth, who
wanted 10 do good.
This fellow" said Mr. Carker 10 Polly, giving
him gentle shake, is your son, eh Ma am y
Yes Sir, sobbed Polly, with curtsey Eyes
Sir"
"A bad son. am afraid :" said Mr. Carker.
Never a bad son 70 me Sir returned Polly
ITO whom then p demanded Mr. Carker.
He ha. been little wild, Sir replied Polly,
checking the baby, who was making convulslve
efforts with bis arms and legs TO launch himself on
Biler, through the ambient air, and has gone
with wrong companions but hope he has seen
the misery Of that Sir, and will do well again.
NJ Carker looked at Polly. and the clean room
and the clean children, and the simple Toodle face
combined Of father and mother, that was reflected
and repeated everywhere about him and seemed
to have achieved the real purpose Of bis visit.
Your husband, ! take it, is not at hemel' he
said.
NO Sir replied Polly. He's down the line at
present
The prodigal Rob seemed very much relieved TO
hear it though still in the absorption Of all his IA
cultes in his patron, he hardly took his eyes from
Mr.. Carkers face, unless for a moment at time 10
steal souowful glsce at his mother.
Then" said Mr.. Carker, L" I'll tell you how
have stumbled on this boy of yours and who ] am
and what | am going 10 do for him.
This Mr.. Carker did, in his'own way saying that
he at first intended 10 have accumulated nameless
terrors on his presuRptuous head for coming 70 the
whereabout OF Dombey and Son That he bad re-
Tented in consideration of his youth, his protested
contrtion, and his friends. That be was afraid be
took rash step In doing anything for the boy, and
one that might expose him TO the censure Of the
prudent but that he did 1t OF himself and for him
self and rlsked the consequences slngle-handed ;
and that his mothers past connection with Mr.
Dombeys family had nothing to do with Il, and that
Mr.. Dombey had nothing TO do with it, but that he,
Mr. Carker was the be all and the end-all of this
goodness and receiving no less from all tbs family
then present Mr.. Carker signfed, indirectly but
still pretty plainly that Robs implicit fidelity, at
tachment and devotion. were forevemore his due,
and the least homage he could receive. And with
this great truth Rob himself so impressed that
standing gazing his patron with tears rolling
down bis cheeks he nodded his shiny head until j;
seemed almost as loose as it had done under the
same patrons hands that morning.
Polly vino had passed Heaven knows how many
sleepless nights on account OF this her dissipated
irstbOrn. and had not seen him for weeks and
weeks could have almost kneeled to Mr. Carker
the Manager as to a Good Spirit-in spite OF his
teeth. But Mr.. Carker rising to depart, she only
thanked him with her mothers prayers and bless
ings thanks so rich when paid out of the Hearts
mint especially for any service Mr.. Carker had
rendered that he might have given back large
amount of change, and yet been overpaid
AS that gentleman made his way among the
crowSing children to the door Rob retreated on his
mother and took her and the baby in the same re
pentant hug.
IN try hard, dear mother now. Upon my
soul will" said Rob.
'Oh do, my dear boy | am sure you will for
our sakes and your own :" cried Polly, kissing him
But you re coming back to speak 10 me, when
you have seen the gentleman away p
o. don't know, mother Rob hesitated, and
looked down. F ather-when S he coming home ?"
Not till two O'Clock tomorrow morning"
OH come back, mother DEAR cried Rob.
And passing through the shrill cry Of his brothers
and sisters in reception of this promise he followed
Mr.. Carker out
What said Mr. Carker who had heard this.
You have bad father, have you
" No Sir" returned Rob, amazed There
amt better nor kinder father going, than mine
why do MT you want to see him then 2" in
quired his patron.
There such difference between a father and
a mother Sir" said Rob, after faltering for mo
ment He could MT hardly believe yet that was
going 10 do better-though ! know he d try to
but mother-She always believes whats good
Sir; at least ! know my mother does, God bless
her."
Mr.. Carkers mouth expanded, but he said no
more until he was mounted on his horse, and had
dismissed the man who held it, when, looking
down from the saddle steadily into the attentive and
watchful face OF the boy, he said:
You ii come to me tomorrow morning and YOU
shall be shown where the old gentleman lives that
old gentleman who was with me this morning
where you are going, as you heard me say
Yes Sir" returned Rob.
Il have great interest in that old gentleman
and in serving him, you serve me, boy, do you
understand Well" he added, interrupting him,
for he saw his round face brighten when he was
told that d" see you do. ! want to know all
about that old gentleman, and how he goes on
from day to dsy-lor ! am anxious to be of service
10 ulul-huu especially WHO comes tnere 70 see
him. Do you understand /"
Rob nodded his stedfast face, and said Yes, Sir
again.
g" / should like to know that he has friends who
are attentive to him, and that they do MT desert
him-for he lives very much alone now. poor fell
low but that they fond of him. and of his
nephew who has gone abroad. There is a very
young lady who may perhaps come to see him. |
want particularly 10 know all about her.
al take care, Sir said the boy.
&" And take care, returned his patron, bending
forward to advance his grinning face closer TO the
boys and pat him on the shoulder with the handle
OF his whip; Il take care you talk about affairs of
mine to nobody but me-
% To nobody in the world, Sir" replied Rob |
shaking bis head.
Neither there, said Mr.. Carker, pointing to |
the place they had just left, nor anywhere else
Ill try bow true and grateful you can be. III |
prove you F" Making this by his display of teeth /
and by the action of bis head as much a threat as
promise. be turned from Robs eyes which were |
nailed upon him as if he had won the bow by |
charm. body and soul, and rode away But again /
becoming conscious, after trotting short distance
that his devoted henchnan, grit as before. was |
yielding him the same attendance 10 the great /
amusement OF sundry spectators. he refined up and 1
ordered him of. To insure his obedience he turn. |
ed in the saddle and watched him as he retired /
II was curious TO see that even then Rob could not