The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-10
ling), "he's the Lord Mayor of London,
sunn0se 81

nng), hes the Lord mayor OF London,
suppose!"
"Come, my man, you are mistaken "
said Colonel Spurrier, striding out into the
full moonlight "If you are unacquainted
with the face of the reverend gentleman
perhaps you know miner"
He took off his hat
"Colonel Spurrlerr cried the men,
saluting.
"This is Mr.. Horsfall, o magistrate Of
Hertfordshire," resumed the colonel. "My
other two friends are already known to
you"
81 beg your pardon, gentlemen" said
the patrol. "There was notice give, you
see, of hillegal meeting tonight, near
Brighton, and seeing parties pinting this
way, we thought we was down upon 'em.
Whatever you was ADDING here's best
known to yourselves"
Stay" said the bishop;" feel that
some fuller explanation is needed. What.
ever jesting comments our meeting may
provoke, for one am content to bear
them, for the pleasure it has afforded me-
Have your permission, gentlemen to
state the facts!"
Every one consenting, the bishop con-
tinued:
1--WE five whom you find assembled
here were in early youth schoolmates at
an establishment situated at no great dis
tance from the spot on which we stand.
TwinTree Lane, as 1 and it is still called,
was fayorite halfholiday resort. Here
we discussed our school affairs, or specu-
lated upon the wide, uncertain future that
awaited US in the tumult of the world.
The death Of our excellent master caused
the sudden dispersion of the school, and it
was on the evening before the general de-
parture that we five, sitting together under
our favorite trees, entered into q solemn
agreement to meet, if God permitted, that
night, with the purpose of declaring how
Providence had hitherto dealt with us in
our several ways of life, and comparing
hopes Of boyhood.
rated us Il myself for some years presided
over colonial see, and my friend, Colonel
Spurrier, has served in India), that for the
whole period of thirty years no two of us
have ever met together, nor, indeed, so far
as am aware, held communication of any
sort. 1t was doubt with me whether
every member of the party had not long
since forgotten this boyish compact. There
were also the difficulties that might have
arisen, if remembered, in keeping it. But
the solemnity with which it was made had
left upon my mind, as it did upon others,
an abiding impression. My pledge had
been given and never Withdrawn.
thought of the possibility Of one of us at
least, faithful to his word, cropping his way
hither in the faint hope Of grasping an old
friends hand, and finding only darkness
and void. l was altogether wrong and
mistrustful; here we are, all five, grateful
for many mercies, cordially rejoicing to
have met again; and, if our vocations in
life have been widely diverse, l may,
think, say, with truth, that We have
wrought in them with honesty and single
ness Of purpose, without wrong to any, in
thought, word, or deed You are satisfied,
my friends?"
The officer bowed, and apologizing for
their interference, prepared to move on.
Not word" said the bishop; "you
have only done your duty. Good night,
and may you meet with no less loyal and
peaceable men than you have surprised
here"
Here are two more watchers to be for
given" said voice familiar to the bishop,
as two figures, male and female, suddenly
descended into the road, and Mrs. Hors-
fall, bathed in tears, threw herself into the
arms of her astonished husband, while Mr..
Lileham, in lew words, explained the
anxiety which had prompted their pursuit
Anger was out of the question; q general
laugh announced that all was forgiven
Only the bishop attempted to frown, and
that was failure-AH the Year Round.