The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1875-05-14
N ". RAPID.

What, you here yet, old fellow ~ sal,
Jack Rapid to Sam the hostler, who had
taught him how to clean a horse, ant
put him in carriage, when Jack was {
dirty little urchin, picking upa few stra,
coppers in the race-week, and at the fair
time, and in those days when the "An
gel" was full of company and farmers
carts nearly filled the inn yard. "You
here yet, in this dull cid placer
The hostler at first did not recogniz,
his pupil Jack. How should hes What
resemblance was there between a lanky
and ragged little lad and the heavy swell
whe now accosted himY Old Sam tool
acareful inventory of all his fine clothes
and probably cast up the sum total Of
their value, ere he replied:
Yes, I'm here, that is certain; but
who you are l can't make out, for the
life Of me. You are not unlike Tom
Henson, who went away six or seven
yeasago, but they do say he was drowned
poor fellow. But he was stouter than
you. You're never he, come back with
pockets full Of gold from the Gold Coast,
are your
"Tom Hensona No, Pm Jack Rapid,
now John Eastwood Rapid, Esquire, Of
Fiyaway Hall. Don't you remember
me many years ago, when | used to come
and help you on busy days@
"You Jack Rapid?" said the old hos
tier, taking step backward to consider
the speaker from a new point of view.
why, how can it be that little"
Stay, Sam" said Mr.. Rapid. 'Tknow
what you are going to say, and had
rather say it for you. How can it be
that that little dirty boy has become
such gentleman
swell" said Sam, 81 don't want to be
rude; but when / remember what YOU
were, ! do wonder how you have mounted
upward. Why, your horses are worth
eighty guineas apiece" continued Sam,
with an admiring glance at the animals.
Yes. Sam, times have changed
thank my stars for that. DO you know
! went at last to London, and got good
place at a grand West-end hotel, az
waiter ina billiard-room; but that would
never have put me where ] am, had |
got a guinea where got a threepenny
bit. No; an old screw of a relation,
named Wood, died two years back, and
left me his savings, because he was nv
godfather, and was named John after
him. And now ] live at Flyaway Hall,
and drive, you see, good cattle, and spend
my money like a gentleman, and show
my gratitude to old Wood by calling
myself Eastwood. Clever contriyance.
that! don't you think so? And, Sam.
I'm willing to be gentleman to you, if
you'll come and be my head groom"
"Flyaway Hall /" echoed Sam, "Why.
you don't mean tosay you livea at Flyaway
Hallg'
Yes, ! do, Sam, indeed and why
should / not 81
Well" answered Sam, al don't
know why, if you've got plenty of
money; but, bless mel Flyaway Hall
must take mint of cash for coal, if one
is to go by the chimneys. And it has
ruined two or three since first heard of
1t. There was Lord Oakes-well do |
remember going to his sale. A great
auctioneer from London was talking and
hammering for three or four days, and
the wine and cigars fetched enough to
stock a farm; yet my lord only paid
his creditors six-and-ninepence on the
pound"
Mr.. Rapid seemed rather disconnected
by these remarks. 1t was not pleasant
TO think of poor Lord Cakes fioundering
in the deep waters OF shame and ruin
but MIR. Rapid laughed the thought
away, and giving his white beaver a
jaunty toss, he took out cigar and be-
gan to smoke.
"Well, but, SAM" continued Mr..
Rapid, "will you leave this mody old
inn and come and live with me? For
auld lang syne Wen take a cup O. kind.
ness yet, and say, Good wages and light
work BY the look of things you must
be doing a seedy business here. My pair
seem to be the only horses you've had in
the stable to-day. Come, now, out with
the secret! How many nags have bitten
your corn since last Wednesday, week
ago. Why" said Mr. Rapid, laughing
at his own .conceit, you've got your
hands In your trowsers pockets, as il they
were at home there, and had nothing else
TO do" And Mr.. Rapid Uttered away at
his own wit
Never mind" said Sam, somewhat
hufed at the insolent allusion to the de-
clining fortunes of the old Angel" but
pulling his hands out Of his pockets at
the sams time. "Neyer mind, sir, we are
doing well enough for my contentment,
and ] must decline with thanks your
well-meant offer 10 find me easy work
and good pay at Flyaway Hall"
well, every man 10 his taste !" ex-
claimed Mr.. Rapid; "but remember,
sam, in spite Of your refusal, which is
rather aGronting, must say .Flyawsy
Hall will be always open TO you. When
you have got TO your last shilling, III be
your friend for the sake Of old times.
can always do with an extra hand, and