The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-04-24

armed to the teeth, smoked and lOunged
the ivelong day, and, to all seeming,
fulfilled no other duty in existence.
suspect L have an actual liking for
dreary and tiresome places. l believe
they somehow accommodate themselves
to something in my temperament which
is not misanthropy, nor mental depres-
sion, nor yet romance, but compounded
of all three. l feel, besides, that imagi-
nation scars the more freely the fewer
the distractions that surround me; but
that I require just that small amount of
stimulant human life and its daily cares
suggest to prevent stagnation.
| was at least six days at Prevesa be-
fore | was aware that her Britannia
Majesty had representative there. 1t
was in chance ramble down q little
alley that led to the bay 1 came"upon the
British arms over low doorway. 1t
was very poor-looking tumble-down
house, with very frail wooden balcony
over the door, distinguished by flag
staff, to be doubtless decorated on occa-
sion by the proud flag of England.
Framing | forget what imaginary rea-
son for inquiry, entered and knocked
at a door inscribed 90 Consular hours
from - and then smudge of paint
obliterating the rest and leaving the inn
port in doubt. Not receiving any answer
to my. summons, I pushed open the door
and entered. A man in his shirt-sleeves
and slippers was asleep on very dirty
sofa, and so soundly that my entrance
did not disturb him. A desk with some
much-worn books and scattered papers,
a massive leaden inkstand, and large
official seal, were in front of him; but a
paper of Turkish tobacco, and glass of
what smelt to be gin, were also present,
and from the flushed cheek and heavy
breathing of the sleeper, appeared to
have been amongst his latest occupations.
1t is not necessary [ should record our
conversation. In his half-waking and
not all sober state he had mistaken me
for British sailor who had been left be-
hind somewhere, and was importuning
to be sent on to England, but whose case
evidently had inspired scant sympathy.
"rll not do itr' grumbled out the
Consul, with his eyes more than half
closed. "You were drunk, OF a desert
er-I don't care which. My instructions
are positive, and you may go to the old
Nick for me. There now, that's your
answer, and you'll not get any other if
you stayed there till dusk"
L" suspect you mistake me, sir, said
/, mildly. 90 / am traveller and an En-
glish gentleman.
g | hate gentlemen, and / don't love
Travellers" said he, in the same drowsy
voice as before,
s. Sorry for that, but must ask you all
the same if my passport permits me to
go into ItalyP'
:" OF course it does. What sort of
traveller are you that does not know that
much, and that if you wanted visa,
it's the Italian should giveit, and there $
no italian or Frenchman here. There S
no one here but Prussian, Strantop-
sky-dash his eyes-good morning; and
he again turned his face to the wall.
cannot say what curiosity prompted me
to continue our little promising CONVEX
sation, but there was something so
strange in the mans manner at moments
very different condition from the present
that | determined at all hazards to
linger on.
"Idon't suppose the sight of coun-
tryman can be very common event in
these regions said 1, ''and l might al
most hope it was not an unpleasant onem
''Who told you that, my good fellow?"
said he, with more animation than be-
fore. "Who said that it gave me any
peculiar pleasure to see one of those peo-
pie that remind me of other times and
very different habits?''
oil
not open these ungracious recollections,
for never saw you before-I do not
even now know your name"
'The f. 0. list has the whole biogra-
ply. Thomas Gardner Lydyyard, ed
ucated at All Souls, Oxford, where he
took first class in classics and law; was
appointed cornet in the Second Life
Guards, 9th, 18-; sent with Lord
Raycroft's mission to Denmark to invest
His Christian Majesty with the insignia
of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
Contested Marcheston -, 1S-, and
was returned on petition I'll finish
what's not in the book-backed Queen
Nab at seven to two-got a regular crop
per-had to bolt and live three years in
Sweden-took to corn brandy and strong
cavendish and ended as you see-V. c.
at Prevesa. Is not that brilliant end
ing for youth of promise? Do you re-
member in your experience as man of
travel that you can match it?''
By this time he had risen to the sitting
posture, and with his hair rudely pushed
back by his hands, and his face grown
red with passion, looked as fierce and
passionate as high excitement could make
a man.
"pve heard your name very often,''
said |, calmly; "Close and St. John
used to talk of you constantly; and re-
member Moresby saying you were the
best rider of fiat race among the gen
tlemen of England"
81 was better, ten times better, across
country. 1 could get more out of my
horse than any of the so-called steeple-
chase riders; and as | seldom punished,
the betting men never knew when my
horse was distressed. Close could have
told you that. Did he ever tell you that
[ was the best cricketer at Lords?
What's that?" cried he, suddenly, as a
small door at the end of the room opened
and closed again almost instantly. 80,
it's dinner! | suppose if had any shame
| should say luncheon, for it's only two
o'clock, not to say that the meal itself