Year: 1879

Dick Wilmington and his Cat are among
the important personages in English his
tory, however much of romance there may
be in the story and it is difficult to say
which is the more important of the two, for
the cat is credited by tradition with being
the making of the Lord Mayor. We have
recently had more than one inquiry in regard
to them, and our readers, young and old,will
be glad to have the following, which is
made up from the most authentic traditions,
although it is not vouched for as absolute
history. We copy from The Boys O,on
| Paper of London -


A poor boy, meanly clad, and carrying in
his hand small bundle ,trudged sadly along
the road which led over the moor of Fins
bury to Highgate. The first streak of dawn
was scarcely visible in the eastern sky, and
as he walked, the boy shivered in the chill
morning air. More than once he dashed
from his eyes the rising tears, and clutched
his little wallet and quickened his pece, as
if determined to hold to some desperate re-
solve despite of al! drawings to the contrary.
As the road rose gradually towards Highgate
the sun broke out from behind the clouds
on his right, and lit up fields and trees and
hills with brightness and richness which
contrssted strangely with the gloom on the
boys face, and the poverty of his appear
ance The birds in the hedges began to sing
and the cattle to low and tinkle their bells /;
the whistle of the herdsmen came up from
the valley, and all nature seemed to wake
with cry of gladness to greet the new
day.


Even poor Dick Wilmington could not
wholly resist the cheering influence OF that
bright summer morning. 1t was impossible
to believe that everything was miserable in
the midst of, so much gladness, and Dicks face
frightened and his step became brisker al
most without his knowing it, as he trudged
higher up that steep road. His thoughts,
too, took less desponding turn.


"After ALL" said he to himself" per
haps am foolish to be running away from
my masters house. l had better be the
scu lery boy of good Master Fitzwarren, al
though his cook does ill.treat Inc, and lead
me dogs life, than a vagabond idle boy
which | am now. And yet cannot endure
the thought of returning to that cruel wo
man. Would thaC knew what to do !"


Thus he thought and questioned with him
self, when he came 10 stone set by the way.
side and here he sat to rest, and ruminate
further upon his evil fortune.


"If some voice would but say, Return,
would return" said he, "even though she
scold and beat me, for | know not wha
to do without friend in the world. Was
ever such wretched boy as | p


And he buried his face in his hands ant
gave himself over to his misery. Suddenly
in the quiet morning air there came to hi
ears wonderful sound up from the valley
where, in the sun, shone the towers an'
steeples of London town. 1t was the sounC
of distant bells, and, as the boy listened, /
came clearer and clearer, and seemed to I'll
the air with the very voice for which he ha'
but minute since been longing. But wha
strange story the bells told


"rurn again, Wilmington


Thrice Lord Mayor OF London"


Over and over again they said the sam
words. Over and over again Dick persuade'
himself he was dreaming, yet felt sure h
was awake. Turn again P' that was Plai
enough and he could believe it,even thoug
Bow Bells said it. But-"Thrice Lor
Mayor of London !" what could that Inean
That was never meant for the poor i'll use
scullery-boy of Master Fitzwarren, the mel
Ger in the Minories And yet, what coul
be- more distinct than the voice of thos
y bells?


He sprang from his seat, turned his fac
in the direction of that wonderful soun'
and ran. And that morning, when tf
family of Master Fitzwarren assembled Il
their early meal, and the scolding cook too
possession of the kitchen, Dick Whittingto
was in his place, securing the pots and pal
20 in the scullery, singing to himself tune |
one had ever heard before. ...,--


Only few days after this adventure


Dicks news came OF the arrival in port


one Of Master Fitzwarrens vessels with
valuable cargo on board. Now it was Il
an custom in those days, in some houses, for q
the servants of family to invest somethli
] in the fortunes of any vessel their mast