The Cambrian Sketch-Book Part 9

"North or South Wales?"

"The North, sir."

"Where in North Wales does your sister live?"

"She lives at Bryn Villa, near Pont Aberglaslyn."

"Surely, your name, my child, is not Wynn, is it?"

"That is my name, sir."

"Then you are the son of Squire Wynn, of Wynn Castle?"

"Mr. Wynn was my father."

"And how is that dear good man?"

"My father and mother, sir, are both dead. I have no one left to care for me but my sister, except my aunt."

"I am truly sorry to hear tidings so sad. What is your aunt's name?"

"Her name is Gwenfan Wynn, which is the name of my sister."

"But are you not in error in calling her Wynn? I heard she got married some years ago."

"My aunt was never married."

"Are you sure of that, my child?"

"Quite sure, sir."

"You greatly surprise me. I was given to understand she married a Scotch gentleman, many, many years ago."

"She did leave home with the intention of being married to a Mr. McDonel, but finding, fortunately before it was too late, that the representations he made of himself about his property, estate, and high connections, were all false, she broke off the match, and not wis.h.i.+ng to return home then, when she would probably be subjected to perhaps unkind observations, took a situation in a n.o.bleman's family then about to visit Italy, with whom she has lived until within the last few weeks. The family only recently returned to England, and on the evening after their arrival, my aunt saw in the _Times_ the announcement of my parents' death. She immediately left London, and came to us in Wales. She is now with my dear sister acting as her guardian and friend."

"I thank you, my child, for your information. You must now accompany me to my residence. You shall not want for a home and a friend as long as Owen Jones lives."

"But, sir, I do not wish, nor can I consent, to live on charity. I've come up to London to work for my bread, and if Heaven smiles on my efforts I shall attain an honourable independency."

"As to your future plans, my child, more anon. For the present my home must and shall be yours. When you have recovered from the fatigue of your journey, I will endeavour to obtain for you a situation in some respectable mercantile house. You must in the meantime be my guest. I hope happy days are in store for you."

The youth then rose from his couch (Mr. Jones had, during the above conversation, been sitting on the ledge of the parapet by his side), but when he attempted to move he almost fell down from exhaustion. His newly found friend, who had intended to have walked home, hailed a coach, which soon arrived at his house, which was a semi-detached villa, in Brixton.

On their arrival, Mr. Jones introduced the youth to his wife and only daughter. The former on being informed who he was, welcomed him with affectionate cordiality. Mrs. Jones had known his father and mother years ago, she being a native of a village but a few miles from Wynn Castle.

In his new home Cadwgan spent an exceedingly pleasant evening. He had to answer a thousand questions about people and families who resided in the vicinity of his far distant home among the mountains. At last he was permitted to retire to his room, and having had no sound sleep for several nights, and being weary and tired, was soon asleep. He awoke in the morning feeling he was almost a new man.

At breakfast, Mr. Jones asked the youth what kind of employment would best meet his wishes.

"I am indifferent, sir, as to the kind of situation; my object and most anxious desire is to earn my living by hard work."

"I am extremely sorry, my young friend, that I have no vacancy for a young gentleman of your talents and education in my establishment.

However, in the course of a few days I hope to succeed in procuring you a situation in one of the great city houses. In the meantime you are my guest. My wife and daughter shall take you out during the day, in order to show you the lions of this great city; but in the evenings they must not monopolize your whole attention, as I have much to say to you and many inquiries to make about dear old friends in old Cambria, which has been to us a good and kind mother." Then turning to his wife he said,-"Be sure to take particular care of our young visitor, and don't fail to bring him back without injury to health or limb."

"You need be under no apprehension on that point, Owen," answered Mrs.

Jones. "No harm shall befall him when under my charge. I shall guard him from harm as if he were one of my own children."

"I have no doubt you will, wife. I must now leave you. I hope you will spend a very pleasant day."

Mr. Jones then left, and proceeded to his house of business; but during his walk he thought, not of mercantile transaction or of his dear old native land, oh, no: his thoughts were wholly occupied with the adventure of the previous evening.

Soon after the departure of Mr. Jones, his wife and daughter and young Wynn started off for the purpose of seeing some of the wonders of London, but the day closed before they saw one hundredth part of its glories.

Day after day they continued to drive about from one part of the metropolis to another, and during these excursions Cadwgan had acquired a pretty accurate knowledge of the geography of London.

When at dinner on the following Sunday, Mr. Jones informed his young visitor of his having at last succeeded in procuring for him a situation as clerk in the old established house of Messrs. Davies, Roberts & Company, the celebrated tea merchants, and that he was to commence his duties on the following Monday. This information was exceedingly cheering to the youth, as the certainty of employment was now a.s.sured.

Not wis.h.i.+ng to be under obligation to his friends longer than he could possibly help, he expressed a wish to procure lodgings in some respectable family at once, and asked Mr. Jones if he knew of any place in the neighbourhood likely to suit him.

"We'll talk on that matter, my boy, another time," replied Mr. Jones.

"For the present, at least, you must remain with us. If you do leave us in the way you propose, remember, be your stay in London long or short, you must consider our house your home. Before you can possibly make any arrangements you must first see if the situation will suit you; whether your employers like you, and you like them. If you give them satisfaction, and your position is likely to be permanent, why then we will, if you wish, permit you to leave us; and I've no doubt but that Mrs. Jones and my daughter will find you comfortable apartments."

"Well, sir, I'm in your hands. You have overpowered me with kindness which I shall never be able to repay. When hungry, weary, and helpless, when friendless and without a ray of hope, you came to me as an angel of mercy, you took me into your house, and during my residence under your hospitable roof, Mrs. Jones and you have treated me as if I were your child. To you I shall always feel grateful; and come what may, your image will ever repose in my heart of hearts."

"Tut, tut! my boy, our kindness is nothing. If we have succeeded in making you happy, and in giving you a start in life, is not that a sufficient reward? But our little attention requites in a very small degree the obligations which I am under to your n.o.ble father's family. I am still their debtor to an amount I shall never be able to repay."

CHAPTER IV.

_THE VICTORY OF INNOCENCE_.

The establishment of Messrs. Davies, Roberts & Company, was situated in one of those narrow streets, and was one of those dark and dingy-looking buildings, which were far from being uncommon in old London. The premises, however, were large and commodious, and were specially adapted for their important trade. When Cadwgan saw it for the first time, namely, on the morning succeeding the conversation between Mr. Jones and himself recorded in the previous chapter, he was painfully struck with the contrast it presented with his own light and airy home, surrounded as that home was by rich fields of pasture land and trees of every kind and hue. However, he was by no means disheartened, and was far from disposed to give up the contest in life's battle without a struggle, so he entered the building with his friend Mr. Jones cheerfully, and presently was asked into the presence of Mr. Roberts, the head of the firm.

"And this is the young gentleman you spoke to me about, friend Jones?"

"Yes. Mr. Cadwgan Wynn. I hope for the sake of our common country and our friends.h.i.+p, that you will not be unmindful of his interest."

"His progress here, friend Jones, will depend wholly upon himself. If he prove himself quick, painstaking, and honest, he shall not want a friend."

"His honesty and rect.i.tude I will guarantee; and methinks as he comes from a shrewd stock, he will, with a few years' experience, prove a valuable hand,-one whom it will be difficult for you to do without."

"I am aware, Jones, that I can fully rely on your recommendation. Now, Mr. Wynn, when will you be ready to go into harness?"

"I am prepared, sir, to commence my duties at once. If convenient for you to make arrangements, I'll remain here to-day."

"By all means remain. Come, follow me, and I will introduce you to Mr.

McLiver, our chief cas.h.i.+er, in whose department you will be engaged for the present."

Mr. McLiver was a Scotchman, who had been in the service of the firm many years. From almost the lowest place, he had risen step by step until he attained the most important post in the house. In him the firm had unbounded confidence, and as he apparently managed his department with skill and economy Mr. Roberts permitted him to select nearly the whole of the clerks attached thereto. In less than two years from the date of his appointment to his present post he had managed, by hook or by crook, to get rid of nearly the whole of the old hands, and their places he supplied with Scotchmen of his own kith and kin. From the first day of entering the office, Mr. McLiver regarded Cadwgan as an intruder, an interloper; hence he looked upon the youth with aversion, and availed himself of every opportunity to vex and annoy him. But this was not all.

Any little mistake Mr. Wynn might make in his books or accounts, was carried to Mr. Roberts. But to these complaints he turned a deaf ear, while at the same time he strictly enjoined upon Mr. McLiver to take all possible care to have Cadwgan thoroughly instructed in all business matters; above all, that he should be made a good accountant. Though the Scotchman faithfully promised to carry out to the letter his employer's instructions, yet he intentionally refrained from doing so; while he continued to annoy the youth by making personal allusions to his country, and on more than one occasion he called him a Welsh blockhead. Of his conduct Cadwgan never made any complaint, nor did he make the slightest allusion to it, even to Mr. Jones. He worked on, was constantly labouring at his books and accounts, and in spite of the cas.h.i.+er he soon became a first-rate accountant. Before he had been in the establishment five years, he was the best man in the house as regarded profound knowledge of intricate details.