by Walter Scott
CHAPTER II
Had our friend Alexander Fairford known the consequences of his son'sabrupt retreat from the court, which are mentioned in the end of thelast chapter, it might have accomplished the prediction of the livelyold judge, and driven him utterly distracted. As it was, he wasmiserable enough. His son had risen ten degrees higher in his estimationthan ever by his display of juridical talents, which seemed to assurehim that the applause of the judges and professors of the law, which, inhis estimation, was worth that of all mankind besides, authorized tothe fullest extent the advantageous estimate which even his parentalpartiality had been induced to form of Alan's powers. On the other hand,he felt that he was himself a little humbled, from a disguise which hehad practised towards this son of his hopes and wishes.
The truth was, that on the morning of this eventful day, Mr. AlexanderFairford had received from his correspondent and friend, Provost Crosbieof Dumfries, a letter of the following tenor:
'DEAR SIR, 'Your respected favour of 25th ultimo, per favour ofMr. Darsie Latimer, reached me in safety, and I showed to the younggentleman such attention as he was pleased to accept of. The object ofmy present writing is twofold. First, the council are of opinion thatyou should now begin to stir in the thirlage cause; and they think theywill be able, from evidence NOVITER REPERTUM, to enable you to amendyour condescendence upon the use and wont of the burgh, touchingthe GRANA INVECTA ET ILLATA. So you will please consider yourself asauthorized to speak to Mr. Pest, and lay before him the papers which youwill receive by the coach. The council think that a fee of two guineasmay be sufficient on this occasion, as Mr. Pest had three for drawingthe original condescendence.
'I take the opportunity of adding that there has been a great riot amongthe Solway fishermen, who have destroyed, in a masterful manner,the stake-nets set up near the mouth of this river; and have besidesattacked the house of Quaker Geddes, one of the principal partners ofthe Tide-net Fishing Company, and done a great deal of damage. Am sorryto add, young Mr. Latimer was in the fray and has not since been heardof. Murder is spoke of, but that may be a word of course. As the younggentleman has behaved rather oddly while in these parts, as in decliningto dine with me more than once, and going about the country withstrolling fiddlers and such-like, I rather hope that his present absenceis only occasioned by a frolic; but as his servant has been makinginquiries of me respecting his master, I thought it best to acquaintyou in course of post. I have only to add that our sheriff has takena precognition, and committed one or two of the rioters. If I can beuseful in this matter, either by advertising for Mr. Latimer asmissing, publishing a reward, or otherwise, I will obey your respectedinstructions, being your most obedient to command, 'WILLIAM CROSBIE.'
When Mr. Fairford received this letter, and had read it to an end,' hisfirst idea was to communicate it to his son, that an express might beinstantly dispatched, or a king's messenger sent with proper authorityto search after his late guest.
The habits of the fishers were rude; as he well knew, though notabsolutely sanguinary or ferocious; and there had been instances oftheir transporting persons who had interfered in their smuggling tradeto the Isle of Man and elsewhere, and keeping them under restraint formany weeks. On this account, Mr. Fairford was naturally led tofeel anxiety concerning the fate of his late inmate; and, at a lessinteresting moment, would certainly have set out himself, or licensedhis son to go in pursuit of his friend.
But, alas! he was both a father and an agent. In the one capacity, helooked on his son as dearer to him than all the world besides; in theother, the lawsuit which he conducted was to him like an infant to itsnurse, and the case of Poor Peter Peebles against Plainstanes was, hesaw, adjourned, perhaps SINE DIE, should this document reach the handsof his son. The mutual and enthusiastical affection betwixt the youngmen was well known to him; and he concluded that if the precarious stateof Latimer were made known to Alan Fairford, it would render him notonly unwilling, but totally unfit, to discharge the duty of the day towhich the old gentleman attached such ideas of importance.
On mature reflection, therefore, he resolved, though not withoutsome feelings of compunction, to delay communicating to his son thedisagreeable intelligence which he had received, until the business ofthe day should be ended. The delay, he persuaded himself, could be oflittle consequence to Darsie Latimer, whose folly, he dared to say, hadled him into some scrape which would meet an appropriate punishment insome accidental restraint, which would be thus prolonged for only a fewhours longer. Besides, he would have time to speak to the sheriff of thecounty--perhaps to the King's Advocate--and set about the matter ina regular manner, or, as he termed it, as summing up the duties ofa solicitor, to AGE AS ACCORDS. [A Scots law phrase, of no verydeterminate import, meaning, generally, to do what is fitting.]
The scheme, as we have seen, was partially successful, and was onlyultimately defeated, as he confessed to himself with shame, by his ownvery unbusiness-like mistake of shuffling the provost's letter, in thehurry and anxiety of the morning, among some papers belonging to PeterPeebles's affairs, and then handing it to his son, without observingthe blunder. He used to protest, even till the day of his death, that henever had been guilty of such an inaccuracy as giving a paper out of hishand without looking at the docketing, except on that unhappy occasion,when, of all others, he had such particular reason to regret hisnegligence.
Disturbed by these reflections, the old gentleman had, for the firsttime in his life, some disinclination, arising from shame and vexation,to face his own son; so that to protract for a little the meeting,which he feared would be a painful one, he went to wait upon thesheriff-depute, who he found had set off for Dumfries in great haste tosuperintend in person the investigation which had been set on foot byhis substitute. This gentleman's clerk could say little on the subjectof the riot, excepting that it had been serious, much damage done toproperty, and some personal violence offered to individuals; but, as faras he had yet heard, no lives lost on the spot.
Mr. Fairford was compelled to return home with this intelligence; andon inquiring at James Wilkinson where his son was, received for answer,that 'Maister Alan was in his own room, and very busy.'
'We must have our explanation over,' said Saunders Fairford to himself.'Better a finger off, as ay wagging;' and going to the door of his son'sapartment, he knocked at first gently--then more loudly--but receivedno answer. Somewhat alarmed at this silence, he opened the door of thechamber it was empty--clothes lay mixed in confusion with the law-booksand papers, as if the inmate had been engaged in hastily packing for ajourney. As Mr. Fairford looked around in alarm, his eye was arrestedby a sealed letter lying upon his son's writing-table, and addressed tohimself. It contained the following words:--
'MY DEAREST FATHER, 'You will not, I trust, be surprised, nor perhapsvery much displeased, to learn that I am on my way to Dumfriesshire, tolearn, by my own personal investigation, the present state of my dearfriend, and afford him such relief as may be in my power, and which, Itrust, will be effectual. I do not presume to reflect upon you, dearestsir, for concealing from me information of so much consequence to mypeace of mind and happiness; but I hope your having done so will be, ifnot an excuse, at least some mitigation of my present offence, in takinga step of consequence without consulting your pleasure; and, I mustfurther own, under circumstances which perhaps might lead to yourdisapprobation of my purpose. I can only say, in further apology, thatif anything unhappy, which Heaven forbid! shall have occurred to theperson who, next to yourself, is dearest to me in this world, I shallhave on my heart, as a subject of eternal regret, that being in acertain degree warned of his danger and furnished with the meansof obviating it, I did not instantly hasten to his assistance, butpreferred giving my attention to the business of this unlucky morning.No view of personal distinction, nothing, indeed, short of your earnestand often expressed wishes, could have detained me in town till thisday; and having made this sacrifice to filial duty, I trust you willhold me excused if I now obey the calls of f
riendship and humanity. Donot be in the least anxious on my account; I shall know, I trust, howto conduct myself with due caution in any emergence which may occur,otherwise my legal studies for so many years have been to littlepurpose. I am fully provided with money, and also with arms, in case ofneed; but you may rely on my prudence in avoiding all occasions of usingthe latter, short of the last necessity. God almighty bless you, mydearest father! and grant that you may forgive the first, and, I trust,the last act approaching towards premeditated disobedience, of which Ieither have now, or shall hereafter have, to accuse myself. I remain,till death, your dutiful and affectionate son, ALAN FAIRFORD.'
'PS.--I shall write with the utmost regularity, acquainting you with mymotions, and requesting your advice. I trust my stay will be very short,and I think it possible that I may bring back Darsie along with me.'
'The paper dropped from the old man's hand when he was thus assuredof the misfortune which he apprehended. His first idea was to get apostchaise and pursue the fugitive; but he recollected that, upon thevery rare occasions when Alan had shown himself indocile to the PATRIAPOTESTAS, his natural ease and gentleness of disposition seemed hardenedinto obstinacy, and that now, entitled, as arrived at the years ofmajority and a member of the learned faculty, to direct his own motions,there was great doubt, whether, in the event of his overtaking his son,he might be able to prevail upon him to return back. In such a risk offailure he thought it wiser to desist from his purpose, especially aseven his success in such a pursuit would give a ridiculous ECLAT to thewhole affair, which could not be otherwise than prejudicial to his son'srising character.
Bitter, however, were Saunders Fairford's reflections, as againpicking up the fatal scroll, he threw himself into his son's leatherneasy-chair, and bestowed upon it a disjointed commentary, 'Bring backDarsie? little doubt of that--the bad shilling is sure enough to comeback again. I wish Darsie no worse ill than that he were carried wherethe silly fool, Alan, should never see him again. It was an ill hourthat he darkened my doors in, for, ever since that, Alan has given uphis ain old-fashioned mother-wit for the tother's capernoited maggotsand nonsense. Provided with money? you must have more than I know of,then, my friend, for I trow I kept you pretty short, for your own good.Can he have gotten more fees? or, does he think five guineas has neitherbeginning nor end? Arms! What would he do with arms, or what would anyman do with them that is not a regular soldier under government, or elsea thief-taker? I have had enough of arms, I trow, although I carriedthem for King George and the government. But this is a worse strait thanFalkirk field yet. God guide us, we are poor inconsistent creatures! Tothink the lad should have made so able an appearance, and then boltedoff this gate, after a glaiket ne'er-do-weel, like a hound upon a falsescent! Las-a-day! it's a sore thing to see a stunkard cow kick downthe pail when it's reaming fou. But, after all, it's an ill bird thatdefiles its ain nest. I must cover up the scandal as well as I can.What's the matter now, James?'
'A message, sir,' said James Wilkinson, 'from my Lord President; and hehopes Mr. Alan is not seriously indisposed.'
'From the Lord President? the Lord preserve us!--I'll send an answerthis instant; bid the lad sit down, and ask him to drink, James. Let mesee,' continued he, taking a sheet of gilt paper 'how we are to draw ouranswers.'
Ere his pen had touched the paper, James was in the room again.
'What now, James?'
'Lord Bladderskate's lad is come to ask how Mr. Alan is, as he left; thecourt'--
'Aye, aye, aye,' answered Saunders, bitterly; 'he has e'en made amoonlight flitting, like my lord's ain nevoy.'
'Shall I say sae, sir?' said James, who, as an old soldier, was literalin all things touching the service.
'The devil! no, no!--Bid the lad sit down and taste our ale. I willwrite his lordship an answer.'
Once more the gilt paper was resumed, and once more the door was openedby James.
'Lord ------ sends his servitor to ask after Mr. Alan.'
'Oh, the deevil take their civility!' said poor Saunders, set him downto drink too--I will write to his lordship.'
'The lads will bide your pleasure, sir, as lang as I keep the bickerfou; but this ringing is like to wear out the bell, I think; there arethey at it again.'
He answered the fresh summons accordingly, and came back to inform Mr.Fairford that the Dean of Faculty was below, inquiring for Mr. Alan.'Will I set him down to drink, too?' said James.
'Will you be an idiot, sir?' said Mr. Fairford. 'Show Mr. Dean into theparlour.'
In going slowly downstairs, step by step, the perplexed man of businesshad time enough to reflect, that if it be possible to put a fair glossupon a true story, the verity always serves the purpose better than anysubstitute which ingenuity can devise. He therefore told his learnedvisitor, that although his son had been incommoded by the heat of thecourt, and the long train of hard study, by day and night, precedinghis exertions, yet he had fortunately so far recovered, as to be incondition to obey upon the instant a sudden summons which had called himto the country, on a matter of life and death.
'It should be a serious matter indeed that takes my young friend awayat this moment,' said the good-natured dean. 'I wish he had stayed tofinish his pleading, and put down old Tough. Without compliment, Mr.Fairford, it was as fine a first appearance as I ever heard. I shouldbe sorry your son did not follow it up in a reply. Nothing like strikingwhile the iron is hot.'
Mr. Saunders Fairford made a bitter grimace as he acquiesced in anopinion which was indeed decidedly his own; but he thought it mostprudent to reply, 'that the affair which rendered his son Alan'spresence in the country absolutely necessary, regarded the affairs of ayoung gentleman of great fortune, who was a particular friend of Alan's,and who never took any material step in his affairs without consultinghis counsel learned in the law.'
'Well, well, Mr. Fairford, you know best,' answered the learned dean;'if there be death or marriage in the case, a will or a wedding is tobe preferred to all other business. I am happy Mr. Alan is so muchrecovered as to be able for travel, and wish you a very good morning.'
Having thus taken his ground to the Dean of Faculty, Mr. Fairfordhastily wrote cards in answer to the inquiry of the three judges,accounting for Alan's absence in the same manner. These, being properlysealed and addressed, he delivered to James with directions to dismissthe particoloured gentry, who, in the meanwhile, had consumed a gallonof twopenny ale, while discussing points of law, and addressing eachother by their masters' titles. [The Scottish judges are distinguishedby the title of lord prefixed to their own temporal designation. Asthe ladies of these official dignitaries do not bear any share in theirhusbands' honours, they are distinguished only by their lords' familyname. They were not always contented with this species of Salique law,which certainly is somewhat inconsistent. But their pretensions to titleare said to have been long since repelled by James V, the sovereign whofounded the College of Justice. 'I,' said he, 'made the caries lords,but who the devil made the carlines ladies?']
The exertion which these matters demanded, and the interest which somany persons of legal distinction appeared to have taken in hisson, greatly relieved the oppressed spirit of Saunders Fairford, whocontinued, to talk mysteriously of the very important business which hadinterfered with his son's attendance during the brief remainder of thesession. He endeavoured to lay the same unction to his own heart; buthere the application was less fortunate, for his conscience told himthat no end, however important, which could be achieved in DarsieLatimer's affairs, could be balanced against the reputation which Alanwas like to forfeit by deserting the cause of Poor Peter Peebles.
In the meanwhile, although the haze which surrounded the cause, orcauses, of that unfortunate litigant had been for a time dispelled byAlan's eloquence, like a fog by the thunder of artillery, yet it seemedonce more to settle down upon the mass of litigation, thick as thepalpable darkness of Egypt, at the very sound of Mr. Tough's voice, who,on the second day after Alan's departure, was heard in answe
r to theopening counsel. Deep-mouthed, long-breathed, and pertinacious, takinga pinch of snuff betwixt every sentence, which otherwise seemedinterminable--the veteran pleader prosed over all the themes which hadbeen treated so luminously by Fairford: he quietly and imperceptiblyreplaced all the rubbish which the other had cleared away, and succeededin restoring the veil of obscurity and unintelligibility which had formany years darkened the case of Peebles against Plainstanes; andthe matter was once more hung up by a remit to an accountant, withinstruction to report before answer. So different a result from thatwhich the public had been led to expect from Alan's speech gave rise tovarious speculations.
The client himself opined, that it was entirely owing, first, to hisown absence during the first day's pleading, being, as he said,deboshed with brandy, usquebaugh, and other strong waters, at John'sCoffee-house, PER AMBAGES of Peter Drudgeit, employed to that effect byand through the device, counsel, and covyne of Saunders Fairford,his agent, or pretended agent. Secondly by the flight and voluntarydesertion of the younger Fairford, the advocate; on account of which, heserved both father and son with a petition and complaint against them,for malversation in office. So that the apparent and most probable issueof this cause seemed to menace the melancholy Mr. Saunders Fairford,with additional subject for plague and mortification; which was the moregalling, as his conscience told him that the case was really given away,and that a very brief resumption of the former argument, with referenceto the necessary authorities and points of evidence, would have enabledAlan, by the mere breath, as it were, of his mouth, to blow away thevarious cobwebs with which Mr. Tough had again invested the proceedings.But it went, he said, just like a decreet in absence, and was lost forwant of a contradictor.
In the meanwhile, nearly a week passed over without Mr. Fairford hearinga word directly from his son. He learned, indeed, by a letter from Mr.Crosbie, that the young counsellor had safely reached Dumfries, but hadleft that town upon some ulterior researches, the purpose of whichhe had not communicated. The old man, thus left to suspense, and tomortifying recollections, deprived also of the domestic society to whichhe had been habituated, began to suffer in body as well as in mind. Hehad formed the determination of setting out in person for Dumfriesshire,when, after having been dogged, peevish, and snappish to his clerks anddomestics, to an unusual and almost intolerable degree, the acrimonioushumours settled in a hissing-hot fit of the gout, which is a well-knowntamer of the most froward spirits, and under whose discipline we shall,for the present, leave him, as the continuation of this history assumes,with the next division, a form somewhat different from direct narrativeand epistolary correspondence, though partaking of the character ofboth.