288 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
have greatly exceeded their ideas of economy. A thorough blood-a “good
once-had-been”-was accordingly procured : and as they could not think of
enjoying themselves separately, they had recourse to the contrivance of ‘‘ rideand-
tie.” In this way, alternately riding and walking, they frequently went
ten or twelve miles into the country of a morning.
Neither of the two friends were good horsemen ; and the sorry appearance
of the old hack, with the awkwardness of the riders, exposed them sometides to
the ridicule of the neighbouring villagers. One day, Sunday too, it happened
to be, they were proceeding down hill to Lasswade, where they calculated on
arriving for dinner before sermon should be finished. Contrary to their usual
custom, both were mounted at once, and Rosinante was jogging on very stiffly
under the unusual burden, a,mid the jeers of a few idlers, who were attracted
by the oddness of the spectacle. Perceiving that the parish church was about
to pour forth its assembled worshippers, and anxious, if they could not get
out of sight, at least to cut as smart a figure as possible, they had just spurred
their veteran charger into something like a canter ; when 10 ! an unlucky stone
came in contact with his foot, and away he rolled head foremost down the hill !
Overwhelmed with confusion, and stunned by the fall, the worthy equestrians
were glad to effect a speedy retreat, and to drown all remembrance of the
accident in an extra libation.
’ Though fond of good fellowship, and possessing a keen relish for the ludicrous,
Mr. Cooper displayed, both in appearance and in manner, a high
degree of dignity, and well knew how to exact the respect he was invariably
prepared to yield to others. He was naturally of a proud and impetuous
temper, but generous and warm-hearted. The unknown fate of his brother,
with whom he had parted at Newcastle, often recurred painfully to his recollection.
He could scarcely hope, still there was a probability that sooner or
later some intelligence of him might transpire. One day, when absent in
the county, a person called at the shop, apparently very anxious to see Mr.
Cooper, but he would neither explain his business nor leave his address. At a
late hour he repeated his visit for the third time, and was informed that, though
still absent, he would be certain to find him by ten o’clock next morning. All
this appeared mysterious enough to Mr. Cooper when apprised of the circumstance.
He inquired minutely as to the personal appearance of the strangerhe
became thoughtful-and was heard to utter involuntarily, “If he be the
person I suspect, to-morrow will be the happiest day of my existence.” In this
frame of mind he retired to a sleepless pillow, having first given directions that
the stranger should be instantly admitted the moment he arrived. To-morrow
came-the person called at the hour appointed-was shown into the parlourand
Mr. Cooper, in a state not easily to be described, hastened down stairs to
meet-whom ?-an impertinent tax-collector I demanding arrears that had
been long ago settled, and for which the receipts were in his possession. The
pleasing dream thus rudely dissipated-rage gave way to every other feeling ;
and, on rushing down at the terrible noise that ensued, Mr. Cooper’s family
