paying when not convenient, and we
quitted Cheltenham with about eight hundred pounds in our pockets; the
Major having paid about one hundred and twenty pounds to different
people who frequented the club; but they were Irishmen, who were not to
be trifled with. I proposed to the Major that we should pay those debts,
as there still would be a large surplus: he replied, "Give me the
money." I did so. "Now," continued he, "so far your scruples are
removed, as you will have been strictly honest; but, my dear fellow, if
you know how many debts of this sort are due to me, of which I never did
touch one farthing, you would feel as I do--that it is excessively
foolish to _part with money_. I have them all booked here, and may some
day pay--when convenient; but, at present, most decidedly it is not so."
The Major put the notes into his pocket, and the conversation was
dropped.

The next morning we had ordered our horses, when Timothy came up to me,
and made a sign, as we were at breakfast, for me to come out. I followed
him.

"Oh! sir, I could not help telling you, but there is a gentleman with--"

"With what?" replied I, hastily.

"With your nose, sir, exactly--and in other respects very like you--just
about the age your father should be."

"Where is he, Timothy?" replied I, all my feelings in 'search of my
father,' rushing into my mind.

"Down below, sir, about to set off in a post-chaise and four, now waiting
at the door."

I ran down with my breakfast napkin in my hand, and hastened to the
portico of the hotel--he was in his carriage, and the porter was then
shutting the door. I looked at him. He was, as Timothy said, _very like_
me indeed, the _nose_ exact. I was breathless, and I continued to gaze.

"All right," cried the ostler.

"I beg your pardon, sir,--" said I, addressing the gentleman in the
carriage, who perceiving a napkin in my hand, probably took me for one
of the waiters, for he replied very abruptly, 'I have remembered you;'
and pulling up the glass, away whirled the chariot, the nave of the hind
wheel striking me a blow on the thigh which numbed it so, that it was
with difficulty I could limp up to our apartments, when I threw myself
on the sofa in a state of madness and despair.

"Good heavens, Newland, what is the matter?" cried the Major.

"Matter," replied I, faintly. "I have seen my father."

"Your father, Newland? you must be mad. He was dead before you could
recollect him--at least so you