“It is a mistake,” replied I, rising;
“but whether the mistake will be found out until
too late, is another point. However, it is of
little consequence. What have I to live for,—unless
to find out who is my father?”
“Find out your father! what’s in the wind
now? well, it beats my comprehension altogether.
But did not you say you wished me to get you something?”
“Yes,” replied I; and I gave him some
money, with directions to purchase me implements for
writing, some scented wax, a tooth-brush, and tooth-powder,
eau de cologne, hair-brush and comb, razors, small
looking-glass, and various implements for my toilet.
“This is a rum world,” said the man, repeating
what I asked for, as I put two guineas in his hand.
“I’ve purchased many a article for a prisoner,
but never heard of such rattletraps afore; however,
that be all the same. You will have them, though
what ho de colum is I can’t tell, nor
dang me if I shall recollect—not poison,
be it, for that is not allowed in the prison?”
“No, no,” replied I, indulging in momentary
mirth at the idea; “you may inquire, and you
will find that it’s only taken by ladies who
are troubled with the vapours.” “Now
I should ha’ thought that you’d have spent
your money in the cookshop, which is so much more natural.
However, we all have our fancies;” so saying,
he quitted the cell, and locked the door.
I am condemned to be hung by the neck
until I am dead, and to go out of the world without
finding out who is my father—Afterwards
my innocence is made manifest and I am turned
adrift a maniac in the high road.
It may appear strange to the reader that I sent for
the above-mentioned articles, but habit is second
nature, and although two days before, when I set out
on my pilgrimage, I had resolved to discard these
superfluities, yet now in my distress I felt as if
they would comfort me. That evening, after rectifying
a few mistakes on the part of the good-tempered gaoler,
by writing down what I wanted on the paper which he
had procured me, I obtained all that I required.
The next morning, he informed me that the grand jury
had found a true bill against me, and that on the
Saturday next, the assizes would be held. He
also brought me the list of trials, and I found that
mine would be one of the last, and would not probably
come on until Monday or Tuesday. I requested
him to send for a good tailor, as I wished to be dressed
in a proper manner, previous to appearing in court.
As a prisoner is allowed to go into court in his own
clothes instead of the gaol dress, this was consented
to, and when the man came, I was very particular in
my directions, so much so, that it surprised him.
He also procured me the other articles I required
to complete my dress, and on Saturday night I had
them all ready, for I was resolved that I would at
least die as a gentleman.
