Ο CHAPTER IX. Charlie's First Germ at Oxford. "CHRISTIAN, be wise. The tide is at its height, Which now may waft thee to the wished-for shore. Hark, how it sounds! but soon shall sound no more." QUARLES. CTOBER soon came round. Charlie was very grave, for a new life was before him that would try him heart and soul, as well as influence all his future life. He knew what was expected from him, and that it was his duty "to play the man." This knowledge awoke within him more earnest feeling and deeper desire for strength to endure, and grace to overcome. That trials many and fierce would await him was certain. His youth, position, and inexperience were the weak places where Satan with his thousand snares mightand, unless he were kept under the shadow of the Almighty wings, would-make successful and ruinous assault. The sad tale of his father's servant made a very deep impression on his mind. In trial, as he passed along, would he have the same strength, the same trust, as their humble friend? The youth probed his heart, watched the trifling incidents of every-day life, narrowly scanning, as he had never done before, the minute par ticles that make or mar a character. This he was advised to do by his most kind father. "Remember," he had said, "that the floating of a rose leaf will show the course of a river, so find out in your own heart the little foxes that spoil the tender vine, for they do not remain little foxes, but become fierce and ruinous destroyers." Charlie sought wisdom at the hands of the Giver of wisdom, and found it-grace to watch, to work, and pray. Mr. Lancaster purposed going to Oxford with his son, and returning the next day. On the morning of the departure he went into his room with his cheque-book in his hand. Your "I thought," he said, "I would just talk with you here a bit, Charlie, and give you a cheque for this term's expenses. Your exhibition with what I shall give you will make 200 a-year. There are some men do with less, I am told; whilst many waste more than that in a term. I do not wish you to do either of these; but I do wish you to make your money keep you. clothes we had better give you, in addition to £200. The furniture in your rooms will be rather heavy, so suppose you start clear with £200 a-year-I paying for your furniture, and, of course, your expenses, till you are fairly in your rooms. You will see how thoroughly I trust you, in giving this money with you, my son," he continued. "Ido-and you may, indeed, trust me. I will be careful." "I believe you. If I did not, you would not go where you are going. You must not go into debt. You will not have need to do so. I don't ask you to give me an account of how you spend your money, only that you do not exceed the sum we mention. As you pass on in the schools there will be fees and other things, I suppose. I must be told if you cannot meet these things, and will help you. Debt is so disgraceful that I hate the very thought of any one belonging to me being brought into its meshes. Well, then, you promise to keep clear of bad companions. You will have to come home during vacations; I expect you to come home as pure and good as you leave it, at least, to mix again with your brothers and sisters. Now we must go down, there is the breakfast-bell." When the meal was over, Helen placed the Bible before her father, who read the chapter; then all the household knelt together before God. Not a few expressions arranged into a "form of prayer" were offered to God, but a united heart-and-soul supplication from every one there-father, brothers, sisters, servants-as the heart of ONE, went up to heaven for Charlie. If ever lad left home hedged about with prayer, that lad was Charles Lancaster. "Here is the cab, dear; are all your things ready?" "Yes, Nelly; good-bye, dear; all good-bye." Charlie watched the dear faces at the window as the carriage rolled away till a turn in the road hid them from his sight. Some quiet tears fell down Charlie's cheek; kindred ones quivered on the father's lids as their gaze met. "Cheer up, my lad, cheer up; God lives in Oxford as well as in Ribcaster. Remember He knows you, and though you were a stranger in the midst of a million people, God can set His hand on you, saying, Thou art Mine. I am sure He will take care of you. So now, not one word more about yourself till we reach Oxford." And so, as Charlie and his father were seated in the express, flying past houses, trees, fields; now and again staying at places Charlie had never seen, except on the map; all the journey full of interest,-the gloom gradually passed from his mind, and long before the train drew up at Oxford, Charlie's face was as bright as ever. They were a little surprised at the number of men who left the train at the same time as themselves, who evidently belonged to the various colleges. The porters and cabmen knew many of them, treating them with great respect. Conveyances were in great requisition; it was with some difficulty they obtained one to take them to St. Cuthbert's. Charlie, of course, was expected; his rooms ready for him. A fire was in the rather dingy grate. A scout, lowvoiced and deferential, informed them that he was the servant on that staircase, and would divide his services between Mr. Charles, and three other gentlemen. "I shall bring your 'commons' up now, sir; what would you like ordered in?" "My son can order what he chooses on our return; we are now going out." The required visit to the tutor, who received them very courteously, is made. Charlie is told to call in a day or so, to be told what work was on; what books he would require, and to what tutor he would be sent. This done, they had dinner at the "Three Cups," where Mr. Lancaster inended to sleep. The cap and gown had to be bought, and the same was paid for, so that a clear start might be made. Poor Charlie felt very desolate on his return next day from the station. A very unit in the college. As he passed through the Quadrangle groups of men were talking together, or walking arm-in-arm; old friends glad to meet again; some of them turned to give him a passing glance, but further, no one noticed him. He felt almost afraid of the scout, who seemed to Charlie to be laughing at him, and disposed now to be rather more familiar than on the previous day. Having closed his room door, he sat down to think; would he unpack then, or would he have some tea ordered first? His first tea alone! A sharp rap at the room door. Charlie, who, be it remembered, was only a freshman, a day old, rose to open it, backing into the room bowing, as a very gentlemanly young man stepped in, hat in hand, saying "My name is Nevill; you are Mr. Lancaster, as I saw from your luggage address yesterday." They shook hands heartily. "I thought," the stranger said, "that you were rather young, and might perhaps be a relative of the amiable "6 Verdant Green," and so feel rather at a loss what to do with yourself this first evening alone, and would give you an early call. I am your next-door neighbour." "You are very good, Mr. Nevill; thank you for coming so soon. I was feeling rather dull.” "You might as well come and take your tea in my I dare say it is ready." room. "I was just thinking of having some when you came. I shall be very pleased to go to your room, Mr. Nevill." Both young gentlemen were soon seated to a comfortable tea, set out by the scout in Mr. Nevill's room. 'Try some of the 'rooster' and a slice of ham, Lancaster ?" "Not any, thanks; it is not long since I dined with my father at the 'Three Cups.'" "Won't you? well, I will. You see I have been out all day, and so missed Hall, and am rather hungry. Just help yourself, Lancaster, to anything you like. Put the teapot by Mr. Lancaster." |