Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

I^ITYS LEWIS. 177
All, however, ended in silence. So sweet were these fancies
that, as soon as I had finished with one I began upon another,
and had I not found Will suddenly waking and mother
springing to her feet, I would not have known whether it was
in fancy or in fact that I heard someone knocking at the
door, Before Will had awoke from sleep and I from dreams,
to welcome Bob, mother had opened the door. But what a
disappointment ! It was the man I detested with all my soul,
whom I heard saying to mother : — ■
" Well, Mary, how do you do, this long time ? "
He it was whom, when I first saw him, I called " the Irish-
man," and who stopped me near the Hall Park on the night
Seth died. It was strange that at every critical juncture of my
early life this man was sure to appear. I would as soon see
him as see the Devil. Will perceived in an instant who he was,
for he knew as much about him as I did, nearly, because, as
intimated at the beginning of this history, I could conceal but
little from my friend, who, on his part, never betrayed my
confidence. Directly mother found out who our visitor was,
she drew herself up, and I saw she had lost none of that pluck
which she at all times showed when there was a real necessity
for it. Standing before " the Irishman," as I called him, in
such a fashion that it was impossible he could enter the house,
except by force, she said : —
"James, I have told you many times I never want to see
your face again and that you are not to come into this house."
Will played with the poker, and the Irishman thrust his
head forward to see who was within.
" Isn't that Hugh Bryan's son r " he asked, looking at Will.
" Yes," replied my mother.
"I thought so by his nose," observed the Irishman.
"What do you see about my nose, you kill-pheasant, you?"
asked Will, hotly.
"William, hold your tongue this minute, is best for you,"
said mother.
I could read in the Irishman's face that nothing would have
given him greater pleasure than to wring Will Bryan's neck,
and that my mother knew, right well. Still toying with the
poker and muttering his anger, Wi.l said to me, softly, " Shall