Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

RHYS LEWIS. 343
at his throat. So severe was the internal struggle with my
■worse nature that I was, for a minute, unable to speak. On
regaining self-possession — God forgive me my mad words — I
said to him: —
" You scoundrel! Say another disrespectful word about my
mother and I'll pull you limb from limb. My mother taught
me to lead an honest life."
Uncle retreated two or three yards, looked at me in astonish-
ment, and fumbled for something in his pockets. I was not a
bit afraid, and was quite prepared to fall a sacrifice to his wrath
in defence of the repuation of, to my mind, the best mother in
the world. After a minute's silence he said, with perfect
composure:
"I'm glad to see a bit of the family pluck in you. I'd
always considered you a bit of a chicken ; but I think a
hundred times better of you, now. If I said anything wrong
about your mother, I apologise. She was a good sort, in her
way, and she did me an occasional kindness. But why do you
everlastingly want to quarrel with me? Let's be chums. That's
where your father beat you— he was as cool as a turnip, always.
I'm sorry if I've offended you. But you know what I'm after.
I'm stone broke ; I haven't a brown to buy a bit of grub with,
and I know you wouldn't like to see me getting into trouble."
"I don't want to have anything to do with you," said I.
*' Tell me which way you wish to go, and I'U take some other.
I shan't walk a step with you."
"Agreed," he said. "But give me what you have about
you, first. It isn't much, I dare say."
Impulsively, I turned out my pocket into his hand, thinking
I had only a few shillings loose among the coppers. Thank-
ing me, he went away, and I returned home. The encounter
fully determined me in the course I should take. It was no
longer possible I could stay at home to be plagued by this
horrid wretch. I felt he had got the upper hand of me, that
he knew my weakness, and that I dared not denounce him to
the authorities without bringing disgrace upon myself. Obvi-
ously he was not aware that I preached, and by going to
college he would lose scent of me, for he dared not make
inquiries. I believed it was Providence that had brought me