152 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. (111.

 

aforesaid good and wise people were entirely wrong.
Wherefore not only did Simon at this time wear a
look of contentment upon his rugged features such.
as it was pleasant to behold, but the generally un-
prepossessing countenance of good Martha Pattison
positively beamed with exultation, and even Dolly,
who was always cheerful and lighthearted, appeared,
if possible, more so than usual. Their happiness,
therefore, was not checked or interrupted by the song
which Simon had heard, nor indeed am I sure that
he deemed it worth while to say anything about it to
the others.

It is needless to relate the occurrences of the
following week. The wisdom of Joe Muggins was
completely proved, as far as the result to himself was
concerned. The ‘Royal George’ never before drove
such a roaring trade. Beer flowed like water, Simon
Ricketts grew immensely popular, and the drawer of
bank-notes had to be repeatedly opened. Once or
twice Simon heard the strains of fairy music at
night, and they sounded more mournful than when
they had first fallen upon his ears, but he was too
much occupied with other thoughts to take much
notice of them now, and as he was constantly from
home until bed-time, he heard them less than he
would have done under ordinary circumstances.

Allappeared to go prosperously with his new plan.
There were, indeed, some people who opposed his
election, and expressed their opinion that a member
of Parliament should be a person of some political
education and, if possible, of experience. These,
however, were but few in comparison with those who