KIDNAPPED

‘‘For tragedy implies some ponderable matter in dispute,
some dignus vindice nodus ; and this piece of work
was all about the petulance of a young ass that had been
spoiled, and wanted nothing so much as to be tied up
and soundly belted. However, that was not your
father’s view; and the end of it was, that from conces-
sion to concession on your father’s part, and from one
height to another of squalling, sentimental selfishness
upon your uncle’s, they came at last to drive a sort of
bargain, from whose ill results you have recently been
smarting. The one man took the lady, the other the
estate. Now, Mr. David, they talk a great deal of
charity and generosity; but in this disputable state of
life, I often think the happiest consequences seem to
flow when a gentleman consults his lawyer, and takes
all the law allows him. Anyhow, this piece of Quixo-
try on your father’s part, as it was unjust in itself, has
brought forth a monstrous family of injustices. Your
father and mother lived and died poor folk; you were
poorly reared; and in the meanwhile, whata time it has
been for the tenants on the estate of Shaws! And I
might add (if it was a matter I cared much about) what
a time for Mr. Ebenezer!”

‘* And yet that is certainly the strangest part of all,”
said I, ‘‘ that a man’s nature should thus change.”

‘‘ True,” said Mr. Rankeillor. ‘‘ And yet I imagine
it was natural enough. He could not think that he had
played a handsome part. Those who knew the story
gave him the cold shoulder; those who knew it not,
seeing one brother disappear, and the other succeed in
the estate, raised a cry of murder; so that upon all sides

he found himself evited. Money was all he got by his
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