human
I'll tell you all about it, sir, proceeded the other.
gpt
You must know as I haven't been easy in my mind for some time past--never since that new schoolmaster at Bridgepath said a few words to me last feast-day. You know I often come to the village, 'cos I've some good customers there, and I never used to miss the feast. Well, I'd heard a deal about the new goings on there long afore I set my own eyes on any on 'em, and I weren't best pleased, nor weren't my best customers neither, you may be sure. But still, down in my heart, I couldn't help feeling as things were being changed for the better; yet it didn't quite suit my pocket that they should be, and so I were very cross, and ready to take everything by the wrong handle. So when the schoolmaster came and spoke to me, I were as grumpy at first as a bear with a sore head, as the saying is. But he wouldn't see it--no, not a bit, and talked to me as pleasant as if I'd been all the while looking sugar and honey at him; and I began to feel very uneasy all over. Then, too, I couldn't help seeing as the boys and girls were as different as possible from what they used to be. Many was the time as I've sworn with a big ugly oath as I'd set Grip at them, when they came up and plagued me and wanted to meddle with my goods. But there weren't no need for it now. Yet I stuck out for all that, and talked it over with the keepers of the beer- shops; and we all agreed as it were a great nuisance setting up this new school and reading-room. But we didn't really think so, except that it began to hurt our trade; for this was where the shoe pinched. And then it was, when my mind was a-playing at `see-saw,' first up on this side, and then up on the other, that you was sent that day to have a talk about the children and my own blessed little 'un, and to give me the Testament. When you was gone, I grumbled to myself at first, `Precious humbug this! What's the use of a Testament to me? I ain't a-going to pull a long face and sing psalms,' and I were half in the mind to throw it away.
human
And what stopped you, old friend?
gpt
I'll just tell you, sir, replied the other.
human
When you gave it me, I stuck it in my coat-pocket, next my little girl's picture-book: and when I took it out again, t'other little book came with it, and I couldn't for the life of me do it any harm. So I put 'em both back again side by side; and the next time as we camped in a quiet place, I took the Testament out and began to read a bit out loud. And Sally heard me, and she came and listened with her mouth and eyes wide open, and then asked me what the book was and where I'd got it. I told her all about it; and then she asked me if I thought I could find in the book them last words which our dear little 'un spoke. I told you, sir, you'll remember, as she said, `Jesus said, Suffer the little children to come unto me.
gpt
And did you find nothing more?
human
Ay, to be sure we did, sir. We found Jesus Christ was willing to have us; and we found peace--not at first, nor all at once, but by degrees, and after a while. Sally were the first to get a firm hold: but I believe I've grasped it myself now, and by God's help I mean not to let go.
gpt
This is indeed joyful news, dear friend, said Horace Jackson, when he could trust himself to speak.
human
Who would have thought it?
gpt
Ay, who indeed? said Reuben warmly.
human
And now, he added,
gpt
I want a bit of advice, sir, from you, for it ain't all grass and gravel with me now; there's some deepish ruts and some stony roads before me, and that's why I were so anxious to stop you just now, sir, that I might tell you all about it, and get a word or two from yourself to give us a bit of encouragement.
human
I am truly thankful--I can't tell you how thankful, replied the young man.
gpt
The Lord has indeed done great things for you, and I shall be only too happy to be helpful to you in any way that I can.
human
Thank you, sir, kindly; 'tain't worldly help as I wants from you. I've earned enough for me and Sally to last us as long as we live; and it's almost time as I sold the old van, and settled down somewheres for the rest of my days. But it's just this, sir--I want to do some work for the Lord, who's been and done so much for Sally and me. Now I could, as I said just now, sell the old van and settle down; but then I mightn't be able to do much good, and my old limbs would get stiff for want of my regular exercise, and I should just be snoozing away the rest of my time in a big arm-chair. Now I ain't quite used up, nor Sally neither. So I could keep on the move from place to place, dropping a word for Christ here, and a word there, where I've been used to drop scores of words for the devil; and if you'd put me in the way, I could take a lot of Testaments and other good books with me, and sell 'em instead of the poisonous trash as I used to carry. Now, what do you advise me?
gpt
You couldn't do better, old friend, replied Horace;
human
Well, I think so too, sir; and you must know that I've begun to do a bit for the Lord already, though in a poor sort of way. I used to sell smuggled goods on the sly, and bad songs and bad books, but I've dropped all that now. You may look my van through, drawers and cupboards and all, every corner of it, and you'll not find a scrap of the bad sort now. Eh! How some of my old customers do stare, and how some on 'em do jeer, when I tells 'em as I've done selling the old things as they delight in. But it don't matter. I've made up my mind, and they're beginning to find that out. They call me an old humbug, and tell me as Sally and I shall end our days in the Union. But I ain't afeard; it ain't the likes of them as can send me there, and I know I'm safe in the Lord's hands.
gpt
That's very true, said Horace;
human
I believe you sir, said the old man.
gpt
Now, there's one who's been touched already--Jim Grimes, who keeps `The Old Fighting-Cocks' at Bridgepath. He were mightily surprised at first when he seed as I'd given up my old ways; he wouldn't believe as it were the true thing, and he were for chaffing me out of it. But he found out after a bit as I was real. 'Tain't for me to boast--it were the Lord's doings, not mine--but when he came to be persuaded as I had taken to the better way in earnest, he couldn't make it out at first; but now he has come to set his feet on the right road, too, I trust, and this has made me think as there's work for the Lord for me to do in a quiet way without giving up the van--in a quiet way, I say, sir, for I don't want to be put in a `mag.'
human
Put in a `mug,' old friend! exclaimed Horace, in amused surprise;
gpt
Nay, nay, sir, replied Ruby Grigg, with a laugh.
human
Thank you kindly for what you say; but you've not got hold of my meaning. What I'm driving at is this: I don't want people to put me in a `mag,'--mag's short for `magazine,'--one of them monthly or weekly papers as is full of pictures, and serves as town-crier to all the good deeds as is being done.
gpt
Ah, I understand you now, said Horace, smiling in return;
human
That's just it, sir; I wouldn't be put in a `mag' for all the world. I've knowed many a good man spoilt by being put in a `mag.' It blows 'em up with pride; and then them as don't get put in the `mag' is fit to burst with envy and jealousy.
gpt
I believe, my friend, said Horace,
human
I've seen it, sir, replied Reuben.
gpt
I used to laugh at it formerly, but I grieve over it now. At any rate I'm sure, sir, as you won't put me in a `mag.' I don't want to see myself in a couple of picturs, one with me and my van as they was, and t'other with the likeness of Mister Reuben Gregson in a brand new suit of clothes and a white choker, looking for all the world like a regular parson. 'Twouldn't do me no good. I just want to do a little work in a quiet way--to jog along, telling how the Lord has done great things for me, and just to mix up a few Bibles, and Testaments, and tracts as I'm selling my goods. And I don't want no reward here, and no notice, leastways no public notice. I've had more reward nor I deserve already; and if I make a few kind friends, such as yourself and the colonel maybe, I'd rather do it, Mr Horace, in a quiet way, and then I shall feel as I'm doing the work for the Lord himself out and out.
human
Well, dear old friend, said Horace,