Oakball; and the Cup at the same meeting, with Oakball not yet satisfied. At Lichfield Oakball once more disputed the Queen's Plate with him, but only with the same result. At Derby Fisherman was not placed for the Handicap. At Weymouth he beat Polestar, another old opponent, for the Guineas. At Doncaster he ran fourth for the Fitzwilliam and third for Her Majesty's Plate, Védette beating him for the one and Skirmisher for the other. Anything but tired of touring it, Fisherman now crossed the water, and at Chantilly won very easily the Emperor's Prize, against Saunterer, Commotion (who also went over especially to do battle for it), and the French cracks-Monarque and Mdle. Chantilly. Returning home he kept up his Parisian fame by beating Black Tommy and Polestar for the Plate at Bedford; finished without a place, at the top weight, in the memorable race for the Cesarewitch, and challenged in the same week for the Whip, which was given over to Mr. Starkey. Going next due North, he ran Queen Bess to a head for the Roxburgh Handicap at Kelso, and won the Stewards' Cup the same afternoon. On the following day Queen Bess again beat him, by a neck, for the Border Handicap-of course at an immense difference in the weights. Going back to Newmarket, he beat Skirmisher over the B.C., and wound up at Liverpool a good fifth for the Autumn Cup. Fisherman opened the present season with a walk over for the Trial Stakes at Northampton, running second the same day to Wrestler for the Queen's Plate. At Newmarket Craven Meeting he won the Craven Plate, a hundred over the R.M., and walked over for the Queen's Plate. At York, with 9st. 1lb. on him, he ran Rosa Bonheur and Mons. Dobler, at 7st. each, to a neck for the Flying-Dutchman Handicapthe latest performance we have to record, and certainly one of his greatest. In stable talk, we leave him "full of running.' SUMMARY OF FISHERMAN'S PERFORMANCES. In 1855, Fisherman started six times without winning. " In 1856, he started thirty-four times, and won twenty-three : In 1857, he started thirty-six times, and won twenty-three : The Trial Stakes, at Liverpool, value clear The Queen's Plate, at Salisbury The Trial Stakes, at Warwick . The Queen's Plate, at Lichfield The Queen's Plate, at Bedford In 1858, he has started six times, and won four : He has started eighty-two times, and won fifty. Quinton and Wells had most of the riding of Fisherman in 1856, although Carrol, Foster, Charlton, Alderoft, and George Hall had also a taste of him. Last season Wells never trusted him out of his own hands, and he has now won more than thirty races on him. Fisherman still continues in Mr. Parr's stable, with old Garge Hall to look after him, and occasionally to ride him in public. Mr. Starkey, of Spye Park, Chippenham, "the fortunate owner," is a young man as well as a young turfite. For the last season or two he has had a few horses in work, but is so far only "famous" for Fisherman. Mr. Starkey is also coming on as an agriculturist; and the family name finds frequent mention in Moore's Dairy of his life in Wiltshire. CHARLEY SCUPPER'S RACING YACHT. CHAPTER XIX. At this stage of our tale it will be necessary to draw the attention of our readers to a small churchyard in a village not far from Poole. It is moonlight; but the tall trees which rear their heads from the neighbouring copse appear to cast a mournful gloom around the hallowed spot, and shut out the gleams which otherwise would fall upon a newly-made grave, the turf of which was only placed over it a few hours ago, and bears marks of the sexton's spade as he flattened and rounded the mound with extra pains. Near this grave, and looking sorrowfully upon it, stands a tall, manly figure, whose very movements and attitude bespeak the pangs of sorrow which are struggling with his heart. This is Charley Scupper; and beneath that sod his wife lies buried! Yes, reader-his wife! But ask no further questions. She was his lawful wife; and devoutly loved him; the son she bore him lives: but alas, for poor Esther! she was a mother but a few hours. Though in that short season she elicited a promise from her husband, regarding her child, which he remembered and fulfilled to the day of his death. The day of poor Esther's funeral was the bitterest Charley Scupper ever spent ; and, indeed, for many succeeding days, he excluded himself from all except his darling child. His reflections were extremely painful, as he pictured the lovely Esther in all the charms of youthful beauty-her simple, homely manners, her fair face and golden ringlets, her soft and mellifluous voice, and sweetly-inviting smile; and to think that those, all those were now consigned to the silent tomb, from whence there is no awaking in this life. Every circumstance connected with his first acquaintance with her-his marriage and her death-continued to disturb his feelings through many a lonely night following the sad event. Charley's mysterious marriage with Esther had been kept a secret from the world, and, for reasons which may suggest themselves to the reader, we do not purpose explaining. Charley was aroused from his state of melancholy on receiving intelligence of the sudden death of his uncle, a bachelor, who had amassed great wealth in India, and only returned to his native country within a few years; and who had just been making large outlays on an estate, purchased with part of his extensive fortune. It would appear that he had just completed the alterations in the mansion and tastefullyplanted grounds, in exact accordance with his wishes, and had begun to look forward with pleasing desire to undisturbed enjoyment of that wealth which he had through many years been eagerly industrious to obtain. But, as is too often the case, the enjoyment was reserved for another; and he who had devoted his best talents and all the prime years of his life to amass that fortune, was "cut off from the land of the living" directly he had completed his estate to his heart's satisfaction, and looked upon his doings with the happiest contentment. Such is life in this world! and such are the mysterious movements of Him who is "the Author and Giver of life." By the will of his deceased uncle, Charley Scupper became possessed of this splendid estate, and the bulk of his uncle's fortune. But so eventempered and contented was our hero, that he received the intelligence as to his new fortune as calmly as if it were a mere every day announcement. The death of his uncle affected him deeply. Charley had always a very high opinion of his relative, and regretted in his heart that he had been so suddenly cut off: and, be it said to his credit, that many, in Charley Scupper's position, would have endeavoured during life to have initiated themselves into the good graces of so rich a bachelor uncle, in hopes of inheriting his wealth; but never in one single instance did Charley resort to such fawning means; on the contrary, he rather held himself aloof from his uncle, though he greatly respected him for his open-heartedness and charitable disposition. Soon after the mournful ceremony of the funeral of the late Richard Scupper, Esq., had passed away, and Charley felt that the whole affair was not a dream-though it seemed like such-but stern reality; and there stood the mansion replete with every luxury, the estate all that man could possibly desire in this life, and he himself the owner and master of all; then did Charley consider the means at hand for entering upon, and enjoying this princely wealth. We have said that Charley Scupper became 'possessed' of the estates. The will devised them to him for life, and after his decease "to his eldest son in tail male." Charley had not long been living in his new abode, before he felt the want of some guardian angel to whom to consign the precious charge of his dear little son. Many young ladies in the neighbourhood expressed the tenderest regard for little Charley, brought him all sorts of presents, sympathized with the father on his unfortunate position in being left a widower with so young a boy. Many of these ladies knew of his former acquaintance with Clara Littleborough; and having also recently heard of that young lady's engagement with Sir Reginald Runwall, did not fail to mention the circumstance in Charley's hearing. Charley listened to it all with unmoved demeanor; but, when alone, he pondered over the intelligence with painful anxiety. He knew that Clara cared nothing in her heart for Sir Reginald, and yet she was about to marry him! aye, and in a few days too!! "But," reflected Charley, "what right have I to allow my thoughts to interpose for one moment between Clara and her lover? Have I not already been the cause of all her misery? Aye, and through my heartless conduct she was brought down to death's door, and for a time stood on the brink of her grave. No, I will not again probe that old and dangerous wound. I will never cause her another moment's pain. I will not arouse the indignation of her brother; nor excite the fears and disturb the feelings of her mother. Such would only heap sorrow upon sorrow, and embitter with further grief the remainder of my days, which, but for my darling boy, I would care not how soon they ended, so that I had but time for repentance; so conscious am I of the wrongs and evil I have done, and so unworthy do I feel of the merciful bounties which a kind Providence has been pleased to bestow upon me. No, here will I stay, and devote my life to better purposes; trusting I may have the courage and firmness to carry out my good resolutions." Such were the motives which dwelt in the bosom of our hero on inheriting the estate and wealth of his uncle. Need we say that he endeavoured to perform them to the letter? was respected by all who knew him; liberal with his wealth in every good cause; unconsciously winning good opinions among his parishioners; foremost in encouraging the study of the arts and sciences which elevate the mind; and promoting by his presence and assistance the national sports of the country; always approachable by the humblest individual, and never turning a deaf ear to a tale of distress, but at all times ready to enter with feeling upon the details of misfortune; and though bountiful and generous was the hand he stretched forth to relieve their wants, his charities were conducted with privacy and sincerity. Leaving Charley Scupper to his own resources for a time, with his little son, his new estate, his parishioners, his charities, his studies, his reflections, his good resolutions, and, though last not least, the sympathetic attentions of the young ladies in the neighbourhood; we must direct our thoughts to the arrival at Littleborough of the interesting family party we parted company with, in our last chapter, on the eve of their departure from Naples. What with the short season spent at Scarborough, and the very long one on the Continent, the Littleboroughs had been absent from home upwards of thirteen months; when a letter arrived for the steward, in charge of the mansion, to prepare the house for reception of the family, whom they were requested to expect in course of a few days. The intelligence soon spread through the village; for the cook carried it to the cottagers, who repeated it in the village grocer's shop, from which it flew to the ale-house, and from thence throughout the length and breadth of the parish. Every one seemed to rejoice at hearing the " dear young lady, Miss Clara, and her good-natured brother" were coming amongst them again. The bell-ringers were eagerly on the qui vive, and struck up a merry peal the moment the carriage appeared in sight; and thus showed by every possible respect, the regard in which they held the "good people" at the hall. But what a fund of gossip and conjecture they had, when it was reported that Sir Reginald Runwall and Miss Julia Matson had returned with them! It was stated the Baronet of Doningale Park had actually been over to Italy to fetch home his intended bride, and Mr. Thomas was going to marry the pretty Miss Matson directly. The week following this arrival, was one continued interruption of calls and inquiries; a detail of which would weary the reader, and, perhaps, be inconsistent with the intention of these pages. There was one visit, however, which we cannot forbear intruding upon his notice, particularly as it will revive an acquaintance with two distinguished personages who have before figured in our tale. "Julia!" said Tom Littleborough to Miss Matson, who happened to be staying with Clara at the Hall, "who do you think have just driven in at the park gate, and are coming to call on us?" "Oh, I will not pretend to guess," replied the young lady; the distingué, I suppose." 66 some of |