Memoirs of Carwin the Biloquist | Page 8

some necessity had drawn me from my bed, and that
discovering the condition of the barn, I hastened to inform my father.
Some time after this, my father summoned me to his presence. I had
been previously guilty of disobedience to his commands, in a matter
about which he was usually very scrupulous. My brother had been
privy to my offence, and had threatened to be my accuser. On this

occasion I expected nothing but arraignment and punishment. Weary of
oppression, and hopeless of any change in my father's temper and
views, I had formed the resolution of eloping from his house, and of
trusting, young as I was, to the caprice of fortune. I was hesitating
whether to abscond without the knowledge of the family, or to make
my resolutions known to them, and while I avowed my resolution, to
adhere to it in spite of opposition and remonstrances, when I received
this summons.
I was employed at this time in the field; night was approaching, and I
had made no preparation for departure; all the preparation in my power
to make, was indeed small; a few clothes, made into a bundle, was the
sum of my possessions. Time would have little influence in improving
my prospects, and I resolved to execute my scheme immediately.
I left my work intending to seek my chamber, and taking what was my
own, to disappear forever. I turned a stile that led out of the field into a
bye path, when my father appeared before me, advancing in an opposite
direction; to avoid him was impossible, and I summoned my fortitude
to a conflict with his passion.
As soon as we met, instead of anger and upbraiding, he told me, that he
had been reflecting on my aunt's proposal, to take me under her
protection, and had concluded that the plan was proper; if I still
retained my wishes on that head, he would readily comply with them,
and that, if I chose, I might set off for the city next morning, as a
neighbours waggon was preparing to go.
I shall not dwell on the rapture with which this proposal was listened to:
it was with difficulty that I persuaded myself that he was in earnest in
making it, nor could divine the reasons, for so sudden and unexpected a
change in his maxims. . . . These I afterwards discovered. Some one
had instilled into him fears, that my aunt exasperated at his opposition
to her request, respecting the unfortunate Frank, would bequeath her
property to strangers; to obviate this evil, which his avarice prompted
him to regard as much greater than any mischief, that would accrue to
me, from the change of my abode, he embraced her proposal.

I entered with exultation and triumph on this new scene; my hopes
were by no means disappointed. Detested labour was exchanged for
luxurious idleness. I was master of my time, and the chuser of my
occupations. My kinswoman on discovering that I entertained no relish
for the drudgery of colleges, and was contented with the means of
intellectual gratification, which I could obtain under her roof, allowed
me to pursue my own choice.
Three tranquil years passed away, during which, each day added to my
happiness, by adding to my knowledge. My biloquial faculty was not
neglected. I improved it by assiduous exercise; I deeply reflected on the
use to which it might be applied. I was not destitute of pure intentions;
I delighted not in evil; I was incapable of knowingly contributing to
another's misery, but the sole or principal end of my endeavours was
not the happiness of others.
I was actuated by ambition. I was delighted to possess superior power;
I was prone to manifest that superiority, and was satisfied if this were
done, without much solicitude concerning consequences. I sported
frequently with the apprehensions of my associates, and threw out a
bait for their wonder, and supplied them with occasions for the
structure of theories. It may not be amiss to enumerate one or two
adventures in which I was engaged.

Chapter III.
I had taken much pains to improve the sagacity of a favourite Spaniel.
It was my purpose, indeed, to ascertain to what degree of improvement
the principles of reasoning and imitation could be carried in a dog.
There is no doubt that the animal affixes distinct ideas to sounds. What
are the possible limits of his vocabulary no one can tell. In conversing
with my dog I did not use English words, but selected simple
monosyllables. Habit likewise enabled him to comprehend my gestures.
If I crossed my hands on my breast he understood the signal and laid
down behind me. If I joined my hands and lifted them to my breast, he
returned home.