Hinchbridge haunted: a country story

Front matter

P i n s I) b r i b g £ j) a n n 1 1 o A COUNTRY STORY THE COMPANY IN THE 'BLUE PIG.' i^^^^^fc T^ftCE serai «Ff*fW -jEsiKBM&m- W R, Mtwjwe^— HINCHBRIDGE HAUNTED: A COUNTRY STORY. l:v GEORGE CUPPLES, AUTHOR OF 'THE GREEN HAND,' lTHE TWO FRIGATES,' ETC. EDINBURGH: WILLIAM P. NIMMO, 2, ST DAVID STREET. LONDON : SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO. MDCCCLIX. [The right of Translation is reserved.] MURRAY AND O.IBP.. PRINTERS, EDINBURGH. CONTENTS. PAGE FRONTISPIECE. 'From the Author's Design.) The Blue Pig— Its society. VIGNETTE . (After ditto.) The Apparition in Chipping Lane.

STRANGE TRIUMPH OF THE DOCTOR HINCHBRIDGE HAUNTEO): A COUNTEY STOEY.

Chapter I

A TRIUMPH TO THE 'BLUE PIG' — AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. The passing of the stage-coach through a small country village, in the old days of coaching, when George the Third was king, used to be a great matter indeed ; especially if, as at Hinchbridge in Sussex, it was the only regular link with the great world, coming from London town on its way to Chichester every afternoon, returning every morning, and each time bearing whatever post, parcel, or passenger might be hoped for by so obscure a place. Hinchbridge was really obscure : the four-horsed ' Mercury' did not con descend to stop for it ; the less, too, that the road, after passing through the nearest turnpike, fell slightly towards the bridge, and slightly rose again to the end of the village, which, with invariable regularity, necessitated a sharp trot at the very least, along the street and past the church, out upon level ground again.

The smart coachman never sus pended tliis pace on account of the first house at the turn of the corner from the bridge, though that house was a HINCHBRIDGE HAUNTED : place of public entertainment, with a conspicuous device over its porch, and an extra sign-post to correspond beside its front wicket : and although, as the case stood, he cer tainly could not but give the landlord a cordial nod, if he were visible, or a jerking salutation of the near elbow, accompanied by a confidential compression of the off-eye, and an almost deferential twist towards him of the sprig or the straw in the mouth, however engrossing the conversation of the box-passenger who might intervene close under. For Joseph Muggops, who kept the ' Blue Pig,' was still, in his retired position and declining years, a man of that very character most respected on the road, because con genial, while even superior, to its sphere of knowledge.

His science had on more than one occasion earned prizes from which the mere whip was debarred, and he had not been confined to a line of action, but had moved in a well known circle, so elevated as to have required his finally leaving it when he failed of its highest honour. His ante cedents, in short, had been of a sporting description, his exercises manly, and his pursuits daring ; if he had lost the belt of the championship of England, by an unfortunate miscalculation as to training at the time, there were friends who were aware of that circumstance, and could add sus picions of a foul blow. Retreating from public life to a far less public roadside tavern, he did not expect coach passengers ; he seldom, in fact, looked out at the hour which bore them past ; secure of having any parcel dropped by the guard, of the driver's honourable mention, and of sufficient evening custom or forenoon business, to demand his full management within. o On one special afternoon, however, of a fine spring dav, Joseph Muggops shared in some measure the common excitement of all Hinchbridge, and snatched an occasional opportunity from less than usual bustle inside, to remain a few moments looking out of his door-way towards the coach-road.

In his apron and shirt-sleeves, with his hat at the same time on, as was customary with him, Muggops's bulky figure did not on that account court notice ; he manifestly expected no additional benefit, looked for no package beyond the common, nor dreamt of such a thing as an arrival to concern him particularly. He had a couple of graziers from a distance in his upstairs parlour, the only such private room in the house, with no one else but him self to attend their calls ; seeing that his entire establishment, composed of his daughter and the kitchen-wench, had left the charge for his broad shoulders, as if to bring down by way of exercise some undue gain of flesh which no bruising friend could have approved. Amd Muggops was of an easy temper, notwithstanding his previous habits. His countenance expressed it, with the sole exception of one marked protuberance on the bridge of a rather flattened nose, and a somewhat gloomy shade upon his mood for the time.

Political matters, for sundry reasons, were delicate for Muggops to meddle with, if he wanted his lease re newed ; and political business was the cause, that evening, why Hinchbridge took such redoubled interest in the London stage. People were about, therefore, whose at tention he did not care to attract ; especially that of Sloane, the Hall bailiff, who had just ridden past. Not that Muggops was in himself political ; having no theory what ever on any matter, save that the Squire was a friend of Sir Thomas Deane at the Hall, and that the Dearie Anus at the further end of Hinchbridge, where the coach changed horses, must be let reap the entire advantage without show of grudge on his part : he had ticklish enough matter already to face up against, when next quarter-sessions should bring his license under consideration, and next Lady-day should follow up about the lease.

Every one about Hineh- HINCHBBIPGE HAUNTED : bridge was not exactly to be counted among his friends ; however much he had felt it his interest to keep an orderly house, to hold clear of old connections, and know nothing of Dick Cox's suspected poaching, of Hubbard the cobbler's levelling opinions, or of Old Dockett, the parish clerk's, prejudices, with the constable's liking for a drop of something stronger than the best ale ; by means of which latter, added to a snug chimney-settle, and a skittle-ground at the back premises, Muggops acquired a, social character for the 'Blue Pig,' endeavouring in the yery name of it to avoid sides, and combine local Toryism with fair play to British liberty in individuals. As for his. daughter, her management was not only the making of him, but he was proud of her looks, which had contrived to retain the hot-tempered Hall gamekeeper, while they held a certain recruiting-corporal in steadier bonds, Emma Muggops did not cheapen these charms by any means, though she had now run out of her little bar-plage as soon as the first sound was heard from the coach-hom ; attired in the most fashionable, if not the genteelest gown in the village, such as her close friend, the dressmaker, was glad to copy for its taste.

As the hollow rumble over the bridge was followed again by a louder rattle, and a more flourishing blast of caution to all concerned, Miss Muggops shaded her eyes from the evening sun, which, nevertheless, must have augmented her own attractions to the crowd, of passengers borne past next minute, with a superordinary nod of recoo-- nition from the driving-box, and even some momentary notice from a stout elderly person beside it, who did not look the likeliest of admirers. For the rest, a confused medley of noisy figures above and of peering faces below, they went by with a jingling clatter into the vista of Hinchbridge; the magnet for every door and window, every barking cur and chasing school-boy, to the corner round the green, where the Deane Arms faced the park wall on the Chichester road.

That inn itself was hidden by woods from view of the ' Blue Pig,' which had been passed unre garded ; only the dust was visible, that tended thither, and the little mob of boys and children rushing after. "Ail full, in course, Hemmar?" disdainfully growled Muggops from the inner passage, as he descended his stair from a fresh call of the graziers. " Wot was the colours mostly, now, did ye chance to see — buff or blue 1 Never mind, though — wot's the odds to the ' Pig.' Not so much as a parcel, this time ! Well, the i Harms' wTon't do much good by it, anyhow — 'lectioneerers don't stop at Tnchbridge — Wot's Tnchbridge got to do with it, either ? Here, you Sukey, now you've had your share of it, I s'pose you'll take up this 'ere ale?" " 'Tain't exactly our election, of course, father," observed Emma, " but it's odd for the Hall member to be gone against, in Chelmstone.

The first time, the Cor poral says, since it was a borough, — and as for the 'Keeper, he was there just now looking out for the coach, with Bailiff Sloane, as if his place depended on it ! I don't think Colonel Deane was inside — and I'm sure he wasn't out." " S' help me, ye don't act'lly say so !" ejaculated her father, with an emphatic slap of one broad palm upon a lusty thigh. " They made cock-sure of the Colonel to-night for them hustings at Chelmst'n to-morrow — fust time as ever hustings wos, I expect, hereabouts. Well, I'm rabbitted if it don't put 'em out in their reckonin's a bit !" And Muggops indulged a gradual chuckle that promised to become rather too obviously convulsive at his outer door, had not filial prudence checked it. " Come, now, father," said Emma, using a little gentle : compulsion as she drew him aside to her own bar-closet, " you take care — do.

What's our business with it — here's constable with his coat on, setting off from work to see what's wrong, — its some disturbance about the ' 'Arms' — coming this way, too." They looked together through the latticed bow-window, among the tidy show of pewter-pots and other symbols of hospitality, where the landlord could still further flatten his nose against the glass without risk, between a coloured cor dial-bottle and a tempting piece of cold boiled bacon, pleasantly illuminated from the western sun. " To be sure, gal," said he, philosophically resigned, " politics an't got to do with the ' Pig,' — no, nor sides. No sides when you henters this 'ere roof, say I — and Fil say it as long as it's over me, them's the rides to be stuck by. Wot ever is the row, though 1 Wish it was the < Arms' afire, — they can't be anything like full — but here's baggage a-comin' our way, anyhow !"

" Yes, and a passenger behind it, too," said Miss Mug gops, more calmly. " It's the old gentleman that had the box-seat — if he was a gentleman, that's to say. Well, suppose he did want a room by any chance, we ain't got it this moment, — and if it was even possibly a bed, you know, father, there's not a decent corner from top to bottom, only except — " Her father caught at the expression of Emma's eye with irrepressible anxiety. " Hemmar, Hemmar !" exclaimed he huskily, " it's a portmanteau and no mistake ; an wot's more, there's a man in livery got charge on it, bound here ! A gen'leman, by 'sticks ! Couldn't ye just put 'em up, if it wos ? Wot's a night — come — here goes !" He was caught by the apron before his rush of welcome took effect. A shouting rabble of children, scampering beforehand to the front-wicket of the tavern, sufficiently indicated the fact in question, that so extraordinary a visit to the ' Blue Pig' was intended ; but Emma Muggops was firm as to the answer being left in her hands.

Her own neat little attic, papered and tended by herself, looking out behind over the garden, she would give up for that grand occasion ; though nothing but management, of course, could catch the chance, or opportunely convey away those inde pendent graziers above, from the only parlour. So the excited emotions of Muggops himself were suppressed within, while she passed out composedly to meet the case, aided by Sukey alone. " Ah — oh — well *? " hastily demanded the man-servant outside, backed by a village lad with the portmanteau, " you re not full, too, are ye, missus ? Not got a spare room, either, eh ? — not so much as a closet, owing to 'lection times, like t'other place ?" Miss Muggops, with self-possession that did credit to her, returned a placid reply. It delighted the paternal heart, close at hand, to feel how unfluttered was her admission of rooms left ; still more, that she decidedly repudiated political connection, or imitation of the ' Deane Arms' in any way.

Not that she herself felt much disposed to like the man's appearance, which at first sight was still less prepossessing than the sound of his voice, or the prospect of his master with a very red face and an attitude of indignation, stamping a great yellow walking-cane before him as he came on alone, behind the train of helpers, but watched slily from every door and window in his rear. " Ho ! oho ! so much the better !" croaked the odd voice of the queer-looking attendant, who had surveyed the sign above the door rather contemptuously, almost grinning in her face. " He ! he ! he'll find it to his taste, I daresay. Stir your legs, here, young stoopid with that luggage, and then be off with your whole ragamuffin crew — he's paid, mind : ye, missis. I'll look after the guv'nor." He set off again towards the old gentleman, cleared the way with a vicious jerk and tug that sent the children flying, and after a little evident difficulty, succeeded in bringing the important guest fairly inside, scarce soothed as yet from some excitement to a manifestly choleric temper.

There he took breath, turned defiantly to the village street, and taking out a large yellow silk handkerchief that suggested oriental richness, blew his nose like a trumpet, looking as grand as a Nabob himself. Nabobs were then rising into repute, while Bristol sugar bakers declined in notoriety ; and Muggops from the window in the bar-door marked the bilious temperament and nankeen vest, the heavy gold watch-seals and the cambric ruffles, with a knowing eye which found no detraction from its bright idea, although the limbs encased in buff nether garments and light-coloured silk stockings had a native sturdiness about them, and a quakerish plainness distinguished the snuff-brown coat. "Am insufferable place !" muttered the elderly passen ger, wiping his forehead and puffing. " What time does your extraordinary stage-coach pass again ?

" he called out with a voice that filled the passage, sending Sukey dismayed into the recesses of the kitchen, where her mistress had but just contrived to allure the graziers down. Muggops him self emerged gradually, without his hat, invested in a coat, smoothing clown his hair. " Beg parding, sir. Wich way ?" said he with uncom mon deference. " Any way — back to town or on to — some civilized place," was the ungracious answer. " Not much matter where, I daresay." The 'Mercury went back next morning, he was informed, and next evening would return again for Chichester. Al ways passing that veiy door, the landlord anxiously assured him. As for putting up a gen'lman and servant, Muggops hoped, plain as the rooms might be thought, they were heartily at his service. What was more, they went by the name of being pleasant to look out of, as couldn't be said of some others, at t'other end, which offered on a stable yard.

The stout elderly gentleman smoothed down fast : he ordered up his portmanteau, and was not indisposed to con verse in a passing way about the place and neighbourhood ; for convenience of traversing which, or going on, if needful, to Chelmstone next day, he found that a spring-cart was always handy close by, besides a gig that could at times be got. Confirmed by Muggops in the belief that the Deane Arms could not really have been full, though election times had been pleaded there, he concentrated his resentment on that servile establishment of the Hall interest alone ; and, finally, was ushered upstairs in the most elaborate style his host could muster, to a sitting-room which, though small, justified the boast ort its behalf. A couple of old news papers, rather sporting in their tendency, with a last year's Almanac, were less hopeful entertainment till supper should appear, than an open window looking over a bank of village gardens, down through spring trees to the level, where the stream wound past some better houses into the woods of an old mansion adjacent.

Yet neither of them did the elder gentleman seem to require, for he could be heard to walk backwards and forwards overhead, now Stopping a little, now quickening his pace, finally sending for an ink-bottle and sitting down to write, till he summoned his man to take a letter to the post. This same man was as yet the least satisfactory part of the affair to Emma Muggops in her bar-closet, whence she noticed all comers and goers, superintending matters in a way somewhat detached from her father's homelier kitchen- : business, and enabled to receive a friend, if need-be, to a quiet dish of genteel tea. Miss Gibb, the dressmaker, had thus stepped over that evening, not intending to stay, but eager for news, and of course accompanied by her work, Fashion on that occasion yielded to Chelmstone election, and Miss Gibb herself had already heard, although remote from public life, in fact more generally interested by the private sorrows of any heroine in a romance, — that Colonel Deane, having trusted to the ' Mercury' stage-coach to bring him down that afternoon for next day's nomination at the neighbouring borough, had been cheated out of his seat — that was to say, a seat in the coach — by the unexpected cunning of the Buffs.

It was well known that the Buffs, all at once so active about Chelmstone borough, set great store by it all of a sudden ; and they had cleverly secured half the coach beforehand, so that the very messenger with the writ from government, which was said to be absolutely necessary to the business to-morrow, could hardly get a place. Not for love or money could the Colonel find room, even among the luggage on the top, for his very servant ; but he had sent some message, which drove Bailiff Sloane, and the gamekeeper, and all Sir Thomas's people, into a perfect distraction. Then there was some passenger in the coach, or upon it, who had taken the main part in keeping out the Colonel, and refused to give up a place, though he had two engaged ; and he was suspected, indeed there was no doubt of it, to be no other than a Mr Smith, chief friend to the Honourable Mr Frere, Lord Highwood's brother, whom the great folks on the other side had just brought forward to contest the town.

For the town was thrown open again, it seemed, by the Colonel's getting a high government office. Such the drift of Miss Gibb's confused account, which Miss Muggops might scarce be able to render quite lucid ; but they both pretty well understood why the Hall people were so anxious. Colonel Deane Williams had not estates like his relative Sir Thomas Deane, and somehow he would lose this fine opportunity from his Majesty's favour ; if Chelmstone, by any ill luck, thought fit to vent a spite at him now. He was actually called shabby in Chelmstone, was the Colonel ! " That fine-looking man — with such a military air !" Miss Gibb said, holding up her hands from her seam. " Badiff Sloane seems to think so," returned her friend, coolly, " for he's in terror, it seems, lest the Colonel grudges a post-chay from London, after losing the coach to-night — and he pledged to show himself to-morrow!"

" Oh ! and what the people did say ! — Mayor Singleton little better than a creature of Sir Thomas's ! Such a wealthy, respectable man — always thought so correct before — and the Misses Singleton so becomingly dressed ! Wasn't it scandalous, really — but they said he was bound to have what they called hustings ready by twelve o'clock to-morrow — he was forced to allow fair play to any Buff candidate, and even to grant a Poll ! A poll — most likely something improper, since Mayor Singleton had been disinclined to it?" Emma Muggops checked a laugh at her mantua-making confidante. " Well, it was thought the Bailiff had con trived matters snugly with the Mayor, to leave the Buffs no start against the Colonel — and here was somebody bad put 'em all out ! The Hall people were regularly mad about it — the gamekeeper running off to Sir Thomas, the Bailiff riding away after him — good fun, after all, to Hinch bridge !"

" La, how you take it, Emmar !" was the dressmaker's ejaculation. " Now, it do make me feel so qualmish. Such a poor weak nervous head I have, to be sure, but what is coming to Chelmstone just now, and they say Tnchbridge's : self have got in a quandary about something— somebody in buff that wanted to stop here— or the war, or politics, I don't understand 'em but where— where can they mean ?" There came a sudden pointedness in Miss Gibb's look, notwithstanding her affectation of youthful inexperience, which showed that Miss Muggops' s caution towards her was vain. A most alarming notion, gradually forming, had to be now communicated to Miss Gibb's bosom; where fidelity in even mofe delicate matters, once trusted to, was proved. If this stout elderly person, denied quarters at the Inn, were by any possibility the Mr Smith in question, with his law-agent in disguise, what a victim had been made of the 'Blue Pig!' That odd little fellow a groom, forsooth?

His clothes did not suit him — they hung about him — they were beyond controversy new ! So did Miss Gibb's pro fessional eye enable her to declare ; and that they were not exactly a livery ; they looked a sort of sober, genteelish make-up for the time, allowing for a respectable person's feelings. There was a worse peculiarity about them — not openly alluded to by Emma: he wore a waistcoat with yellow stripes, his breeches were leather of a tinge not to be mistaken, though the gaiters might be called drab, and the neckerchief a spotted fawn. As the inference dawned on her, it led step by step more distinctly up the stair with him to his pretended master, when the latter had called from above. Why had they both been refused lodging at the Arms — why but because buff colours were so plainly shown by them, they declared themselves slilv to be buff, and buff they should have been detected for, by the simplest mind.

Oh poor father Muggops — oh stupid daughter Emma, for all her management ! Stdl more indignant felt Miss Muggops at the visitor himself, and most at the deceitful serving-man ; whom she nevertheless resolved to manage out of the house next; day, as cleverly and as quietly as they had got in. Hark ! his name was Sol— Solomon, forsooth. For all that, he stayed a wonderfully long time with his master, apparently responding to him in very easy tones, more than once breaking out in a disputing style, if not even a cross answer. Then he came down the stair without his shoes, so softly, turning over the letter discontentedly, as if he disapproved of it. Letter ! Was it not a mere pretext for his going out that evening, all the way to Chelmstone, where the only post-office was, a mile off ; but no doubt for the grand object hi view, as the election business lay there.

When he found it was so far away, however, on asking at the bar window, he seemed really out of humour, grumbling without the least concealment, and offering to pay for a safe messenger himself- This did Miss Muggops promptly undertake, marking at the same time, with great closeness, the singular aspect of this Solomon, ere he again retreated to the kitchen hearth, where he found well-assumed content in glowing logs, a mug of ale and a long pipe, with the help of her poor father's easy manners as he saw that customers were served. Only one ov two road-folks had dropped in or gone again, before the usual evening circle formed ; and she could already hear her father addressing the stranger as Master Solomon, even Sol, unsuspicious of the truth which she thought best reserved at present to herself.

That very chimney-corner, sacred to old Dockett the parish-clerk, who was certain ere long to come gravely shuffling in, as if by accident, from his own dull hearth near by— this questionable new-comer had taken it, perhaps even his particular pipe, his exclusive mug ; for each time the door opened, he was conspicuous in that bright recess, making himself strangely at home, notwithstanding the dismay shown towards him from the first minute by Sukey. : That he was really in some way equivocal, appeared mani fest in his satisfaction at this prejudice of the red-haired serving-wench, which grew to dread at his obvious know ledge of the fact ; for he went the length, as she averred that night, of confidential glances on his part, making sudden faces at her in the distance ; whde the unwonted progress he made in the good graces of the vicious old black cat, that ultimately rubbed herself against his legs, fixed him in Sue's inmost horror.

But, for that matter, the landlord and he made great way together. He was certainly not much to look at, being a little meagre man, of an age very hard to tell ; for, thouglr he wore a wig, there were bristles of dark hair from under it ; and it was only round one eye that the puckers were like a fishing-net at the corner ring, because the other was a wall-eye, with which it was doubtful if he saw at all. With the one that did see, he made up for this, it was so shindy black and knowing. Then he might be a degrea knock-kneed ; but so active a fellow, all springs and sinews, turning out in the end to be double-jointed, with a thumb he could bend twice as far back as Muggops' s — it was really rare to see. Nor was Joe Muggops one to mind a little plainness of countenance, caused by misfortune.

He quickly perceived in Mr Solomon a degree of experience, of famdiarity with life, and acquaintance with the real world, which were the more astonishing, inasmuch as he seemed rather school-learned, and must have been one of " the light-weights." His knowledge of town was far superior to the common;, added to which he had ap parently a spice of the devil in him, being altogether such a cross-grained, thankless, queer sort of a codger, that Muggops was pleased by some slight appreciation from him. Above all, he sneered at politics ; only tittering, in a singular, dry way, at election matters in a place like Hinch bridge ; which rose to a fit of laughter more uncommon still, at the likelihood of his master having been turned from the ' Deane Arms' on that account. The governor, as he chose to call him, might have come on such matters, though he scarcely fancied so ; and cackled the more, in that chick-chicking, sputtering, half-sneezing style, like one who really cared little about the matter.

What was the old gentleman's business on the journey, or his pleasure, he had not in fact the least notion ; nor why he had wished to stay a night at the ' Arms,' unless because it was the country, and he wanted a night's rest. " Adi ! the old gent's name — he ! he ! he ! That was a different question — didn't he, Mr Solomon, know it ? Of course he did. But as, somehow, the old gentleman didn't wish it known, that journey — which was nothing strange, for the governor was whimsical — why, no offence." And he only winked to Muggops, so that Susan imagined herself a sharer of it. " It was no offence by any means," the landlord said. " People who might be proud of their names," pursued Mr Solomon, grinning, " travelled incog, every day." " Eveiy day," agreed honest Joe ; "par tic'ler, he had heard, over the Continent."

But Mr Solo mon was not proud of his own name, nor had he any reason for travelling incog. Therefore he told it ; it was Smith — Sol Smith. " And a wery good name," Muggops heartily responded ; " what was more, honest and above board, not to say common in a free country." Again Master Smith sneered. Well, Muggops had known a very fair sparrer or two of that name — a deal of science one of 'em had, too. Whereat Smith, with one of his queer looks, appeared on the point of confiding something more as to himself, if not his master ; had not the old parish-clerk come past the bar, : nodding as usual to Miss Muggops, and coughing as he took off his comforter. The last fear of Mr Muggops was dismissed, as he saw his new guest make way civilly enough for old Dockett, whose expectant stare sufficed for that purpose ; while Sukey did not need to see the vacant holding-out of old Dockett's hand, unaccompanied by words, ere she hastened with the special pipe for his behoof.