The Adventures of Tom Leigh Read Online Free PDF

angrily:
    â€œI’ve had cloth stolen from my tenters in the night.”
    â€œNay! Never!” exclaimed Mr. Gledhill and Mr. Firth, looking very grave.
    â€œAye! A whole piece!”
    â€œWell, come along, Gledhill, come along,” said Sir Henry testily. “Get those indentures read, then we can discuss this wretched theft.”
    Mr. Gledhill drew out a large scroll of paper and unrolled it and read from the document. (I have Mr. Firth’s part of the indenture here before me, so I can give the words exactly.)
    â€œâ€˜This Indenture made the twenty-third day of April in the Year of Our Lord 1722, between William Gledhill and John Swain, Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor of the township of Barseland in the West Riding of the county of York and Thomas Leigh, a poor child of the said township of the one part, and Stephen Firth of the same township of the other part; witnesseth, that the said Overseers of the Poor, with the consent of two of His majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the said Riding, put, placed and bound the said Thomas Leigh as an apprentice to and with the said Stephen Firth, with him to dwell and remain from the day of the date hereof, until the said apprentice shall attain the age of twenty-one years. During all which term the said apprentice well and truly shall serve, his secrets shall keep, his commands (being lawful and honest) at all times willingly shall perform, and in all things as a good and faithful servant shall demean himself towards his said master and all his family. And the said Stephen Firth—’”
    â€œWait a minute, Gledhill,” said Sir Henry. “Do you understand all that, Tom? That is what you are promising to do.”
    â€œI understand, sir,” I said. “But seven years seems a very long time.”
    â€œIt is the law, Tom,” said Sir Henry. “Go on, Gledhill. Now, Tom, we’ll hear what Mr. Firth promises to do for you.”
    â€œâ€˜And the said Stephen Firth,’” resumed Mr. Gledhill, holding the scroll well out in front of him and reading very loud and clear, “‘doth promise to the said Overseers and his said apprentice, that he will educate and bring him upin an honest and lawful calling, to wit the mystery of a weaver—’”
    He paused and looked at Mr. Firth, who nodded and said:
    â€œThat’s right.”
    â€œâ€˜â€”and in the fear of God. And that he will find, provide for, and allow unto his said apprentice sufficient, wholesome and competent meat, drink, washing, lodging, apparel and other necessaries meet for such an apprentice, during all the said term.’”
    â€œDo you agree to that, Firth?” said Sir Henry, rather sternly.
    â€œAye, I agree,” said Mr. Firth. He sighed ruefully and shook his head. “A lad like that’ll be always eating, I shouldn’t wonder.”
    â€œâ€˜And at the end of the said term—’”
    â€œWhat, is there some more?” grumbled Mr. Firth.
    â€œâ€˜â€”at the end of the said term he shall find, provide for, and deliver unto his said apprentice double apparel of all sorts—’”
    â€œ
Double
apparel! For heaven’s sake,” wailed Mr. Firth.
    â€œâ€˜That is to say,’” boomed Mr. Gledhill, “‘one good and new suit for the Lord’s days, and another for the working days, of linen, woollen, hose, shoes, and all other necessaries meet for such an apprentice to have and wear.’”
    â€œIt’s a costly business, is an apprentice,” said Mr. Firth. “However, he’s well clad at the start, that’s something.”
    â€œHe’ll be very useful to you, both about the house and in the loom-chamber,” said Sir Henry.
    Mr. Firth gave a subdued snort.
    â€œâ€˜In witness whereof, the said parties to these presents have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and year above