Hugh Wynne, Free Quaker | Page 7

country where he had been ill
treated, he probably ceased to think of his forefathers' life in Wales as
of a thing either desirable or in any way suited to his own creed.
Soon the letters, which at first were frequent, that is, coming twice a
year, when the London packet arrived or departed, became rare; and if,
on the death of my great-uncle William, they ceased, or if any passed
later between us and the next holder of Wyncote, I never knew. The
Welsh squires had our homestead, and we our better portion of wealth
and freedom in this new land. And so ended my knowledge of this
matter for many a year.
You will readily understand that the rude life of a fox-hunting squire or
the position of a strict Quaker on a but moderate estate in
Merionethshire would have had little to tempt my father. Yet one thing
remained with him awhile as an unchanged inheritance, to which, so far
as I remember, he only once alluded. Indeed, I should never have
guessed that he gave the matter a thought but for that visit of Mr. John
Penn, and the way it recurred to me in later days in connection with an
incident concerning the picture and the blazoned arms.
I think he cared less and less as years went by. In earlier days he may
still have liked to remember that he might have been Wynne of
Wyncote; but this is a mere guess on my part. Pride spiritual is a master
passion, and certain it is that the creed and ways of Fox and Penn
became to him, as years created habits, of an importance far beyond the
pride which values ancient blood or a stainless shield.
The old house, which was built much in the same fashion as the great
mansion of my Lord Dysart on the Thames near to Richmond, but
smaller, was, after all, his family home. The picture and the arms were
hid away in deference to opinions by which in general he more and
more sternly abided. Once, when I was older, I went into his bedroom,
and was surprised to find him standing before the hearth, his hands
crossed behind his back, looking earnestly at the brightly coloured
shield beneath the picture of Wyncote. I knew too well to disturb him
in these silent moods, but hearing my steps, he suddenly called me to
him. I obeyed with the dread his sternness always caused me. To my
astonishment, his face was flushed and his eyes were moist. He laid his
hand on my shoulder, and clutched it hard as he spoke. He did not turn,
but, still looking up at the arms, said, in a voice which paused between

the words and sounded strange:
"I have been insulted to-day, Hugh, by the man Thomas Bradford. I
thank God that the Spirit prevailed with me to answer him in Christian
meekness. He came near to worse things than harsh words. Be warned,
my son. It is a terrible set-back from right living to come of a
hot-blooded breed like these Wynnes."
I looked up at Mm as he spoke. He was smiling, "But not all bad, Hugh,
not all bad. Remember that it is something, in this nest of disloyal
traders, to have come of gentle blood."
Then he left gazing on the arms and the old home of our people, and
said severely, "Hast thou gotten thy tasks to-day?"
"Yes."
"It has not been so of late. I hope thou hast considered before speaking.
If I hear no better of thee soon thou wilt repent it. It is time thou
shouldst take thy life more seriously. What I have said is for no ear but
thine."
I went away with a vague feeling that I had suffered for Mr. Bradford,
and on account of my father's refusal to join in resistance to the Stamp
Act; for this was in November, 1765, and I was then fully twelve years
of age.
My father's confession, and all he had said following it, made upon me
one of those lasting impressions which are rare in youth, but which
may have a great influence on the life of a man. Now all the boys were
against the Stamp Act, and I had at the moment a sudden fear at being
opposed to my father. I had, too, a feeling of personal shame because
this strong man, whom I dreaded on account of his severity, should
have been so overwhelmed by an insult. There was at this period, and
later, much going on in my outer life to lessen the relentless influence
of the creed of conduct which prevailed in our home for me, and for all
of our house. I had even then begun