The Sea-Witch | Page 9

story has opened, to the fertile country and
highly-cultivated lands in the neighborhood of Manchester, England.
Sir Robert Bramble's estate was some eight miles from the large
manufacturing town just named, and embraced within its grounds some
of the most delightfully situated spots within a day's ride in any
direction. Parks, gardens, ponds, groves, stables and fine animals; in
short, every accompaniment to a fine English estate. Sir Robert was a
man of not much force of character, had inherited his estates, and had
partly exhausted his income so far as to render a degree of economy
imperatively necessary, a fact which was not calculated to render any
more amiable a naturally irritable disposition.
The family at Bramble Park, as the estate was called, consisted of Sir
Robert and his lady, a weak-minded, but once beautiful woman, and
two sons, Robert and Charles, the eldest at this period some twelve
years of age, the youngest about nine; the usual number of servants, in
doors and out; made up the household. Sir Robert's could hardly he said
to be a very happy household, notwithstanding there seemed to be
every element and requisite to be found there for peaceful domestic
happiness; and perhaps it would have puzzled a casual observer to have
ascertained wherein laid the root of that evil, which, like a poisonous
upas, seemed to spread its branches through the household.
There was a cloud apparently shadowing each face there; there was
constantly some trouble of a domestic character. Sir Robert and Lady
Bramble seemed to be not on the best of terms with each other, and the
servants wore a hang-dog look, as though they expected at any moment
to be called to account for some piece of rascality. There was, however,
one pleasant face in that household, though even that seemed tempered

by sadness; this was the youngest brother, Charles. He was, or rather
would have been, a cheerful, happy boy, but for the malign influence of
his brother Robert, who seemed his opposite in almost everything.
Robert was jealous, irritable and revengeful; Charles was open-hearted,
mild and forgiving. Robert was cruel to both servants and animals;
Charles was kind to all, and a favorite with all; even the dumb animals
avoided one and adhered to the other, instinctively knowing a friend.
Robert was the first born and the favorite with his mother, whom he
ruled literally in all things, while Sir Robert, looking upon him as the
legal heir and representative of his name, of course considered him in a
somewhat different light from that in which he regarded Charles. At
times it seemed as though an evil spirit had taken possession of
Robert's heart, and he delighted in oppressing, domineering over and
abusing his brother, who, though he did not lack for spirit, yet could
never bring it to bear against Robert. He meekly bore his reproaches
and abuse, and even at times had suffered personal chastisement at his
hands without complaint to his parents, rather than irritate both them
and himself by referring to so disagreeable a matter. With a naturally
patient disposition, he suffered much without complaint.
Sir Robert and Lady Bramble seemed blind to the fact that the
unbounded indulgence which they yielded to their eldest child was
rendering still worse a disposition and habit which were already an
affliction in themselves. But Robert was persevering, and would always
carry his point, let it be what it might, teasing and cajoling the mother
until she granted his wishes however absurd they might be. He
domineered over every one, mother, father, servant maids and servant
men; he was the terror of all.
Charles added to his light-heartedness and cheerfulness of spirit, great
agility, and for a boy of his age, remarkable strength, in which matters
Robert was deficient, and here his jealousy found ample scope. Charles,
too, was remarkably apt with his studies, whereas Robert generally
ended his lessons by quarrelling with his tutor, and setting both father
and mother against him, by which reason the worthy who filled that
post at Bramble Park was usually changed at least once in six or eight
weeks, and thus were matters at the period to which we refer. It seemed
as though Robert was never happy unless he was doing some one harm,
or distressing some of the many pet animals about the spacious grounds;

in this latter occupation he passed much of his leisure time, and was a
great adept at the business.
A fine St. Charles spaniel, belonging to Lady Bramble, had one day,
after being teased beyond forbearance by Robert, at last in self-defence,
snapped at and lightly bit him, in revenge for which the violent
tempered boy vowed to kill him, and the very next opportunity he had,
he seized upon the little pet,