The Adventures of Roderick Random

The Empty Trunk

A few days after O’Donnell disappeared, Mr. Lavement took custody of a large old trunk O’Donnell had left, which was very heavy. He assumed the contents would indemnify him for what O’Donnell owed for lodging. After a month without news of the adventurer, the master ordered the trunk to be broken open in his presence. The narrator performed this task with the pestle of their great mortar and discovered, to his inexpressible astonishment and mortification, nothing but a heap of stones.

Strap’s Departure

At this time, Strap informed the narrator of an offer to go abroad with a gentleman as a valet de chambre. He assured the narrator that whatever advantage he might propose, he could not bear the thoughts of parting from him, so attached was he to the narrator’s fortune. Despite all the obligations the narrator owed to this honest fellow, ingratitude was so natural to his heart that he began to be tired of Strap’s acquaintance. Having contracted other friendships that appeared more creditable, he was even ashamed to see a journeyman barber inquiring after him with the familiarity of a companion. On pretense of consulting Strap’s welfare, the narrator insisted he accept the proposal. With great reluctance, Strap embraced it and in a few days took his leave, shedding floods of tears that the narrator could not behold without emotion.

Courtship

Now the narrator began to regard himself as a gentleman in reality. He learned to dance, frequented plays during holidays, became the oracle of an ale-house where every dispute was referred to his decision, and at length contracted an acquaintance with a young lady who made a conquest of his heart. After much attendance and solicitation, he prevailed upon her to give him a promise of marriage. As this beautiful creature passed for a rich heiress, the narrator blessed his good fortune and was actually on the point of crowning all his wishes by matrimony.