Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/104

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96
CRICKET.

see his sons grown to manhood's years, taking part in the duties of life, and occupying a high position in the game he loved so dearly. His last effort was to establish the Gloucestershire County Club on a sound basis, which he was successful in doing in the year 1870. My mother remained among us thirteen years longer, and was present at every county match at Clifton College. She took great interest in cricket all round the neighbourhood, and treasured every telegram and report of our doings. Local papers did not give much space to cricket twenty years ago, and rarely reported matches played outside of the county; and as London papers did not reach Downend till late in the day, we made a point of telegraphing or writing to her the result of every match played from home. E. M. and I were playing for Gloucestershire v. Lancashire, at Manchester, on 25th July, 1884, when we received the telegram announcing her death. It came with painful surprise to us, and for the moment we knew not what to do; but my friend and comrade of many years, A. N. Hornby, the captain of the Lancashire Eleven, grasped the situation, and, with a promptness and consideration which E. M. and I can never forget, immediately stopped the match, and we hurried home to have the last look at her who had loved us so wisely and well.