who had just popped
her brazen front in at the door, and who, in return for his salutation,
politely placed her finger on one side of her nose, then raising the
hinder part of her body touched it, in a style that would scarcely be
tolerated at St. James's.
"Ah, you imp of Satan!" he bellowed out, as the young vixen
scampered away between a dance and a run, and again commenced his
story:
"It was coming to St. Giles's, I was saying, was the ruin of me. I robbed
my father, but I got clear of that; then I robbed my mother, I got turned
away for that; my sisters took me in, I robbed them, and was first to cut;
at last, my aunt pitied and took care of me, I robbed her too. But I got
three month for that, and--"
"Hold your tongue, you ass," exclaimed half-a-dozen voices, "the
booby's mad, and should be sent to St. Luke's."
At this rebuff the hopeful youth grinned a grin something like the
triumph of a fool glorying in his shame; then thrusting his hand into his
bosom, was for a few moments lost in heavenly bliss, enjoying that
most ecstatic of enjoyments, which King Jamie, of clawing memory,
says, ought always to be reserved for kings--scratching; then rolled
himself down again, to have a little more folding of the arms, and a
little more slumber.
[Illustration]
CHAPTER IV.
A BEGGAR'S REPAST.
Our friend, who had such singular ideas in a cadging house of what
ought to be, was himself but one of those who existed by his wits. Two
pieces of leather hung round his feet and ankles, which for resemblance
came nearer to sandals than boots. The rest of his garb, of course,
corresponded.
We observed before, that, when he came in, he had his arms full of
good things--among which were a sixpenny cottage-loaf, half a pound
of butter, two ounces of coffee, a quarter of a pound of sugar, and
half-a dozen eggs. He now busied himself in putting those things in
order, and quietly suffered the promising boy to take his will down to
the road to ruin. The loaf he cut down into substantial slices, and
covered them well and thickly with the rich cured cream of the cow; he
put the whole of the coffee into the pan and boiled and simmered it
with such attention as clearly showed that, at least in the culinary
department, he was a man of taste; and although he did not mix with
his beverage any of that much-talked-of continental stuff--succory, yet
such was the sweet-smelling odour, as the steam wafted by us, that we
could not help thinking that such highly-flavoured drink could not fail
to find favour, even in the nostrils of the very Ottoman himself. This
being done, he placed it upon the table, and called loudly for his mate.
[Illustration]
And here it may be necessary to observe, that your professed
vagabonds who live unmarried, always associate in pairs--like the
soldier with his comrade, and the sailor with his messmate; it is
probably owing to so many of the latter being members of this
fraternity, that this seafaring phrase has become to be adopted. Be that
as it may, however, the cadger and his mate sleep together, mess
together, and share each other's good and bad luck; the most prudent of
the two being always the purser.
The individual who answered to the call was a short, punchy, filthy
animal, of middle age, half covered with rags. His breast was as bare
and as highly coloured as the chest of a Red Indian; owing, perhaps, to
sleeping in the open air, or laying among the cinder heaps of
glass-houses. Jamie, for that was his name, was, however, a professed
gentleman of the road; had an eye as sleepy and as cunning as a cat;
and, to use his low jargon, was "up to summat," and knew "what was
what."
His mate passed a few jokes upon him, at his skill in gulling swells, and
taking in flats; for he was considered an adept. Jamie chucked at the
compliments, and smiled at what was before them. They then fell to the
viands, and ate with the hearty gusto of robust health. The eggs were
certainly boiled too hard; but that defect they took good care to remedy,
by softening them well with nice fresh butter, neither crying "Halt!"
until there remained not the shadow of crust.
[Illustration]
After this slight refection, like the rest of the gemmen who live by their
means, they wiped their chins with their napkins--the cuffs of their
coats--arose, and went out to that sink of ruin, the gin shop, to rinse
their teeth with a little rum, that being the
Continue reading on your phone by scaning this QR Code
Tip: The current page has been bookmarked automatically. If you wish to continue reading later, just open the
Dertz Homepage, and click on the 'continue reading' link at the bottom of the page.