more trouble from the rats and mice.

[Illustration]

Soon after, his master had a ship ready to sail; and as he thought it
right all his servants should have some chance for good fortune as well
as himself, he called them into the parlor, and asked them if they
wanted to take a share in the trading trip. They all had some money that
they were willing to venture, except poor Dick, who had neither money
nor goods. For this reason he did not come into the parlor with the
rest; but Miss Alice guessed what was the matter, and ordered him to be
called in. She then said she would put in money for him from her own
purse; but her father told her this would not do, for Dick must send
something of his own. When poor Dick heard this, he said he had nothing
but a cat.

"Fetch your cat then, my good boy," said Mr. Fitzwarren, "and let her
go."

Dick went upstairs and brought down poor puss, and gave her to the
captain with tears in his eyes. All the company laughed at Dick's odd
venture; and Miss Alice, who felt pity for the poor boy, gave him some
halfpence to buy another cat.

This, and other marks of kindness shown him by Miss Alice, made the
ill-tempered cook jealous of poor Dick; and she began to use him more
cruelly than ever, and always made fun of him for sending his cat to
sea. She asked him if he thought his cat would sell for as much money as
would buy a stick to beat him. At last, poor Dick could not bear this
any longer, and thought he would run away from his place; so he packed
up his few things, and set out very early in the morning on the first
of November. He walked as far as Highgate, and there sat down on a
stone, which to this day is called Whittington's stone, and began to
think which road he should take farther. While he was thinking what he
should do, the bells of Bow Church began to ring, and he fancied their
sounds seemed to say:

"Turn again, Whittington,
Lord Mayor of London."

[Illustration]

"Lord Mayor of London!" said he to himself. "Why, to be sure I would put
up with almost anything, now, to be Lord Mayor of London, and ride in a
fine coach, when I grow to be a man! I will go back and think nothing of
the cuffing and scolding of the old cook, if I am to be Lord Mayor of
London at last."

Dick went back, and was lucky enough to get into the house and set about
his work before the cook came down.

The ship, with the cat on board, was a long time at sea; and was at last
driven b