d throw me into a greater funk than to
face as an enemy the man who established the existing record on that
machine. But, now, don't you think we might adjourn to the supper of
which you spoke awhile since? I was never quite so famished in my
life, and am nearly ready to drop with the exhaustion of hunger."

"Oh, Jimmy!" groaned one of the listening spectators. "If 'e done wot
'e did hon a hempty stummick, hit's 'eaven 'elp the man or the machine
'e 'its when 'e's full."

"Step up for your beers, gentlemen," cried the bartender at this
moment. "The house owes two rounds for the double record, and is proud
to pay a debt so handsomely thrust upon it."

This invitation was promptly accepted by the spectators of the recent
contest, all of whom immediately lined up at the bar. Mark Trefethen
stood with them, and when he noticed that Peveril held back, he called
out, heartily, "Step up, lad, and doan't be bashful. We're waiting to
take a mug wi' thee."

"I thank you all," rejoined Peveril, politely, "but I believe I don't
care to drink anything just now."

"What! Not teetotal?"

"Not wholly," replied the other, with a laugh, "but I long ago made it
a rule not to take liquor in any form on an empty stomach."

"Oh, it won't hurt you. And this time needn't count, anyway," said one
of the men, whose features proclaimed him to be of Irish birth.

"I think it would hurt me," replied Peveril, "and if my rule could be
broken at this time, of course it could at any other. So I believe I
won't drink anything, thank you."

"You mane you're a snob, and don't care to associate with
working-men," retorted the other.

"I mean nothing of the kind, but exactly what I said, that I don't
propose to injure my health to gratify you or any other man. As for
associating with working-men, I am a working-man myself, and have come
to this place with the hope of finding a job in one of the mines. If I
hadn't wanted to associate with working-men I shouldn't be here at
this minute."

"Well, you can't associate with them in one thing if not in all, Mr.
Workingman," rejoined the Irishman, sneeringly, "and so, if you won't
drink with us, you can't become one of us."

"That's right," murmured several voices.

"Moreover," continued the speaker, "you don't look, talk, or act like
a working-man, and I'm willing to bet the price of these beers that
you never earned a dollar by honest labor in your life."

"If I didn't, that's no reason why I sh