r for aboon a wick at after.
When he turned aght next mornin to goa see th' superintendent, he luked
like a gate-post 'at's studden in a rookery for six months. He'd to
wait a bit afoor he could see him, but when he did he said "Maister!"
aw've comed to get turned off for awm sick o' this job--no moor
cunstublin for me, aw've had enuff."
"Why my good man," he said, "what's up? Have yo dropt in for summat yo
dooant like?"
"Aw have,--an' summat's been dropt onto me at aw dooant like, an aw've
made up my mind to throw up th' drumsticks an' tak to honest hard wark
for a livin."
"Well young man, yo seem dissatisfied, but yo should remember 'at we're
like soldiers in a war, we're feightin agean things 'at isn't reight,
its nut allus straight forrard, it seems yors has'nt been this time, but
its one o'th chances o' war' at yo mun expect."
"It may be a chance o' war, but it'll be a chance o' better afoor yo
catch me at it agean, so gooid mornin."
When he'd getten into th' street he langed to goa up to owd Molly's
agean, but thowts o'th' neet afoor kept him back, and varry weel it wor
soa, for Jim o' Long wor dooin his best to flay th' owd woman woll
shoo'd be glad to have him and shut up th' wisht shop,--an' be shot he
managed, for shoo promised shoo'd wed him in a month, an' shoo wor as
gooid as her word.
Jimmy settled daan to his cobblin (for he reckoned to do a bit at that
when he did ought), an' he worked away varry weel for a bit, an' Molly
took a pride i'th' garden aghtside an' th' haase inside, an' they were
varry comfortable. But ther wor just an odd booan somewhear abaght Jim
'at did'nt like wark, an' aw think it must 'ha' been a wopper, for it
used to stop all t'other ivery nah and then for two or three days
together. He liked to goa an' sit i'th' beershop opposite, an' have a
pint or two, an' Molly knew it wor her bit o' brass at wor gooin, for
shoo said "he hardly haddled as mich sometimes as he cost i' wax."
One day he'd been rayther longer nor usual, an' shoo wor just ready for
him.
"Aw thowt tha used to tell me at it wornt th' ale tha wanted, it wor me;
but na it is'nt me ta wants, it's the ale."
"Why, woll a chap lives he con alter his mind, connot he?" said Jim.
"Oh! soa tha's altered thi mind, has ta? Tha's noa need to tell me that,
aw can see it, an' aw've altered mine too, an' aw've a gooid mind to
pail my heead agean th' jawm when aw think on it."
"Why, lass, it's a pity to spoi
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