glove with a secretary of state! What does I do? Why, sir, the very next
time he and I meet, I says to him, 'Fitzalbert, it's very hard a man of
your rank can't do something for his friends.' I knew the right way was
to put the thing to him point-blank. 'So it would be,' says he, 'if it
was, but it isn't.' 'Oh, isn't it?' says I; 'then, if you are the man I
take you to be, you'll do the thing as is handsome by me.' He said
nothing then, but took hold of my hand, and shook it like a brother."

"Vell, go on, my boy; I tink they are making a fool of you."

"Are they? That's all you know. Well, a few days after this, Fitzalbert
writes me a letter to call on him directly. I goes, of course. 'Moses,'
says he, as soon as he sees me, 'you are provided for.' 'No!' says I.
'Yes,' says he. 'Lord Downy has overrun the constable; he can't stop in
England no longer; he's going to resign the blue rod; he's willing to
sell it for a song; you shall buy it, and make your fortune.'"

"But vere's your money, my dear?"

"Wait a minute. 'What's the salary?' said I. 'A thousand a-year,' says
he. 'You don't mean it?' says I again. 'Upon my soul,' says he. 'And
what will it cost?' says I. 'The first year's salary,' says he; 'and
I'll advance it, because I know you are a gentleman, and will not forget
to pay me back.' 'If I do,' says I, 'I wish I may die.' Now, father,
that there letter, as you sees, is official, and that's why he doesn't
say 'dear Moses;' but if you was to see us together, it would do your
heart good. Not that you ever will, because your unfortinate lowness of
character will compel me, as a gent, to cut your desirable acquaintance
the moment I steps into Lord Downy's Wellingtons. Now, if you have got
no more fish in that 'ere cupboard, I wish you good morning."

"Shtay, shtay, Aby, you're in such a devil of a hurry!" exclaimed
Methusaleh, holding him by the wrist. "Now, my dear boy, if you're dead
to natur, there's an end of the matter, and I've nothing more to say;
but if you've any real blood left in you, you von't break my heart. Vy
shouldn't your father have the pleasure of advancing the money? If it is
a true bill, Aby, you sha'n't be under no obligation to nobody!"

"True bill! I like that! Why, I have seen Lord Downy's own
hand-*writing; and, what's more, seen him in the House of Lords, talking
quite as familiarly, as I conwerse with you, with the Lord Chancellor,
and all the rest on 'em. I heard him make a speech--n