r_ me, was never cross _with_ me, but
listened to all I had to say, and gave me all kinds of good advice. Now
who do you think I mean by this last? why, who but yourself--who on earth
but yourself? The parson is a good man and a great preacher, and I'll
knock anybody down who says to the contrary; and I mention him first,
because why: he's a gentleman, and you a tinker. But I am by no means
sure you are not the best friend of the two; for I doubt, do you see,
whether I should have had the fifty pounds but for you. You persuaded me
to give up that silly drink they call sherry, and drink ale; and what was
it but drinking ale which gave me courage to knock down that fellow
Hunter--and knocking him down was, I verily believe, the turning point of
my disorder. God don't love those who won't strike out for themselves;
and as far as I can calculate with respect to time, it was just the
moment after I had knocked down Hunter, that the parson consented to lend
me the money, and everything began to grow civil to me. So, dash my
buttons if I show the ungrateful mind to you! I don't offer to knock
anybody down for you, because why--I daresay you can knock a body down
yourself; but I'll offer something more to the purpose; as my business is
wonderfully on the increase, I shall want somebody to help me in serving
my customers, and keeping them in order. If you choose to come and serve
for your board, and what they'll give you, give me your fist; or if you
like ten shillings a week better than their sixpences and ha'pence, only
say so--though, to be open with you, I believe you would make twice ten
shillings out of them--the sneaking, fawning, curry-favouring humbugs!'

'I am much obliged to you,' said I, 'for your handsome offer, which,
however, I am obliged to decline.'

'Why so?' said the landlord.

'I am not fit for service,' said I; 'moreover, I am about to leave this
part of the country.' As I spoke, a horse neighed in the stable. 'What
horse is that?' said I.

'It belongs to a cousin of mine, who put it into my hands yesterday, in
hopes that I might get rid of it for him, though he would no more have
done so a week ago, when he considered me a down pin, than he would have
given the horse away. Are you fond of horses?'

'Very much,' said I.

'Then come and look at it.' He led me into the stable, where, in a
stall, stood a noble-looking animal.

'Dear me,' said I, 'I saw this horse at --- fair.'

'Like enough