to be a
gentleman. A poor weak young creature; easy to be made tipsy; easy to
be cheated; and easy to be frightened. It was a blessing for him that I
found him; for if anybody else had, they would have plucked him of every
shilling.

Ensign Dobble and I were sworn friends. I rode his horses for him, and
chose his champagne, and did everything, in fact, that a superior mind
does for an inferior,--when the inferior has got the money. We were
inseparables,--hunting everywhere in couples. We even managed to fall in
love with two sisters, as young soldiers will do, you know; for the dogs
fall in love, with every change of quarters.

Well, once, in the year 1793 (it was just when the French had chopped
poor Louis's head off), Dobble and I, gay young chaps as ever wore sword
by side, had cast our eyes upon two young ladies by the name of Brisket,
daughters of a butcher in the town where we were quartered. The dear
girls fell in love with us, of course. And many a pleasant walk in the
country, many a treat to a tea-garden, many a smart ribbon and brooch
used Dobble and I (for his father allowed him 600L., and our purses were
in common) present to these young ladies. One day, fancy our pleasure at
receiving a note couched thus:--

"DEER CAPTING STUBBS AND DOBBLE--Miss Briskets presents their
compliments, and as it is probble that our papa will be till twelve
at the corprayshun dinner, we request the pleasure of their company to
tea."

Didn't we go! Punctually at six we were in the little back-parlor; we
quaffed more Bohea, and made more love, than half a dozen ordinary men
could. At nine, a little punch-bowl succeeded to the little teapot; and,
bless the girls! a nice fresh steak was frizzling on the gridiron for
our supper. Butchers were butchers then, and their parlor was their
kitchen too; at least old Brisket's was--one door leading into the
shop, and one into the yard, on the other side of which was the
slaughter-house.

Fancy, then, our horror when, just at this critical time, we heard the
shop-door open, a heavy staggering step on the flags, and a loud husky
voice from the shop, shouting, "Hallo, Susan; hallo, Betsy! show a
light!" Dobble turned as white as a sheet; the two girls each as red as
a lobster; I alone preserved my presence of mind. "The back-door," says
I--"The dog's in the court," say they. "He's not so bad as the man,"
said I. "Stop!" cries Susan, flinging open the door, and rushing to the
fire.