er which the boy was
using, and observed the quarters of beef through the curtains.

"Yes, my lad; it belongs to a friend of mine. Would you like to see it
whilst the horse just recovers his wind?"

"I really should, for it reminds me of my boyish days, if it was only
when I had Montfaucon for a slaughter-house and broken-down horses for
cattle. It is droll, but if I had the means, a butcher's is the trade in
which I should set up, for I like it. To go on a good nag to buy cattle
at fairs,--to return home to one's own fireside, to warm yourself if
cold, or dry yourself if wet,--to find your housekeeper, or a good,
jolly, plump wife, cheerful and pleasant, with a parcel of children to
feel in your pockets to see if you have brought them home anything! And
then, in the morning, in the slaughter-house, to seize an ox by the
horns, particularly when he's fierce,--_nom de nom!_ he must be
fierce!--then to put on the ring, to cleave him down, cut him up, dress
him,--_Tonnerre!_ that would have been my ambition, as it was the
Goualeuse's to suck barley-sugar when she was a little 'un. By the way,
that poor girl, M. Murphy,--not seeing her any more at the ogress's, I
supposed that M. Rodolph had taken her away from there. That's a good
action, M. Murphy. Poor child! she never liked to do wrong,--she was so
young! And then the habit! Ah, M. Rodolph has behaved quite right!"

"I am of your opinion. But will you come into the shop until our horse
has rested awhile?"

The Chourineur and Murphy entered the shop, and then went to see the
yard, where three splendid oxen and a score of sheep were fastened up;
they then visited the stable, the chaise-house, the slaughter-house, the
lofts, and the out-buildings of the house, which were all in excellent
order, and kept with a cleanliness and care which bespoke regularity and
easy circumstances.

When they had seen all but the up-stairs, Murphy said:

"You must own that my friend is a lucky fellow. This house and property
are his, without counting a thousand crowns in hand to carry on his
business with; and he is, besides, only thirty-eight, strong as a bull,
with an iron constitution, and very fond of his business. The
industrious and civil journeyman that you saw in the shop supplies his
place, with much capability, when he goes to the fairs to purchase
cattle. I say again, is he not a lucky fellow?"

"He is, indeed, M. Murphy. But, you see, there are lucky and unlucky
people; an