, independently of the
secret of tying my neckcloth correctly;--but we soon parted."

"How was that?" said Debriseau, knocking the ashes out of his pipe.

"Why, he had several diamond rings, and as he only wore two or three at
a time, I sported the others at our parties. A malicious fellow, who
was envious of the dash I cut, observed in my hearing that it was
impossible to tell real stones from good paste. I took the hint, and
one by one the diamonds vanished, and paste usurped their places.
Shortly after, the creditors, not being able to touch my master's money
or his person, seized his effects, and the diamond rings were almost the
only articles which escaped. My master, who always looked out for a
rainy day, had collected these rings as a sort of stand-by, to `raise
the wind' when required. By ill luck, he took them to the same jeweller
who had been employed by me to substitute the paste, and to whom I had
sold the real stones. He came home in a great rage, accused me of
dishonesty, and sent for a constable. I told him that I did not
consider his conduct to be that of a gentleman, and wished him good
morning. I had indeed intended to quit him, as he was _done up_, and
only waited his return to tell him so. I had moved my trunks,
accordingly, before he was out of bed. I believe a few of his suits,
and some of his linen, were put in with mine, in my extreme haste; but
then he owed me wages.

"When I wished his lordship good morning, I certainly imagined that I
had little more to learn; but I must acknowledge that I was mistaken. I
knew that there was a club established for servants out of place, and
had been a subscriber for two years,--as there were many advantages
arising from it, independently of economy. I was now a member by right,
which, as long as I was in place, I was not. To this club I repaired,
and I soon found that I, who fancied myself perfect, was but a _tyro_ in
the profession. It was a grand school certainly, and well organised.
We had our president, vice-president, auditors of accounts,
corresponding members, and our secretary. Our seal was a bunch of green
poplar rods, with `_Service is no inheritance_' as a motto.

"But not to weary you with a life of adventures which would fill
volumes, I shall merely state, that I was in place, out of place,
following up my profession in every way, with great credit among our
fraternity, until, one day, I found myself, after a tedious confinement