lity, as they gazed on my fair face, when an infant, think
that the object of their admiration would one day become--"

"Will you go on with the story, and drop the nobility?" demanded Fred.

"With the greatest pleasure, because I bear them no love, they having
dropped me at an early age. At that public house all of my misfortunes
commenced; and, singularly enough, I had no serious suspicions, until I
was arrested and lodged in prison, that the proprietor of the concern
was a dealer in counterfeit silver. I had often observed that all the
change that came from the bar was new, and looked as though fresh from
the mint, but I didn't dream that it was counterfeit; and when a police
officer nabbed me, and searched my pockets, and exhibited a few bad
shillings, I thought I should die with shame, for I little suspected
that I was the medium through which the money was circulated.

"I protested my innocence, but the wretches said that my appearance was
not in my favor, and that my sweet face was certain to lead me to the
gallows; and faith, I was afraid that it had, yet my pride did not
permit me to send for my parents and the nobility, a word from whom
would have set me free."

"Steer clear of the nobility, if you please," cried Fred.

"All right, sir; well, would you believe it, the villains had the
audacity to arraign me before the beak, when I pleaded not guilty, and
dared them to the proof.

"I have a faint recollection that my defiance availed me but little,
for I was brought in guilty; and when the old beak sentenced me to
transportation for twenty years, he took occasion to say that I was the
worst looking prisoner he had seen for many years. I thought, even then,
how much respect he would feel, were he but aware that I was connected
with the nobility--"

"Never mind the nobility," broke in Fred.

"I don't intend to, hereafter, as I think that I am better off without
their acquaintance. Well, in a few days I was put on board of a ship,
with a number of other distinguished gentlemen, and I started on my long
voyage to Australia.

"Jim Gulpin was one of the passengers, and I early made his
acquaintance, and won his friendship by a few acts of kindness, which
distinguished strangers should always extend to each other. In fact, I
became so useful to the officers of the ship that I was installed as an
assistant cook; and when I was obliged to part with them, owing to the
pressing solicitations of the wretch who ha