Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 edition. Excerpt: ... made to Prince William Henry was never large, and he was by no means skilful in managing it, he was for a moment perplexed what to do, until he thought of his watch, and said to the Jew, "What will you give me for this?" The dealer eyed it suspiciously, weighted it in his hand, and then began to depreciate it. "It's very pretty, but not heavy: it's the fashion may be, but we buy by weight; just the case is all I can buy. I'll venture to give you four pounds for the case, sir, but I'm like to lose by it." "Let's see then; you take the gold case, Moses, and I'll keep the inside. It must work like my mate for a bit without its jacket. But I must have five pounds; do as I bid you, man, and let me have five pounds." Moses demurred, but on weighing it, after some hesitation, gave the required sum into the prince's handwho said, as he paid the bill, "Keep the case, Moses, and I will reclaim it; and here, Bob, do you take the odd change to keep your pocket warm till you get abroad again." By this time poor Bob was crying like a child, for he had been long sick and disabled, and it was no fault of his that he was destitute. With honest pride he feared that he was taking too much from his benefactor; but the noble youth overcame his reluctance, saying, as he held the money towards him, " Come, come, take in your cargo, shipmate. It's only what I owe you. Were you not the kindest creature in the world to me when I was confined to my berth with yellow fever? Do you think I have forgotten that? What do you take me for, eh? Go and get some rations, my man." And so Bob got a good dinner, a good bed that night, and, being in fitting trim, tried for work next day, and got a berth in an Indiaman, and did...