登陆注册
4807800000205

第205章

'I take the last opportunity before sealing my parcel to inform you that the boy who fell through the pastrycook's window is not dead, as was universally believed, but alive and well. The report appears to have had its origin in his mysterious disappearance. He was found half an hour since on the premises of a sweet-stuff maker, where a raffle had been announced for a second-hand seal-skin cap and a tambourine; and where - a sufficient number of members not having been obtained at first - he had patiently waited until the list was completed. This fortunate discovery has in some degree restored our gaiety and cheerfulness. It is proposed to get up a subscription for him without delay.

'Everybody is nervously anxious to see what to-morrow will bring forth. If any one should arrive in the course of the night, I have left strict directions to be called immediately. I should have sat up, indeed, but the agitating events of this day have been too much for me.

'No news yet of either of the Professors Snore, Doze, or Wheezy.

It is very strange!'

'WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

'All is now over; and, upon one point at least, I am at length enabled to set the minds of your readers at rest. The three professors arrived at ten minutes after two o'clock, and, instead of taking up their quarters at the Original Pig, as it was universally understood in the course of yesterday that they would assuredly have done, drove straight to the Pig and Tinder-box, where they threw off the mask at once, and openly announced their intention of remaining. Professor Wheezy may reconcile this very extraordinary conduct with HIS notions of fair and equitable dealing, but I would recommend Professor Wheezy to be cautious how he presumes too far upon his well-earned reputation. How such a man as Professor Snore, or, which is still more extraordinary, such an individual as Professor Doze, can quietly allow himself to be mixed up with such proceedings as these, you will naturally inquire. Upon this head, rumour is silent; I have my speculations, but forbear to give utterance to them just now.'

'FOUR O'CLOCK.

'The town is filling fast; eighteenpence has been offered for a bed and refused. Several gentlemen were under the necessity last night of sleeping in the brick fields, and on the steps of doors, for which they were taken before the magistrates in a body this morning, and committed to prison as vagrants for various terms.

One of these persons I understand to be a highly-respectable tinker, of great practical skill, who had forwarded a paper to the President of Section D. Mechanical Science, on the construction of pipkins with copper bottoms and safety-values, of which report speaks highly. The incarceration of this gentleman is greatly to be regretted, as his absence will preclude any discussion on the subject.

'The bills are being taken down in all directions, and lodgings are being secured on almost any terms. I have heard of fifteen shillings a week for two rooms, exclusive of coals and attendance, but I can scarcely believe it. The excitement is dreadful. I was informed this morning that the civil authorities, apprehensive of some outbreak of popular feeling, had commanded a recruiting sergeant and two corporals to be under arms; and that, with the view of not irritating the people unnecessarily by their presence, they had been requested to take up their position before daybreak in a turnpike, distant about a quarter of a mile from the town.

The vigour and promptness of these measures cannot be too highly extolled.

'Intelligence has just been brought me, that an elderly female, in a state of inebriety, has declared in the open street her intention to "do" for Mr. Slug. Some statistical returns compiled by that gentleman, relative to the consumption of raw spirituous liquors in this place, are supposed to be the cause of the wretch's animosity.

It is added that this declaration was loudly cheered by a crowd of persons who had assembled on the spot; and that one man had the boldness to designate Mr. Slug aloud by the opprobrious epithet of "Stick-in-the-mud!" It is earnestly to be hoped that now, when the moment has arrived for their interference, the magistrates will not shrink from the exercise of that power which is vested in them by the constitution of our common country.'

'HALF-PAST TEN.

'The disturbance, I am happy to inform you, has been completely quelled, and the ringleader taken into custody. She had a pail of cold water thrown over her, previous to being locked up, and expresses great contrition and uneasiness. We are all in a fever of anticipation about to-morrow; but, now that we are within a few hours of the meeting of the association, and at last enjoy the proud consciousness of having its illustrious members amongst us, Itrust and hope everything may go off peaceably. I shall send you a full report of to-morrow's proceedings by the night coach.'

'ELEVEN O'CLOCK.

'I open my letter to say that nothing whatever has occurred since Ifolded it up.'

'THURSDAY.

同类推荐
  • Dream Life and Real Life

    Dream Life and Real Life

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 花月痕

    花月痕

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 三曼陀跋陀罗菩萨经

    三曼陀跋陀罗菩萨经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 古今医鉴

    古今医鉴

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 丁香花

    丁香花

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 庚道集

    庚道集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 在这个世界相遇

    在这个世界相遇

    在顾月汐眼里,吃穿住行没有钱重要;恩怨情仇没有钱重要;道德情操也没有钱重要。容昀谦问道:“那我呢?”顾月汐面露难色,说不出个所以然来。容昀谦只好使出杀手锏,掏出现金、支票,银行卡……顾月汐双眼一亮:“当然是你重要啦!”--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 男朋友总想套路我

    男朋友总想套路我

    在遇到莫意辰之前,洛君绫生活顺遂,宠爱自己的家人,年级第一的成绩。可是在遇到莫意辰之后,怪事接二连三的发生,绑定了许久一直没有发挥作用的系统也开始了各种搞事情。莫意辰一次次的做梦,可是梦里的事却总是那么的真实,而且,在梦里,他的异能也还能用。他们的第一次见面。他说:“:“同学,走个路也能撞到大树,厉害啊!”他们的第一次共患难,那些消失在拐角处的东西到底去了哪里。他说:“别怕,我会保护你的。”
  • 遇见了你

    遇见了你

    如果遇见你是出于意外,爱上你却不再是意外。幸好我们还是遇上了,我的人生没有遗憾了……世界上有没有永不不失恋的方法?答案或者是永不恋爱。但是谁又愿意用这种方法来换取永不失恋呢?在没有爱上一个人的时候,她们可以独自勇敢地面对所有的困苦。从爱上一个人的那一刻起,就丧失了一个人生存的所有本能。
  • 没有翅膀,所以努力奔跑

    没有翅膀,所以努力奔跑

    给有梦想却没资本的年轻人的社会生存指南。毕业日即失业日,这一天我们刚刚还在温室,瞬间就被遗弃在街头,开始独自一个人面对残酷的现实。前途看不到希望,全是迷茫与彷徨,金兰都说:因为痛,所以叫青春。《没有翅膀,所以努力奔跑》的作者说:不要用痛舔舐青春。青春,就是要努力奔跑!
  • 偷王之王:神偷公主

    偷王之王:神偷公主

    【原创作者社团『未央』出品】司空星儿。偷王之王、偷遍天下无敌手的偷神司空星的弟子。一个有点迷糊,有点坏水,有点犯傻,精灵古怪的小女神偷。偷遍奇宝,爆笑江湖。一个是飘逸如仙的王爷,一个是妖娆绝美的太子,二者,纠结不休,该如何选择?一颗价值连城的夜明珠,一件旷世奇绝的天蚕缕衣,卷出惊天的身世迷案,她深陷其中,不能自拔。一个生死赌约,赢了天下,输的,却是她的心与人。大局当前,她又该如何割舍?她,竟然是偷龙转凤的皇宫公主………
  • 我的极品专属盟主

    我的极品专属盟主

    在HC学院里,有着各帮各派的武林人物,而她则是叱咤江湖、远近闻名的魔女大人!只是没想到,向来“恶名”在外的她也会有被人调戏的一天,而且接二连三的“凶徒”还是同一个人……哼!老虎不发威你以为我是KT猫呢?管你是谁,得罪了本小姐就没你好果子吃。正当魔女大人发威时,竟然发现帅气“凶徒”的身份竟然是未来武林盟主的候选人!
  • 外经微言

    外经微言

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 华严五教止观

    华严五教止观

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 我家的月光电影院

    我家的月光电影院

    “中国当代获奖儿童文学作家书系”(第一辑)终于呈献在广大读者面前,在此我们衷心感谢这些为千千万万的少年儿童辛勤耕耘的作家们,感谢他们慷慨地将自已最为精彩的篇章奉献给孩子们,让我们的孩子在阅读这些精品佳作的过程中,得以获取精神的愉悦和人生的体验!同时,我们也衷心感谢为这套书系制作了精美插图的绘画作者以及其他所有为这套书系的出版付出辛勤劳动的人!“中国当代获奖儿童文学作家书系”是一套荟萃中国当代儿童文学创作精华的大型书系,我们将陆续推出更多的名家名作,我们真诚地欢迎更多热爱儿童文学创作家与我们共同构建这一书系,我们将竭诚做好各种服务工作,在作者和读者之间架起一座沟通思想和灵魂的桥梁。