Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 170: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ee Ne nett east eaten aS A 172 In an instant he was up, cursing and swear- ing at the animal at a furious rate. “Dear, dear,” said Jack, “the man must be drunk, and I shall be very glad when I can get away from his vehicle.”’ “No, sir, I’m not drunk,” cried the man; “the horse started, and threw me off; but I'll give his hide something for it.” And so saying, he scrambled up and took a seat beside our hero, who had dropped the reins. Then the man gathered them up in one hand, and stretched forth the other for the whip. As he was about to seize it, he recollected that he had lost his hat in the water. ‘“< T’ve lost my hat,’’ he said. “Well, it is too dark to think of finding it,” ‘‘Then I won’t do that, if I can help it,” said the man. ‘‘ Do you know where we are, sir?”’ ‘“‘T’ve not the least idea.” ‘‘Haven’t you?” said the man, in a disap- pointed tone of voice. “No. I should say we must be somewhere near Kensal-green, but I don’t know.” ‘“ Kensal-green!” said the man. Curse Ken- sal-green! Gee up—goon, you old warmint,” he added. ‘* Give me the whip, sir, and [ll iearn the beggar here to run away, I will.” ‘Do not hurt the animal. It is you who are to blame, not him, and if either has cause to com- plain it is the horse. There, Ill take care of the whip ; you look to the reins, and get us out of this as quick as you can.” “He didn’t back into this place, that’s certain, so the best way will be to back out, and then turn round. Didn’t you notice which way he came, sir?” — ‘©T was too much alarmed,” said Jack. “‘ Well, I suppose you was, for I know I didn’t like it. Howsomdever, sir, I’m wery sorry, and I hope as you won’t be wexed at what I couldn’t help. Wey back—wey back, will you.” And pulling the reins with all his might, the driver forced the animal to walk backwards out of the pond, and, &s the bank was a gentle slope, it proved no arduous task to the horse, who soon stood on the grass. “Turn round,” said Jack, “I think I know where we are. Oh! yes; I recognise this place, now. Do you see yon white building ?” “Over there, sir?” | ON OSs), | ** Well, make for that, and you will find your- self in the Harrow-road. In my confusion, I did not think what place it was, but I know now. As soon as we get to that white house, I'll take my leave of you, and if you don't want a cold, I’d advise you to get home quickly to bed. Hillo! what’sthat ? Ill get down and see. You look to the horse. Il see what it is that’s knocking at the back of the coach,” Jack quietly dismounted from the box, and taking a knife from his pocket, severed the string which secured to the vehicle the portion of the coffee-stall, and then again sprang up be- hind the driver. “ What was it, sir?” “Some one had tied a large piece of wood be- hind the coach.” SPRING-HEEL’D JACK: THE TERROR OF LONDON. De Pp replied Jack, ‘‘ unless you intend to stop here till daylight.” “Blow ’em,” said the man; “and I dare swear that’s what frightened the horse, and made him run. He never did so before, sir. It’s a shame, People don’t know what harm they might do by such larks.” “Tt’s too bad to play pranks,” said Jack. ‘There, youll find a bank-note in your coat- pocket to recompense you for your time and assistance, and, as I have no need to ride any further, I’ll bid you good-night.” And Jack sprang from the box to the road, while the man thrust his hand eagerly into his poses to discover whether or not he had been sold. CHAPTER LX, ISAAC'S WIFE VISITS THE WORKHOUSE, AND ISAAC LEAVES IT COMPLETELY CURED. Mrs. Racuet Levy had passed a sleepless night in the room over the shop of the ready-made clothier. The lady, who, by the way, had once been a beauty, like most of the female portion of her tribe, had lost all the loveliness which had charmed the heart of her Israelite spouse in years gone by, and was now far from good- looking. Still, if her husband honoured her not for her beauty, he did for her thriftiness and business qualities, for Mrs. Levy was second only to her lord and master in driving a hard bargain. No one was ever known to purchase any arti- cle from that lady at it’s fair value. She looked upon the Gentile race as only fit to be made a mark of, and never failed, by plausible and false assurances, in obtaining considerably more for her wares than any Christian tradesman with a mercenary soul would have presumed to ask. And, as to fitting a customer with any article — of apparel, she was a perfect adept in the art; she could pinch a coat in at the back, and swear that she never saw such a beautiful fit, and that the garment could never have been made for any one else, whilst a man of twice the size could have leaped into it with ease : and so persuasive was her manner, that she never failed to secure a customer once she had looked in his or her face. No wonder, then, that Mr. Levy was very fond ~ of his wife ; and this affection was returned. So, when Mr. Levy did not return, and Mrs. Levy put upthe shutters and put out the lights, the old lady began to feel very uneasy ; then nervous, then alarmed, and finally went supper- less up to bed, wondering whatever could have become of her husband, and listening anxiously for any sound that might indicate his return. One—two—three o'clock came, but no Mr. Levy. Four—five ! and the old lady laeped out of bed, and paced the room with quick and un- even strides. is Six’was struck by Whitechapel church, and Mrs. Levy, with trembling hands, commenced to robe herself, and in a quarter of an hour, with pale cheeks and quivering lips, she opened the shop door and look out into the street. But no Mr. Levy did she see, and so she sat down on a heap of clothing in the shop, and burst into tears. Nine o'clock! and nothing but the front door. . ro)