The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 162: what you’re looking at

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

‘THE sTEAM PACKET. 121 - The moment Mr. Nagle’s eye fell upon the dainties thus’ hospitably displayed, it dilated to the diameter. of a glass globe, the frequent tenant of a druggist’s window. . It seemed lighted up by a preternatu- ral gas-burner, and emitted the transparent glare of a crimson medium. His steps were immediately bent (for he was lame) to the head of the table; and in a few moments the guests were engaged in discuss- ing the good things of their generous host. : Little was said during supper; but afterwards the conversation be- came general. So did the hot punch ;—and Mr. Pifpaf partook of it with such freedom, that the two candles soon appeared to be four, and | the one eye of his entertainer was augmented into two. “‘ Well, Pifpaf, how do you get on, my fine fellow 2?”’ demanded Mr. Dakins, who sate next to the Shaiuaan of the Luminaries. ** Pretty well, thank ’ee,’’ answered Mr. Pifpaf. ‘‘ But who is that gentleman sitting opposite to me with the black coat?” | ‘“‘ He?” exclaimed Mr. Dakins; * what! don’t you know who he is? He’s a celebrated painter.’’ “What of?” demanded Mr. Pifpaf; ‘‘ portraits 2” s§ No—posts,” replied Mr. Dakins, aloud; and a roar of laughter ensued. Mr. Pifpaf said no more, and made up in drinking what me omitted in talking. At length he became aware of a disturbance in the room, but of what nature he could not quite distinguish. In a short time, however, he was thrown from his chair; and some one began to pull at his head, and another at his tail. What immediately occurred afterwards he has never been able satisfactorily to explain; for when consciousness next returned to him, he was lying under a dead-wall, with his hat dashed over his eyes. As soon as he had removed the inconvenient beaver, he perceived that it was the hour of sun-rise; and, raising himself to a sitting posture, he began to reflect upon the . probable causes which had brought him into his present predica- ment. At length, like the pictures appearing out of the mists in the dissolving views, and then gradually yielding to fresh scenes one after another, did the incidents of the preceding night gradually dawn upon his memory; and circumstance slowly succeeded circumstance, from the meeting of Mr. Dakins at the theatre to the scuffle in Mr. Nagle’s dwelling. Mr. Pifpaf instinctively put his hand upon his watch- pocket, and ascertained that his repeater was gone; a second investi- gation gave him the same pleasing certitude with respect to his purse ;—and his silk handkerchief and ring had also disappeared— doubtless to keep the rest of his possessions company. Obeying a first and most natural impulse under such circumstances, Gomichbooks (E(0)