The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 399: what you’re looking at

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

312 THE STEAM PACKET. the bridegroom’s revered and affectionate grandmother. We have been able to ascertain that Sir William Staunton has already settled two thou- sand a year upon his nephew, Captain Pentonville; but as the old gentle- man enjoys excellent health, many years may still elapse ere the cap- tain will inherit the remainder of his large property and his title. It appears that shortly after the celebration of the above marriages, the affairs of Lord Noodleton became somewhat deranged, and Did- dleham Hall was actually in danger of being brought to the hammer. At this crisis his lordship found a sincere friend in Mr. Pifpaf, who generously advanced him a considerable sum of money to retrieve his affairs. ‘The earl was so deeply touched by this act of disinterested kindness, that he offered his hand to the fair Belinda, who had, in- deed, already possessed his heart; and, after all, she became Lady Noodleton, of Diddleham Hall, Notown. Mr. Thomas Gibbins continues in the service of Captain Penton- ville, to whom he is deeply attached. It was but a few months ago that he took unto his pectoral department—or, in other words, unto his bosom—the fair Jane Thompson as his lawfully wedded wife,—a cir- cumstance which compelled the proprietor of the White Hart at Mar- gate to look out for another chambermaid, but which, at the same time, gave a faithful female attendant to Mrs. Pentonville. ) Mr. Pifpaf is still the Chairman of the Luminaries; and the Lumi- naries are still as intelligent as they ever were, or as the reader has al- ready found them tobe. It must be observed that upon no occasion of returning thanks ‘‘for the honour done him by drinking his health!” has Mr, Pifpaf ever forgotten to allude to his distinguished son-in-law, the Earl of Noodleton, This nobleman has, however, never done the Musical Bee the honour of attending at any of the intellectual soz- 7ées held within its walls; and we have some reason to believe that he has prevailed upon Mr. Pifpaf to resign the presidential seat at the commencement of the year 1844,—a report to which we are inclined to attach belief, inasmuch as Mrs. Pifpaf has lately been very busy in superintending the furnishing of a new house at the west end of the town. | Since writing the above, the Editor of these authentic memoirs has - received a letter from Captain Pentonville, enabling him to add some details which may not prove uninteresting, evenif they be deemed of no importance. It seems that a few days ago the captain, who lives in a beautiful little cottage at Brompton, had occasion to go into the - City in a great hurry; and as no cab was to be obtained on the nearest stand, he hailed an omnibus which was passing at the moment near his door. The cad, whose countenance was concealed, up to the nose, ‘. Gomichooks:.co 1 ’ ee oe ie