The String of Pearls; or, The Barber of Fleet Street — page 319: what you’re looking at

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

| | time, and if I consent to be your master, a—a—a—— weengucs sama 2s aii — iz THE STRING OF PEARLS. 31h mament he is sent of an errand, with open mouth, proclaiming this and that has happened inthe shop. I will have him,” He darted to the door, _*6 Hoil—hoi!”’ Johanna turned round, and came back in a minute. bait at last. She got close to the door. ‘* Upon consideration,” said Todd, “I willspeak to you again. and see what the time is by St. Dunstan’s Church.’’ *“St.—St. who?” said Johanna, looking around her with a bewildered, confused sort of air. “St. who?” oo ** St. Dunstan’s, in Flect Street.” “* Fleet Street ? If you will direct me, sir, I dare say I shall find it—oh, yes. I am good at finding places.” “‘ He zs strange in London,” muttered Todd. “I am satisfied of that. strange. Come in—come in, and chut the door after you.” With a heart beating with violence, that was positively fearful, Johanna followed Todd into the shop, carefully closing the door behind her, as she had been ordered to do. ‘Now,’ said Todd, ‘“‘nothing in the world but my consideration for your orphan and desolate condition, could possibly induce me to think of taking you in; but the fact is, being an orphan myself—(here Todd made a_ hideous grimace)——I say, being an orphan myself, with little to distress me amid the oceans and quicksands of this wicked world, some very strong sense of re- ligion—(another hideous grimace)—TI naturally feel for you.”’ *“ Thank you, sir.” *¢ Are you decidedly pious ?” «‘T hope so, sir.” “Humph! Well, we will say more upon that all-important subject another Fa Todd had caught at the But just run He is a ‘‘ Charley Green, sir.” “Ay, Chariey Green. If I consent to take you for a week upon trial, you must wholly attribute it to my feelings.” ‘* Certainly, sir.”’ ‘* Have you any idea yourself as to terms ?” ‘© None in the least, sir.” «Very good. Then you will not be disappointed. I shall give you sixpence a week, and your board wages of threepence a day, besides perquisites. The | threepence I advise you to spend ia three penny pies, at Mrs. Lovett’s, in Bell Yard. They are the most nutritious and appetizing things you can buy; and |] in the Temple you will find an excellent pump, so that the half hour you will be | allowed for dinner will be admirably consumed in your walk to the pie shop, | and from thence to the pump, and then home here again.” ‘* Yes, sir.” | ‘‘ You will sleep under the counter, here, of a night, and the perquisites [ mention will consist of the use of the pewter wash-hand basin, the soap, and the | end of a tawel.’’ <<'Yes, sir.” | **'You will hear and see much in this place. Perhaps now and then you will be surprised at something; but—but, master Charley, if you go and gossip | about me or my affairs, or what you see, or what you hear, or what you think ou would like to see or hear, Pll cut your throat!” “ Charley started.’’ | “Oh! sir,” he said, “you may rely upon me. I will be quite discreet. || Iam a fortunate lad to getso soon into the employment of such an exemplary master.’ ) ‘oneal. : Todd, for a space of two minutes made the most hideous and extraordinary if grimaces. | comicbooks.com ne bead eA IPO a ra ae ng AO A eS ce A ACO ITS