Mr. H. and the Steward.
Mr. H.Ha! Steward,how are you,my old boy? How dthings gon at home?
Steward. Bad enough,your honor;the magpie’s dead.
H.Poor Mag! She‘s gone. How came he tdie?
S. Overeat himself,sir.
H.Did he? A greedy dog;why,what did he get he liked swell?
S. Horseflesh,sir;he died of eating horseflesh,H. How came he tget smuch horseflesh?
S.All your father’s horses,sir.
H.What! are they dead,too?
S. Ay,sir;they died of overwork.
H. And why were they overworked,pray?
S. Tcarry water,sir.
H. Tcarry water! and what were they carrying water for?
S. Sure,sir,tput out the fire.
H. Fire! what fire?
S.O,sir,your father‘s house is burned tthe ground.
H.My father’s house burned down! and how came it set on fire?
S.I think,sir,it must have been the torches.
H.Torches! what torches?
S.At your mother‘s funeral.
H.My mother dead!
S. Ah,poor lady! she never looked up,after it.
H.After what it.
S. The loss of your father.
H.My father gone,too?
S.Yes,poor gentleman! he took this bed as soon as he heard ofH.Heard of what?
S. The bad news,sir,and please your honor.
H. What! more miseries! more bad news!
S.Yes,sir;your bank has failed,and your credit is lost,and youare not worth a shilling in the world. I made bold,sir,twait on you about it,for I thought you would like thear the news.