Grabguy's signature.
Mr. Benson smiles in reply, and adjusts the very stiffly starched
corners of his ponderous shirt collar, which he desires to keep well
closed around his chin. "An honourable man, that's true, sir, can't
live honestly by the law, now-a-days," he concludes, with measured
sedateness. He will now get his bill-book, in which to make a record
of the piece of paper taken in exchange for the human 'imp.'
"Clap your name across the face!" demands Graspum; and Grabguy
seizes a pen, and quickly consummates the bargain by inscribing his
name, passing it to Mr. Benson, and, in return, receiving the bill
of sale, which he places in his breast pocket. He will not trouble
Mr. Benson any further; but, if he will supply a small piece of
paper, Mr. Grabguy will very kindly give the imp an order, and send
him to his workshop.
"Will the gentleman be kind enough to help himself," says Mr.
Benson, passing a quire upon the table at which Mr. Grabguy sits.
"I'll trim that chap into a first-rate mechanic," says Mr. Grabguy,
as he writes,--"I have bought the bearer, Nicholas, a promising chap,
as you will see. Take him into the shop and set him at something, if
it is only turning the grindstone; as I hav'nt made up my mind
exactly about what branch to set him at. He's got temper-you'll see
that in a minute, and will want some breakin in, if I don't calklate
'rong." This Mr. Grabguy envelopes, and directs to his master
mechanic. When all things are arranged to his satisfaction, Nicholas
is again brought into his presence, receives an admonition, is told
what he may expect if he displays his bad temper, is presented with
the note, and despatched, with sundry directions, to seek his way
alone, to his late purchaser's workshop.
Pages:
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586