The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 114: what you’re looking at

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

‘ THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 101 if not actually repulsive, in her house to a lodger, could possibly warrant. In- deed, John Smedley did not appear to be over- gold-beater to chapel: but they were not by any means so regular in their attendance as he himself was. _ The ill-favoured man whom we introduced at terrible chastisement on whomsoever he might | him. regard as giving him offence. and dungeon-like a place as the scullery, where there was no grate, and consequently no fire—and this too being the cold winter season. But they had business of a particular nature to discuss, and & particular visitor to receive. They did not there- fore choose to sit in the parlour, lest passers-by should peep in through the crevices of the shut- ters,.or stand to listen to what was being said; and as there was an iron grating over the front kitchen window, down which anybody might look if lights were burning there, they had similar floor, which served as John Smedley’s worksbop when he had any work to do: but then there was the fear of the lodger overhearing anything that was said—and thus was it that the scullery served as the most convenient part of the house for the was Will soon transpire: but the reader has alread seen that Barney the Burker was the visitor who was expected. ‘He made his appearance with the air of one who was no on the contrary, was on ex- good terms with the gold-beater and the two women. Just nodding familiarly to them all three, he took a seat—dropped his club on one side, and his cap on the other—and then to help himself to a stiff glaes of gin-and-water. “Well, this is a night for blue ruin, hot end strong,” he said, grinning sq as to display his ; | shark-like teeth, and speaking in a voice that was habitual of hoarseness. “It’s uncommon cold— and I wonder you ain’t quaking all over with the shivers in this here well of a “You see, my good fellow,” replied Smedley, that it answers very well as council-room—— = Come, let’s to business,” interrupted Mrs. Smedicy sharply, as she bent a peremptory look upon her husband to silence him: for he was fond of talking, but she was noé fond of listening to “ My dear Bab, don’t be so fast upon one,” re- joined Smedley, in a deprecating manner: and here we may observe that his wife’s name was Barbers, for which Bab waa wed as a diminu- tive. “Well, what’s in the wind nowf” asked the Burker. “I got your message, Jack,” he con- tinued, thus addressing Smedley, “which you sent by Tim Scott this arternoon——”’ “ Ah, Tim Scott is a sharp lad!” interjected the old woman; “and‘I think he’s indebted to you, Barney, for his edication.” “Well, ma’am,” replied the Burker, “I certainly have done summut in that way for Tim Scott. But :| he don’t come up to his big brother Bill in artful. ness—not by no manner of means, Howsomever, he'll get on in time; and then let me tell yer there won't be two such rare fellers in all London as them Scotte—chaps arter my own heart !” “To be sure,” said Mrs, Smedley, with an ap- ing look. © dosen air of logs too, to run’ erey from them blue-bottle rascals, or the mncaking detectives, when there’s a hue and cry arter him. I tell yer what it is,—them as has the power is making the woe (SOL (C DOO <Sr Col