The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. pose’—And so it was, you see, Mr. Sampson,” added Jack Ketch, as he coolly stropped his razor. “But you not only witness strange coincidences, Daniel,” observed the officer: “you must likewise hear strange things. For we all know that a barber’s shop is the regular place for a good gossip. By the bye, you may as well cut my hair a little, while [have got my coat and cravat off :’— and Mr. Sampson resumed his seat. «* With much pleasure, sir,” exclaimed the Hang- man, laying down the razor and taking up the scissors. At this moment a poor costermonger entered the shop to be shaved; and Coffin summoned his junior assistant, Jack the Foundling, to operate upon the man. “You have a fine young fellow there as an ap- prentice, Daniel,’ observed the officer: “a very fine young fellow, indeed.” “He’s not an apprentice, sir—only an assistant —but he lives with me altogether,” said the Hang- man. “Jack, this is Mr. Lawrence Sampson——” “T know the gentleman well enough,” remarked the Foundling, eyeing the officer with the deepest respect. “I don’t like his profession, though: but I think him the greatest man that ever belonged to it all the same.” “JT am much obliged to you for the compliment,” said Larry, with a smile. “T’ve read the history of Jonathan Wild, the celebrated thief-taker,” continued the Foundling, as he soaped the costermonger’s face: “but he was a vulgar, common kind of thief-taker in com- parison with you, Mr. Sampson. Besides, he was a precious scoundrel a “And you mean that I am not?” observed Larry, in a mild tone of good-humour, as he per- ceived the young man had stopped short with sudden confusion and embarrassment. “Come, explain yourself—and whatever you may say, I shall not be in the least offended, I can assure you.” “Well, sir,” resumed the Founding, “I was going to observe that Jonathan Wild was a thun- dering rasca!, because he employed thieves and then turned round upon them and handed them over to justice. But you do nothing of the kind; and you follow your calling openly and straight- forward. I’m not such a fool as to believe but what such persons as yourself are necessary ; and therefore no one can blame you for being an officer. But if you was like Jonathan Wild, I should think no more of sticking a knife into you—— “Halloa! what’s that?” growled the Hangman, savagely. “ Who told you, Master Jack, to tall in that style? Tm sure I’ve brought you morally and respeetably since you first came to live with me—I had you learned to read and write, of which you was as ignorant as the cross-beam of the gibbet——” “Well, I know all that, Mr. Coffin,” interrupted the young man, hastily. “I didn’t mean any harm by what I said—and as Mr. Sampson told me to speak out plainly ——” “To be sure I did,” continued Larry. “ Don’t be angry with him, Daniel,” he observed, addressing himself to the Hangman: “he has said nothing to give me offence. What books are you most fond a ee a of reading, my lad?” he inquired, again speaking to the assistant. “ Eyerything about robbers, pirates, highyay- men, and banditti,” answered the Foundling. “1! wish you would put all your adventures, Mr. Samp- son, into a book and print it: I should be the first to buy a copy. What things you must have scen and heard!” he exclaimed, with a look of wonder and curiosity at the renowned thief-taker. “Well, [have got a curious note-book at home,” said Larry: “and I may show you a few things in it one of these days.” “Oh! thank you, sir—thank you!” exclaimed the Foundling, joyfully. ‘ When do you think you could make it convenient——” “Come, Jack,” interrupted the Hangman, “ you must not press Mr. Sampson like this. Whenever he has got a leisure day, I have no doubt he will be kind enough toa recollect his promise. But if Mr. Sampson would condescend to put his feet under my table and take a little friendly dinner with me——” “Well, we shall see about that one of these days,” observed Larry. “But I was telling you just now that I am so slack of occupation at present I was thinking of taking a trip into the country. Now, if you can spare your assistant for a couple of days, he shall come and pass them with me; and [ will endeavour to amuse him.” “ You do him avery great honour, sir,” replied the Hangman, who all along had adopted a sub- missive and respectful bearing towards the cele- brated thief-taker: and with evident satisfaction at the proposal just made, he added, “I’m snre Jack will be delighted to accept your kind invi- tation.” “Then put up your little necessaries in a bundle and come along with me at once,” said Mr. Samp- son, the eutting of whose hair was just finished. “JT shan’t be a moment, sir!” exclaimed the Foundling, his eyes beaming with joy: and haying hastily snatched off the towel from the coster- monger’s face and flung down the razor and lather- brush, he hurried up stairs to his bed room. “]’]] just tell him to put on his best clothes, sir,” | remarked the Hangman: and without waiting for a reply, he hastened after his young assistant. On reaching the lad’s chamber, Danie! Coflin found him already getting out his Sunday apparel and clean linen to put on; while a handkerchief was spread out upon the bed to receive the other articles of clothing and little necessaries which he purposed to tie up in it. “ Jack,” said the Hangman, in a tone unusually kind and conciliatory, “I’m devilish glad Larry Sampson has taken you by the hand in this way. You will want some pocket-money, my !ad—be- cause you must cut a decent figure at Larry's house; and so here’s a couple of guineas for you.” “ Thank’ee, Mr. Coflin,” returned the Foundling, as he consigned the coins to his pocket. “I shall keep my eyes and my ears well open while I'm | with Mr. Sampson.” “That's just what I want, Jack,” exclaimed the Hangman. “ You must endeavour to get as deep an insight as possible into all his dodges, and learn as much of his craft as you can.” “Oh! you needn’t fear but what I shall do that,” answered the lad, as he proceeded with his hasty toilet. eee ee ~ —_————— + COL (C HOOKS (C©)