Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 155: what you’re looking at

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

i £ ’ ’ @ . «You. see 1 to delight in alliterations, sir,” remarked Mr. Pickwick, with a smile of satisfaction atthe word he had used, “T) dont, sir,” returned Mr. Wegsworth Muffley, in a most mysterious tone: “ but the publishers do. That is why I called ad - “PICKWICK ABROAD. “He must ha’ been a wery oreat,man, he /must,” observed Mr. Weller:.“ a out-an’. | outer, an’ no mistake, I dessay.” » : “Sam,” said Mr. Pickwick. | “ Sir,” cried Mr. Weller. $y “You may do as little boys are desired my first novel Pranks in Pentonville, and | to do,” rejoined his master. my second Incidents at Islington.” “ Wot’s that, Sir? come in at dessert ?” “ Dinner time’s approachin’ sir,” said Mr. | said Sam. Weller in a whisper to his master; “ an’ if so be your appetite ain’t qvite ass-vaged vith | the gammon o’ that there feller, perhaps you'd like for,to try another kind o’ bacon at home. Change is good for the health, sir, - an the judge said when he recommended transportation to the young gen’leman vich > - wrote the wrong name on a bill-stamp.” “ Perhaps, Mr.—,” began Mr. Pickwick— | “ Wegsworth Muffley,” said Mr. Chitty. “Mr. Wegsworth Muffley will honor us with his company,” added Mr. Pickwick. “We have spoilt your walk this afternoon ; but our way home lies along the quays, | ”? and ) * “Say no more, my dear sir,” interrupted the illustrious author: “I and my friend Chitty will accept your kind invitation with | pleasure. It will not interfere with my | | did not see them. visit to the ladies in the evening.” “We must have dined somewhere—ali- quid ub,” observed Mr. Septimus Chitty ; “and can as well dine with you: indeed it will suit me much better.” Mr. Weller muttered a remark, about his not doubting the truth of Mr. Chitty’s asser- tion; and the four gentlemen attended by that faithful valet, strolled leisurely towards the Rue Royale, where they found Mr. Win- kle, Mr. Snodgrass, and the dinner, all three ready to receive them. 7 “JT should think you must find travelling very agreeable,” said Mr. Snodgrass to Mr. Mufiley, whose remaining optic sparkled with the exhilirating influence of the cham- acne. | “Oh! nothing is more pleasant, I can as- sure you,” returned Mr. Muffley, “and yet T am the first traveller in our family. My father was a very brave man—” . “ Was he, indeed?” cried Mr. Snodgrass. “Oh! very,” continued Mr. Wegsworth Muffley: “he had two horses dropt down under him on one occasion.” “Where—in battle?? demanded Mr. Pickwick. “ No—in the riding-school,” replied Mr. | “But that was nothing to my Mufiley: “for I killed him in the course oi a few days.” Muffley. great-vrandfather by my mother’s side.” “No,” answered his master: “hear, see, and say nothing,” Ys “As I was observing,” continued Mr. Wegsworth Muffley, “my great grandfather was a brave man also, of two hundred and odd scars upon his body.” “Where did he get them?” asked Mr. He had upwards. Snodgrass: “in battle, I suppose. Only - fancy two hundred and odd scars! and all caused by a sword or bayonet !” “No they weren’t” said Mr. Muffley. “By what, then?’ demanded Mr. Tup- man. } -“By leeches,” answered Mr. Muffley “But all our family were noted for their bravery. I myself carry about with me the proofs of my valor.” “Ah!” said Mr. Pickwick, who probably “Yes—my visage bears testimony to my gallantry,” continued Mr. Wegsworth Mutt ley, pointing to the black patch over his right eye, a movement which Mr. Winkle surveyed with the greatest respect. ~ © Venit fortis—he comes it strong,” whis- pered Mr. Chitty, to Mr. Pickwick: “ but he’s a splendid fellow, I can assure you.” “TI lost this eye in a very peculiar way,” said Mr. Muffley. “ Your antagonist was a German, was he not?” demanded Mr. Septimus Chitty. “He was,” replied Mr, Muffley. “A duel, I presume, sir?” said Mr. Pick- wick. “ A contest in a certain way,” explained Mr. Wegsworth Muffley. The fact is, we made a ~ to who could eat the most. I won the wager; and in the height of his ‘anger, the German seized a hard egg, and threw it at me with such force, that he knocked my right eye clean out of its socket. I was in such a fury, that if I had not been held back I should have fallen un- der the table.” | “ G—d bless me!” ejaculated Mr. Pickwick. : “But I had my revenge,” proceeded Mr. » « 6 Go LOOKS (C©)