Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 80: what you’re looking at

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70 Mr. Tupman sank upon a chair, and would nave given way to the wildest expressions of his grief, had not the fair Anastasie has- tened to console him. “Never mind, old fellow!” cried Mr. Crashem ; “I have been in many a worse storm than this; and have not failed to weather them every one. At six o’clock this morning was I up’—he had not been to bed at all—“ and already have I concert- ed an excellent scheme by which we. may realize three or four hundred francs, just to take us on to Dover, where I can get any money I like from the governor of the Castle, who is an intimate friend of mine. [once stayed with him for three months; and he was so fond of me, Inever could get ef his sight.” Such indeed was the fact ; for Mr. Crash- em’s creditors had certainly consigned him on a specific occasion to the custody and for the time now mentioned. Mr. Tup- man’s drooping spirits revived a little’ at the assurances of his friend, and he re- quested to be made acquainted with the excellent scheme already concocted for the purpose cf raising supplies for immediate use. . “Tt’s all cut and dried, my dear fellow,” answered Mr. Crashem ; “I have arranged every thing myself. The fact is, there’s an English company of itinerant actors in this town—they are making a little tour in the north of France—and understanding that they couldn't very well get up a pan- tomime for want of skilful people, I have engaged myself as Harlequin, Mademoi- selle as Columbine, and yourself as Panta- loon | | “Nonsénse !” cried Mr. Tracy Tupman, in mingled astonishment and indignation. “Fact,” said Mr. Crashem, with the most imperturbable coolness. , “But I never was a Pantaloon in all my life,” ejaculated the late influential member Sof the Pickwick Club. “Nothing more easy,’ rejomed Mr Crashem. “Tl take care to tumble you about. humor, and youll make an excellent Pan- taloon. I gave my name as Thespis, and your’s as Buskin ; and very classic titles the are. But I see you-+think I’m joking,” ad- ded Mr. Crashem, after a momentary pause, during which he surveyed, with ill-sup- pressed laughter, the ludicrously-miserable countenance and tragi-comic deportment of Mr. Tupman. Only follow the impulse of my PICKWICK ABROAD. “T really do,” said that gentleman, scarce ly knowing whether. to irascibility or his mirth. Pi, a “Oh you do—do you ?” cried Mr. Crash-" em ; “ well—I’ll devilish soon convince you to the contrary; for here's the very prologue you, as Buskin, are to address to the audi- ence—and it was given to me by Mr Dowton, junior, for you to study by thig evening.” , | And to the unspeakable dismay ef Mr. Tupman, Mr. Adolphus Crashem mani- fested his sincerity by drawing a paper from his pocket, and reading the following words :— PROLOGUE TO BE SPOKEN BY BUSKIN. ° Ladies and gentlemen, I come | In propria-persona— | Announe’d by trumpet and by drum, With Thespis as my croney. He as a Harlequin appears, : And I shall be full soon Converted by the wand he rears Into a Pantaloon. As Columbine a lady gay _ Upon the stage will caper, And in the merry dance display An ankle thin and taper. The orchestra, to please your ears, Shall play a merry tune, , While in his drollery appears . Your humble Pantaloon. Boxes—return another night, If well our wit you savor ;— Pit—should our frolics yield delight, T beg the self-same favor. | Gall’ry—with orange-peels dispense,— And come to see us soon :— Wherevis th’ amusement or the sense To pelt the Pantaloon. “ Well,” cried Mr. Crashem, in a tone of the most supreme delight, as he laid aside the paper on which this precious Prologue was written,—“ and what do you think of that for a go of poetry 2” “Are there no other means of raising money ?” inquired the wretched Mr. Tup- man. | “None,” said Mr. Crashem, striking the table with his clenched fist ; “so let’s break- fast, and then study our parts. got to do is to learn a few antics. I sup- pose you can stand upon your head ata inch ?” | Had not the fair Anastasie interfered at this’ crisis, Mr. Tupman would certainly have adopted some desperate measure to rid himself of the Prologue. and of Mr. 4 | Adolphus Crashem at one and the same give vent te his. All you’ve as GOMIIGIOOKS (EO)