Pickwick Abroad; or, The Tour in France — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

PICKWICK ABROAD. 6% “ Oh! wery tame, Sir,” replied that gentleman: “the fact is, Sir, you might play vith him, and he vouldn’t be over dangerous.” “ How deiightful !’ ejaculated Mr. Pickwick, rubbing his hands: “ T once heard that Kean had a tame lion; but I never knew before of people keeping young tigers.” * Not at all uncommon, Sir,””? remarked Mr. Weller. ‘The on’y thing that strikes us ven talking o’ tigers, is, that them as I alludes te ain't real vons, Sir.” “Stuffed, I presume,” said Mr. Pickwick, “‘ and put into the cabri- olet as an ornament. Very picturesque, I dare say,” “ Out again, Sir,” playfully observed Mr. Weiler. “ Them tigers air on’y small boys dressed up in tights and tops, Sir.” “Ah! I see,—a name for young servants,” cried Mr. Pickwick. ‘¢ But why are they called tigers, Sam ” ‘“To frighten avay duns, Sir,” answered Mr. Weller, seriously. “Them tigers are the quietest hanimals living, Sir, as long as their mas’er’s friends calls at the ’ouse : but if so be a creditor has the on- dacity to knock at the door, them chaps springs upon ’em like vild beastesses, and scratches thetr eyes out, or does them some other cor- poral harm, vich accounts for their nicknames o’ tigers. Ven a trades- man brings in goods, they are ciwility his-self; but ven he is impru- dent enoueh to ask for his money, no selvidges is vorser than them.” « Singular,—very singular!” cried Mr. Pickwick, gliding grace- fully from his bed, and shivering from top to toe. ‘“ Cold morning, Sam,—is it not 2?” : “So cold, Sir,” responded Mr. Weller, “ that von is glad to put his hands any-vere, as the thief remarked yen he vos discovered vith his fingers in the gen’leman’s pocket.” Mr. Pickwick’s toilet was speedily completed, and he proceeded to the salon where he had dined the previous evening, and which formed a portion of the suite of apartments occupied by himself and his com- panions. Mr. Boozie and Mr. Adolphus Crashem were already wait- ing for his arrival to order breakfast, and when that meal was ar- ranged on the table, Messieurs Tupman and Winkle also made their appearance. “To-day we will devote to amusement,” said Mr. Pickwick, smil- ing benignly on the assembled party ; “‘ and to-morrow, Winkle, you and I will transact the business with which your father entrusted you.” This resolution being seconded by Mr. Crashem and supported by Mr. Boozie, was carried unanimously. “You'll rek-vire a walley, Sir,” observed Mr. Weller, who was waiting upon his masters at the break fast-table. ‘¢ Shall we, Sam 2” said Mr. Pickwick ; “and why so 2’ <?Cos I don’t know nothink of Paris,” returned that faithful domes- tic; ‘“‘and I heerd say in the servant’s room last night that there vos walleys express to conduct wisitors to the warious sights, and to speak for ’em ven vanted.”’ “ Very good, Sam,” observed Mr. Pickwick, approvingly. “ You may as well go and see the master of the hotel about it; and let us have a carriage, if we can, in half-an-hour.” “Plenty o’ wehicles to be had, Sir, I des say, in a town like this CONNIE OOOKS (E() =)