The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 207: what you’re looking at

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

184 REYNOLDS’ WORKS said the dame, “‘ and I’m sure I hope the money will do you as much good as if you was a Christian.” | “Please to leave it wrapped .up in the paper, ma’am,” said the Burker; “‘ it’s rayther more conwenient to carry.” ‘‘ Well, so it be,’”’ said the dame, who was disposed to be particularly loquacious. ‘‘I got the change just now in paying my weekly bill at the baker’s. And what do you think? While I was a-standing quite promiscuous-like a-talking at the counter, in comes a policeman and pitches a packet of hand-bills; and he says, says he, ‘I say, Mr. Oatcake, just distribute these amung your customers, — more partickler amung them as brings bakin’s, because it’s the poorer orders.’ ”’ “To be sure, ma’am,”’ said the Burker, growing desperately impatient. ‘‘ Beg your pardon, but I’ve got a little appint- ment with our rabbi at the sinnigog.”’ “Oh, I won’t detain you, my good man,” continued the dame. ‘‘ I was only going to say that when the policeman left the shop, Mr. Oatcake says, says he, ‘ These bills come in precious handy to wrap up half-pence.’ ”’ ‘No doubt of it, ma’am,” and the Burker, now unable to restrain his impatience any longer, snatched the hand- bill from her grasp and burst away from her. ‘‘ Well, I never did see a poor old Jew like that take such long strides before,’’ said the dame to herself, as she stood for some moments looking after the Burker. ‘‘ But poor man, he’s no doubt very particular in saying his prayers reg lar, and is pretty nigh as good as a Christian, after all.” Meanwhile the Burker was pursuing his way, and with the little hand-bill laid upon his tray, was reading its contents. : ‘‘ Here’s a pretty go! ”’ he said to himself. “‘ If the govern- ment is a man of any feelin’, he ought to be ashamed of his- self to try and bribe a fellow to turn around upon his pals.”’ At the same time it was with no very pleasurable sensa- tions that Mr. Barnes perused the hand-bill, for he saw thereby that the authorities were terribly earnest in their pursuit of him. Moreover, his thoughts speedily riveted themselves upon Jack Smedley, and he said to himself, ‘It’s high time I should hook it. The appintment with the duke can’t wery well be kept. I must show London a clean pair of heels afore I’m an hour older.” CORNICLIOOKS (E(0)