The Argosy, Volume XXIV — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

Gabriel’s Appointment. LF “You go and get caught prying into one of our nigger camps, and just see what they will do to you.” ‘I know, I know, sir, I deserve no favour; and if you had kicked me out at the door, I couldn’t have blamed you; but as you didn’t do it then, I can’t think’ you’ll be hard on me now.” ‘To be sure, it was a pity I didn’t, but anyone may make a mis- take ; and if it will ease your mind ? ‘‘ Don’t laugh at me, sir, unless you mean to make me laugh too. I could almost laugh to find myself sitting here, so pleasant, along with a gentleman, after the miserable time I’ve had of it, in the cold and the dark. Oh, sir, if only. you’d overlook it this time, you shall never repent being good to me. Jl make you amends; I’ll serve you faithful—I’d like nothing better than to be on your side, if you’d give me a trial.” “What do you mean? I am a servant myself.” ““T know, sir, and there’s upper and lower servants in many houses, and if you’d take me under you, I could be useful—I could, indeed. I’ve been thinking a deal about my past life when I thought I might be starved to death and nobody know it; and I see I’ve no chance of doing better if I’m left to myself—I want a master who'll hold me tight, and not let me have a drop, though I beg for it on my knees—and you're the first man I ever saw that I’d like to call my master. I know you hold good cards, and I never do.” Martin leaned his elbow on his knee, and his chin on his hand, looking the speaker steadily in the face. “What put ¢Aat into your head ?” ‘“Can’t say, sir, but I’m sure of it. And I should like to be on your side, and back your luck. I know a thing or two, sir, that you'd be glad to know too, and perhaps not care that all the world should hear*of it: and you'll find I can be a good servant, if you'll only keep that revolver between me and the drink. This coffee of yours is worth it all.” “So you say now—but to-morrow I shall have you slinking out, when my back is turned for a moment, and getting it on the sly, and then expecting me to look after you.” “Sir, if you'll give me a trial, I’ll never stir out without your leave. You may lock me in, if you like, when you go out yourself. Don’t refuse me, sir; it seems to me to-night that I’ve got a chance, and it sha’n’t be my fault if you are ever sorry you gave it me.” The man’s voice and manner were so strangely earnest, that Martin began to consider the matter. If, as seemed probable, he really knew some of the mysteries of the house, his assistance would be valuable, and his secrecy might be secured by giving him an interest in the matter. It was a new sensation, moreover, to be approached as a master in this suppliant guise ; and the imploring petition, to be saved: from himself, moved the young man the more from what he had learned in St. Edmund’s district. It was the wail that David VOL. XXIV. Cc comicbooks.com