Page:Iron shroud, or, Italian revenge (3).pdf/24

24 I was driving from your stable to the gate, I met a fellow driving a sand-cart, drawn by these two fine Arabian ponies, and knowing you to be fond of good cattle, I gave your horses for these two fine creatures ; they draw well, and are ornaments to your carriage ; only observe what fine ears they have got?’ ‘D—n their ears and ornaments too,’ says the squire : ‘ why, the fellow’s mad! ’ ‘ What!’ cries Thomas, ‘do you grumble?’ ‘Grumble,’ quoth ‘the ’squire, ‘why, I think it is high time to grumble: the next thing, I suppose, my carriage is to be given away for a sand-cart!’ On Thomas procuring the horses again, he paid him his wages and forfeit-money, being heartily tired with the oddity of his whims, and declared that Thomas, the London coachman, was the drollest dog he ever met with.

FINIS.