Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/431

351 I

THE PICKWICK CLUB. 851

" It's my opinion, Sir," said Mr. Stiggins, unbuttoning his coat, and speaking very loudly ; '' it's my opinion. Sir, that this meeting is drunk, Sir. Brother Tadger, Sir," said Mr. Stiggins, suddenly in- creasing in ferocity, and turning sharp round on the little man in the drab shorts, " you are drunk. Sir." With this, Mr. Stiggins, entertain- ing a praiseworthy desire to promote the sobriety of the meeting, and to exclude therefrom all improper characters, hit brother Tadger on the summit of the nose with such unerring aim, that the drab shorts disap- peared like a flash of lightning. Brother Tadger had been knocked, head first, down the ladder.

Upon this, the women set up a loud and dismal screaming ; and rushing in small parties before their favourite brol*ners. Hung their arms round them to preserve them from danger. An instance of affec- tion, which had nearly proved fatal to Humm, who, being extremely popular, was all but suffocated by the crowd of female devotees that hung about his neck, and heaped caresses upon him ; the greater part of the lights were quickly put out, and nothing but noise and con- fusion resounded on all sides.

" Now Sammy," said Mr. Weller, taking off his great coat with much deliberation, "just you step out, and fetch in a watchman."

" And wot are you a goin* to do, the while ?" inquired Sam.

'' Never you mind me, Sammy," replied the old gentleman ; " I shall ockipy myself in havin' a small settlement with that 'ere Stiggins." And before Sam could interfere to prevent it, his heroic parent had penetrated into a remote corner of the room, and attacked the reverend Mr. Stiggins with manual dexterity.

" Come off," said Sam.

" Come on," cried Mr. Weller ; and without further invitation he gave the reverend Mr. Stiggins a preliminary tap on the head, and began dancing round him in a buoyant and cork -like manner, which in a gentleman at his time of life was a perfect marvel to behold.

Finding all remonstrances unavailing, Sam pulled his hat firmly on, threw his father's coat over his arm, and taking the old man round the waist, forcibly dragged him down the ladder, and into the street ; never releasing his hold, or permitting him to stop, until they reached the corner. As they gained it, they could hear the shouts of the populace, who were witnessing the removal of the reverend Mr. Stiggins to strong lodgings for the night, and hear the noise occasioned by the dispersion in various directions of the Members of the Brick Lane Branch of the United Grand Junction Ebenezer Temperance Association.