Page:Three stories by Vítězslav Hálek (1886).pdf/239

 whispered something to their chief, whom the affair had compromised, and in five minutes Bartos business was transacted. It is to be understood that now none of the clerks were forthcoming, and if they had come it would have been just the same.

If some of my readers think these answers and sayings of Bartos somewhat rough, and boorish, I cannot help it. But still I say that he only paid folks in their own coin, and that he only paid them out in this manner when they as good as braved him to do so. But if the brutalities and all the insulting expressions were noted down, which in previous times (every one knows how long ago I mean) the officials permitted themselves to use towards the people, a pretty large volume might be compiled. Also it came to pass sometimes that the neighbours grumbled in the presence of Bartos about the brutal behaviour of the officials. “It is a curious thing,” said Bartos, “I have had no fault to find with them now for a long time.”

Once he came to an office and the official was smoking. Bartos also drew out a well filled pipe and lighted it. “Do you think you are in the servants’ hall?” objected the official. “Yes,” answered Bartos, “here is smoke as if from a lot of stable boys,” and they passed it over.

In other respects Bartos was, as we have said, intrinsically good hearted, and even not without humour. About a hundred paces from the burial