Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 62, Jan 13, 1872Various
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 62, Jan 13, 1872
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
TOMMY and HARRY were not, however, of his mind upon this point, and
insisted upon stopping to see the _Clown_. They were somewhat
disappointed with the Pantomime, but professed themselves prodigiously
delighted with MR. LLOYD'S scenery.
On coming out, an obliging official handed to them their overcoats,
wrappers, and hats. TOMMY'S little heart was much affected by this
kindly attention; so, pulling out his purse, he poured its contents
(four bright new farthings and three peppermint lozenges) into the
honest fellow's hand, saying, "Here, my good man, take this, and Heaven
bless you!" It is impossible to express the surprise of the poor man at
the sight. He stared wildly round him, and would have fallen but for the
tender support of his assistant, who imagined that his companion had
lost his senses. But the man cried out, "O, WILLIAM, I am not mad! See
what Providence has sent us by the hands of this little angel!" Saying
this, he held up the money and the lozenges. But TOMMY went up to them
both, and said, "My good friends, you are very welcome to this: I freely
give it to you. Spend the money soberly; and, for the lozenges, give
them to your children, if you have any, or suck them yourselves in your
leisure moments." Before the entranced officials, who were totally
unaccustomed to receive such benefactions, could dry their tears, TOMMY
was out of sight, having followed MR. BARLOW and HARRY to the door.
* * *
MR. BARLOW now took MASTER TOMMY and HARRY to EVANS'S Supper Rooms, to
enter which place they had to pay a shilling apiece. This troubled their
worthy preceptor, who, indeed, was painfully struck, as he informed his
young friends, by the altered aspect of the interior. MR. BARLOW
explained to them that in _his_ time the room was snug, cosy, and
comfortable, and only one quarter of its present size. That _then_ there
were neither carpet nor tavern-like mirrors. "True," said MR. BARLOW,
"that all that was objectionable in the entertainment of former days has
long ere this disappeared, and now I see there is a gallery where the
"opposite sex," in very private boxes, can, like fairy sprites, sit
invisible, and listen to mortal melody. In the old time," continued MR.
BARLOW, "you were welcomed by the Proprietor as a personal friend, who
would call JOHN to get the hot chop or kidneys for you at once, and give
the order himself, returning to see if you were comfortably served. Then
the waiters flew, and to command was to have. Now, TOMMY, observe I have
spoken to these waiters, and have ordered my supper more than twenty
minutes since, and it has not appeared. See MR. GREEN himself" (the
veteran here came up, and having affectionately greeted his dear boys,
MASTERS SANDFORD and MERTON, wandered away to another part of the room),
"he is no longer Proprietor; he is only nominally in authority, his
occupation is, in effect, gone; he is the only connecting link between
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