"I don't see that," said the chairman, "at all. He has done very clever; but he has only done his dooty, after all, like we are doing ours; and I don't think we ought to spend shareholders' money in compliments to men for just doing their dooty." I heard this remark with not very comfortable feelings, but did not say any thing. The gentleman who had proposed the testimonial said that he could hardly agree with their worthy chairman in all he had said; and another member of the board said something to the same effect. The chairman now seemed to think he was a little in the wrong, and to treat these remarks as a rebuke. He appeared to think he was bound to recognise my services by what, I dare say, he imagined a little act of personal generosity. Again talking at me, he said, "Well, well! do not let us waste time about this; we cannot spend the money of the company, that I am certain about. I will make this gentleman a present myself." Then turning to me, he proceeded, "Here, my man; you have heard what has been said by the board. I will make you a present of half-a-sovereign out of my own pocket." This marvellous act of generosity I confess quite overpowered my self-control. I could not help a passing desire to insult the old man. For the life of me, I could not smother that resolution; so, taking the half-sovereign between my fingers, I said to him, "Well, you see, sir, I agree with you. When a man has done his duty, and especially when he has been paid for it, he should not want any thing else. I don't want any thing else. Your company has paid me 310_l._ 14_s._, which amount will quite remunerate me; and if you have no objection, sir, as I have no doubt you have got some poor relations, perhaps you will hand one of them this half-sovereign, with my compliments." I did not wait to notice the effect of this retort upon the pursy magnate; but laying down the coin on the middle of the table, I simply and hastily said, "Good morning, sir,--good morning, gentlemen," and quitted the palatial structure which contained the head-quarters of the Triumph of Meanness Assurance Company. A RAILWAY ACCIDENT?