'So,' said he, after indulging in one of the last mentioned performances with so much energy as to arouse him from his abstraction, at the same time nodding his head at Rust's office, '_his_ cake being dough, our bargain's up; and here am I, Edward Kornicker, Esquire, attorney and counsellor at law, a man of profound experience, severe knowledge of the world, of great capacity in various ways, though of small means--I think I may say of d----d small means--once more in the market; for sale to the highest bidder. Such a valuable commodity is not met with every day. If any gentleman,' continued he, raising his hand and looking round at an imaginary audience, 'is extremely desirous of securing the eminent talents of one of the most prominent young men of the day--not exactly new,' added he, running his eye over his rusty coat, 'but wonderfully serviceable; no cracks, nor flaws, no pieces broken off--here is an opportunity which will not occur again. This is only a scratch on the surface,' said he, as he thrust his finger into a small hole in his coat-sleeve; 'the article itself is warranted to be perfectly sound, and of the best quality. How much is bid?--how much for the promising young man aforesaid? How much? One thousand dollars? Five hundred? Two fifty?--one?--fifty? It wont do,' said he, in a melancholy tone; 'strike him down to me. The gentleman's bought himself in; there being no demand for the article in this market, he thinks of disposing of himself to some respectable widow lady with a small family and a large purse. He may alter his mind, but that's his present intention.' Here Mr. Kornicker concluded his rather extraordinary soliloquy by plunging his hands in his pockets, and dropping into a subdued whistle; in the course of which his thoughts seemed to have taken altogether a different channel; for it was not long before he said, as if in continuance of some unuttered train of thought: 'Well, old fellow, I promised you to look after your girl, although you didn't seem much struck with the offer. But I'll stick to my promise; although, to tell the truth, I don't exactly know how to commence. But nothing will be done by sitting on this bundle. So I'll to my work at once.' He rose up hastily, and was descending the stairs when he abruptly turned back, went up to his luggage, and after eyeing it for a minute, said: