The Poacher; Or, Joseph RushbrookMarryat, Frederick
General
The Poacher; Or, Joseph Rushbrook
Marryat, Frederick
England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction; Fathers and sons -- Fiction; Murder -- Fiction; Poachers -- Fiction
Joey went out with his mind more at ease. The nature of his new
employment, should he succeed in obtaining it, he could scarcely
comprehend, but still it appeared to him one that he could accomplish.
He amused himself walking down the streets, watching the movements of
the passers-by, the watermen in their wherries, and the people on board
of the vessels which were lying off in the stream. It was a busy and
animating sight. As he was lolling at the landing-place, a boat came on
shore, which, from the description given by his young sailor friend, he
was convinced was a bumboat; it had all the articles described by him,
as well as many others, such as porter in bottles, a cask probably
containing beer; leeks, onions, and many other heterogeneous matters,
and, moreover, there was a fat woman seated in the stern.
The waterman shoved in with his boat-hook, and the wherry grounded. The
fat personage got out, and the waterman handed to her a basket, a long
book, and several other articles, which she appeared to consider
indispensable; among others, a bundle which looked like dirty linen for
the wash.
"Dear me! how shall I get up all these things?" exclaimed the woman;
"and, William, you can't leave the boat, and there's nobody here to help
me."
"I'll help you," said Joey, coming down the steps: "what shall I carry
for you?"
"Well, you are a good kind boy," replied she; "can you carry that
bundle? I'll manage all the rest."
Joey tossed the bundle on his shoulder in a moment.
"Well, you are a strong little chap," said the waterman.
"He is a very nice little fellow, and a kind one. Now, come along, and
I'll not forget you."
Joey followed with the bundle, until they arrived at a narrow door, not
eighty yards from the landing-place, and the woman asked him if he would
carry it upstairs to the first floor, which he did.
"Do you want me any more?" said Joey, setting down the bundle.
"No, dear, no; but I must give you something for your trouble. What do
you expect?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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