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least, the tone of it: for he was a quicksighted, as well as a kind-hearted man.

"I fear, sir, my articles are not such as would suit you."

Mr. Alderman Gobble stood a moment or two in consideration.

"Cannot I have a little talk with you, Mr. Snobbins ? Cannot I go in there?" pointing to the little back parlour.

Mr. Snobbins, bowing obsequiously, led the way.

The moment our friend Madge heard her husband and some important customer coming that way, she huddled together the already spread tea things, meaning to carry them out.

Mr. Alderman Gobble arrested the movement.

is

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Stop, Mrs. Snobbins.-I suppose this wife, Abel ?"

your

And Mr. Alderman Gobble regarded her intently for a moment, and was evidently pleased with his scrutiny-as who would

not, who looked at her neatly attired person, and her kind, healthy, happy face?

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Stop, Mrs. Snobbins, I am an old friend of your husband's, and, if you please, will beg a cup of tea from you."

Who now so happy and so hospitable as little Madge? who so humble, so honored, and yet so astounded, as poor Abel? He believed, and he had sufficient reason for believing, that his Worship's usual dinner time was fully an hour later than this at which he begged for tea.

There was no recourse, however, but to give it him he had it-and drank it.

But what a difference in the feelings of Abel during the short time that elapsed from the sitting down to that table and the rising from it!

Mr. Alderman Gobble made himself master of Abel's circumstances, and learnt that he had not only begun in the humblest way, but that he had been able only to stock his shop chiefly, if not entirely, with

second-rate goods. Mr, Alderman Gobble made him an advance on the spot, in cash, which enabled him to stock his shop with the best goods at the most advantageous price: and this loan was to be repaid gradually, and by perfectly easy instalments. Moreover, he gave him a handsome order for his own household; and promised, voluntarily, to speak to friends in his behalf. And this voluntary promise Mr. Alderman Gobble kept in letter and in spirit.

"Well, Madge, this has been a red-letter day, I think," said Abel, as he turned into bed that night. "And Mr. Alderman Gobble, isn't he a gentleman ?"

"A very kind-hearted man, seemingly," said Madge, as she pinned her last curl paper.

"A perfect gentleman, I think," said Abel, as he tucked himself in.

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Let every man praise the bridge he goes over,'" said Madge, as she arranged her night cap.

"And such a hopeless, wretched, bad,

day, as this had been too," said Abel, as he finally settled on his pillow.

"It is never a bad day that hath a good night,"" rejoined Madge, as she extinguished the candle and crept into bed.

CHAPTER VIII

OUR liking for Mrs. Margaret Snobbins née Hitcham, has led us to dwell too long on the details of her initiation to the dignity of housekeeping. We must hasten

on.

Mr. Alderman Gobble was as good as his word. He was a true and efficient friend to Abel; he not only gave him his own custom, and recommended him to his friends, but urged these friends to act upon his recommendation-nay, even took them

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