AN OXFORD-STREET REMINISCENCE. 



SOME few years ago, a shabby looking gentleman, carrying in his 

 hand a fiddle, enclosed in a green bag, entered the shop of an eminent 

 hosier in Oxford-street. 



" I want," said he, addressing himself to the obsequious man of 

 hose, " a pair of silk stockings." 



cf Here are a dozen pair," replied the shopkeeper, " of such a qua- 

 lity as no other house in London can offer. They are cheaper than 

 dirt, and more durable than iron, and when they are worn out, they 

 will cut down into capital socks ; but that will not be for many years." 



"Excellent qualities!" replied the shabby gentleman, with the 

 fiddle ; " but what is the price ?" 



" A trifle," returned the seller ; " only twelve shillings a pair/' 



" Then put up one pair for me," said he of the green bag, t{ and 

 I'll pay for them." At the same moment his right hand dived into 

 the extreme recesses of his breeches pocket, as though he were endea- 

 vouring to select something underneath. He was not successful. 



" Gracious Heavens ! " cried he, " I have either lost my purse, or 

 left it at home, and I know not how I can possibly do without the 

 stockings ; for you must understand, that I am going to play at a 

 celebrated concert to-night, and must have them to wear." 



" Well, sir," replied the hosier, " that shall not trouble you ; we'll 

 send them to your house." 



ff Unfortunately," whimpered the man of sweet sounds, screwing 

 up his features to the dimension of a dried codling, " I am not going 

 home ; but I will, by your kind permission, leave my fiddle as a 

 security for the twelve shillings, only requesting that you be careful 

 of it, and hang it up (for it is a valuable instrument), on that nail, 

 which I see disengaged over the chimney of your back parlour." ' , 



" With all my heart," replied the hosier ; and immediately con- 

 ducted the musician into the parlour, where he hung up the fiddle, 

 and having received the stockings, left the shop. 



About two days after this event, a person entered the shop, and 

 bought two or three trifling articles. Being suddenly seized with a 

 spasmodic indisposition of stomach, he requested permission to re- 

 cover himself in an arm-chair of the parlour. The hosier's humanity 

 and civility were equal to his industry. He attended his customer 

 with much assiduity, and by help of a little brandy, rubbing, and 

 chafing, restored the gentleman. As soon as he was well, he began 

 to look about the room ; to admire the pictures ; to compliment the 

 hosier on his taste, when his eyes rested on the fiddle. 



" What ! my friend," he exclaimed, " are you a musician ?" 



ee No, sir," said the hosier ; " that fiddle belongs to a poor fellow 

 who bought a pair of stockings of me two days back, and probably 

 has not yet been able to raise money enough to pay for them, and 

 redeem his fiddle." 



" Allow me," said the gentleman, " to look at it I am a judge of 

 these matters." The fiddle being delivered to him, he drew it from 



M.M. No. 96. 4 P 



