84 THE LIFE OF PETER BUFF. 



ance. On coining to his shirt, Nokes faltered out, " I'm sure I'm 

 not the boy." "I'll soon shew you ;" and drawing his shirt over 

 his head, his bare back was made a target for a couple of buckets of 

 water which were conveniently at hand. Nokes yelled out exces- 

 sively, which brought Mr. Thrashemwell into the room, who, having 

 found out the chief conspirator, the unfortunate Peter, I was forthwith 

 flogged, and then boarded on bread and water for a week— a favorite 

 mode of punishment here, as it saved our master something in the 

 culinary department. 



Our respected tutor had a ver}'^ curious way, when going to beat a 

 boy, of quoting, " as Soloman said, * spare the rod and spoil the 

 child ;' " through which I got myself into more difficulties. One 

 morning, his son and heir. Master Thrashemwell, who was a youth 

 of great promise — at least so thought his father, — stole, or as boys 

 say, " cribbed " a lot of marbles from another boy, which being duly 

 reported to the reverend Jonas, he called up the hopeful youth, and 

 after lecturing him on the enormity of the offence, and compelling 

 restitution of the stolen property, finished with — " You may now go 

 to your seat, and recollect that " " As Solomon says," inter- 

 rupted I, "* spare the rod and spoil the child.' " "That's right, 

 Peter," said Mr. Thrashemwell, " you're a clever boy; and for fear 

 you should be spoilt, just come here, will you ?" I approached him 

 rather hesitatingly — for although his words seemed to convey encou- 

 ragement, yet there seemed to be a mischievous expression in his 

 eye ; however, I went to him, and received a practical illustration 

 of Solomon's prescription. 



Soon after this I left school, previously cutting my autograph in 

 huge capitals on Mr. Thrashemwell's mahogany desk ; — this I left 

 as an affectionate memorial. 



On my arriving at home, it was thought high time for me to be 

 sent to some business or profession ; and after due inquiry, I was 

 introduced to the office of Mr. Tight, solicitor, where I was to learn 

 the art and mystery of the law. 



I did not remain long with Mr. Tight ; but during my stay, I was 

 sent by my employer to serve some sort of a paper (which I after- 

 wards found was a subpoena) on a gentleman ; no difficulty being 



