City Sketches. 461 



Grlskin's acceptance forthwith. He did so, and was referred in due 

 form to the daughter. 



It cannot for a moment be imagined, that Cobb entered upon this 

 business with any sentimental palpitations. He did not pop the ques- 

 tion. That vile phrase will not apply to his mode of conducting the 

 affair. He was no pop-gun, he was a long rifle, and had, indeed, 

 come forth upon a rifling 'expedition. Need I say that he was suc- 

 ful, or that his rapture was as genuine, although not perhaps quite 



fervent, as the fantastic freaks of the most devoted lover ? Cupi- 

 dity is as powerful as Cupid. 



This little matter settled, every thing went on smoothly enough ; 

 fclr. Drinkwater Cobb surveyed and estimated his wardrobe with a 

 f iew to ascertain whether any, and what additions might be made 

 thereto. A strange little woman, who seemed formed for the pur- 

 Jose, was engaged by Miss Griskin at so much a day and her meals 

 to complete the wedding paraphernalia; and ladies elbowed each 

 other at church, when Cobb appeared, some thinking how funny, 

 others how strange, and others again how unfortunate, that he should 

 have made such a choice. 



; Nothing daunted, however, by these ordinary manifestations of an 

 interest which people will take in 'other people's affairs, Cobb sallied 

 forth one morning for the purpose of fixing the precise day of his 

 nuptials. As he approached the house of his intended, he beheld 

 Chitterling on the door-step, communicating a vital heat to his frame 

 by practising the double-shuffle in a pair of wooden shoes. Chitter- 

 ling acted in the capacity of foreman to Mr. Griskin ; he was, in 

 fact, his lieutenant, and commanded the left wing of the establish- 

 ment. Upon him also devolved the duty of cleaning the shop daily ; 

 of superintending the chopping-machine in the cellar, and twice a 

 week of causing a certain number of pigs to squeak their Nunc dimittis. 

 He had been so long in the employ of his master, that his subservi- 

 ence was merely tacitly understood, a perfect equality in all other 

 respects subsisting between them. 



With this burly and good-humoured person, accoutred in a red 

 night-cap, a chocolate neckcloth with white spots, and a sausage- 

 coloured jacket, did Drinkwater Cobb exchange the salutations of the 

 morning. 



" Good morning, Chitterling," said Cobb with a kind of frank con- 

 descension, "been busy, I suppose ; your killing day, isn't it ?" 



" Yes," replied Chitterling, " I've just done for a few innocent 

 creturs in the back-yard, yonder. Won't you walk in ? Griskin's 

 not up yet, though." 



" I'll call again presently then," and Cobb was about to retire. 



" And so you're going to take away our young mistress, Mr. Cobb?" 

 said Chitterling, looking down upon the tobacconist. 



" I am so," replied Cobb. 



" Well, all right : she's not much to my taste, though," and Chit- 

 terling began to whistle. 



" Tastes will differ," suggested Cobb. 



"Oh yes," replied the other, imitating the Yankee accent, "but 

 she's a knowing 'un, mark me ; shrewd, precious shrewd." 



