A MERCANTILE AGENT. 209 



The following, or something very like it, is to be found in al- 

 most every churchyard in England, often several times repeated : 



VI. 



"Afflictions sore 

 Long time I bore, 

 Physicians' aid was vain; 

 Till God did please 

 To give me ease, 

 And free me from my pain." 



On the other side of the churchyard were two long rows of 

 cottages built closely together, the street between them only nine 

 feet wide. 



After ordering supper, we were shown into a little room where 

 there was a fire and newspapers, and two men sitting. One of 

 them was a young, well-dressed farmer, stupid and boozy ; the 

 other a traveling mercantile agent, very wide awake. The latter 

 almost immediately opened conversation. 



" Did you notice the white nag in the stables, gents ?" 



"No." 



" Ah, you should. It's not every day you'll see such a horse. 

 It would be really worth your while, if I may be permitted to 

 advise, to step out and see him. Why ! if you'll believe me, sir, 

 I we gave the stage-coach twenty minutes start and beat her two 

 and a half in eight, besides stopping how many times ? a go 

 | of gin first and two of brandy afterwards, wasn't it Brom? and 

 I now there he is eating his oats just like a child !" 



We showed no disposition to see this phenomenon, but putting 

 knapsacks on the table, had commenced reading the papers, 

 jwhen he again addressed us, suddenly exclaiming, 



"Hem wool's heavy!" 



"What, sir?" 



"Hops scarce?" 

 14 



