118 DISTRESS. 



having the appearance of a mechanic, held 

 up his hand. I stopped, and, saying he 

 was going to Hoddesdon, he got up, and 

 sat on the front of the roof behind 

 us. 



He was no sooner seated than my hero 

 addressed him 



"Just from town? Been up to receive 

 your dividend, I suppose ? " 



The man said he had gone up for 

 that purpose, but had met with a great 

 disappointment. This led to further ques- 

 tions. What was he ? A master-bricklayer. 

 What could he earn per week ? Twenty- 

 five shillings. What property had he ? 

 Four cottages. What do they bring in ? 

 Five pounds a-year each. 



" And you are in a little difficulty ? " 

 "To tell you the truth, I am." 

 The man then told a tale of deep 

 and pitiable distress : the recent death of 

 his daughter after a long illness, the ex- 

 pense of the doctor, funeral, &c. The 



