BUTTERED GAMMON. 85 



not half so bad as Buttered Gammon. Buttered Gammon, if 

 swallowed in large quantities, and often, would poison the best 

 lad — ay, even Bobert Top's best lad." 



The tips of the ears of Puffy Doddles glowed painfully at 

 this moment. 



"Beware of Buttered Gammon," said Mr. James Sloper, 

 raising his forefinger, and bearing a fair resemblance to a 

 lecturer upon ethics about to dwell upon a favourite subject, 

 and with which he was well acquainted. " If you must swallow 

 poison," continued he, in a voice approaching the solemn, still 

 with the forefinger raised, " if something within says ' poison,' 

 take one of these," and he pointed to a bean comprising a 

 unit of the small stock supplied by Job Sweety, " in preference 

 to a mouthful of Buttered Gammon. "Women, kingdoms, 

 worlds, and stable lads have been, are, and will be ruined with 

 Buttered Gammon. Keep it at arm's length, Doddles. Keep 

 it at arm's length," and, drawing his closed hand gently over 

 his features, he slightly opened his fingers, aad took a peep 

 between them at Puffy Doddles. 



Bobert Top's best lad not only felt inclined to shed a tear, 

 but did so, from a feeling of gratitude that he had been saved 

 from the poisonous effects of " Buttered Gammon." 



CHAPTER XVII. 



u Oh, that a man might know 

 The end of this day's business ere it come ! 

 But it sufficeth that the day will end 

 And then the end is known." 



That day arrived, towards the close of the racing season, on 

 which the Grand Duke Michael Stakes formed the coveted 

 prize for competition, and when the victor of the great double 

 event was to be brought out — if the prophecies of all the pro- 

 phets were to, be fulfilled — to add to his high honours by can- 



