" paddy's goose." 103 



of a similar description, as tliey severally appeared, stripped 

 and ready for the fray. 



The furniture consisted of two wooden, chairs and a small 

 table, the design being, apparently, that more than two were 

 not expected to be present in the best parlour of " Paddy's 

 Goose " at the same time. At the precise moment to which 

 reference is being made it contained but one occupant — Job 

 Sweety. 



"Whatever might be the virtues and vices of Job Sweety, 

 either admitted or denied, patience could not be classed among 

 the former. "He hated," as he frequently declared, with a 

 large number of adjectives thrown in, to express more forcibly 

 the warmth of his feelings, " to wait for any one or anything." 

 Nothing gave Job Sweety more acute annoyance than to wait, 

 it mattered not for whom or what. Now, it so occurred, in the 

 disposition of events generally, that Job Sweety had been kep b 

 waiting in the best parlour of " Paddy's Goose " for a consider- 

 able time, in anticipation of the momentary advent of somebody 

 whom he continued to describe in muttered language of the 

 most uncomplimentary nature. When, however, his excited 

 feelings led him to square his clenched fists at the portrait of 

 " Bos Podgers, champion of the Middle Weights," and to throw 

 himself in an attitude adapted alike for offence and defence, an 

 approaching footstep was heard, and it must have been clear to 

 all but the deafest of ears that " Somebody " was coming. 



Job Sweety dropped his hands and arms, and stood with a 

 scowling expression of countenance, denoting expectation of the 

 immediate advent of " Somebody." 



The door of the best parlour was thrown noisily back upon 

 its hinges, and there stood " Somebody." 



" Oh, you're come at last, eh ? " growled Job Sweety, throw- 

 ing himself down upon one of the wooden chairs, and crossing 

 a leg, dexterously, but most impolitely, presented the broad of 

 his back to " Somebody." 



Yes, "Somebody" had come. What then? 



