68 MB. SPONGE'S SPOUTING TOUR. 



times, — the Electric Telegraph — conveyed the satisfactory words 

 " All right " to our friend Mr. Sponge, just as he was sitting down 

 to dinner in a certain sumptuously sanded coffee-room in Conduit 

 Street, who forthwith sealed and posted the following ready- 

 written letter : — 



" Bantam Hotel, Boxn Street. 

 " Sir, 



" / have been greatly surprised and hurt to hear that you have 

 thought fit to impeach my integrity, and insinuate that I had taken 

 you in ivith the brown horse. Such insinuations: touch one in a 

 tender point — one's self-respect. The oar gain, I may remind you, 

 ivas of your own seeking, and I told yon at the time I knew nothing 

 of the horse, having only ridden him once, and I also told you where 

 I got him. To show how unjust and unworthy your insinuations 

 have teen, I have noiv to inform you that, having ascertained thai 

 Lord Bullfrog knew he ivas vicious, I insisted on his lordship 

 taking him lack, and have only to add, that, on my receiving him 

 from you, I will return you your bill. 



" I am, Sir, your obedient servant, 



" IT. SroxGE. 



- To W. Waffles, Esq., Imperial Hotel, Laverick Wells." 



Mr. Waffles was a good deal vexed and puzzled when he got 

 this letter. He had parted with the horse, who was gone no one 

 knew where, and Mr. Waffles felt that he had used a certain free- 

 dom of speech in speaking of the transaction. Mr. Sponge having 

 left Laverick Wells, had, perhaps, led him a little astray with his 

 tongue — slandering an absent man being generally thought a 

 pretty safe game ; it now seemed Mr. Waffles was all wrong, and 

 might have had his money back if he had not been in such a hurry 

 to part with the horse. Like a good many people, he thought he 

 had best eat up his words, which he did in the following 

 manner : — 



" Imperial Hotel, Laverick Wells. 



" Dear Mr. Sponge, 



" You are quite mistaken in supposing that I ever insinuated 

 anything against you with regard to lice horse. I said he was a 

 beast, and it seems Lord Bullfrog admits it. However, never mind 

 anything more about him, though I am equally obliged to you for 

 the trouble you have taken. The fact is, I have parted with him. 



" We are having capital sport ; never go out but ice hill, some- 

 times a brace, sometimes a leash of foxes. Hoping you are recovered 

 from the effects of your ride through the ivindoic,and will soon rejoin 

 us, believe me, dear Mr. Sponge, « yours very sincerely, 



"W. Waffles." 



