THE VISIT OF THE WASHERMAN. 
utterance to this unanswerable argument, as if in con- 
tempt at master’s ignorance, he whips up the table 
napkin, placing it, as he would have done a towel 
under his armpit, guiltless of either shirt or jacket,, 
as also, probably, of both soap and water, for the 
last week, saying, What can do ? That washerman 
never come.” It the plates and dishes, knives, forks, 
or spoons, were not properly cleaned, why, it was 
all the fault of the washerman : not that he was in 
any way expected to undertake the duties of the kitch- 
en coolies, but, that he had not brought the towels, 
to clean them with ; even the table napkins were all 
“too mich dirty,” as “master could see very well.” 
But enough has been written to give our readers some 
general idea of the great importance of the washer- 
man, and what unpleasant results were likely to arise, 
from any lengthened delay, on his part, in making his 
appearance with master’s clothes. Both the boy and 
kitchen coolie also shared in the delight of the arrival 
of vannan, 'having probably some lurking impression, 
that now some advance of wages could be procured, 
in order to pay him. For, if there was any point 
upon which master could possibly be justified in, or 
prevailed upon, to give an advance of wages, surely, 
the subject of personal cleanliness on behalf of his 
servants was one. But, what if master should boldly 
ask the washerman, how much his servants owed him, 
in order that he might — be regulated in giving the 
amount that was — not requested, but demanded, and 
should be told, with a look of astonished amazement, 
nothing at all ? Such a idread contingency nmst be 
previously provided for, on the part of the serv- 
ant, and so, it would be previously arranged be- 
tween the two worthies, that the one was to support 
the statement of the other, for, of course, a considera- 
tion. All the plan, having been arranged in the kitch- 
en, took effect in this way. The washerman, having 
completed his business with master, still stood in the 
verandah, and did not go away. Master, feeling some 
irritation at this state of matters, would come out and 
ask him what he wanted, the only reply to which 
would be, “Masters servant. ” “ Well,” master ex- 
claims, “ he is in the cookhouse ; don’t stand there, 
staring into my office window ; be off with you. ” 
Another brief ejaculation would be, “ Did n’t pay.” 
A light now flashes across master’s mind, and he asks, 
“ How much does he owe you ? ” “ One pound, ” re- 
plies the washerman, “ and if it is not paid I cannot 
wash anymore for master’s servant,” said, in a man- 
ner which would admit of neither argument nor dis- 
pute. “ Boy,” shouts master. Sharp came the reply, 
^ ^Hajar, ” and j ust as sharp did he present himself. ‘ ‘ Boy» 
