Part 9 (1/2)
”Is hospitality, All reality, No formality There you ever see; The free and easy Would so amaze ye, You'd think us all crazy, For dull we never be.”
These lines sung with an Irish accent, to the tune of ”Morgan Rattler,”
accompanied with a snapping of his fingers, and concluded with a something in imitation of
1 _Tipping Turnups_--This is a phrase made use of among the _prigging_ fraternity, to signify a turn-up--which is to knock down.
~81~~an Irish jilt, were altogether so truly characteristic of the nation to which he belonged, as to afford our Heroes considerable amus.e.m.e.nt. Tom threw him a half-crown, which he picked up with more haste than he had thrown down the mortar in his rage.
”Long life and good luck to the Jontleman!” said Pat. ”Sure enough, I won't be after drinking health and success to your Honour's pretty picture, and the devil pitch into his own cabin the fellow that would be after picking a hole or clapping a dirty patch on the coat of St.
Patrick--whiskey for ever, your Honour, huzza--
”A drop of good whiskey Would make a man frisky.”
By this time a crowd was gathering round them, and Tom cautioned Bob in a whisper to beware of his pockets. This piece of advice however came too late, for his _blue bird's eye wipe_{l} had taken flight.
”What,” said Bob, ”is this done in open day?” ”Are you all right and tight elsewhere?” said Tom--”if you are, toddle on and say nothing about it.--Open day!” continued he, ”aye, the system of _frigging_{2}
1 _Blue bird's eye wipe_--A blue pocket handkerchief with white spots.
2 A cant term for all sorts of thieving. The Life of the celebrated George Barrington, of Old Bailey notoriety, is admirably ill.u.s.trative of this art; which by a more recent development of Hardy Vaux, appears to be almost reduced to a system, notwithstanding the wholesomeness of our laws and the vigilance of our police in their administration. However incredible it may appear, such is the force of habit and a.s.sociation, the latter, notwithstanding he was detected and transported, contrived to continue his depredations during his captivity, returned, at the expiration of his term, to his native land and his old pursuits, was transported a second time, suffered floggings and imprison-ments, without correcting what cannot but be termed the vicious propensities of his nature. He generally spent his mornings in visiting the shops of jewellers, watch-makers, p.a.w.nbrokers, &c. depending upon his address and appearance, and determining to make the whole circuit of the metropolis and not to omit a single shop in either of those branches.
This scheme he actually executed so fully, that he believes he did not leave ten untried in London; for he made a point of commencing early every day, and went regularly through it, taking both sides of the way. His practice on entering a shop was to request to look at gold seals, chains, brooches, rings, or any other small articles of value, and while examining them, and looking the shopkeeper in the face, he contrived by sleight of hand to conceal two or three, sometimes more, as opportunities offered, in the sleeve of his coat, which was purposely made wide. In this practice he succeeded to a very great extent, and in the course of his career was never once detected in the fact, though on two or three occa-sions so much suspicion arose that he was obliged to exert all his effrontery, and to use very high language, in order, as the cant phrase is, to bounce the tradesman out of it; his fas.h.i.+onable appearance, and affected anger at his insinuations, always had the effect of inducing an apology; and in many such cases he has actually carried away the spoil, notwithstanding what pa.s.sed between them, and even gone so far as to visit the same shop again a second and a third time with as good success as at first. This, with his nightly attendance at the Theatres and places of public resort, where he picked pockets of watches, snuff-boxes, &c. was for a length of time the sole business of his life. He was however secured, after secreting himself for a time, convicted, and is now transported for life--as he conceives, sold by another cele-brated Prig, whose real name was Bill White, but better known by the t.i.tle of Conky Beau.
~82~~will be acted on sometimes by the very party you are speaking to--the expertness with which it is done is almost beyond belief.”
Bob having ascertained that his handkerchief was the extent of his loss, they pursued their way towards Charing Cross.
”A line of street is intended,” continued Tom, ”to be made from the Opera House to terminate with that church; and here is the King's Mews, which is now turned into barracks.”
”Stop thief! Stop thief!” was at this moment vociferated in their ears by a variety of voices, and turning round, they perceived a well-dressed man at full speed, followed pretty closely by a concourse of people. In a moment the whole neighbourhood appeared to be in alarm. The up-stairs windows were crowded with females--the tradesmen were at their shop-doors--the pa.s.sengers were huddled together in groups, inquiring of each other--”What is the matter?--who is it?--which is him?--what has he done?” while the pursuers were increasing in numbers as they went. The bustle of the scene was new to Bob--Charing Cross and its vicinity was all in motion.
”Come,” said Tom, ”let us see the end of this--they are sure to _nab_{l} my gentleman before he gets much
1 _Nabbed or nibbled_--Secured or taken.
~83~~farther, so let us _brush_{1} on.” Then pulling his Cousin by the arm, they moved forward to the scene of action.
As they approached St. Martin's Lane, the gathering of the crowd, which was now immense, indicated to Tom a capture.
”b.u.t.ton up,” said he, ”and let us see what's the matter.”
”_Arrah be easy_” cried a voice which they instantly recognized to be no other than Pat Murphy's. ”I'll hold you, my dear, till the night after Doomsday, though I can't tell what day of the year that is. Where's the man wid the _gould-laced skull-cap_? Sure enough I tought I'd be up wi'
you, and so now you see I'm down upon you.”
At this moment a Street-keeper made way through the crowd, and Tom and Bob keeping close in his rear, came directly up to the princ.i.p.al performers in this interesting scene, and found honest Pat Murphy holding the man by his collar, while he was twisting and writhing to get released from the strong and determined grasp of the athletic Hibernian.
Pat no sooner saw our Heroes, than he burst out with a l.u.s.ty ”Arroo!
arroo! there's the sweet-looking jontleman that's been robbed by a dirty _spalpeen_ that's not worth the tail of a rotten red-herring. I'll give charge of dis here pick'd bladebone of a dead donkey that walks about in G.o.d's own daylight, dirting his fingers wid what don't belong to him at all at all. So sure as the devil's in his own house, and that's London, you've had your pocket pick'd, my darling, and that's news well worth hearing”--addressing himself to Dashall.