ere, listening to the marvels of poor Matthew!

I was lost in a pleasant reverie, when the sharp voice of Mr. Timmis
recalled me.

"Andrew," said he, "my friend Crobble wants a clerk, and has cast his eye
upon you. What do you say?"

I scarcely knew what to say. On one side stood my master, to whom I
really owed so much--on the other his friend, who offered me a promotion,
which I felt, on many accounts, was most attractive. "I should have no
objection," I replied, "but great pleasure in serving Mr. Crobble,
sir--but--I have received so many favours from you, that I'm afraid I
might seem ungrateful."

The good-natured Mr. Wallis happily stepped in at this moment to my
relief.

"Nonsense," replied Mr. Timmis; "the stock is delivered to the highest
bidder; here Crobble backs eighteen shillings a week against my
half-a-crown-take him."

I still felt some hesitation, although it was evident, from his
expression, that Mr. Timmis valued the servant much less than the servant
valued the master.

"Only look here, Wally," cried he; "here stands Andrew, like an ass
between two bundles of hay."

"Rather like a bundle of hay between two asses, I think," replied Mr.
Wallis; and good-naturedly tapping me on the shoulder, he continued--"
accept Mr. Crobble's offer, Master Andrew: you're much too good for
Timmis--he can soon get a grubby half-crown boy--but you may wait a long
time for such an eligible offer."

"Eighteen shillings a week," said Mr. Crobble; who, I must confess,
without any particular stretch of self-esteem, appeared anxious to engage
me--, "but I shall want security."

That word "security" fell like an avalanche on my mounting spirit, and
cast me headlong down the imaginary ascent my busy thoughts had climbed
to!

"Five hundred pounds," continued Mr. Crobble; "d'ye think--have you any
friends?"

"None, sir; my father is a poor man, and quite unable." I could scarcely
speak--like the driver of the one-horse chaise, I could neither advance
nor recede.

"The father," said Mr. Timmis, "is only a poor shoe-maker--a good fellow
tho'--an excellent fit!"

"You mean to say," cried Mr. Wallis, "it were bootless to seek security
of the shoe-maker."

A laugh ensued; and, notwithstanding my agitated feelings, I could not
forbear being tickled by Mr. Wallis's humour, and joining in the
merriment.

This sally gave a most favourable turn to the discussion. "Come," said
Mr. Wallis, "I'll stand two hundred a