ot seem to care much about his affairs: he was,
however, a kind man, and when his wife gave him advice never struck her,
nor do I ever remember that he kicked me when I came in his way, or so
much as cursed my ugly face, though it was easy to see that he didn't
over-like me. When I was six years old I was sent to the village-school,
where I was soon booked for a dunce, because the master found it
impossible to teach me either to read or write. Before I had been at
school two years, however, I had beaten boys four years older than
myself, and could fling a stone with my left hand (for if I am right-eyed
I am left-handed) higher and farther than any one in the parish.
Moreover, no boy could equal me at riding, and no people ride so well or
desperately as boys. I could ride a donkey--a thing far more difficult
to ride than a horse--at full gallop over hedges and ditches, seated, or
rather floating upon his hinder part,--so, though anything but clever, as
this here Romany Rye would say, I was yet able to do things which few
other people could do. By the time I was ten my father's affairs had got
into a very desperate condition, for he had taken to gambling and horse-
racing, and, being unsuccessful, had sold his stock, mortgaged his
estate, and incurred very serious debts. The upshot was, that within a
little time all he had was seized, himself imprisoned, and my mother and
myself put into a cottage belonging to the parish, which, being very cold
and damp, was the cause of her catching a fever, which speedily carried
her off. I was then bound apprentice to a farmer, in whose service I
underwent much coarse treatment, cold, and hunger.

"After lying in prison near two years, my father was liberated by an Act
for the benefit of insolvent debtors; he was then lost sight of for some
time; at last, however, he made his appearance in the neighbourhood
dressed like a gentleman, and seemingly possessed of plenty of money. He
came to see me, took me into a field, and asked me how I was getting on.
I told him I was dreadfully used, and begged him to take me away with
him; he refused, and told me to be satisfied with my condition, for that
he could do nothing for me. I had a great love for my father, and
likewise a great admiration for him on account of his character as a
boxer, the only character which boys in general regard, so I wished much
to be with him, independently of the dog's life I was leading where I
was; I therefor