t St. Stevenses, it was rayther a stormy debate. "Mary,"
says master, "you're no longer the merry greatful gal I knew and loved
at Pentonwill: there's some secret a pressin on you--there's no
smilin welcom for me now, as there used formly to be! Your mother and
sister-in-law have perwerted you, Mary: and that's why I've drove them
from this house, which they shall not re-enter in my life."

"O, Frederic! it's YOU is the cause, and not I. Why do you have any
mistry from me? Where do you spend your days? Why did you leave me,
even on the day of your marridge, for eight hours, and continue to do so
every day?"

"Because," says he, "I makes my livelihood by it. I leave you, and don't
tell you HOW I make it: for it would make you none the happier to know."

It was in this way the convysation ren on--more tears and questions on
my missises part, more sturmness and silence on my master's: it ended
for the first time since their marridge, in a reglar quarrel. Wery
difrent, I can tell you, from all the hammerous billing and kewing which
had proceeded their nupshuls.

Master went out, slamming the door in a fury; as well he might. Says he,
"If I can't have a comforable life, I can have a jolly one;" and so
he went off to the hed tavern, and came home that evening beesly
intawsicated. When high words begin in a family drink generally follows
on the genlman's side; and then, fearwell to all conjubial happyniss!
These two pipple, so fond and loving, were now sirly, silent, and full
of il wil. Master went out earlier, and came home later; missis cried
more, and looked even paler than before.

Well, things went on in this uncomfortable way, master still in the
mopes, missis tempted by the deamons of jellosy and curosity; until a
singlar axident brought to light all the goings on of Mr. Altamont.

It was the tenth of January; I recklect the day, for old Shum gev me
half a crownd (the fust and last of his money I ever see, by the way):
he was dining along with master, and they were making merry together.

Master said, as he was mixing his fifth tumler of punch and little Shum
his twelfth or so--master said, "I see you twice in the City to-day, Mr.
Shum."

"Well, that's curous!" says Shum. "I WAS in the City. To-day's the day
when the divvydins (God bless 'em) is paid; and me and Mrs. S. went for
our half-year's inkem. But we only got out of the coach, crossed the
street to the Bank, took our money, and got in agen. How could you