possible to describe my fear and consternation at this
event, to jump out whilst in the stable exposed me to the jaws of the
cat, and to attempt it when out of doors was but again subjecting myself
to be frozen to death, for the snow continued still on the ground; yet
to stay in his pocket was running the chance of suffering a still more
dreadful death by the barbarous hands of man; and nothing did I expect,
in case he should find me, but either to be tortured like Softdown, or
given to be the sport of his favorite cat--a fate almost as much dreaded
as the other. However it was soon put out of my power to determine, for
whilst I was debating in my own mind what course I had better take, he
mounted the coachbox, and drove away with me in his pocket, till he came
to a large house, about a mile distant from this place; there he put
down the company he had in the coach, and then drove into the yard. But
he had not been there many moments before the coachman of the family he
was come to, invited him into the kitchen to warm himself, drink a mug
of ale, and eat a mouthful of cold meat. As soon as he entered, and
had paid the proper compliments to the Mrs. Betties and Mollies at the
place, he pulled off his great coat, and hung it across the back of his
chair. I instantly seized the first opportunity and whilst they were all
busy assembling round the luncheon table, made my escape, and ran under
a cupboard door close to the chimney, where I had an opportunity of
seeing and hearing all that passed, part of which conversation I will
relate to you.

'Well, Mr. John,' said a footman, addressing himself to the man whose
pocket I had just left, 'how fare you? Are you pretty hearty? You look
well, I am sure.' 'Aye, and so I am, replied he. 'I never was better in
all my life; I live comfortably, have a good master and mistress, eat
and drink bravely, and what can a man wish for more? For my part I am
quite contented, and if I do but continue to enjoy my health, I am sure
I shall be very ungrateful not to be so.' 'That's true,' said the other,
'but the misfortune of it is, people never know when they are well off,
but are apt to fret and wish and wish and fret, for something or other
all their lives, and so never have any enjoyment. Now for my own part,
I must needs confess, that I cannot help wishing I was a gentleman, and
think I should be a deal happier if I was.' 'Pshaw!' replied John, 'I
don't like now to hear a man say so; it look