I pledge you my honour that it will
have the effect desired, and all I ask is sixpence a powder."

"But how is it to be used, sir?"

"Used--why, like all other powders; but I won't give the directions
till I have sold some; promising, however, if my method does not
succeed, to return the money."

"Well, that is fair, Mr Dionysius; and I will take care that you keep
your bargain. Will anybody purchase the fool's powder for killing
fleas."

"Yes, I will," replied a man on the broad grin, "here's sixpence. Now,
then, fool, how am I to use it?"

"Use it," said Timothy, putting the sixpence in his pocket; "I'll
explain to you. You must first catch the flea, hold him so tight
between the forefinger and thumb as to force him to open his mouth; when
his mouth is open you must put a very little of this powder into it, and
it will kill him directly."

"Why, when I have the flea as tight as you state, I may as well kill him
myself."

"Very true, so you may, if you prefer it; but if you do not, you may use
this powder, which upon my honour is infallible."

This occasioned a great deal of mirth among the bystanders. Timothy
kept his sixpence, and our exhibition for this day ended, very much to
the satisfaction of Melchior, who declared he had taken more than ever
he had done before in a whole week. Indeed, the whole sum amounted to
17 pounds, 10 shillings, all taken in shillings and sixpences, for
articles hardly worth the odd shillings in the account; so we sat down
to supper with anticipations of a good harvest, and so it proved. We
stayed four days at this town, and then proceeded onwards, when the like
success attended us, Timothy and I being obliged to sit up nearly the
whole night to label and roll up pills, and mix medicines, which we did
in a very scientific manner. Nor was it always that Melchior presided;
he would very often tell his audience that business required his
attendance elsewhere, to visit the sick, and that he left the
explanation of his medicines and their properties to his pupil, who was
far advanced in knowledge. With my prepossessing appearance, I made a
great effect, more especially among the ladies, and Timothy exerted
himself so much when with me, that we never failed to bring home to
Melchior a great addition to his earnings--so much so, that at last he
only showed himself, pretended that he was so importuned to visit sick
persons, that he could stay no longer, and then leave us after t