people are becoming very pious of
late," he added, grinning at me; "I am afraid I can't do business with
you, more especially as the master is not at home. What book have you
brought?" Taking the book out of my pocket, I placed it on the counter:
the young fellow opened the book, and inspecting the title-page, burst
into a loud laugh. "What do you laugh for?" said I, angrily, and half
clenching my fist. "Laugh!" said the young fellow; "laugh! who could
help laughing?" "I could," said I; "I see nothing to laugh at; I want to
exchange this book for a Bible." "You do?" said the young fellow; "well,
I daresay there are plenty who would be willing to exchange, that is, if
they dared. I wish master were at home; but that would never do, either.
Master's a family man, the Bibles are not mine, and master being a family
man, is sharp, and knows all his stock; I'd buy it of you, but, to tell
you the truth, I am quite empty here," said he, pointing to his pocket,
"so I am afraid we can't deal."

Whereupon, looking anxiously at the young man, "what am I to do?" said I;
"I really want a Bible."

"Can't you buy one?" said the young man; "have you no money?"

"Yes," said I, "I have some, but I am merely the agent of another; I came
to exchange, not to buy; what am I to do?"

"I don't know," said the young man, thoughtfully, laying down the book on
the counter; "I don't know what you can do; I think you will find some
difficulty in this bartering job, the trade are rather precise." All at
once he laughed louder than before; suddenly stopping, however, he put on
a very grave look. "Take my advice," said he; "there is a firm
established in this neighbourhood which scarcely sells any books but
Bibles; they are very rich, and pride themselves on selling their books
at the lowest possible price; apply to them, who knows but what they will
exchange with you?"

Thereupon I demanded with some eagerness of the young man the direction
to the place where he thought it possible that I might effect the
exchange--which direction the young fellow cheerfully gave me, and, as I
turned away, had the civility to wish me success.

I had no difficulty in finding the house to which the young fellow had
directed me; it was a very large house, situated in a square; and upon
the side of the house was written in large letters, "Bibles, and other
religious books."

At the door of the house were two or three tumbrils, in the act of being
loaded w