pleased.'

'Indeed,' replied Sponge, now passing on into _Mogg's Cab
Fares_--'Aldersgate Street, Hare Court, to or from Bagnigge Wells,' and so
on, when Facey struck up the most squeaking, discordant, broken-winded

'Jump Jim Crow'

that ever was heard, making the sensitive Sponge shudder, and setting all
his teeth on edge.

'Hang me, but that flute of yours wants nitre, or a dose of physic, or
something most dreadful!' at length exclaimed he, squeezing up his face as
if in the greatest agony, as the laboured:

'Jump about and wheel about'

completely threw Sponge over in his calculation as to what he could ride
from Aldgate Pump to the Pied Bull at Islington for.

'Oh no!' replied Facey, with an air of indifference, as he took off the end
and jerked out the steam. 'Oh no--only wants work--only wants work,' added
he, putting it together again, exclaiming, as he looked at the now sulky
Sponge, 'Well, what shall it be?'

'Whatever you please,' replied our friend, dipping frantically into his
_Mogg_.

'Well, then, I'll play you me oncle's favourite tune, "The Merry Swiss
Boy,"' whereupon Facey set to most vigorously with that once most popular
air. It, however, came off as rustily as 'Jim Crow,' for whose feats Facey
evidently had a partiality; for no sooner did he get squeaked through 'me
oncle's' tune than he returned to the nigger melody with redoubled zeal,
and puffed and blew Sponge's calculations as to what he could ride from
'Mother Redcap's at Camden Town down Liquorpond Street, up Snow Hill, and
so on, to the 'Angel' in Ratcliff Highway for, clean out of his head. Nor
did there seem any prospect of relief, for no sooner did Facey get through
one tune than he at the other again.

'Rot it!' at length exclaimed Sponge, throwing his _Mogg_ from him in
despair, 'you'll deafen me with that abominable noise.' 'Bless my heart!'
exclaimed Facey, in well-feigned surprise, 'Bless my heart! Why, I thought
you liked music, my dear feller!' adding, 'I was playin' to please you.'

'The deuce you were!' snapped Mr. Sponge. 'I wish I'd known sooner: I'd
have saved you a deal of wind.'

'Why, my dear feller,' replied Facey, 'I wished to entertain you the best
in my power. One must do somethin', you know.'

'I'd rather do anything than undergo that horrid noise,' replied Sponge,
ringing his left ear with his forefinger.

'Let's have a game at cards, then,' rejoined Facey soothingly, seeing he
had sufficient