made
by a higher class, it would have been qualified into "What a handsome
man!" His age was apparently about five-and-thirty--it might have been
something more. After a short time he left off his mechanical
amusements, and turning round, perceived little Joey at the farther end.
Whether from the mere inclination to talk, or that he thought it
presuming in our hero to seat himself upon the same bench, he said to
him--

"I hope you are comfortable, my little man; but perhaps you've forgot
your message."

"I have no message, sir, for I know no one: and I am not comfortable,
for I am starving," replied Joey, in a tremulous voice.

"Are you in earnest now, when you say that, boy; or is it that you're
humbugging me?"

Joey shook his head. "I have eaten nothing since the day before
yesterday morning, and I feel faint and sick," replied he at last.

His new companion looked earnestly in our hero's face, and was satisfied
that what he said was true.

"As I hope to be saved," exclaimed he, "it's my opinion that a little
bread and butter would not be a bad thing for you. Here," continued he,
putting his hand into his coat-pocket, "take these coppers, and go and
get some thing into your little vitals."

"Thank you, sir, thank you, kindly. But I don't know where to go: I
only came up to London two days ago."

"Then follow me as fast as your little pins can carry you," said the
other. They had not far to go, for a man was standing close to
Spring-garden-gate with hot tea and bread and butter, and in a few
moments Joey's hunger was considerably appeased.

"Do you feel better now, my little cock?"

"Yes, sir, thank you."

"That's right, and now we will go back to the bench, and then you shall
tell me all about yourself; just to pass away the time. Now," said he,
as he took his seat, "in the first place, who is your father, if you
have any; and if you haven't any, what was he?"

"Father and mother are both alive, but they are a long way off. Father
was a soldier, and he has a pension now."

"A soldier! Do you know in what regiment?"

"Yes, it was the 53rd, I think."

"By the powers, my own regiment! And what is your name, then, and his?"

"Rushbrook," replied Joey.

"My pivot man, by all that's holy. Now haven't you nicely dropped on
your feet?"

"I don't know, sir," replied our hero.

"But I do; your father was the best fellow I had in my company--the best
forager, and always took care of his offi