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servant like me； he took an opportunity of quarrelling with me and
discharging me。 However； as he had still some grace； he
recommended me to a gentleman with whom； since he had attached
himself to politics； he had formed an acquaintance； the editor of a
grand Tory Review。 I lost caste terribly amongst the servants for
entering the service of a person connected with a profession so
mean as literature； and it was proposed at the Servants' Club； in
Park Lane； to eject me from that society。 The proposition；
however； was not carried into effect； and I was permitted to show
myself among them； though few condescended to take much notice of
me。 My master was one of the best men in the world； but also one
of the most sensitive。 On his veracity being impugned by the
editor of a newspaper； he called him out； and shot him through the
arm。 Though servants are seldom admirers of their masters； I was a
great admirer of mine； and eager to follow his example。 The day
after the encounter； on my veracity being impugned by the servant
of Lord C… in something I said in praise of my master； I determined
to call him out； so I went into another room and wrote a challenge。
But whom should I send it by？ Several servants to whom I applied
refused to be the bearers of it； they said I had lost caste； and
they could not think of going out with me。 At length the servant
of the Duke of B… consented to take it； but he made me to
understand that； though he went out with me； he did so merely
because he despised the Whiggish principles of Lord C…'s servant；
and that if I thought he intended to associate with me I should be
mistaken。 Politics； I must tell you； at that time ran as high
amongst the servants as the gentlemen； the servants； however； being
almost invariably opposed to the politics of their respective
masters； though both parties agreed in one point； the scouting of
everything low and literary； though I think； of the two； the
liberal or reform party were the most inveterate。 So he took my
challenge； which was accepted； we went out； Lord C…'s servant being
seconded by a reformado footman from the palace。 We fired three
times without effect； but this affair lost me my place； my master
on hearing it forthwith discharged me； he was； as I have said
before； very sensitive； and he said this duel of mine was a parody
of his own。 Being； however； one of the best men in the world； on
his discharging me he made me a donation of twenty pounds。
'And it was well that he made me this present； for without it I
should have been penniless； having contracted rather expensive
habits during the time that I lived with the young baronet。 I now
determined to visit my parents； whom I had not seen for years。 I
found them in good health； and； after staying with them for two
months； I returned again in the direction of town； walking； in
order to see the country。 On the second day of my journey； not
being used to such fatigue； I fell ill at a great inn on the north
road； and there I continued for some weeks till I recovered； but by
that time my money was entirely spent。 By living at the inn I had
contracted an acquaintance with the master and the people； and
become accustomed to inn life。 As I thought that I might find some
difficulty in procuring any desirable situation in London； owing to
my late connection with literature； I determined to remain where I
was； provided my services would be accepted。 I offered them to the
master； who； finding I knew something of horses； engaged me as a
postilion。 I have remained there since。 You have now heard my
story。
'Stay； you shan't say that I told my tale without a per …
peroration。 What shall it be？ Oh； I remember something which will
serve for one。 As I was driving my chaise some weeks ago； I saw
standing at the gate of an avenue； which led up to an old mansion；
a figure which I thought I recognised。 I looked at it attentively；
and the figure； as I passed； looked at me； whether it remembered me
I do not know； but I recognised the face it showed me full well。
'If it was not the identical face of the red…haired priest whom I
had seen at Rome； may I catch cold！
'Young gentleman； I will now take a spell on your blanket … young
lady； good…night。'
End