That a'n't all; the people of the neighbouring
county hearing as if by art witchcraft that I had licked Hunter,
and was on good terms with the brewer, forthwith began to come in
crowds to look at me, pay me homage, and be my customers.
Moreover, fifty scoundrels who owed me money, and would have seen
me starve rather than help me as long as they considered me a down
pin, remembered their debts, and came and paid me more than they
owed. That a'n't all; the brewer being about to establish a stage-
coach and three, to run across the country, says it shall stop and
change horses at my house, and the passengers breakfast and sup as
it goes and returns. He wishes me--whom he calls the best man in
England--to give his son lessons in boxing, which he says he
considers a fine manly English art, and a great defence against
Popery--notwithstanding that only a month ago, when he considered
me a down pin, he was in the habit of railing against it as a
blackguard practice, and against me as a blackguard for following
it; so I am going to commence with young hopeful to-morrow."
"I really cannot help congratulating you on your good fortune,"
said I.
"That a'n't all," said the landlord. "This very morning the folks
of our parish made me churchwarden, which they would no more have
done a month ago, when they considered me a down pin, than they--"
"Mercy upon us!" said I, "if fortune pours in upon you in this
manner, who knows but that within a year they may make you a
justice of the peace?"
"Who knows, indeed!" said the landlord.
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