Stranica 94 [94]
OCR
62 the two old gentlemen continued to sit in silence, with the watch between them. CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH. Showing how very fond of Oliver Twist, the merry old Jew and Miss Nancy were, Ir it did not come strictly within the scope and bearing of my Jong-considered intentions and plans regarding this prose epic (for such Í mean it to be,) to leave the two old gentlemen sitting with the watch between them long after it grew too dark to see it, and both doubting Oliver’s return, the one in triumph, and the other in sorrow, I might take occasion to entertain the reader with many wise reflections on the obvious impolicy of ever attempting to do good to our fellow-creatures where there is no hope of earthly reward ; or rather on the strict policy of betraying some slight degree of charity or sympathy in one particularly unpromising case, and then abandoning such weaknesses for ever. [am aware that, in advising even this slight dereliction from the paths of prudence and worldliness, I lay myself open to the censure of many excellent and respectable persons, who have long walked therein! but [ venture to contend, nevertheless, that the advantages of the proceeding are manifold and lasting. As thus: if the object selected should happen most unexpectedly to turn out well, and to thrive and amend upon the assistance you have afiorded him, he will, in pure gratitude and fulness of heart, laud your goodness to the skies; your character will be thus established, most estimable person, who does a vast deal of good in secret, not one-twentieth part of which will ever see the light. If, on the contrary, his bad character become notorious, and his profligacy a by-word, you place yourself in the excellent position of hasing attempted to bestow relief most disinterestedly ; of having become misanthropical in consequence of the treachery of its object; and of having made a rash and solemn vow, (which no ane regrets more than yourself,) never to nelp or relieve any man, woman, or child, again, lest you should be similarly deceived. I know a great number of persons in both situations at this moment, and 1 can safely assert that they are the most But, as Mr. Brownlow was not one of these: as he obstinately persevered in doin for its own sake, and the oratifete of heart it yielded him; fs? failure dispirited him, and no ingratitude in individual cases tempted him to wreak his vengeance on the whole human race, © I shall not enter into any such digression cient reason for this determination, I have a better, and, indeed, a wholly unanswerable one, already stated; which is, that it forms no part of my original intention se to do. In the obscure parlour of a Jow publichouse, situate in the filthiest part of Little Saffron-Hill—a dark and gloomy den, where a flaring gas-light burnt all day in the winter-time, and where no ray of sun ever shone in the summer,—there sat, brooding over a little pewter measure and a small glass, strongly impregnated with the smell of liquor, a man in a velveteen coat, drab shorts, half-boots, and stockings, whom, even by that dim light, no experienced agent of police would have hesitated for one instant to recognise as Mr. William Sikes. At his feet sat a whitecoated, red-eyed dog, who occupied himself alternately in winking at his master with both eyes at the same time, and in licking a large, fresh cut on one side of his mouth, which appeared to be the result of some recent conflict. “Keep quiet, you warmint! keep quiet!” said Mr. Sikes, suddenly breaking silence. Whether his meditations were so intense as to be disturbed by the dog’s winking, or whether his feelings were so wrought upon by his reflections that they required all the relief derivable from kicking an unoffending animal to alla them, 1s matter for argument and consideration. Whatever was the cause, the effect was a kick and a curse bestowed upon the dog simultaneously. Dogs are not generally apt to revenge injuries inflicted upon them by their masters; but Mr. Sikes’s dog, having faults of temper in common with his owner, and a ae perhaps, at this moment, under a powerful sense of injury, made no more ado but at once fixed his teeth in one of the half-boots, and, having given it a good hearty shake, retired, growling, under a form: thereby just escaping the pewter measure which Mr. Sikes levelled at his head. * You would, would you!” said Sikes, seizing the poker in one hand, and de
