When the Irishman departed, we made our appearance. "Japhet, did you
sell a plaister to an Irishman?"

"Yes--don't you recollect, last Saturday? and I gave you the shilling."

"Very true; but what did he ask for?"

"He asked for a plaister, but he was very tipsy. I showed him a blister,
and he took it;" and then I looked at Timothy and laughed.

"You must not play such tricks," said Mr Brookes. "I see what you have
been about--it was a joke to you, but not to him."

Mr Brookes, who imagined we had sold it to the Irishman out of fun, then
gave us a very severe lecture, and threatened to acquaint Mr Cophagus,
if ever we played such tricks again. Thus the affair blew over, and it
made me very careful; and, as every day I knew more about medicines, I
was soon able to mix them, so as to be of service to those who applied,
and before eighteen months had expired, I was trusted with the mixing up
all the prescriptions. At the end of that period Mr Brookes left us, and
I took the whole of his department upon myself, giving great
satisfaction to Mr Cophagus.

And now that I have announced my promotion, it will perhaps be as well
that I give the reader some idea of my personal appearance, upon which I
have hitherto been silent. I was thin, between fifteen and sixteen years
old, very tall for my age, and of my figure I had no reason to be
ashamed; a large beaming eye, with a slightly aquiline nose, a high
forehead, fair in complexion, but with very dark hair. I was always what
may be termed a remarkably clean-looking boy, from the peculiarity of my