the bench that morning, sentencing comrade Jack! What's _he_ been doing,
I wonder? I say, don't you remember me, citizen? I'm the character who
came in with the red flag that morning when you were playing the last of
your queer games up yonder. Cheer up, man! we'll find something for you
to do, though you have been so badly educated.

_C. N_. Spare me, I entreat you! Don't let it be known who I am, pray
don't, or I shall certainly be hanged. Don't hang me; give me hard
labour for life, but don't hang me! Yes, I confess I was Judge Nupkins;
but don't give me up! I'll be your servant, your slave all my life; only
don't bring me before a magistrate. They are so unfair, and so hard!

_W. J_. Well, what do you think of a judge, old fellow?

_C. N_. That's nearly as bad, but not quite; because sometimes there's a
cantankerous blackguard on the jury who won't convict, and insists on
letting a man off. But, please, pray think better of it, and let it be a
private matter, if you must needs punish me. I won't bring an action
against you, whatever you do. Don't make it a judicial matter! Look
here, I'll sign a bond to be your servant for ever without wages if you
will but feed me. I suffer so from not having my meals regularly. If
you only knew how bad it is to be hungry and not to be sure of getting a
meal.

_W. J_. Yes, Nupkins; but you see, I _do_ know only too well--but that's
all gone by. Yet, if you had only known that some time ago, or let's
say, guessed at it, it might have been the better for you now.

_C. N_. (_aside_; Oh, how jeering and hard he looks!) Oh, spare me, and
don't send me to the workhouse! You've no idea how they bully people