wished the gods, as the dinner was fit for 'em, was there to pay
for it.

I come of a very clever fam'ly.

The agree'ble gentleman then said, "Now, I will show you our
Club. It dates back to the time of William the Conquerer."

"Did Bill belong to it?" I inquired.

"He did."

"Wall," I said, "if Billy was one of 'em, I need no other
endorsement as to its respectfulness, and I'll go with you, my
gay trooper boy!" And we went off arm-in-arm.

On the way the agree'ble man told me that the Club was called the
Sloshers. He said I would notice that none of 'em appeared in
evenin dress. He said it was agin the rools of the club. In
fack, if any member appeared there in evenin dress he'd be
instantly expeld. "And yit," he added, "there's geneyus there,
and lorfty emotions, and intelleck. You'll be surprised at the
quantities of intelleck you'll see there."

We reached the Sloshers in due time, and I must say they was a
shaky-looking lot, and the public house where they convened was
certingly none of the best.

The Sloshers crowded round me, and said I was welcome.