The Wandering Jew — Volume 04 by Eugène Sue
page 47 of 185 (25%)
page 47 of 185 (25%)
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"Faith, no! since my father, who ought to have known their value, had never realized on them--and then, you see, ten thousand francs in good, bright coin, falling as it were from the clouds, are not to be sneezed at--so I took them--only the man made me do a bit of stiff as guarantee, or something of that kind." "Did you sign it?" "Of course--what did I care about it? The man told me it was only a matter of form. He spoke the truth, for the bill fell due a fortnight ago, and I have heard nothing of it. I have still about a thousand francs in his hands, for I have taken him for my banker. And that's the way, old pal, that I'm able to flourish and be jolly all day long, as pleased as Punch to have left my old grinder of a master, M. Tripeaud." As he pronounced this name, the joyous countenance of Jacques became suddenly overcast. Cephyse, no longer under the influence of the painful impression she had felt for a moment, looked uneasily at Jacques, for she knew the irritation which the name of M. Tripeaud produced within him. "M. Tripeaud," resumed Sleepinbuff, "is one that would make the good bad, and the bad worse. They say that a good rider makes a good horse; they ought to say that a good master makes a good workman. Zounds! when I think of that fellow!" cried Sleepinbuff, striking his hand violently on the table. "Come, Jacques--think of something else!" said the Bacchanal Queen. "Make him laugh, Rose-Pompon." |
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