“And as you let him off, I'll let off my gun, and we'll see whether I can't 'bang' him in the race.”
No sooner said than done: the post was quickly climbed—the door of the cage was thrown open, and the poor bird in an attempt at 'death or liberty,' met with the former.
Bang went the piece, and as soon as the curling smoke was dissipated, they sought for their prize, but in vain; the piece was discharged so close to the lark, that it was blown to atoms, and the feathers strewed the pavement.
“Bolt!” cried the freedom-giving youth, “or we shall have to pay for the lark.”
“Very likely,” replied the other, who had just picked up a few feathers, and a portion of the dissipated 'lark,'—“for look, if here ain't the—bill, never trust me.”
SCENE III.
“You shall have the paper directly, Sir, but really the debates are so very interesting.”
“Oh! pray don't hurry, Sir, it's only the scientific notices I care about.”
WHAT a thrill of pleasure pervades the philanthropic breast on beholding the rapid march of Intellect! The lamp-lighter, but an insignificant 'link' in the vast chain of society, has now a chance of shining at the Mechanics', and may probably be the means of illuminating a whole parish.