That he had been a love
begotten babe, brought up in the work-house, and put out
apprentice by the parish to a country black-smith, who died
before the boy's time was out: that he had for some time worked
under his ostler, as a helper and extra postilion, till he was
taken ill of the ague, which disabled him from getting his bread:
that, having sold or pawned every thing he had in the world for
his cure and subsistence, he became so miserable and shabby, that
he disgraced the stable, and was dismissed; but that he never
heard any thing to the prejudice of his character in other
respects. 'So that the fellow being sick and destitute (said my
uncle) you turned him out to die in the streets.' 'I pay the
poor's rate (replied the other) and I have no right to maintain
idle vagrants, either in sickness or health; besides, such a
miserable object would have brought a discredit upon my house.'
'You perceive (said the 'squire, turning to me) our landlord is a
Christian of bowels -- Who shall presume to censure the morals of
the age, when the very publicans exhibit such examples of
humanity? -- Heark ye, Clinker, you are a most notorious offender --
You stand convicted of sickness, hunger, wretchedness, and want --
But, as it does not belong to me to punish criminals, I will only
take upon me the task of giving you a word of advice.
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