His repertory of songs was,
besides, inexhaustible, and ranged impartially from the very best to
the very worst within his reach. Nor did he seem to make the least
distinction between these extremes, but would cheerily follow up 'Tom
Bowling' with 'Around her splendid form.'
The father, an old, cheery, small piece of man-hood, could do
everything connected with tinwork from one end of the process to the
other, use almost every carpenter's tool, and make picture frames to
boot. 'I sat down with silver plate every Sunday,' said he, 'and
pictures on the wall. I have made enough money to be rolling in my
carriage. But, sir,' looking at me unsteadily with his bright rheumy
eyes, 'I was troubled with a drunken wife.' He took a hostile view
of matrimony in consequence. 'It's an old saying,' he remarked:
'God made 'em, and the devil he mixed 'em.'
I think he was justified by his experience. It was a dreary story.
He would bring home three pounds on Saturday, and on Monday all the
clothes would be in pawn. Sick of the useless struggle, he gave up a
paying contract, and contented himself with small and ill-paid jobs.
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