第 2 节
作者:花旗      更新:2021-02-18 22:55      字数:6817
  down Miss Puss; who killed a great number of them。
  The King rejoiced greatly to see his old enemies
  destroyed by so small a creature; and the Queen was highly
  pleased; and desired the cat might be brought near that
  she might look at her。 Upon which the factor called
  〃Pussy; pussy; pussy!〃 and she came to him。 He then
  presented her to the Queen; who started back; and was
  afraid to touch a creature who had made such havoc
  among the rats and mice; however; when the factor
  stroked the cat and called 〃Pussy; pussy!〃 the Queen
  also touched her and cried 〃Putty; putty!〃 for she had
  not learned English。
  He then put her down on the Queen's lap; where she;
  purring; played with her Majesty's hand; and then sang
  herself to sleep。
  The King; having seen the exploits of Miss Puss; and
  being informed that her kittens would stock the whole
  country; bargained with the captain and factor for the
  whole ship's cargo; and then gave them ten times as
  much for the cat as all the rest amounted to。 On which;
  taking leave of their Majesties and other great personages
  at court; they sailed with a fair wind for England;
  whither we must now attend them。
  The morn had scarcely dawned when Mr。 Fitzwarren
  arose to count over the cash and settle the business for
  that day。 He had just entered the counting…house; and
  seated himself at the desk; when somebody came; tap;
  tap; at the door。 〃Who's there?〃 said Mr。 Fitzwarren。
  〃A friend;〃 answered the other。 〃What friend can come
  at this unseasonable time?〃 〃A real friend is never
  unseasonable;〃 answered the other。 〃I come to bring you
  good news of your ship Unicorn。〃 The merchant
  bustled up in such a hurry that he forgot his gout;
  instantly opened the door; and who should be seen waiting
  but the captain and factor; with a cabinet of jewels; and
  a bill of lading; for which the merchant lifted up his eyes
  and thanked heaven for sending him such a prosperous
  voyage。 Then they told him the adventures of the cat;
  and showed him the cabinet of jewels which they had
  brought for Mr。 Whittington。 Upon which he cried out
  with great earnestness; but not in the most poetical
  manner:
  〃Go; send him in; and tell him of his fame;
  And call him Mr。 Whittington by name。〃
  It is not our business to animadvert upon these lines;
  we are not critics; but historians。 It is sufficient for us
  that they are the words of Mr。 Fitzwarren; and though
  it is beside our purpose; and perhaps not in our power to
  prove him a good poet; we shall soon convince the reader
  that he was a good man; which was a much better character;
  for when some who were present told him that this
  treasure was too much for such a poor boy as Whittington;
  he said: 〃God forbid that I should deprive him of
  a penny; it is his own; and he shall have it to a farthing。〃
  He then ordered Mr。 Whittington in; who was at this
  time cleaning the kitchen and would have excused himself
  from going into the counting…house; saying the room
  was swept and his shoes were dirty and full of hob…nails。
  The merchant; however; made him come in; and ordered
  a chair to be set for him。 Upon which; thinking they
  intended to make sport of him; as had been too often the
  case in the kitchen; he besought his master not to mock
  a poor simple fellow; who intended them no harm; but
  let him go about his business。 The merchant; taking
  him by the hand; said: 〃Indeed; Mr。 Whittington; I am
  in earnest with you; and sent for you to congratulate
  you on your great success。 Your cat has procured you
  more money than I am worth in the world; and may you
  long enjoy it and be happy!〃
  At length; being shown the treasure; and convinced
  by them that all of it belonged to him; he fell upon his
  knees and thanked the Almighty for his providential care
  of such a poor and miserable creature。 He then laid all
  the treasure at his master's feet; who refused to take any
  part of it; but told him he heartily rejoiced at his
  prosperity; and hoped the wealth he had acquired would be a
  comfort to him; and would make him happy。 He then
  applied to his mistress; and to his good friend Miss Alice;
  who refused to take any part of the money; but told him
  she heartily rejoiced at his good success; and wished him
  all imaginable felicity。 He then gratified the captain;
  factor; and the ship's crew for the care they had taken of
  his cargo。 He likewise distributed presents to all the
  servants in the house; not forgetting even his old enemy
  the cook; though she little deserved it。
  After this Mr。 Fitzwarren advised Mr。 Whittington to
  send for the necessary people and dress himself like a
  gentleman; and made him the offer of his house to live
  in till he could provide himself with a better。
  Now it came to pass when Mr。 Whittington's face was
  washed; his hair curled; and he dressed in a rich suit of
  clothes; that he turned out a genteel young fellow; and;
  as wealth contributes much to give a man confidence; he
  in a little time dropped that sheepish behavior which was
  principally occasioned by a depression of spirits; and soon
  grew a sprightly and good companion; insomuch that
  Miss Alice; who had formerly pitied him; now fell in love
  with him。
  When her father perceived they had this good liking
  for each other he proposed a match between them; to
  which both parties cheerfully consented; and the Lord
  Mayor; Court of Aldermen; Sheriffs; the Company of
  Stationers; the Royal Academy of Arts; and a number
  of eminent merchants attended the ceremony; and were
  elegantly treated at an entertainment made for that purpose。
  History further relates that they lived very happy; had
  several children; and died at a good old age。 Mr。
  Whittington served as Sheriff of London and was three times
  Lord Mayor。 In the last year of his mayoralty he
  entertained King Henry V and his Queen; after his
  conquest of France; upon which occasion the King; in
  consideration of Whittington's merit; said: 〃Never had
  prince such a subject〃; which being told to Whittington
  at the table; he replied: 〃Never had subject such a king。〃
  His Majesty; out of respect to his good character;
  conferred the honor of knighthood on him soon after。
  Sir Richard many years before his death constantly fed
  a great number of poor citizens; built a church and a college
  to it; with a yearly allowance for poor scholars; and near
  it erected a hospital。
  He also built Newgate for criminals; and gave liberally
  to St。 Bartholomew's Hospital and other public charities。