[Mr. Sponge’s Sporting Tour by R. S. Surtees]@TWC D-Link book
Mr. Sponge’s Sporting Tour

CHAPTER XLVIII
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He knew the damage: sixpence for carriages, and he doubted that Sponge would pay it.
'It's no use going any (wheeze) farther,' observed he, drawing up into a walk, as he eyed the red-brick gable end of the toll-house, and the formidable white gate across the road.
Tom Coppers had heard the hounds, and, knowing the hurry sportsmen are often in, had taken the precaution to lock the gate.
'Just a _leetle_ farther!' exclaimed Mr.Sponge soothingly, whose anxiety in looking after the hounds had prevented his seeing this formidable impediment.

'If you would just drive up to that farmhouse on the hill,' pointing to one about half a mile off, 'I think we should be able to decide whether it's worth going on or not.' 'Well (puff), well (wheeze), well (gasp),' pondered Jogglebury, still staring at the gate, 'if you (puff) think it's worth (wheeze) while going through the (gasp) gate,' nodding towards it as he spoke.
'Oh, never mind the gate,' replied Mr.Sponge, with an ostentatious dive into his breeches pocket, as if he was going to pay it.
He kept his hand in his pocket till he came close up to the gate, when, suddenly drawing it out, he said: 'Oh, hang it! I've left my purse at home! Never mind, drive on,' said he to his host; exclaiming to the man, 'it's Mr.Crowdey's carriage--Mr.
Jogglebury Crowdey's carriage! Mr.Crowdey, the chairman of the Stir-it-stiff Poor-Law Union!' 'Sixpence!' shouted the man, following the phaeton with outstretched hand.
''Ord, hang it (puff)! I could have done that (wheeze),' growled Jogglebury, pulling up.
'You harn't got no ticket,' said Coppers, coming up, 'and ain't a-goin' to not never no meetin' o' trustees, are you ?' asked he, seeing the importance of the person with whom he had to deal;--a trustee of that and other roads, and one who always availed himself of his privilege of going to the meetings toll-free.
'No,' replied Jog, pompously handing Sponge the whip and reins.
He then rose deliberately from his seat, and slowly unbuttoned each particular button of the brown great-coat he had over the tight black hunting one.

He then unbuttoned the black, and next the right-hand pocket of the white moleskins, in which he carried his money.

He then deliberately fished up his green-and-gold purse, a souvenir of Miss Smiler (the plaintiff in the breach-of-promise action, Smiler _v._ Jogglebury), and holding it with both hands before his eyes, to see which end contained the silver, he slowly drew the slide, and took out a shilling, though there were plenty of sixpences in.
This gave the man an errand into the toll-house to get one, and, by way of marking his attention, when he returned he said, in the negative way that country people put a question: 'You'll not need a ticket, will you ?' 'Ticket (puff), ticket (wheeze) ?' repeated Jog thoughtfully.

'Yes, I'll take a ticket,' said he.
'Oh! hang it, no,' replied Sponge; 'let's get on!' stamping against the bottom of the phaeton to set the horse a-going.


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