Mr.Hay had to make out some bills.

He had no clerk, and was himself a poor penman.

He asked me what kind of hand I could write, and gave me some writing to do.

The result pleased him, and he found it convenient thereafter to let me make out his bills.

I was also good at figures; and he soon found it to be to his interest--and besides, dear old man, I believe he was moved by good feeling toward the white-haired boy, for he had a kind heart and was Scotch and wished to relieve me from the engine--to put me at other things, less objectionable except in one feature.
It now became my duty to bathe the newly made spools in vats of oil.
Fortunately there was a room reserved for this purpose and I was alone, but not all the resolution I could muster, nor all the indignation I felt at my own weakness, prevented my stomach from behaving in a most perverse way.