[The History of John Bull by John Arbuthnot]@TWC D-Link book
The History of John Bull

CHAPTER II
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How Bull and Frog grew jealous that the Lord Strutt intended.
to give all his custom to his grandfather Lewis Baboon.
It happened unfortunately for the peace of our neighbourhood that this young lord had an old cunning rogue, or, as the Scots call it, a false loon of a grandfather, that one might justly call a Jack-of-all-Trades.* Sometimes you would see him behind his counter selling broadcloth, sometimes measuring linen; next day he would be dealing in merceryware.
High heads, ribbons, gloves, fans, and lace he understood to a nicety.
Charles Mather could not bubble a young beau better with a toy; nay, he would descend even to the selling of tape, garters, and shoe-buckles.
When shop was shut up he would go about the neighbourhood and earn half-a-crown by teaching the young men and maids to dance.

By these methods he had acquired immense riches, which he used to squander* away at back-sword, quarter-staff, and cudgel-play, in which he took great pleasure, and challenged all the country.

You will say it is no wonder if Bull and Frog should be jealous of this fellow.

"It is not impossible," says Frog to Bull, "but this old rogue will take the management of the young lord's business into his hands; besides, the rascal has good ware, and will serve him as cheap as anybody.


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