Mrs. Peck's Pudding (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1845 Excerpt: ... On a spring morning of the year 1818--it would not have much mattered if I had said 19 or 20, for the occurrence took place every day till a certain imp, called steam, took it into his head to run away with stage coaches; but dates are excellent things, and give a certain degree of truth and identity to a tale.--On a spring morning, then, of the year 1818--about the 17th of April it was, or perhaps the 19th or 20th, I do not exactly know which, and will not be particular to a day--a coach painted red was standing before the door of an inn jn. Holbom. Upon the sides of the coach were inscribed names enough to have furnished half a road-book, and several respectable men in fustian and other jackets were busily engaged in putting boxes, baskets, and trunks upon the top and in the boot. It is an extraordinary thing that coaches should always wear boots. However, the boots were filled, and the top was nearly covered with luggage, a small space only being left at the edge for the sitting part of some gentlemen, who began to ascend thither by a ladder. What is called the box-seat--though those at the back better deserved the name from being actually amongst the boxes--the box-seat was occupied by a very gay-looking man with inconceivable mustachoes, a fashionably cut coat, and spurs on his heels, who held the reins, while the coachman took a last look at his bill, and considered where the other passenger could be. "Well, I can't wait beyond the time " he cried, putting one foot up to mount his seat of rule, but just then a voice was heard from the entrails of the inn, which proved to be that of a chamber-maid screaming in alt, "Stop, stop, stop The gentleman's a-coming down " and a moment after a figure appeared at the door, with the head turned round to the port...