CHAPTER IV.

A lesson to all stocking-knitters—Martin’s prospects begun to open up.

N the small sea-port of Bilton, before mentioned,
there dwelt an old and wealthy merchant and
ship-owner, who devoted a small portion of his time
to business, and a very large portion of it to what
is usually termed “doing good.” This old gentleman
was short, and stout, and rosy, and bald, and active,
and sharp as a needle.

In the short time that Mr, Arthur Jollyboy devoted
to business, he accomplished as much as most men do
in the course of a long day. There was not a be-
nevolent society in the town of which Arthur Jolly-
boy, Esquire, of the Old Hulk (as he styled his
cottage), was not a member, director, secretary, and
treasurer, all in one, and all at once! If it had been
possible for man to be ubiquitous, Mr. Jollyboy would
have been so naturally , or, if not naturally, he would
have made himself so by force of will. Yet he made

no talk about it. His step was quiet, though quick ;