“DOING A BIT OF STIFF.”
Scene – John Bull’s great Discount House in the City.
Enter Louis Napoleon.
Louis Napoleon. Permit – Monsieur John Bull – that I offer you a leetle bill for discount.
John Bull (gruffly). Let’s see it.
Louis Napoleon. Le voila! (Hands over his Bill.)
John Bull (turns it over and over). H’m – I see – endorsed “Cobden” – A good name, Monseer – but I don’t like negotiating foreign paper. However, let’s see – What’s this? – At eighteen months? – Payable in October, 1861? And you want ready money for this?
Louis Napoleon. Mais oui – the security, you see, is excellent.
John Bull. Is it? How do I know where your firm may be before it comes due?
Louis Napoleon (reproachfully). Ah – Monsieur!
John Bull. Well – We have seen a good many come to grief, in your line of business, you know, Mounseer. However – you may leave the Bill – I’ll think it over – And let you know my terms for discount.
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