human
Oh! said Trueman to himself,
gpt
Well, Mr. Fantom, said Trueman one day at breakfast,
human
I am afraid you are leading but an idle sort of life here.
gpt
Idle, sir! said Fantom,
human
I now first begin to live to some purpose; I have indeed lost too much time, and wasted my talents on a little retail trade, in which one is of no note; one can't distinguish one's self.
gpt
So much the better, said Trueman;
human
I had rather not distinguish myself, unless it was by leading a better life than my neighbors. There is nothing I should dread more than being talked about. I dare say now heaven is in a good measure filled with people whose names were never heard out of their own street and village. So I beg leave not to distinguish myself!
gpt
Yes, but one may, if it is only by signing one's name to an essay or paragraph in a newspaper, said Fantom.
human
Heaven keep John Trueman's name out of a newspaper, interrupted he in a fright,
gpt
human
Oh yes, replied Fantom, with a gloomy sigh, which gave the lie to his words,
gpt
human
Sordid indeed! said Trueman,
gpt
And are not you ashamed to defend such knavery? said Mr. Trueman.
human
Those who have a great object to accomplish, replied Mr. Fantom,
gpt
human
That I deny, interrupted Trueman;
gpt
I have filled all the parish offices with some credit. I never took a bribe at an election, no not so much as a treat; I take care of my apprentices, and do not set them a bad example by running to plays and Saddler's Wells, in the week or jaunting about in a gig all day on Sundays; for I look upon it that the country jaunt of the master on Sundays exposes his servants to more danger than their whole week's temptation in trade put together.