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[219] did not hesitate to comply with his request. At that moment, the mayor himself came in sight, and Friend Hopper said to the lad, ‘Step into the next room, and play some of thy best tunes till I come.’

‘What's this?’ said Mr. Wharton. ‘Have you got a hand-organ here!’

‘Yes,’ replied Friend Hopper; ‘and I will show it to thee. It is quite curious.’

At first, the mayor could not believe that the sounds he had heard were produced by a lad merely whistling through his fingers. He thought them highly agreeable, and asked to have the tunes repeated.

‘The lad was committed to prison for no other offence than making that noise, which seems to thee so pleasant,’ said Friend Hopper. ‘I dare say thou wouldst like to make it thyself, if thou couldst. I have taken the liberty to discharge him.’

‘Very well,’ rejoined the mayor, with a smile. ‘You have done quite right, Friend Isaac. You may go, my lad. I shall not trouble you. But try not to collect crowds about the streets.’

‘That I cannot help,’ replied the youth. ‘The crowds will come, when I whistle for them; and I get coppers by collecting crowds. But I promise you I will try to avoid their making any riot or confusion.’

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Isaac T. Hopper (3)
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