James Greenwood

“ But what was most noticeable and convincing, that the coal merchant, like other individuals that might be named, is not always as black as he is painted, was to be seen over against a coal bunk on which reposed a grey-haired heaver calmly enjoying his tobacco. ”

“ There is nothing in the least piratical in the appearance of the sooty crews who man the coal spouts and generally manage the business of thie bays. On the contrary they are a subdued and meek-looking class of men. ”

“ It is a fact that speaks forcibly in favour of those who insist that there is no reason why coal at the present season should be at two guineas a ton, that the distance from the coal-field to the domestic coal-cellar is spanned by a single bridge, as it were. ”

“ Penetrating the roof of each arch is a capacious "spout," the upper mouth of which is open at the tailboard of a coal truck. The lower mouth of the spout is below in the arch where the coal wagons draw in to get their loads, and is guarded by a lid that is easily managed by means of a lever. Immediately beneath this lid are the scales on which the coal is weighed. An empty sack is held upright on the scale, the lid which guards the fully charged spout is shifted aside and when the sack is filled, which is the work of not more than half a minute, the lid is thrust back and the stream shut off. ”

“ For marrying the rubbish they sell the public. Anybody as knows anything about coals could tell that such a mixshur ain't natural. They'll buy a truck load of slate and another of screenings and another of decent coal, say, as coal goes now, at about twenty-four, and then they marry the three sorts together with quantities of each, according if it's best Wallsends you orders, or only seconds. They're poor beggars, all them nobblers, and never keep their own wagons. ”

“ You gets your nose bit off a'most every time you ask. 'Drop o' beer, mum,' ses you, after you've shot 'em and borrowed a broom and swept up all tidy - 'drop o' beer, please, mum!' 'What!' ses they, 'you ought to be ashamed to ask for such a thing with coals at two pound a ton.'"
"The coal merchants must be doing remarkably well," I ventured. ”

“ Pancras bays, however, there was but one old woman, a privileged gleaner evidently, and during the hour I was there she had not more than half filled the small handbag she carried.
Perhaps the custodians of the spout are less careful when coal is at a more reasonable price, and she then does better. It makes a difference to every one, their being so dear. ”

“ And," continued my informant, with a sigh that sent quite a cloud of smoke out of his short black pipe, "they have come down miserable lately, 'pon my soul they have. 'Stead of bein' anything in by coals going up, it's all t'other way with us. ”