He had just entered the counting-house , and seated himself at the desk , when somebody came , tap , tap , at the door . `` Who 's there ? '' said Mr. Fitzwarren . `` A friend , '' answered the other . `` What friend can come at this unseasonable time ? '' `` A real friend is never unseasonable , '' answered the other . `` I come to bring you good news of your ship Unicorn . '' The merchant bustled up in such a hurry that he forgot his gout ; instantly opened the door , and who should be seen waiting but the captain and factor , with a cabinet of jewels , and a bill of lading , for which the merchant lifted up his eyes and thanked heaven for sending him such a prosperous voyage . Then they told him the adventures of the cat , and showed him the cabinet of jewels which they had brought for Mr. Whittington . Upon which he cried out with great earnestness , but not in the most poetical manner : `` Go , send him in , and tell him of his fame , And call him Mr. Whittington by name . '' It is not our business to animadvert upon these lines ; we are not critics , but historians . It is sufficient for us that they are the words of Mr. Fitzwarren ; and though it is beside our purpose , and perhaps not in our power to prove him a good poet , we shall soon convince the reader that he was a good man , which was a much better character ; for when some who were present told him that this treasure was too much for such a poor boy as Whittington , he said : `` God forbid that I should deprive him of a penny ; it is his own , and he shall have it to a farthing . '' He then ordered Mr. Whittington in , who was at this time cleaning the kitchen and would have excused himself from going into the counting-house , saying the room was swept and his shoes were dirty and full of hob-nails . The merchant , however , made him come in , and ordered a chair to be set for him . Upon which , thinking they intended to make sport of him , as had been too often the case in the kitchen , he besought his master not to mock a poor simple fellow , who intended them no harm , but let him go about his business . The merchant , taking him by the hand , said : `` Indeed , Mr. Whittington , I am in earnest with you , and sent for you to congratulate you on your great success . Your cat has procured you more money than I am worth in the world , and may you long enjoy it and be happy ! '' At length , being shown the treasure , and convinced by them that all of it belonged to him , he fell upon his knees and thanked the Almighty for his providential care of such a poor and miserable creature . He then laid all the treasure at his master 's feet , who refused to take any part of it , but told him he heartily rejoiced at his prosperity , and hoped the wealth he had acquired would be a comfort to him , and would make him happy . He then applied to his mistress , and to his good friend Miss Alice , who refused to take any part of the money , but told him she heartily rejoiced at his good success , and wished him all imaginable felicity .
He then gratified the captain , factor , and the ship 's crew for the care they had taken XXXXX his cargo .
beside by in of than that though to upon with