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VOLU3IE I. |
BY C. R. IIANLEITER.
IP © E T R Y.
“ Much yet remains unsung.”
THE JOURNEYMAN PRINTER.
A mental lamp Inins’ out by life's wayside,
Unnoticed j yet its unpretending ray
Shines clearly on man’s intellectual way,
And proves to pilgrims an unfailing guide ;
He hath within a wot thy sort of pride,
And know s his worth, though some allow it not;
A heart and thinking mind above his lot
‘Along men arc his. His coffers ill su| plied,
Yet want and virtue seldom ask in vain t
Nor is his life exempt from various pain ;
Few days are his—the rose that freshly bloom’d
On boyhood's cheek ossumes the hue of death;
The oil of life wi thin him soon consum’d,
Ere two score years and ten lie yields his vital breath !
TALES
AN INCONVENIENT ACQUAIN
TANCE.
H V HELEN B E ItKLEY.
“ Mr. Lori mere is not at home, sir,” re
plied a rosy cheeked Irish girl, to the query
of an individual in a shabby brown coat,
and sttapless pantaloons, that disclosed feet
■paired but not matched, who stood on the
stoop of one of the most elegant mansions
in Bond street.
“Os course not, my dear—Mr. Loiimere
is never at home —hut Mrs. Lorimere is at
home, and Miss Loiimere can’t be out at
this early hour?”
“ Mrs. Lorimere is engaged, and so is
Miss Lorimere,” pertinaciously replied the
girl. For she recognized a certain leering
smile about the thin mouth, and a shrewd
wink of the gt ay lynx eye, against the owner
of which she had seen the waiter more than
once close the door.
“ You’ve a fine bloom, my dear, a fine
bloom—you’d better show me to Mrs. Lori
mere, or I shall have to find my own way.”
“Mrs. Lorimere is engaged, sir ; you’d
best cal!'again.”
” Engaged, is she 1” said Mr. Badger,
deliberately placing himself in a comforta
ble leaning posture against the door. “Call
again, eh 1” he slowly added, casting round
a few furtive glances, as though he were
seeking sonic accustomed passport to the
lady’s presence.
” Whose child is that ? Mrs. Lorimere’s?”
The girl nodded.
“Comehere, my pretty little dear—here’s
something for you,” hallooed he to a red
haired young urchin, whose begrimmed face
was inquiringly protruded from behind the
backdoor. “Here’s something for you !”
And he drew front his capacious pocket a
handful of prunes and peanuts, and held it
coaxingly towards the child. f l he hoy at
first drew back, and then, unable to with
stand the temptation, bashfully approached,
grasped the offered treasure, and would have
made liis escape, hut Mr. Badger caught one
of his arms.
“ Whole’s your mamma, my little man ?
Here’s another handful.”
“ Ma’s in the back parlor clearing the
breakfast things.”
” Well, tell iter a gentleman wants to see
her, and I’ll try what else l can find in my
pocket for you.”
Away ran the child towards the hack par
lor. The girl lot goof the door to atop him.
Mr. Badger seized that opportunity to step
into the house, following as closely on the
fugitive’s heels as though he were quite at
borne in such pursuit. He entered the par
lor just as the boy cried “ Ma, somebody
wants to see you.”
Mr. Badger bowed itt the decorous, but
now unfortunately obsolete, style of Louis
Quinze.
Nobody could have mistaken the glance
of marked admiration with which he sur
veyed the fine person of the lady standing
at the head of “a disordered breakfast table.
A small swab was in her delicate hand. She
was busily engaged in washing French china
cups. The lady colored —hastily drew her
sleeve over a remarkably white arm, dried
her hands, and rather haughtily demanded
to what circumstance she was indebted for
this visit.
Mr. Badger bowed again, as though he
felt himself complimented.
“ The gil l said your ladyship was engag
ed, hut 1 knew I should be no disturbance
to your ladyship—and this beautiful boy—
what a lovely face lie has got!” tenderly
strokin 2 the child’s flame-colored head.
Here the mother’s countenance relaxed
into a half smile, and she pushed a chair to
wards her guest.
“ Your ladyship’s child, I presume ? re
sembles you vastly, else I should have sup
posed your ladyship 100 young to be his
mother.”
Mrs. Lorimere this time smiled positive
ly, and replied in a gentle tone, “My only
son, sir.”
“ Indeed, a noble boy! what a head !
you’ve heard of phrenology 1 ? Must take
him to Fowler, the phrenology man; should
n’t wonder if he told you this child stood a
chance of being President of the United
States; remarkable head ! Shouldn’t won
der ai all myself at seeing him President;
great country this—great country —”
“ Take a <eat, sir.”
“ Thank you, your ladyship—thank you,
I don’t caro if I do. Very pretty carpet
SI jfawUg : ©r&otetr to literature, &srUuiture, i&eeftauCcs, duration, jporetflti atm Bonugtic JuteUiueuee, ice.
you have on yotti floor—came from Ches
ter —all the house furnished with the same 1 ?
That puts me in mind of business. Fact
is, your ladyship, I called to see if I couldn’t
get Mr. Lorimere ; by the by the hoy looks
a little like him at this moment; got his
dashing air to a T. I was saying, your la
dyship, I want to get Mr. Lorimere to set
tle about this very carpet. Chester’s grow
ing impatient.”
“ Indeed, sir, I thought the carpet was
paid for long ago.”
“Oh ! no, your ladyship, a slight mistake;
those china cups too —pretty patern, ain’t
they ? Came from Drummer’s; I’ve a small
demand for them.”
“ You surprise me. I chose the china
myself, and am almost sure it was paid for
at the time.”
“ Slight mistake, your ladyship—nothing
more—now if I could get your lsdyshipjust
to set the case before Mr. Lorimere, and
persuade him to give me a check for these
things I should esteem it a great favor.”
“ I certainly shall, sir. lam very much
mortified to hear that the bill has stood so
long.”
“ When shall I call again, your ladyship?
This afternoon ?”
“If you please. We dine at half past
three. Mr. Lorimere is always at home to
dinner. I shall speak to him without fail.”
“ Much obliged to you, your ladyship.
Chester & Cos. can’t wait—nor Drummer
neither. I’ll call this afternoon. Here are
more prunes for you, sonny. What an eye
he bus got! His father’s eye—just the eye
for a great man. I’ll call at half past three,
your ladyship.”
With these words Mr. Badger bowed him
self backwards out of the room.
As he limpingly ran down the steps with
a habitual chuckle, which denoted particular
satisfaction, he encountered one of hia ac
quaintances.
“ Heh ! Brindsley ! How are you getting
on, my good fellow 1”
“ What, Badger, is that you ? Thank for
tune I’m getting on so well that I’m not
afraid of meeting you in the streets.”
“ That’s what 1 call eloquent and explicit.
Did you notice what an elegant house I
came out of? Been paying a visit to one
of the loveliest women in New York.—
Great country this—great country —”
“ Mrs. Lorimere ? You’ve got an account
against her husband, I suppose; but what
do you go after the wife for ?”
“That’s a peculiarity of mine—l like
talking to handsome women—there’s noth
inglike it in creation. 1 never trouble life
husbands much till 1 see what I can do with
them through their wives. Nothing like
getting a woman to help carry on a suit
against her husband. 1 collect more had
debts from such pleading than any other.
Nothing men hate like having the women
know their affairs; and have them worry
them into paying their debts. Great coun
try this—”
“ Are the women then always so anxious
to pay V
“ To be sure —sweet creatines —most of
them have got conscience enough to make
up the lack in their husbands—hearts too —
I’ve a receipt of my own for getting to a
woman’s heart.”
“ Who is this Lorimere ?”
“Lorimere? Why he is a Wall-street
broker. A man who made a little money
by speculating—lost six times as much as
he has ever made, and has got the reputa
tion of being wortli all he ever made and
lost together. This because he lives in a
large house, and owes large sums to half
the shopkeepers in New York. Great coun
try this—great country —”
“ Is there hope of his paying ?”
“He’ll pay me every stiver. You’ll see
—every body pays me. I lay my plans to
suit my people. Don’t catcli sparrows and
hawks in the same net. Lorimere’s father
was a tailor. The old man was worth a
mint of money, and bought nothing with it
hut pride. He died, and his children inher
ited his pride and got none of his money.
Young Lorimere is turning the cold shoul
der upon all his friends and trying to get in
to fashionable society. His supposed wealth
has gathered a troop of gay hangers on, like
wasps about a bee-hive, around him. Noth
ing lie dreads so much as beingcut by them.
Now you see—hut 1 can’t let you into my
plans. The train is well laid ; trust me for
that.”
“ What an elegant young man that is
walking in front of us ! I wonder who he
is ?”
“ That! by the cut of his coat, that must
he Bell Flashing. An acquaintance of mine.
He’s paying his addresses to the young lady
with him. A fortune 1 hear. What an air
she has! I don’t doubt she’s pretty ; ex
cuse me my dear fellow, 1 have a hill in my
pocket for $l5O which my friend Flashing
owes to his livery-stable keeper. I’ll join
him.”
“ What! not when lie’s walking with a
lady ?”
“To be sure—why not ? That’s the ve
ry time to make an impression. Besides I
want a good look at her ladyship. If I get
an answer from him I’ll join you farther
down.”
Mr.Badger withdrew his arm from Brind
sley’s, and limping a few steps forward, very
unceremoniously placed the disengaged
memher within that of the astonished young
fop. Mi. Badger took no notice of the gen
tleman’s discomposure, but staring at the
MADISON, MORGAN COUNTY, GEORGIA, SATURDAY MORNING, MARCH 11, 1843.
young lady made one of his profound and
graceful salutations.
Mr. Brindsley purposely passed them, to
enjoy the troubled lflok of the assailed young
gentleman, the confusion of the belle, and
the truly delightful ease and self-possessed
grace of Mr. Badger.
Mr. Brindsley walked half-a-dozen blocks
before his friend joined him.
“ Well, Badger, have you dropped your
prey ?”
“Only given the fish a little of the line
with the bait in his mouth. Flashing prom
ised to see me to-morrow cml fork out the
shiners. Great country this—great country.
Tried to put it off’a week—hut 1 kept close
hold of his arm, and looked at the girl, as
much as to say, what a fool he takes me for!
His tight coat must have grown uncomfort
able, just then—so I should think from his
fidgeting. Sweet girl she was—looked at
me from head to foot—all the women look
at me—nothing I like so well as a woman’s
eye. Great country this—finest women in
the world !”
“ Where are you going now ?”
“To Wall-street. We are almost there.
This is just the hour I know I shall catch a
particular friend of mine with his cronies
around him. He’ll have to shell out this
time, or I shall take up my quarters in his
office for the rest of the day. I took lodg
ings once ill the same house when I had a
large debt to collect from him. I followed
him about like his shadow—he couldn’t turn
without seeing me. He had to pay at last;
said he felt as if he was releasing his soul
from the old Nick. Here we are. Good
by. I shall be engaged for an hour or two.”
“ Good by—success to you.”
Mr. Badger entered the office. It was
filled with persons busily engaged in con
versation. Several of the group recognized
him and looked somewhat inclined to get
out of his way. Very good-naturedly thrust
ing out his iiand to each in turn he gener
ously dealt round a few hearty shakes. He
then put his head over the shoulder of a
venerable looking ger.tleman, whose back
Was turned, and cried out,
“ Eh—Mr. Cash—my good sir—how do
you do ? Delighted to see you—it’s with
you I want to speak.”
“ What! old cloven foot! is that you—
here again ? Now, I’ll make a bargain with
you. I’ll pay you that hill, and give you
ten dollars to boot, if you’ll promise never
to shut out the sunlight from these doors
attain ; and never to take another bill against
me in your life ? Let any other man do it
—hut 1 can’t stand your mode of proceed
ing.”
“Done! Down with the dust! I’ll nev
er take another bill against you as long as I
live. G t eat country this—great country —”
“ There it is ; now the next time I meet
you I shall be saved the sin of wishing you
had a blackcap drawn over your face.”
Badger took the money —gave his usual
chuckle—bowed the slight quick bow he
kept in reserve for the male portion of the
the species—and hobbled out of the office,
muttering, “ That man’s a gentleman ! He
pays proper tribute to my talents. I'll nev
er collect another hill against him as long as
1 live. Great country this—great country —”
We will not follow Mr. Badger in his
morning visits; hut take leave of him until
quarter-past three.
That hour found him once more on the
steps of Mr. Loiimere’s mansion. His loud
ling this time was answered by the waiter.
The man’s half uttered “ Mr. Lorimere is
out,” was interrupted by Mr. Badger—
“ I have an appointment with Mrs. Lori
mere,” and pushing by the disconcerted at
tendant, he entered the drawing-room.
Mrs. Lorimere, dressed in the richest at
tire, was sitting upon the sofa. She hardly
noticed Mi. Badger’s entrance. Her eyes
looked red and their was a crimson spot on
her cheek that betokened as much anger as
grief.
Mr. Badger gallantly sat himself beside
her, stretched out his better foot foremost,
and in a insinuatingly sympathizing tone
feared she was unwell.
“ Thank you, sir, I am quite well.”
“ Your ladyship’s beautiful little boy ill
perhaps ?”
“ No,” said the mother, more courteously,
“ he is well.”
“ Mr. Lorimere not come home yet, your
ladyship ?”
“ Mr. Loiimere dines out. He has just
left me!”
“ Ah ! indeed ! Suppose he’ll l<e home
to tea ? 1 ain’t much engaged this afternoon
—I could wait.”
The lady gave him a supplicating glance,
and drew a deep sigh.
“ He did not say when he would come
hack. He may not return until late at night.”
Here Mrs. Lorimere showed an evident de
sire to sob.
“ Don’t be distressed, your ladyship—l
don’t mind waiting at all,” said lie, in a pe
culiarly tender tone. “Or perhaps I’ll call
again to-morrow. Be so good as to remind
Mr. L. to-night, and again in the morning,
and once more us he leaves the house, of
those little demands. I shall find it quito
convenient to call to-morrow. Pray don’t
he distressed.”
” 1 will certainly remind him, sir. lam
mortified to death about them. Depend up
on it they shall be paid.”
“ I’m sure of that, now you’ve taken the
matter into your own hands. Don’t let me
keep you from your dinner. I'll seo you to
morrow, your ladyship, without fail.”
With this consoling assurance Mr. Badger
took his leave.
The next morning Mr. Lorimere gave
strict orders to the servants not to admit a
gentleman with a long thin face, a white hat,
and but one decent foot. Mr. Badger, who
was gifted with some faculty resemlding se
cond sight, had foreseen this. He paid no
visit to Bond street that day.
About three o’clock he entered the fash
ionable tailoring establishment on the corner
of Wall street and Broadway.
“ How do you do, Mr. Scofield ?”
“ How are you, Mr. Badger ? What, can
I do for you to-day 1”
“ Nothing, thank you, hut permit me to
see vvliat is going on in the world from this
fine window of yours.”
“ Certainly, sir.”
Mr. Badger carefully stationed himself in
one corner of a large window which looks
out upon Broadway.
“I wonder who that fellow is lying in
wait for ?” said Scofield, to one of his clerks.
“ Here, William, watch and tell me whom
he pounces upon.”
A number of Mr. Badger’s friends (all
persons from whom he had money to col
lect he styled his intimate friends) passed
by the window on their way to dinner.—
Still he kept his post. At last two gentle
men of gay exterior, and laughing very
merrily, came in sight. One was evidently
a foreigner of at least supposed distinction.
Badger, with outstretched hand, rushed
from his hiding place just as they came op
posite to the door.
“ How do you do, Lorimere ? Glad to
see you—been looking for you all day. In
troduce me to jour friend. Count Mor
ganini, is it not ? Happy to make your ac
quaintance, sir,” and Mr. Badger held out
his enormous palm in preparation of en
clasping the delicate gloved-fingers of the
Count.
“ Pray excuse me at present, Mr. Bad
ger,’’ said Mr. Lorimere, “I am particular
ly engaged.”
“ Shan’t detain you a minute, my dear
fellow, only want to know when you will
settle those accounrs of Chester & Co.’s
and Drummer’s. I’m so happy, too, to make
the Count’s acquaintance. Been long in
this country, sir ! See you often in Broad
way. Fine women we have here. Great
country this—great country.”
The Count gave a look which the pencil
better than the pen could express; and
dropping Mr. Lorimere’s atm, silently bow
ed to him, then to Mr. Badger, and saunter
ed down Broadway.
“ This is 100 bad, Badger,” exclaimed
Lorimere. “ I’ve been trying to get ac
quainted with that man for a month, and
have only just succeeded.”
“ Glad you did succeed—l attribute my
own success to that. Did you see what a
bow he gave me 1”
“ Deuce take his bow—just when he had
promised to ride out with me ! You’ve put
me out of humor; I can’t listen to you
now.”
“ No? Well, I’ll j ust walk towards home
with you, (seizing his arm) and you shall
tell me when I shall call to see you. There’s
no house I like calling at belter than yours.
Sweet lady that wife of yours ! delightful to
talk to.”
Mr. Lorimere mutteringly coupled his
wife’s sweetness with expressions too em
phatic for repetition.
“ Excuse me now, I tell you. If there’s
money due from me, why don’t you sue ?
Sue, sue, I tell you; you’re welcome to sue
to-morrow.”
“ That’s not my way of transacting busi
ness. I sue for the money myself till I get
it. I’m mj r own lawyer and never lose a
case.”
“ I shall he late to dinner, and am going
to jump into an omnibus. Good morning.’’
“ 1 havu’t dined myself yet,” said Badger,
without releasing the captive arm. “ You
take dinner en famille, 1 suppose ? Should
n’t mind taking a cut with you.”
“ I expect friends.”
“ Well, that makes no odds, I don’t mind
strangers; I’m hail fellow well met with all
my friends’ friends. Here comes an omni
bus; I’ll ride up with you.”
Mr. Lorimere gave a look at the omnibus
—it appeared full. Leaping on the step
and taking his stand in front of the door, he
called out lustily to the driver, “ Go on,”
and before Mr. Badger could hobble up to
him, the omnibus was dashing along at full
speed.
“ I’ll worry you a little for this, my fine
fellow,” said he, as he turned to retrace his
steps: “ I’ll make the acquaintance of more
of your acquaintances before I’ve done.
There’s no baffling Nut Badger.”
A couple of days after the above incident,
Mrs. Lorimere was in the parlor with some
morning visitors, \vho9e carriage stood be
fore the door. She felt particularly happy
that day. Her only daughter, a young girl
in the first bloom of womanhood, was sit
ting in the window trying to comprehend
the delightful nothings of a promising young
slip of the aristocracy. The mother loudly
believed he was aspiring to her daughter’s
hand. Suddenly the conversation was in
terrupted by a loud discussion and another
person at the tT?lqr. A well known voice
struck upon Mrs. Lorimere’s ear. With ill
disguised agitation she rose herself to close
the parlir door. This was the worst move-
| ment she could have made. Mr. Badger,
who was trying to force liis way past the
j waiter, caught a glimpse of her figure, and
\ rushing up to her, exclaimed, “ I’m delight
ed to see you, your ladyship—de-e-lighted !
You’re looking chantingly. Mr. Lorimere
at home ? Suppose not; but I can wait.”
Without noticing Mrs. Lorimera’s half
uttered remonstrance; or rather, interpret
ing and receiving it as a welcome, the gen
tleman coolly entered the parlor.
“ Mr. Badger,” the lady at length muster
ed courage and voice to say, “ you wish to
see Mr. Lorimere on business ; you will be
more private in the back parlor, if j’ou will
do me the favor to step in there.”
“ Thank you—thank you, your ladyship,
no consequence in life. My business is nev
er private. I’m a man, too, of too much
taste to he contented in any other room in
the house except where the mistress is.”
And Mr. Badger bowed more profoundly
than the present fashion of petit maitre at
tire would permit many to imitate.
“ But Mr. Badger—”
“ Don’t trouble yourself to apologize, I
am quite comfortable here,” dropping him
self slowly into a luxurious arm-chair.
“That’s Miss Lorimere, 1 suppose? Very
like you, your ladyship. How do you do,
Miss ? Never had the happiness of seeing
you before—your mother and myself are
old acquaintances.”
Miss Lorimere looked bewildered. The
gentleman at her side stared, and after a
few moments feeling himself, we presume,
amongst uncongenial spirits rose and took
his leave.
Mrs. Lorimere, in resigned despair, at
tempted to resume the conversation with
her guests.
“ You were at young Mrs. Fleecer’s soi
ree last night, were you not ?” demanded
she.
Before the lady addressed could answer,
Mr. Badger interposed—
“ Mrs. Fleecer ? What! Harry Fleecer’s
wife 1 an acquaintance of mine—l know
Hal very well. Strange affair that about
his father ! I was just going to make them
a visit. Finest chairs in his house I ever
sat upon. I shall see if 1 can’t get them
settled for to day. Great country this—
great country.”
Mrs. Lorimere hurriedly went on : “ I
hear Mrs. Delaney was the belle of the
evening.”
“ Beg your pardon, your ladyship,” this
time, addressing not Mrs. Loiimere, but
the lady beside him.
“ What Mrs. Delaney is that ? The wife
of Alfred Delaney, who heat liis first wife
to death ? I’ve bills against him for more
thousands than he likes. Must be the same.
His second wife’s the handsomest woman in
New York. Great friend of mine.”
Just at this minute Mr. Lorimere entered,
and the visitois rose to take their departure.
“Ah ! Loiimere, I’ve caught you at last;
delightful society you receive; I’ve been
enjoying it exceedingly. Should like noth
ing better than sitting in your parlor a few
hours every day ; if you’re willing,” draw
ing up the right corner of liis mouth, and
looking at the afflicted man out of his left
eye in a manner peculiarly his own.
“ Mr. Badger, I desire in future that you
will call at my office. I have not been used
to this treatment.”
“ You’ll soon get accustomed to it, my
dear fellow, under my administration. I
make my calls to suit my own convenience.
I’m glad to be 60 well received. When
people find my visits troublesome, they
know how to dispense with them. I’m a
man of business, and never call hut on
business, although I take pleasure always at
the same time.”
“Troublesome, sir? Why I never—”
angrily began Mr. Lorimere.
“ Why don’t you pay him, Frank, have
done with it 1” whispered Mis. Lorimere,
tears of mingled passion and mortification
rolling down, her cheeks.
“ Permit me to settle my own affairs,
madam, without your interference.” Mrs.
Lorimere, weeping left the room.
“ Badger, call upon me to-morrow at ten,
and I promise to pay for these confounded
caipets —1 can’t stand this.”
“ And the china, too ?”
“If possible.”
“Then good morning. Don’t fail me—
I shan’t fail you, you may he sure. Great
country this—great country.” With these
words Mr. Badger took liis leave; hut not
without first insisting on a hearty shake of
his friend’s hand.
The next morning, at ten precisely, one
of the numerous hills in Mr. Badger’s hands
against Mr. Lorimere was defrayed. This
was but a drop in the bucket. Three or
four more visits to the house were made in
effectually. The writer had learnt his ring;
or discovered his presenco through some se
cret loop hole, lie never gained admit
tance. But, as Mr. Badger himself express
ed it, he was not the man to he baffled. He
waited a full month for u good opportunity
of putting his ingenious designs into execu
tion.
Mrs. Lorimere issued cards for a party,
at which she hoped to assemble the elite
of the city.
“ Os course she must have forgotten my
invitation,” argued Mr. Badger to himself.
“No matter, l won’t stand on ceremony
with friends.”
Beautiful as Martelle’s and Mias Whit
tinghara’s skill, to say nothing of Nature’s,
| NUMBER 50.
WM. T. THOMPSON, EDITOR.
could make her, looked Mrs. Lorimcre on
the evening of the ball. She stood, in the
blaze of light, .at one end of her splendid
drawing-room; and the gaily dressed that
hovered around her, in addition to the cor
onet of diamonds that circled her fair brow,
gave her the air of a sovereign receiving the
homage of her devoted subjects. The per
sons site most desired to see were present—
Kendall’s band had arrived—Weller had
surpassed himself in the arrangement of the
supper table. Her triumph was complete.
The evening was far advanced ; most of the
guests were assembled. An unusually loud
lingturnedMis. Lorimcre’sexpectantglance
to the door. She would rather at that mo
ment have seen a ghost than the form which,
arrayed in its outre Sunday t best, presented
itself to her view.
“ How do you do your ladyship I” vocif
erated Mr. Badger, the moment lie distin
guished Mrs. Lorimcre.
“ Delighted to see you looking so charm
ingly 1” Seizing the lady’s hand in his own
he gave it an unusually lusty shake.
Miss Lorimere at that moment ctoased
the room. Bedgcr let go of the mother’s
hand elbowed his way through the crowd,
and striding up to the fair young girl, loud
ly accosted her by name. The frightened
maiden drew back, repressing a ery ©f as
tonishment. The guests rose to survey the
stranger whose appearance created such a
sensation.
Mr. Lorimere, who from the back parlor
heard that there was some disturbance, lit
tle suspecting its nature, now innocently
made bis appearance. Badger pounced up
on his hand the instant it was within reach.
“ Delighted to see you, my dear fellow !
delighted!”
Mr. Lorimere was speechless—with a
bewildered look, at last, he drew Badger’s
arm in his, and led him to a more retired
part of the next room.
“ Really, Badger, this intrusion is beyond
endurance.”
“ Not so much beyond endurance, as be
ing kept ringing the bell at your street door
half an hour every day of a cold winter’s
morning, and then finding the door remain
shut. \ou should keep better servants, my
dear fellow, indeed you should.”
But, Mr. Badger—”
“But, my dear friend, if you don’t like
my company, you know how to get rid of it.
I never some to a party to which people
have forgotten to send me an invitation, un
less I carry auch an invite ss this in my pock
“ Positively, you shall have the money if
you call at my office to-morrow.”
“That’s all I want. Now, I'll just stay
to get a little refreshment and then be off,
for I don’t admire late hours myself. Great
country this—great country.”
While this conversation was going on,
the whisper of “ Who is he 1” “ What is
he 1” ran round the room in as many tones
as there are keys to a piano.
“ I shouldn’t wonder if he was a consta
ble,” said one.
“ Really 1 What shocking people to vis
it ! I shall drop them after this.”
“ I can’t imagine who he is!” lisped an in*
tellectual looking young gentleman, who
had been evincing some dexterity in keep
ing out of Badger’s sight.
“ It’s Mr. Badger, the collector /” squeak
ed the cracked voice of a gossiping old maid.
“ I’ve heard lie comes here every day.—
They say there’s not an article in the house
paid for.”
“ How dreadful! but it’s what I suspect
ed—”
“So did I—l always snid—”
The lady would have continued to prove
her prognosticating sagacity had not Mrs.
Lorimere, at that moment, overhearing the
remarks made around her, fallen into vio
lent hysterics. She was carried out of tbo
room, followed by her husband and daugh
ter. During their absence, most of the
guests dispensed. But not until Mr. Badg
er had recognised all his particular friends,
shaken hands with them and informed them
what a great country they lived in.
***•#•
A couple of months after the above occur
rence, the following conversation took place
between Mr. and Mrs. Lorimere.
” I am so happy, Frank,” said the lady,
“ that vve are going to have the auction to
morrow, and that you will really pay those
horrid bills and let me live in peace—even
though vve do have to find peace in lodgings.”
“ Why I see very little use in not paying
them, or living in the style we have been do
ing since every friend worth having ha 9
dropped us. liver since that unfortunate
ball, Mrs. Weathercock, and Mis. Grace
ton, aud Mrs. Delemere, and all that set
have never been near us. And Emma’s
lover, Mr. Florentine, never called after tbe
day lie met Badger, did he ?”
“ Never. Well, I will stipulate never to
see any of them again, if l can ouly be sure
that I have taken my last look of Mr. Badg
er’s face Vj?
“ After to morrow, I may promise you
will) safety, my dear, that lie shall claim no
further,/! tendship with us. And the next
time you find me. running into any unurar
rantulde extravagance, just whisper in my
ear, will you—Remember your friend, the
Collector /”
Nature is an harp, a musical in
strument; whose tones again are keys to
higher strings in us.