The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-08-01
THE PILOT
MASTER HUMPHREYS CLOCK.
Ely CHARLES DEMONSTRATES X. XII. XII.
THE Old CURIOSITY sHo

THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP.
Little Nell stood timidly by, with her eyes
raised to the countenance of Mr.. Quilp as he
read the letter, plainly showing by her looks,
that while she entertained some fear and distrust
of the little man, she was much inclined to laugh
at his uncouth appearance and grotesque atti-
tude. And yet there was visible on the part of
the child, a painful anxiety for his reply, and
consciousness of his power to render it disagree
bic or distressing, which was strongly at vari-
ance with this impulse. and restrained it more
effectually than she could have done by any eff
forts of her own.
That Mr. Quilp was himself perplexed, and
that in no small degree, by the contents of the
letter, was sufficiently obvious. Before he had
got through the first two or three lines, he began
to open his eyes very wide, and to frown most
horribly, the next two three caused him to
scratch his head in an uncommonly vicious man
ner, and when he came to the conclusion, he
gave long dismal whistle, Indicative of sur
prise and dismay. After folding and laying it
down beside him, he bit the nails of all his ten
fingers, with extreme voracty; and taking it up
sharply, read it again The second perusal was
to all appearance unsatisfactory as the first,
and plunged him into profound reverie, from
which he awakened to another assault upon his
nails, and a long stare at the child, who with
her eyes turned towards the ground, awaited his
further pleasure.
'sHal1ao heren he said at length, in voice,
and with suddenness, which made the child
start as though gun had been fred off at her
ear. tsNellyr0
eyes, sir %
"Do you know what's inside this letter, Nell? %
"No, STRIP
care you sure, quite sure, quite certain, upon
your soul!'
"Quite sure, SIR
'sDo you wish you may die, if you do know,
hey~ said the dwarf.
''Indeed don't know" returned the child.
"Wellw muttered Quilp, as he marked her
earnest look. ssI believe you. Humph! Gone
already Gone in four-and-twenty hours! What
the devil has he done with it, that's the mystery"
This reflection set him scratching his head and
biting his nails once more. While he was thus
employed, his features gradually relaxed into
what was, with him, cheerful smile, but which
in any other man, would have been CHASTITY
grin of pain, and when the child locked up again,
she found that he regarding her with extra
ordinary favor and complacency.
t'You look very pretty to-day, Nelly, charmiRS
pretty Are you tired, Nellyw
"No sir, I'm in hurry to get back, for he will
be anxious while am away"
eThere's no hurry, little Nell, no hurry at all !"
said Quilp elbow should you like to be my
number two, Nelly3"
s'To be what sirH'
ssMy number two, Nelly, my second, my Mrs
Quilp," said the dwarf.
The child looked frightened, but seemed not to
understand him, which Mr.. Quilp observing,
FASTENED to explain his meaning more distinctly
sero be Mrs. Quilp the second, when Mrs Quilr
the first is dead, sweet Nell, y said Quilp, wrink-
ling up has eyes and Turing her towards him with
his bent forefinger, 'fto be my wife, my little
cherry-cheeked, red-lipped wife. Say that Mrs
Quilp lives five years, or only four, you'll be just
the proper age for me. Ha ha be good girl
Nelly, very good girl, and see if one of these
days you don't come to be Mrs. Quilp of Tower
HIP
So far from being sustained and stimulated by
this delightful prospect, he child shrunk from
him in great agitation, and trembed violently
Mr. Quilp, either because frightening any body
afforded him constitutional delight, because il
was pleasantto contemplate the death OF Mrs
Quilp number one, and thu elevation of Mrs.
Quilp number two to her post and title, or be-
cause.-The was determined for purposes of his own
TO be agreeable and good-humoared at that par
ticular time, only laughed and feigned to take no
heed of her alarm.
tYou shall come with me to Tower Hill, and
see Mrs. Quip that is; Directly said the dwarf
tShe IS very fond of you, Nell, though not SC
fond as am. You shall come home with me-
seI must go back indeed, p said the child. ''Ht
told me to return directly, had the answer"
ssBut you have MT it Nelly" retorted the
dwarf, "and won't have it, and can't have it, un
: ill have been home, so you see that to do your
erran1, you must go with me. Reach me yondel
hat, and we'll go directly" With that, Mr.. @ lilr
suffered himself to roll gradually offthe desk natl
his short legs touched the ground when he got up
on them and led the way from the counting-ho
to the wharf outside, where the first objects that
presented themselves were the boy who had
stood on his head and another young gentleman
OF about his own stature, rolling in the mud to
gether, locked in a tight embrace, and cutting
each other with mutual heartiness.
SITS Kitm cried Nelly, clasping her hands
sspoor Kit, who came with me! oh pray stol
them Mr. Quilppo
ssI,ll stop 'em,n cried Quiip, diving into The
little counting and returning with thicl
stick, seTll stop 'em. Now my boys, fight away
Ill fight you both I'll take both of you, both to
gether, both together"
With which defances the dwarf fourished hi.
eudgel, and dancing round the combatants, ant
treading upon them, and skipping over them, il
q kind Of frenzy, laid about him, now on one ant
now on the oiher in most desperate manner
ALWAYS aiming at their heads, and dealing sucl
blows as none but the veriest little savage woull
have inflicted. This being warmer work thar
they had calculated upon, speedily cooled tn,
courage of the beligerents, who scrambled t.
their ieet and called for quarters.
9sIIl beat you to apulp, you dogs" said Quilp
vainly endeavoring to get near either of then
for a parting blow. :,
ssEii bruise you till you're copper colored, III
& break your faces till you have mt profile be
tween you, will"
sssCome, YOU drop that stick or it III be wors
for you,o said his boy, lodging round HIM, an
watching IAN opportunity to rush in; ''you dro
shat stick
ssComea little nearer, and Ill drop ID on YOU
skull, you dog" said Quilp, with cleaning eyes
ga little nearer NEARER yet"