The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-08-05


THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP.
MASTER HUMPHREY, FROM HIS CLoCK-SIDE
IN THE CHIMNEY CORNER.
Two or three evenings after the Institution of
Mr.. Weller's Watch, | thought 1 heard as /
walked In the garden, the voice of MIR. Weller
himself, at no great distance; and stopping once
or twice to listen more attenively, found that
the sounds proceeded from my housekeeper's lit
tie ,sitting-room, which at the back OF the
house. | took no further notice of the circum-
stance at that time, but it formed the subject ct
n conversation between me and my friend Jack
Redburn next morning, when found that had
not been deceived in my impression. Jack fur
nished me with the following particulars, and as
he appeared to take extraordinary pleasure in
relating them, | have begged him in future to
lot down any such domestic scenes or occur
rcnees that may please his humor, in order that
they may be told in his own way. | must con-
fess that as MIR. pickwick and he are constantly
together, have been influenced, in making this
request. by secret desire to know something of
their proceedings.
On the evening in question, the housekeeper's
room was arranged with particular care, and the
housekeeper herself was very smartiy dressed
The preparations, however, were not conflnea 10
mere snowy demonstrations, as tea was prepared
for three persons, with small display OF pre-
serves and Jams and sweet-cakes, which herald
ed some uncommon occasion. Miss Benton Qny
housekeeper bears that name,) was in a state OF
great expectation too, frequently gong to the
front door and looking anxiously down the lane,
and more than once observed to the servant girl
that she expected company, and hoped no acct
dent had happened to delay them.
modest ring at the bell at length aliayed her
fears. and Miss Benton, burrying into her own
room and shutting herself up, i'll order that she
might preserve that appearance OF being Ia ken
by sarprise, which is SO essential to the polite
reception of visitors, awaited their coming with
a smiling countenance.
aGood ey'nn. num- said the older Mr.. Wei
Ter, looking in at the door after PREDATORY tap,
"Prn afreed we've come in, rayther arter the
time mum. but the young colt being full o'wlce
has been boltin' and shyin' and gettn' his leg
over the traces to SIGH extent that if he amt
VERY soon broke in, hell WEEK me into broken
heart, and then he'll never be brought out no
more except to learn his letters from the Wrihn'
on his grandfather's tombstone"
With these pathetic words, which were adj
dressed to something outside the door about two
feet six from the ground, MIR. Weller introduce
ed very small boy firmly set upon couple OF
very sturdy legs, who looked as if nothing could
ever knock him down. Besides having very
round face strongly resembling MIR. Weller's,
and stout little body of exactly his build, this
voung gentleman, standing with his little legs
VERY wide apart, as if the top boots were faml-
liar to. him, actually winked upon the house
keeper with his infant eye, in imitation Of his
grandfather. . -
ssThere,s a naughty boy, num- said Mr.
Weller, bursting with delight, ssthere's imme-
raj Tony Wos there ever little chap o. four
year and eight months old as vinked his eye at
strange lady, aforem
AS little affected by this observation as by the
ormer appeal to his feelings, Master Weller eie-
waited in the air small model of a coach whiF
which he carried in his hand, and addressing the
housekeeper with a shrill esya-hipm inquired
if she was segoing down the road" at which
happy adaptation of lesson he had been taught
from infancy, Mr.. Weller could restrain his feel
ingsno longer, but gave him twopencc on the
spot.
ssIts in vain to deny it mum, . said Mr.. Wei
Ter, stthis here is boy artur his grandfather's
owr, heart, and beats out all the boys as ever
wos or will be. Though at the same time, num- y
added Mr.. Weller, trying to look gravely down
upon his favorite, sit was very wrong on him
to want to over all the posts we come along,
and very cruel on him to force poor grandfather
To lift him icross-legged over every yum of sem.
He wouldn't pass yum single blessed post mum,
and at the top o. the lane there's sevenand-forty
on ,em all in row and very close together"
Here Mr. Weller, whose feelings were in a
perpetual conflict between pride in his grand
sons achievements, and sense of his own res
possibility and the Importance OF impressing him
With moral truths, burst into fit OF laughter,
and suddenly checking himself, remarked in a
severe tone that little boys as made their grand
fathers put 'em over posts, never went to heaven
at any price.
and little Tony placed on chair beside her with
his eyes nearly on level with the top Of the Ia
BILE, was provided with various delieacies winch
Welded him extreme contentment. The house
keeper (who seemed rather afraid OF the ehsie,
Notwithstanding her caresseso then patte1 nm
on the head and declared that he was the finest
boy she had ever seen