Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-03-10
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The Poor Relations story.

ITO" ""uaA % stones pt me thustnas fuo.n
by CHARLES DICKENS.
lie was very reluctant to take precedence
of SO many respected members of the fam
lly by beginning the round of stories they
were to relate as they sat ia goodly circle
around the Christmas fire aud he modest
ly suggested that IL would be more correct
If John our esteemed host (whose health
he begged 70 drink would have The kind
ness 10 begin For as TO himself be was so
little used TO lead the way, that really--
But as they all cried oul here, that he must
begin, aud agreed with one voice that he
might, could, would, and should begin, he
lelt oil rubbing his hands, ana took his legs
out from under his armchair, aud did be-
GIN
have no doubt (said the poor relaton)
that | shall surprise the assembled members
OF our family, aud particularly John our es-
teemed host, to whom we are so much IN
debted for the great hospitality with which
he has tins day entertained US, by the con-
tession | am going to make. But, if you
do me the honor 10 be surprised by any,
thing that falls from person so unimport-
ant ia the family as / am, can only say
that shall be scrupulously accurate in all
] relate
ann not what am supposed to be- |
am quite another thing. Perhaps before |
90 further, had better glance at what /
dm supposed 10 be-
Ii is supposed, unless | misiake--the as
sembled members OF our family wall correct
me Il | do. which is very likely there the
poor relation looked mildly about him for
correcilon) that am nobody's enemy but
my own. That | never met with any partl-
cular success in anything. That failed in
business because | was unbusness-like aud
credulous-ln not being prepared for the in
terestIng designs of my partner That
failed ia love, because / was hdiculously
trusltul-in thinking it impossible that
Chustana could deceive me. That ! fail
ed M my expectations from my uncle Chill,
on account of not being sharp as he could
have wished ia worldly matters That, thro'
life, l have been rather put upon aud disap-
pointed, IN general way That | am at
present bachelor of between fifty-nine
aud sixty years of age, living on limited
income IN the form of quarterly allowance,
to which ! see that John our esteemed host
wishes me to make no further alluslon.
The superstition as to my present pur-
suits and habits is TO the following effect.
live in lodging in the Clapbam road
IA very clean back room in a very respec-
table house-where am expected not to be
at home in the daytime, unless poorly; aud
which l usually leave in the morning al
nine O'Clock, on pretence of going TO BUSH
ness. take my breaklast-my roll and
butter, and my halGpint of Codee-at the
old established coffee-shop near Weslmin-
ster Bridge; aud then 20 into the City
don't know why-and SIT in Gdraway's
coffee house, and on Change, and walk a.
bout, and look into few offices and count
ing houses where some of my relations or
aequalniances are so good as 10 tolerate me,
and where ! stand by the fire if the wealth
er happens to be cold. ! get through the
day ia tins way until five O'Clock, and then
dine al an average cost of one and three
pence Having still little money TO spend
on my evenings entertainment, ! look into
the old established coiiee-shop as 90 home,
and take my cup of tea, aud perhaps my
bit of toast. So, as the large hand Of the
clock makes lis way round TO the morning
hour again, make my way round TO the
Chaplain road again, and 90 10 bed when