The Delaware herald., 1854-05-31
"Good day, sir" said sniggles, "glad to see

you here" ~
handed him the letter,which he just glanced
over, and then said, Follow me-"
He led me into the next room, where three
fellows were driving their quilts with all their
might. ''
"Mr. Jackson" cried old sniggles to one of
them, Mr.. Plastic, here, CHATS myselt,) has
come TO join you; be good enough to set him to
work" and SO saying he left the room.
Mr.. Jackson did as he was told. He gave
me qcantity of things to copy, every line Of
which puzzled me by the extraordinary terms it
contained words which l never heard before,
and which | am confident are not to be found in
Johnsons Dictionary. | did as 1 was told,
though if you had asked me what had done
at the end OF the day, certa inly could not have
told you, except that ] was actually writing
something or other.
My fellow clerks were good natured fellows
though their coats were evidently built by third
rate tailors, and their neck-tes were more
striking than tasteful. They were not very
ignorant, either; though they knew nothing
about the matters | was most up in--such as
the private history of Madame Spinnini, the
great danseuse, and the real story about the
Duke of Dumps and SignOra Salonica, of the
Italian opera, &C., &C., still they were not badly
informed about the mirJr matters of history,
|
|
Six months had passed. had worked every
day ike horse--or like a clerk; had con-
quered all the difficulties of the office; under
stood my business, and was rising into impor-
tance.
During the whole of this time, had seen
nothing of the Man over the Way" He had
mysteriously vanished the day after l parted
with him, when he sent me to the office. The
people at the house where he lodged declared
they knew not whittier he had gone, but he had
paid his rent, and they spoke of him with great
respect
g Mr. Plastic" said old Sniggles, when en-
tered his room one day with some Office work ]
had just done, will you dine with Inc to-day
My daughter will be glad to see you"
Could | believe my aars! How the words
thrilled through me. accepted the invitation
of course, but in what terms I do not krow.
was so fustered, that, for the first time during
| my clerkship, I made several blunders in
my work that day. At five o'clock, Sniggles
entered our office, and, asking if was ready.
! we walked off together. We did not talk
! much, fortunately for me, confused | was, fol
1 we rode in an omnibus.
s When we reached Sniggles' house-that
5 house that had been forbidden to enter-how
my heart beat! How would Julia receive me
Could act the part of n mere friend with pro-
priety! What should dol was already il
the draw ,nc-room.
"Julia!'' exclaimed in spite of old Sniggle
: himself She rushed forward. and l caught he
in my arms
J. "Very pretty, - said old Sniggles
" smiling quite benignantly on US.
= "What does it all meant" l exclaimed.
:. . "Shc's yours, my boy--she's yours" said oil
It Snigges, almost whispering as lie spoke
you're a man now, and you deserve her; sh
shall be your partner for life if you'll have her
+ and, by Jove, sir, YOU shall b; my partner toe
- ifyou like"
II II was overjoyed, but still bewildered.
X "The truth is, dear Charles" said Julia, "w
Ss owe all this happiness to my fathers kindness
!, and the interest of my own maternal uncle.--
h Since our separation he has been my copfdant
Is and he promised that he would make it hi
"a business to forward my happiness. He wisbe
VI to see you, and even call on you but believ
- you saved him the trouble OF doing that. M
E father agreed to all his plans; and both comics
0' that you have gone through your probation ne
:, bly,. My father has told you so. Let me no
7u present you to my uncle-an old acquantanC
l. OF yours"
ne She smiled as she said this, and led me I'M
the next room where my hand was immediate
afterwards warmly seized by" Tbs Man ov'
the Way"