The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-12-16
For the National Ira.
JASPE A ROM nee.
BY EDWARD SPENCER.
Hoao Mr.. Classic Changed HIS Lodgings.

vi.
Hoao 1Hr. Classic Changed HIS Lodgings.
[oHAPrER ,cLupEDl
Mrs. Fleming's lawyer and Plato Classic found
but little difficulty in coming to proper under
standing in regard to the affairs of the latter.
His accounts were soon examined, the amount
of his liabilities was ascertained, and Plato's
heart was overjoyed to hear the precise man of
not go on. The valueless scrip was also taken
possession of by the lawyer, who at the same
time made note in regard to the brokers'
name and the matter generally, saying that he
would look into the transaction little, and see
if it was not possible to recover something, or
prove fraudulent dealing. These things settled,
the attorney next spoke of an arrangement
which his client proposed, and which would
doubtless prove acceptable to him. 1t seems
there was in the park, within fifty yards of the
mansion on Mrs Fleming's estate, neat little
summer lodge of two airy rooms, well fitted up
with every convenience. Mrs. Fleming pro-
posed that Mr.. Classic should take immediate
possession of this house, and consider himself
in other respects, thenceforward, member of
her family. A horse would always be at his
disposal, and all his comforts and wishes should
be scrupulously respected. Besides this
"But," interrupted Plato, &" / cannot accept
any such proposition as this. 1t is all on one
side, and makes me, in fact the pensioner of
her bounty. 1 am exceedingly grateful to Mrs.
Fleming, but you remember the words that
Plautus puts in the mouth Of Ergasilus-
Miser homo est, qui pse sib quod edit, quaer i'd
aegre inveI ::
and / have nothing of the Gnatho in my compo-
sition."
"Of course not nay dear sir" said the
lawyer, with gentle smile. But you have
heard only one side. In return for the use
of the house-which costs Mrs. Fleming moth
ing, and she would only suffer friend to
occupy it-and in consideration of salary of
enough, in all conscience, Mrs. Fleming will
expect you to read prayers night and morning
in her family, to perform the regular services on
such Sundays as the weather prevents her from
going out, and to arrange and catalogue her
large and splendid library against the return Of
Mr.. Jasper Fleming. So you see that you will
by no means be idle"
"Shll, cannot consent to accept any pay.
The balance would be too much against me-"
Now, my dear Mr.. Classic" said the lawyer,
conidentially, still smiling in that gentle pene-
trating way he had, take my advice in this
matter. You are not receiving any favors from
Mrs. Fleming in this matter. Your Office will
be no sinecure. Mrs. +. needs society, now
that Jasper is away. She lives in too unpro-
tected a way. Your residence ON the place is
just exactly what she requires, and take my
word for it know the woman-she will keep
you busy. If she intends any favor to you, it is
prospective one, and of kind you will not
object TO-"
"What is that?"
" She is going to build a church in her neigh
borhood, as soon as she can find plan that suits
her. Said church will require an officiating
minister, and probably that is one reason she
has for securing you in advance"
Patos eyes fairly glistened. ~ have paid
some little attention to sacred architecture my
self, and have studied the earlier forms of
Gothic, especially the Norman, so that l may
be able to render her some valuable assistance
in the selection of design"
Undoubtedly you can. And besides
don't know whether | am doing right in telling
you, as she only limited the matter to me-do
you know [ am pretty certain that Mrs. Elem
ing intends to take lessons with you in Greek
Her time hangs very heavily on her hands, and
you know she is very fond of books. Think of
that, my dear sir only reflect upon the pleas
ur0 of instructing such splendid woman as my
client is in the sonorous mysteries of the classics
Why, l should not feel more honored were the
Queen of England herself to summon me to
become her instructor in Cuiaccius, and the
interpreter of the glosses-which last would bt
deuced hard task, by the way" added he,
soto UOce
Enough enough" cried Plato, fairly
dancing about the room in his delight at hav
ing his scruples thus triumphantly annihilated,
will pack up forthwith, and go thther next
week"
"Mehercle!" said he to himself, rubbing his
hands after the departure of his visiter, {" she
shall drink in Homer's divine wisdom even at
the fOunt itself, and from the brown pages of
my glorious Princeps, while / will also give her
the benefit of Keynes annotations. Yet, tbs
strange she should wish to learn Creek
wonder If she knows aught of Latin yet? She
must, or she will not be able to profit by the
notes and interpretations"
WI bile the lawyer, as he went down the steps,
said to himself, retectively: How she must
love that boy, to concern herself even about
this pedantic old numskull simply because he
was his tutor. And yet, talk as would of him
to-day, l could bring no tear to her eve, no
CULVER to her lip. wonderful strong woman
Wonderful ~
In few days, Plato and his books took pos
session of the pretty little lodge, and he himself
entered upon the round of his imagined duties
which, excepting so far as prayers we're con-
cerned, existed only in his own conscientiousness
for how to begin the arrangement of Mrs. Elem
ing's library passed his comprehension, though
he fused back and forth between that hand.
some room and his own lodge at least twenty
times a day, putting up books solely, it seemed
for the purpose of pulling them down again,