The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-27
BIDDEFORD ME-, FRIDAY MORNING, JAN UARY 27, 1860

light and leaning forward with too little
caution to get nearer view OF pretty little
sylphdc in pale blue frock, who had more
than any of the Others attracted his admira-
ton, the screen was thrown down, and Joe
Climber falling with 1t rolled suddenly into
the midst of the dancers.
A generalscream greeted the unexpected
appearance Of this strange guest, who hastily
picking himself up, would have made pre-
ciptate retreat had not Mr., Maudslcy come
forward and called him to remain. The
matter was shortly explained, and Joe, in
stead of being ignominiously expelled from
the room, became an object of curiosity to
the company, by whom his pockets were
filled with sweet meats and fruit, intcrmixed
with few bits of silver, the little sylphide
who had been the cause of his mschancc,
bestowing upon him an illustrated box OF
bonbons with smile that made the Offering
doubly sweet. This was Joe Climbers first
introduction to polite society. That night
he slept in little bed made up for him in
the harness-room by the jolly coachman and
his cozy wife. While undressing he had
time to admire his improved appearance, to
survey his comfortable lodging, to produce
his store. of swectmcats and pick oat the
glittering coins from heap Of raisins and
burnt almonds. Full of the most agreeable
reflections, he fell asleep to dream that he
was transformed into gigantic dnow-ball F,
rolled by the pretty sylphide over heaps of
sixpences and sugar plums which stuck to
him on every side. Joe had made the first
roll in life.
A few days after the event just narrated
Joe was taken into the establishment of
Nlessrs. Maudsley and Wothcspoon, solicitors
of Bcdford-row, where his duties consisted
in sweeping out the Offices and busting the
desks before the arrival of the clerks in the
morning, and in carrying messages and
parcels for few hours during the day. Mr..
Maudslcy did not, however, stop here with his
kindness for he permitted Joe to attend an
evening school, where, true to the maxim
which he had made the rule of his life, he
gathered learning with incredible rapidity.
In the house where he lodged there also re-
sided Frcnchman, who had come to prose-
cute claim for legacy which had been left
him in this country. With this person Joe
formed an intimacy; and for some acts OF
civility rendered to him by the boy, he un-
dcrtook to teach him the French tongue
This was what he ardently desired; and a
few months instruction made him no prof.
cicnt in the language that he could not only
write it with ease, but converse iluently in
it.
Three years had passed away, during
which time Joe by his assiduity and good
temper, had become favOrite in the Office ;
the elderly chief clerk and the heads OF the
establishment liked him for his punctuality
and integrity, and the young men for tho
readiness with which he always executed
their little commissiOns-but more, perhaps,
for the confidence they had that he was
neither spy nor sneak and that their
harmless 'iarks' and vcnial breaches of disci-
pluc would never be brought to the ears of
the governors through Joe Gimbcr's instru-
mentality. lie was therefore pronounced
by common consent, "a brick, "a beam and
"a trump; and when, at the end of three
years, he was promoted to u seat ut q desk
in their Office, he received the warm and
sincere congratulations Of his fellow clerks.
As Joe jcrkcd himself upon the tall stool
which he was thcnceiorth to occupy in the
Office, he thought of the SNOWFALL, and felt
that he was then much greater person than
on the evening he rolled amongst the COM
pany in Mr.. Maudsley's drawing room.
II was some months after Joc's elevation
that q case came into the Office which re-
quired that confidential agent should be
sent to Paris; none of the second clerks,
however, spoke French, and the business was
on the point of being confded to n stranger,
when it was rccollected by the managing
clerk that Joe Climber had been seen read
ing French book. lie was Immediately
questioned, and being found competent for
only brought the affair to satisfactory issue,
but laid the foundation ofa very lucrative
business for the office, which was recognized
by the partners giving him considerable
increase of salary and an advance in his
position in the establishment. Thus, by his
roll to Paris, Joe Climber, true to his rule
of life, gathered much and lost moth
ing.
He was now person OF some consequence,
and being placed at the head Of ono of the
legal departments in the Office, was invited
rs guest to Mr.. Maudsley's house. The
little sylphidc in blue had grown into
beautiful girl and as Joe-we beg his par
don-Mr. Joseph Gimbcr-was by no means
q bad-looking fellow, it was not surprising
that Kate Maudsley should look with ia
voring eycsupon him. An incident which
am obliged to confess was singularly unro-
mantle, led to what in affairs Of the heart is
called IAN interesting discovery 1t hap
pcncd in this way Kate was one evening
busily engaged ut table near window in
the drawing-room when Joseph entered.
'0h Mr.. Climber she cried, I'm so glad
you arc come, for you can help me to string
these beads; they have nearly tried me out
of patience
The young man was delighted, and immc-
diately set about his task, but, whether from
awkwardncss, or his thoughts being other
wise occupied, he repeatedly pricked his
fingers with the needle, and at length iet the
box containing the beads fall on the hoor.
Climber, in great confusion, begged pardon
for his awkwardncss, and stopped to gather
the beads which rolled about the carpet at
the s,nc instant that Kate bent forward with
the same intention. can't pretend to say
how it occurred, but their cheeks accidcn-
tally touched in the attempt; both drew
back, blushcd, and mutually apologized;
again they stopped, and again the lady's
carls lightly brushed the gentleman's
whiskcrs this time, however, the blush was
accompanied by q smile. The smile was
the preface to certain disclosures which / do
not feel myself at liberty to repeat. may,
however, state that, although the beads
remained scattered on the carpet, Joe had
succeeded in obtaining from the lips Of the
fair Kate the rapturous confession that he
-. ~, ,,bollv indifIcrent 10 her I'm this