The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-27
Misteua1'eous.
GATHERING AS 1T GOES.

Like watchers by the dead,
In the yielding SHOWS,
Comes childish cheer
Sharply On the ear
As with gleeful shout and song,
The SNOWFALL rolls along,
Gathering us ii goes.
want your door scraped, cook?' cried a
small voice down the area of a handsome
house at the West End one cold wintry
morning. may as well be precise, and in
form my readers, who will doubtless take u
deep interest in all that concerns the hero
have in reserve for them-that it was Christ
mas morning, right old-fashioned Christ
mas norning-when the snow lay thick
upon the ground, and innumerable feathery
flakes fell softly on the brilliant white carpet
with which the streets were spread, as if in
honor of the festive season.
An extraordinary stiffness had descended
opOn the usually noisy thoroughiarc cabs
and omnibuses no longer ratified over the
pavement, for their wheels appeared to run
ON velvet, and the horses, like those of Lear's
troop, seemed to be shod with felt; even the
stern policeman whose 'slow and solemn
tread had an awful echo on the flags, moved
like dark phantom over the pale earth,
without sound to denote the march of his
official boots. There were, however, in the
absence of the din so familiar to Londoner's
ear sounds and strcctnoisc that in the sharp
frosty air struck the ear with that ordinary
distinctness. Here a group of goSsipping
scrvant-girls and strong young fellows with
water-pais and cans were assembled round
water-plug which had been set running for
public accommodation by the parish turn
cock; there group of urchins were lying in
ambush round a, orncro or down news snow
balling the pasSers by, and making the air
ring with their provoking laughter whenever
a well aimed missile took effect on the glossy
hat or well-brushcd coat of "a staid elderly
gentleman, whose withering look OF indiSna-
ton only increased the bolsterOus merriment
OF the young dclinquents. At another spot
Juvenile party had by their united exertions
formed a SNOWFALL which, by its extraordinary
magnitude, excited the wonder Ofa numerous
assemblage of young spectators. The
butchers apprentice stood with gaping
mouth, lost in admiration of its size, and
wholly regardless of that swcetbread in the
tray on his shoulders which Sir Twamley
Til6n had specially ordered for his breakfast;
the doctors too, who had been dispatched
rentrea terre to distribute to his masters
patients their morning draughts and evening
pills, paused-mercifully paused-on his
wav, TO examine and measure in his minds
eye that monstrous globe which he mentally
compared TO gigantic bolus. There was,
however, one amongst the crowd who gazed
at thesnowball with the eye of philosopher,
n man of the wOrld-l say a man; for,
though Joe Climber had not yet seen his
twelfth birthday he was u perfect specimen
of the precocious London street boy, whose
intellect had been matured by hunger and
sharpened by necessity. He had obtained
from 'thc cook to whom his application had
been made through the area rilings, an or
der to scrape and clear away the snow from
the door.steps, and having completed the job
to his own satisfaction, was now, while wait
ing for the modest remuneration of his labor,
watching, with combination Of childish
interest and cool calculation, the progress OF
accumulation in the SNOWFALL as the boys
rolled it to and fro on the snow.
1T grows bigger and bigger every turn
said the little fellow to himself, as he leant
contcmplativcly on his broom. That's the
way to get to be a great man y
The attitude and something in the features
Of the young speculator attracted the notice
of Mr.. Maudsley, the owner of the house,
who was standing at his parlOr window at the
monet and by his order, q servant intimat-
ed to the ragged sweeper that hcwas to come
in to her master, who wished to speak to
him. Somewhat surprised, but nothing
daunted, JOo followed the servant into the
hall, and, having carefully deposited his
shovel and broom on the door mat, marched
directly into the parlor, where he was told
he would find Mr. Maudsley.
1t would not be easy to imagine more
striking contrast than that which the poor
unwashcd, untcndcd, nall.nakcd, and nearly
half-starycd child offered TO every object in
tho picture to which he was thus suddenly
introduced. A tattered old fustian jacket,
tied, for lack of buttons, round his waist
with piece of packthread, partially con-
ccaled an inner garment of dingy hue and
dubious material; loose corduroy trousers,
made originally for full grown person, but
tucked up round the legs, to Accommodate the
diminutiye statue of the actual wcarcr; n pair
of thick-soled worn-out bluchers and shape
less roll, something like black cloth, which
served ordinarily for cap, but was now
twisted up hard between his hands, COM
pletcd the costume of little Joe, us he stood,
digging his hob-nailed boots into the Turkey
carpet, IN the centre of the room, facing the
pleasant looking gentleman who had sought
this interview. Notwithstanding the novelty
of his situation, Joe retained his self posses
sion, and, hayipg,by keen glance examined
the countenance of Mr.. Maudsley and being
apparently satisfied by the result of his in
vcstigation, he made rapid but curious
review Of tho room and all its contents,
commencing with the ornamental French
clock ON the chimney-picc, and ending with
the cold roast beef and ithc game pie that
adorned the side-board, over which hung the
portrait Of the fortunate proprietor of all
these good things, smiling and looking down
upon them with an expression Of expansive
good-nature, such rs at that moment dfiuscd
itself over the features OF its original, while
surveying the odd specimen of humanity be-
fore him.
what is your name, my little follow? p
asked Mr.. Maudsley opening the proceedings
in the strictly legal manner and this re-
minds me have not yet informed my readers
that he was solicitor-an honest and, in
deed, excellent man, with heart large
enough for at least dozen ordinary attor-
neys. ,,.,
What is your name, my little fellOwr
Joe Climber, sir.
swho is your fatherY
Never had father, sir-leastwise, l
hevcr heard had one. I'm mothers
child.'