The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-07-21
A STOLEN PLEAS l. RE

A r
lam travelling back some years how many,
i. ia not necessary 10 state precisely. Let II
snff,ce TO saw that ], the present writer, was
then of much more limited proportions, ana
tbtt those were attired in bottie-green suit
nv friend and sworn ally, Bickneii Secnndus,
rejoicing the while in brisht-buttoned blue
racket. with pepper -and-sait sequeis Lon
don | am bound 10 admit, was not quite so
black or broad blot as 1t now appears upon
the map of England Green grass was then
where granite paving stones ana orick ana
mortar dwelling places are now, suooros mao
NOT been hau led in nearly so ''tauti" you coulo
vet sae their junction points, could trace
where the stitches came and lacked them on,
as IL were they had not yet surrendered ali
Individuality and character, to be merged In
and swallowed up by the giant city. their
neigh bor-ever growing, Strengthening, ana
multiplying in every conceiVaole way. Douot-
less, the building interest OF the gay haa
looked upon the pleasant outlands with no.
tions of seizure and conversion; and unfinished
streets, or sketches and embryos OF streets,
street.-the out occasionally, anteHHa-Hke, or IN
the manner of a blind mans hands cropping out
before him, ultimately 10 grasp and possess.
Still Loudon was smaller. Time was young
er / was certainly both younger and smaller,
and Bicknell Secundus was in like plight and
vet il is pleasant TO think that perhaps, after
all il was not SO very long ago.
We were day pupils of a public school in the
heart of London. We were bc IN i'll the same
class and being probably at that time each
about the age of ten, were joint sufferers under
the difficulties of certain Latin commentari
upon an early war in Gaul were utterly re-
gardless of the poetry OF OVID an our efforts to
melt that bard down in 10 the vernac ular; ac-
counted the Greek Delectus an ingenious in
strument OF torture for youth, and altogether
entertained low views touching the benefits of
classical education. We had played together,
we had fought together, we had studied toge tn :
err we had been caned together-could a school
friendship have firmer foundation or tighter
bonds
~ hoin in nd I US MIA cd M
der the charge OF a Miss Brewer, a lady VINO
made ii her especial occupation TO receive as
boarders in her house children of similarly
forlorn circumstances. Her establishment was.
in fact warehouse for the slowing away, as
bonded goods, OF number of infant exports
to- and imports from, the colonies-her connec-
ton being chiefly with the East Indies. She
undertook no educational duties IN respect OF
her proteges, but fer certain fixed payments
contrac ted to board, lodge clothe them, and
attend generally 10 their bodily welfare. Her
house small but commodious was pleasantly
situate at Islington, and occasionally densely
populated ty young gentlemen (some with
very dark compilations, recently shipped from
the east, or in process OF packing up and de-
parture for that distant shore. The front win
dows of the house looked flush Oh to the mar
row. clear running New River of old Sir Hugh
Middleton while at the further end of the street
was wide prospect OF meadow land, the do
main of great cow proprietor, reputed to be
unable, through the influence of some peculiar
destiny, to retain in his possession more than
nine hundred and ninety-nine cows-death al
WAYS pouncing on the thousandth cow when
ever its purchase was attempted. l remember
lying awake at night fancy ing myself that cow
proprietor, and revolving variety of schemes
in nv mind to defeat the Malignant spell, and
possess q thousand cows in spite of it.
Miss Brewer large and majes tic look
ing perhaps over fifty in years. She always
wore cap with dull pink ribbons and black
stuff dress fitting closely to her stout frame
She was high -shouldered, and had no waist
worth mentioning. But tat had not brought
her happiness. She was melancholy woman;
Il smile had never been seen to CLEAN, even for
moment, over her cloudy countenance. She
had heavily moulded features, lowering broWs,
and large dull, opaqu eyes, OF moist, fearful,
disposition. Her erect carriage and stout pres
ence threw into prominent relief the large
gold watch she wore at her grdle There were
two words ever in the mouth of Miss Brewer
these were "bile.' and responsibility.
I'm a martyr to bile" she was constantly
complaining. Every thing turns to b,le." 81
sh )uld be happy woman if it was not for
DE" my rssp0nsibitityis fearful mo one
can appreciate how alarming is my rssPonsi-
biiity" mo terms can repay me for my awful
7espen sibiiity - and so on. For the alienation
of one or the other of these her distresses. re-
member that she was necessarily swallowing
pills Making no account OF time or place, she
would tilt back her head to what seemed al
most q dangerous angle, and jerk into her
mouth, and dispose OF with resonant gnlp
one, or two, or three at dose, and then re-
snmtng her ordinary position, look around her
grimly calm, as though nothing whatever had
transpired of any particular note. This al
WAYS seemed a wonderful feat TO me, with
whom physic. taking was very different
business, 10 be begun with fear and spasms,
and shiyering, carried on with much grimac
ing and nose holding, and closed with plenu
full applications of red-currant jelly or pre-
served ginger to efface all un pieasant reminis-
cences. Miss Brewer had a systematic pune
tuality in attending to the requirements of her
boarders AT stated periods we were taken
TO the hairdresser, to the dentist, TO the tailor
I ri m n .COlOrpd
ably ordered for me; at midsummer, one OF
bottie-green On the first Monday in every
month, large cupfuls OF senna-tea were served
out to- and rigidly enforced upon us, Miss
. Brewer regarding that beverage in the light of
u healthy refreshme ut and stimulant 10 youth.
Altogether there can be no doubt We formed
thoroughly well conducted and disciplined
household. w.
AT the time of which am relating, it so hap
pened that, by some combination of circum-
stances was the only boarder at Miss Brew
er's establishment. Other Of her youthful
charges" as she delighted TO call us, We're on
their way out, or home but for short time
her responsibility was limited TO the custody
of the present writer. Not that this appeared
TO tighten her cares In any way, or to reduce
the amount of her pill-iaking. ''One is just as
much trouble as a dozen, )" she would exclaim
Elbows off the table. Sit up: gentlemen al
ways sit up. hate round back Take your
hands out OF your pockets No gen tleman ever
sneezes at dinner time. Don't fidget your feet
about. Gentlemen never play the DEVILS tat
TOO. Dear me. who would have my response
biiitiesl No wonder I'm subject to bile,
Then, TO the plump servant memorable for her
very little twinking eyes, and her large high.
colored elbows "Caroline with staccato dis
tinetnsss, Ca-ro-iine,) take away the things
aud give that boys hair brush I'm sure IL
wAnAit
begin 10 think that had duh time of il
1t Miss Brewers. The youthful charges did
not highly enjoy their situation there was very
little play amongst us, for Miss Brewer would
have no noise. Occasionally, the dark skins
fought together, or with me, bat the conflicts
were invariably stopped by sudden irruptions
of Miss Brewer, and great boxing of ears No
wonder that even my educa tional pursuits
fraught AS those were wi tn agony. were more
pleasu rable than the hours passed under the
surveillance Of Miss Brewer. True the an
noyances in connection with the construing of
Ovid were great, but hen came the solace OF
long conversations with my great friend
Bicknell Secundus, and protracted walks
round that small, paved, hemmed- lin, city.
playground, with Bicknelrs arm round my
neck, and my arm round Bicknells neck. !
had greet respect q high admiration, a tre-
msndoas affection for Biekneli. Though thin
an nu.nority upon every ques ton model
an .scle, ne knew SO m nch more than did
nu nno ssen - mech more THAI had, I'm
pttsoueo M HISS Brewers, what was my ae.
qoaihtahce Win the woridl Bicknell was
always advising me 70 ran away from thai
laay. and join my father In India IL was onIv
dimcuity. think, about having bur haif.a
crown 70 commence the journey with. that