, 1861-12-19

ciently innocuOus appelation. After some delay,
l was admitted through very strong gateway
into the courtyard; and was then conducted by
servant in a handsome livery to library,
where was received by Mr.. Hyams.
As the AgapedOme has since been broken up,
and its members dispersed, it may not be uuin-
teresting to put on record slight sketch Of its
founder. Judging from his countenance, the
progenitors Of Mr. Aaron B. Hyams must have
been educated in the Jewish persuasion. His
nose and lips possessed that graceful curve which
Is so characteristic Of the Hebrew race; and his
eye if not altogether Of that kind which the
poets designate as "eagle," might not unaptly be
compared to that of the turkey-buzzard. In
certain circles Of society Mr.. Hyams would have
been esteemed q handsome man. In the door
way of warehouse in Holywe Street.-The would
have committed large havoc on the hearts OF the
passing Leahs and Daliiahs-for he was square,
built powerful man, with broad shoulders and
handy legs, and displayed on his person as much
ostentatiOus jewelry as though he had been con-
cerned in new spelling Of the Egyptians. Ap
parently he was in cheerful mood; for before
him stood half emptied decanter Of wine, and
an Odor as Of recently extinguished Cubas was
agreeably disseminated through the apartment.
"Dr Hiram Smith, | presumed" said he.
"Well, DR.. Hiram Smith, to what fortunate cir
cumstance am indebted for the honor Of this
visit 7"
"Simply, sir, to this" said !, "that want to
know you, and know about you. Nobody with
out can tell me precisely what your Agapedome
Is, so have come for information to headquar-
ters. have formed nv own conclusion. II
am wrong there is no harm done; i lam right,
we may be able to make bargain"
"Hallo!" cried Hyams taken rather aback
by this curt style Of exordium, "you are rum
customer, ! reckon. So you want to deal, do
We? Well, then, tell Us what sort Of doctor you
NAV beP No use standing on ceremony with
chap like you. Is Il MD. or LID. or D d., or
mere walking-stick titlel"
"The title" said !, I" is conven ional; so you
may attribute it to any origin you please. In
here?"
"That depends entirely upon circumstances"
replied Hyams. "Who and what is the SUBJ
ject?"
"a young nobleman Of the highest distinction,
but Of slightly eccentric habits" Here Hyams
pricked up his ears. e. am not authorised to
tell his name; but otherwise. you shall have the
most satisfactory references"
"There is only one kind Of reference l care
about" interrupted HyamS Initiating at the same
time the counting out Of imaginary sOvereigns
into his palm.
"So much the better-there will be trouble
saved" said l. II perceive, Mr.. Hyams, you
are thorough man Of business. In word,
then, my pupil has been going it too fast"
Flying kites and post.obitsS"
"And all the rest Of it," said L; "black-legs
innumerable, and no end Of scrapes in the green.
ROOM Things have come to such pass that his
father, the Duke, insists on bis being kept out
Of the way at present; and as taking him to
Paris would only make matters worse, it occur
red to me that might locate him for Q time in
some quiet but cheerful establishment, where he
could have his reasonable SWING, and no ques-
tons asked"
"Dr. Hiram Smith" cried Hyams with en-
thusasm, "youre a regular trump! wish all
the noblemen in England would look out for tu-
tors like you"
"iou arc exceedingly complimentary, Mr..
Hyams And now that you know my errand,
may ask what the Agapedome is :"
"The Home Of Love-" replied Hyams; "at
least so was told by the Oxford gent, to whom
gave half A-guinea for the title"
And your objects"
"a pleasant retreat-comfortabe home-no
ments eneouraged-and, in the general case,
community of goods" 4
"of which latter, presume, Mr.. Hyams is
the sole administrator"
"Right again, Doctor!" said Hyams with
leer Of intelligence; "no use beating about the
bush with you, perceive A single cashier for
the whole concern saves world Of unnecessary
trouble. A Young lady in search Of On eligible
domicile comes here and deposits her fortune.
We provide her by.and-by with husband Of
suitable tastes, so that ali matters are arranged
comfortably. No luxury or enjoyment is denied
to the inmates o. the establishment, which may
be compare in short, to . perfect aviary, in
which you hear nothing from morning to even
ing save one continuous sound Of billing and COO
ing"
"You draw fascinating picture, Mr.. HyamS"
said |: "too fascinating, in fact for, after what
you have said, doubt whether should be full.
filling my duty to my noble patron the Duke,
were expose his heir to the influence Of such
powerful temptations"
"Don't be in the asst degree alarmed about
that" said Hyams. "I shall take care that in
this case there Is no chance Of marriage Harkye,
Doctor II is rather against our rules to admit
parlor boarders but don't mind doing it in
this case, IL you agree to my terms, which are
one hundred and twenty guineas per month";"
"0n the part Of the Duke" said /, " antic,
ipate no objection; nor shall | refuse your
stamped receipts at that rate. But as happen
to be paymaSter, shall certainly not give you
in exchange for each Of them more than seventy
guineas, which will leave you a very pretty profit
over and above your expenses"
What q screw you are, Doctorp cried Hy-
ans "Would you have the conscience to pocket
fifty for nothing? Come, come-make ii eighty
and it's bargain"
"Seventy Is my last word. Beard Of Nor
decai, mani do you think am going to surren.
der this pigeon to your hands gratis? Have
not told you already that he has q natural turn
for eearte p
"Ah, Doctor, DOctOrl you must be one Of
our own pcople-you must indeed" said BY
ans. "Well, Is Il bargaiH?"
and for the sake Of appearances, must stay for
a couple Of days in the house. in order that l
may be able to givea satisfactory report to the