The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-11-10
NUMBER %.

man spoke no Danish, he proved such
master of repartee in English and French
that the laugh was soon turned against hi
clumsy tormentor And as for manual re
taliation, Herr Simon had sense enough t,
perceive that gentleman who could iuml
the sunk fence that skirted the warehouse
and left the great table that only Bugge ant
myself had ever managed, and that will
much difficulty, to upheave, and bend tn
office poker across his knee, was likely to b
more than match for himself. No wonde
that Mr.. Simpkins became sort of a her
in the clerks room, as any bold, muscula
fellow is sure to do; but what really aston
ished me was the ardor with which he ad
dressed himself to business. M. AdoIph. tn
elder cashier, was not usually very partia
to strangers, but he was loud in praise Q
the new comer's assiduity and ability. I
was wonderful, it was astonishing, he sait
that Mr.. Simpkins, who had never been in
counting house before, mastered the detail
of business as he did, and displayed such {
genius for arithmetic. .-.uaai faist
| was by no me ans so satisfied with m,
countryman as NJ. AdoIphe chose to be. i
was not that was jealous of his popularity
among the clerks, or that l grudged him th
cashiers good word and the approval of hi
employer; but l saw with dismay tina
Margaret, my pretty Margaret, between
whom and myself sort Of tacit engage
ment, pledged more by eyes than by words
had hitherto existed, was fascinated by thi
new and attractive guest. There was no ust
in Disgusting the fact. Brilliant Simpkin
had thrown plain Walter Brooks into tn,
shade; and though l was jealous and morti
fed, could not but own that the instru
ment was possessed of many accomplish
ments unknown to me. The new clerk;was
a clever fellow, sprightly talker, a good
musician, singing well, playing all the
games, conjuring as if he had been apnrep-
ticed TO juggler, and never being at asloss
for topics of conversation. My wonder was
how such an Admirable Crichton had ever
been reared in quiet country parsonage
but it is not surprising that Margaret and
Madame Hansen agreed in regarding the
new inmate of their house as phoenix, and
that the former should begin to draw unflat-
tering comparisons between myself and
my gifted countryman. Under these Cir
cumstances became morose and miserable,
sat silent in a corner for hours, while Mr.
Simpkns was at Margaret's side, gaily chat.
ting, singing Italian bravura songs, or per-
forming all manner OF variations on the
piano. | retired modify to my own room,
while my supplanter, as | deemed him, in
the affections of the Danish beauty, had a
clear field before him; while he won the
good opinions of Mr.. and Madame Hansen,
took long country walks, thinking, with a
heavy heart, how soon my own favor had
been eclipsed by the brilliancy of this new
favorite.
In one of these walks it was I was sud
denly encountered by the Junior partner, Mr.
Hoyer, who was driving in from small
villa which he owned, a league from Copen
hagen, and where he spent most of bis leis
ure among his Dutch tulips and quaint, old
fashioned roses. Mr.. Hoyer was an ole
bachelor-a quiet parsonage, with a fond
ness for horticulture, but keen man Of
business. He had been for some time alb
sent in Germany and the Baltic provinces Of
Russia, and this was the first time of oui
meeting since his return. He greeted Inc
cordially, for had always stood well with
him, and offered me a lift as far as Copen-
hagen. To refuse would have been churlish,
so [ complied with the proffer, much as in
my present temper | preferred solitude aud
we logged along the sondy road, amid the,
croaking of the bull-frogs, and in silence
for some time. 9r
Brooks" said Mr.. Hoyer, abruptly,
how do you like that new Adonis from
England, the Herr Simpkins? have only
seen him once and that was last evening,
when | dropped in for an hour at Hansens,
and when, bye -the-bye, you had gone to
bed, having bad headache, chi" And /
thought bIr. Hoyer's eyes, as they surveyed
me over the tops of his spectacles, had a
knowing twinkle in them, and | dare say
l redeemed as they met mine.
When | was lad," said the good-na-
tured merchant it was not thought wise
course to leave the field clear to a rival in a
young lady's affections. However" went
on the worthy old gentleman, who was Han
sens senior in years, though not in stand
ing, 81 don't want to plague you unneces-
sarily, and so | may as well tell you, that /
don't think Mr.. Simpkins has any more
of paying court to
Margaret than l have. It's
his way, evidently, to make himself agreea-
bic to every one. Why, he began to talk of
flowers and bulbs, and grating to me- hav,
ing got hint, no doubt, of my mania for
the garden. But laughed in my sleeve
for l soon saw that the youngster knew
nothing of the subject. I'll tell you what
it is, Brooks, don't like that compatriot of
yours, and | don't believe he's sincere. He
is playing part, though why do not know
or cannot guess; but such is the case or my
names not Frederick Hoyer."
Much startled by this avowal-for it was
the first time that l heard anything but
praise of our new friend-I asked Mr.. Hoyer
on what ground he based his unfavorable
opinion of the EngIishman. But the formers
dislike of the latter seemed rather the result
Of instinct than of reason, and he was obliged
TO own he had heard nothing but good of the
new conner, of whom old Adolphe, the
cashier, trusty servant of the firm those
forty years, spoke in high terms One re-
mark of MIR. Hoyers certainly did strike me
much, Ginning, as it did, with preconceiv-
ed impression of my own which had hith-
erto set down to mere prejudice. Mr.. Hoyer
observed that, in the midst of all his merry
flow Of talk, the English clerk was restless,
and ever ready to turn his head
and listen to any sudden sound, such as the
slamming of door, the peal of bell or
the roll of wheels. had noticed this, but
never had recalled the popularity to my
as wildly as when Mr.. Hoyer men
Toned that he, too, had been struck by it.
1t was still early when VIC drove into Co
oenhagen, for l had risen at sunrise, and
lad started for my walk while the mist yet
hung over the canals, and while the gueld-
,r roses and shrubs of the suburban gardens
we're still heavy with the night dews. The
merchant set me down at the corner of the
street where Mr.. Hansen lived, and drove
IN to his own town residence second
1oor in one of the huge old brick and tim
Der palaces by bygone mobiles, and now let
put as lodgings There was still an hour to
spare before Office hours.
''By the way" said Mr. Hoyer, at parting
IF you get to the counting house before me
Brooks, | wish you would speak TO M,
Adolphe about paying the money. which
brought from Russia into the bank. 1t
makes me nervous to think Of such an
49,, .+ &c ,,a,,;a living in the office Though