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

some, merry lace CnOugnC reckless, pei
haps, but very pleasing in feature and ex
preston. The new clerk was very we
dressed, rather over jeweled, as thought
!. but attired in a way 80 as to set off hi
: snowy person remarkably well. He had
bold, soldierly air, an ease of manner that
I was angry with myself for envying, flo,
J, of airy, Joyous talk, and the most irresist
blelaugL ever heard. The Hansen ladie
were not, / dare say, the easiest people i
: the world for stranger to get on with
Margaret was rather proud and reserved
and Madame was apt to be little absent
her mind running much on household care
and duties while her very efforts to pla,
the part of Danish matron, impaired
constraint to her bearing. And yet in te
minutes Mr.. Spinkins had contrived to fasci
nate both of them.
Mr. Hansen was out, and Karl was spend
ing the evening with some young friends Q
the boat club, SO we four were alone togeth
er. But had there been forty present in
stead of four, l do not think that the new
recruit to the counting house of Hansen 6
Hoyer would have been abashed by the mum
Der of strangers who might be criticising hi
manners and address. Throughout the re
past he ratified gaily on, now telling us The
last scrap of news social or political, from
London; now telling humorous little anec
dotes Of curious things he had observed, OF
odd adventures he had met with on his
journey from the Suffolk parsonage to Co
penhagen. He made us listen, he made us
laugh, whether we wished or no. And yet,
such was his tact he never seemed unduly
to nlonopolize the conversation, and when
most amused appeared least egotistical No
wonder that | looked at him in half incredu-
lous amazement, and asked myself mentally
whether this were really the raw pumpkin
whose protector and adviser had been ap.
pointed by the head of the firm.
Quite late that evening there came a tap
at my door, just as | was kicking off my
boots, and the curly dark hair and glittering
eyes Of my fellow countryman were pro-
traded into the room.
Beg your pardon, Mr.. Brooks, may |
come in If you are not sleepy, and could
spare me half an hour should enjoy a chat.
Thanks Are those your cigars on the
chimney piece beyond the Prussian stove Z
Will you try mine? 2" producing a yellow
leather case, full of Havanas that a King
might have smokeD; they are called Bar
me-" tfl
We smoked for some moments in silence,
my own thoughts being busy with the
strange incongruities between the portrait of
the new conner as traced by his uncle, Mr..
Grantley, Of Thomas street, and the young
man himself What Mr., Simpkins may
have been thinking Of can possibly guess
now, but at that time | had no sort of clue
to his mediations. at last Sirnpkins spoke,
no longer huently, but in short, measured
sentences, broken by whiffs of his cigar.
His words were fewer and his manner graver
than before and had been less certain OF
the birth, parentage and education of my
interlocutor than was, should have said
he was fishing for information, and trying
| in guarded fashion to learn how matters
stood with those who were to be his daily
companions. .,l+9
Two years, Mr.. Brooks that's long
time-time enough to get good knowledge
of Denmark aud its ways. wonder how
long my uncle's fancy will keep me here ?
Perhaps two years, perhaps twenty? Uncles
that is, rich unces-arc such despots."
1 He then went on to tell me that he had
been considered from the very cradle as his
uncle Grantley's al opted heir; that the first
lesson impressed on his infant mind had
reference to the propriety of pleasing the
wealthy merchant, but by some ill-luck he
had generally managed to give fresh offence
to his rich and irritable relative at each of
the latter's rare visits to the Suffolk parson-
age hre s.. 81 #.,.a..,..;e, Xxx.
'.But then" remarked Mr.. Simpkins,
smiling philosophically, 81 am such a
thoughtless fellow never shall learn pru-
dence. Sister Gerty said 90 when upset
the current jelly over my uncle's white
pants some fifteen Septenbers since.
very narrowly escaped being scratched out
of his will that time as | have heard from
the solicitor. Always the same careless,
blundering-7-- 81 ann,
poets are privileged to be careless" in
terrupted l, half maliciously, and not quite
sure whether | had touched tender spot, or
whether my new comrade might resent or
feel embarrassed by any allusion to his
ryhming tendencies, He did certainly give
a little start, and very slight look Of an
noyance darkened his handsome face but
it passed like a shadow from mirror, and
he was as good humored as ever when he
laughingly confessed that he had promised
Mr.. Grantley not to NEEDLE with the Muse.
camille pursuits Not a line," he said, en-
phatically, and then heaved little sigh.
Very quickly, with his wonted tact, he
contrived to turn the conversation, and
drew from me, with rapidity that surprised
myself, almost every detail of my ordinary
life at Copenhagen, the character and pur
suits of the family and members of the firm,
and SO forth. On one subject, and one only,
/ was dumb. My sentiments towards
Margaret, and my hope that those scnti-
meats might in some degree be reciprocal,
were too sacred in my eyes to be made the
theme of discourse with even the pleasantest
of companions. But doubt if the secret
remained secret to my fellow clerk, for
there was knowing twinkle in his bright
hazel eyes as he remarked what lucky fell
low ought to be esteemed in being lodged
under the same roof with pretty Mademoi-
selIe Hansen. However, his chief interest
seemed to lie, strange to say, in those very
business details which should have imagin-
ed would have proved SO dry and distasteful
to him. He seemed never too weary of
talking about Hansen & Hoyer, their com
mercial connection, their wealth and the
sources from which they drew it, He was
quite interested in the information that Rus
sian merchants commonly paid the balance
over in hard dollars and rubles, while Ger
many settled accounts with bills and notes
and Sweden preferred actual barter. He
was evidently very anxious to know every
detail Of our traffic, for which he accounted
thus: ms ~ a,44Fp
"You see, MIR. Brooks, it's motto with
me, when l do thing, to do 1T thoroughly.
1t has been settled by the elders that
should go in as the phrase is for COM
merce, and | may as well see my way, and
know something of my new vocation. Per-
haps Uncle Grantley may relent; but if
not, l mean to try and become model
clerk. Ireally am ashamed of keeping you
up SO long. Twelve o'clock already! Good
night my dear sir.
And off went Mr.. Charles Simpkins, leav-
ing on me an uncomfortable impression to
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