Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-07-31
vQD9io. St;attteslll1ar'Il!, II
NICHOLAS DUNKS;
Or, Fried Mackerel for Dinner.
tFrom Blackwood's Magazine j

They descended to the ground floor,
crossed dark narrow passage ascended
another flight of stairs, and entered small,
notwithstanding room, from which
daylight was excluded, its absence being
supplied by an argand lamp suspended
from the ceiling. Upon table in the mid
die of the room dinner was spread, consist
ing of several dishes, whose savory odor
would have whetted duller appetite than
was Nicholas at that moment. Dl,Jgtl ,..
"Take your seat, Dunks," said Mr.. Jen-
kins, pointing to chair at the bottom of
the table,. "Remove the covers, Richard"
he continued, addressing a man-servant
who stood behind him. lyL 81. -,r..
The dish opposite Nicholas being uncov-
cred, disclosed delicious fried mackerel
''There, Dunks," said Mr.. Jenkins, laugh
ing, "when l promised you should dine off
something better than fried mackerel,
did not mean you should 60 without one"
sam to begin at the tail9' inquired
Nicholas, waxing jocose at the sight of bis
favorite dish. ,... p, .,.,...f ...,.t .ur,.r !
'As you like, here" replied jenkins; Shut,
as long as you live, you'll never forget the
fried mackerel at the Blue Posts, guess
At that moment Nicholas, raising his
eyes, met those OF Rlcharu, who was hand
ing him some bread. He started. Where
had he seen that indescribable look before?
A moments reflection told him. 1t was at
Temple Bar--the man with whom Jenkins
was conyersing. But this could not be he !:
the. dress-the figure-were different; the
expression of the eye alone was the same.
| 1t was odd, he thought, that two men should
possess such q remarkable, such peculiar,
such ue,ypeculiar look, and thathe should
have met with them both in one day. The
matter thus settled to his satisfaction, he
ut. hiC onlyn /. xyQf md
| ing glance at Richard, and never doing so
without finding his eyes fixed upon him,
Dinner over, the cloth was withdrawn,
and jenkins and Nicholas set to-, tete-d-tete,
| over bottle of port. The wine was real
| ly good, but Nicholas thought it superla-
lively so. They drank, and laughed, and
chatted, and grew as cozy as if they had
known each other for years. Jenkins told
droll stories, sang droll songs, and pushed
| the bottle backwards like liberal host ; so
that, what with laughing, talking, and
drinking, Nicholas began to see double,
| just as the door opened, and gentleman,
fashionably dressed, wearing green specta-
cles, enered the room.
"Ah! Franklin, is that you?" exclaimed
Jenkins, jumping up, and shaking him
cordially by the hand-''well, now, con-
slider this very kind indeed, TO give me the
|
your return to London. Sit down; We'll
have clean glasses and another bottle. Ibeg
pardon-I forgot to introduce my friend ;
| Mr.. Dunks-Mr. Franklin" $3.50
Nicholas rose from his chair with that
balanced stateliness which men are wont to
assume when they feel a difficulty in pre-
serving their center of gravity, and making
profound bow, sat down again. Mr.
Franklin returned the salutation with less
formality, but equal politeness. a.
swell, and how are the ladies, Mrs
Franklin, and that pretty daughter OF
yours?" inquired Jenkins, as he filled hi:
glass from a fresh bottle. II hope you
found them quite well on your return.n
"Quite," replied Mr.. Franklin; "they
will be here presently to answer for them
selves" ..t.f .
Ladies coming! thought Nicholas; and
should he dc? He could get on pretty well
with men; but the idea OF having to con.
verse with ladies daunted him. He wished
he could find an excuse to slip away, and
90 home to Mrs. Dunks. The wine had
made him uXorious, and clean obliterateC
her refusal to fry mackerel for his dinner
If wives knew all, they would never quar-.
rel with their husbands for taking it'll
acine. 1t makes them so good-natured, ant
as pliable as an old glove. 'l., b.
! While Illuminating on these matters, he
happened to look at Mr.. Franklin. At the
same moment Mr.. Franklin happened tt
look at him over his green spectacles; ant
Nicholas saw two eyes which he had seer
twice before that day-the first time al
Temple Bar; the second, while they were
at dinner. He could not be mistaken. The
eyes were the same; but he could trace NJ
| otb Mr. in a,
unlike Richard as Richard was unlike tht
shabby-looking man in thedrab coat, Ions
leather CATERS, and siouched hat. Why
he could not tell I; but'there was something
about these mysterious eyes which madi
him feel queer. "Beware!" was in every
glance; mingled expression Of cunning
and ferOcity, which seemed to say, II an
setting trap, and eager topounce upor
the prey" ~ .., a.i'. 40 y !
1t is wonderful what some men will d.
under the generous influence of the grape
Nicholas suddenly took it into his head tina
he should like to see Richard in the room
along with Mr.. Franklin, in order to com
pare their eyes so. stretching out his leg
in free-and- easy manner, and admirinI
his new Wellingtons, he said, Jenkins,
wish you would let your man servant call
coach for me-. It's getting late, rm afraid
Be
| "Do you think so?' replied jenkins, ''thel
I'll ring the bell but we must finish thi
bottle before we separate" lyg y9il e.
Jenkins rangthe bell; and, filling his owl
glass to the brim, called for bumpers, as h
had toast to give. When Nicholas an
Mr.. Franklin were ready, Jenkins propose
the health of Mrs.. Dunks-"a lady," sal
he, 'swhom have not the pleasure of know
ing, butehope to do so before long,"
| THE toast having been s'duly honored," a
rose to acknowledge it, which he did in
few expressive words.T rsdge 1uifi
-rHe sat down and turned his eyes toward
the door to watch for the entrance of Rich
ard. -
II see you are anxious.to be gone" sal
Jenkins; "where can that fellow be?" am
he rang the bell again with great violence
Presently it was answered, not by Rich
ard, but the withered harridan who had an
nounced dinner. Ja 7i 9ilaJ ,r3g3Wo
~ want Richard" said Jenkins; s'what'
the reason he does not answer the bell Pr o
The shriveled hag said nothing, butleer
ed significantly at her master. "Bid hir
fetch coach for Mr.. Dunks," he continued
"and-do you hearP -send up coffee direct
W. 80. N. ", .s.i.'.' PIX % ~, ..a
'"well," thought Nicholas to himself, 81
this amt going tstrong, / don't know wha
Is. Mister Dunks'-and fetch coach 70
Mister Dunks;' and bring up cofeep Mr.
Dunks won't believe word of 1t, / kno W.
"Are you related to the Dunkses Of Stat
fordshire?"' said Mr.. franklin, addressing
Nicholas. l, ,g.'U tuf,,s,r ...a,.,
II rather think I am he replied; $50
| nv father came out of Yorkshire and set