The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-03-17
MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEAhANeH
cRIMALDI's BROTHER.

. MYSTERIOUS DIsAPPEA HANoi1
!. GRIMAEDI'S BROTHER.
BY CHARLES DICKENS.
? 0,e evening in the second week OF NO
vomber 1903. Grimaldi, when playing at
; Drurv Lane. had been called by the
nrompter, and was passing from the green
room to the stage, when messenger IN
formed him that two gentlemen were walt
ing to see him at the stage door. AFRAID
of keeping the stage waiting, he enJolneo
the messenger to tell the gentlemen that
he was engaged of that moment, but that
he would come down to them directly ne
left the stage. The play was "A boio
Stroke for Wife, Miss Melon was Anne !;
Bannister, Feignwell; Aitkin, Simon fure'
and Grimaldi, Aminadab.
| As soon as he could get away from the
stage he hurried down stairs, and lnqulrlhg
who wanted him, was introduced TO TWO
strangers, who were patiently awaiting his
arrival. They were young men OF gentie-
manly appearance, and upon hearing the
words & Here's Mr.. Grimaldi; who wants
him ?" one of them turned hastily arounu
ana warmly aCCOSIoo Aiiu'
He looked about his own age, and had
evidently been accustomed to mucn
warmer climate than that of England. He
| wore the fashionable evening dress OF the
day-thatis tosay, a blue body-coat with gilt
buttons, white waistcoat, and tight pan
falcons, and carried in his hand small
gold-headed cane.
"Joe, my lad," exclaimed this person,
holding out his hand lin some agitation,
g how goes it with you now, old fellow
He was not a little surprised at this
familiar address from person whom he
was not conscious Of ever having seen IN
his life, and after a moments pause replleG
that he really had not the pleasure OF the
strangers acquaintance.
"Not the pleasure| of my acquaintance,
repeated the stranger, with a loud iauen;
"Well, Joe, that seems funny, anyhow"
He appealed to his companion, who con-
Cured in the opinion, and they ooth
laughed heartily. This was all very funny
TO the strangers, but not at all so to Till
maldi. he had q vague idea that they were
rather laughing OF than with him, and, as
much offended as surprised, was turning
away. when the person who had spoken
first said, in rather tremulous voice:
uJoe. don't you know me now?"
He turned and gazed at him again. lie
| had opened his shirt, and was pointing to 3
scar upon his breast; the sight Of which at
once assured him that it was no other than
his brother who stood before him-his
ONLY brother, who had disappeared under
the circumstances narrated IN an carrier
part of these memoirs.
They we're naturally much affected by
this meeting, especially the elder brother,
who had been so suddenly summoned into
the presence Of the near relative whom
long ago he had given up for lost. They
embraced again and again, and gave vent
to their feelings in tears.
"Come up stairs" said Grimaldi, as
soon as the surprise was over. Mr..
Wroughton is there-Mr. Wroughton, who
was the means of your going to sea he'll
be delighted to see YOU" The brothers
were hurrying away when the friend,
whose presence they had quite forgotten
in their emotion, said:
Well, John, then I'll wish you good
night"
"Good night! good night" said the
other, shaking his hand Il shall see you
in the morning."
eyes," replied the friend, cat ten,
mind"
cat ten precisely; shall not forget, u
answered John.
The friend to whom he had not intro,
} duced his brother in any way departed
: and they went upon the stage together
where Grimaldi introduced his brother tc
S Powell, Bannister, Wroughton, and many
S others in the green-room, who, attracted
, by the singularity Of his return under such
circumstances, had collected around them
Having his stage business to attend to-
he had very little time for conversation
= but of course he availed himself of every
moment that he could spare off the stage
5 and in answer to his inquiries his brother
assured him that his trip had been emf
nently successful.
"At this moment" he said, slapping hi:
: breast pocket, /" l have t600 here"
,, "Why, john" said his brother, it,
very dangerous to carry so much money
; about you"
> Dangerous +" replied John, smiling
: "we sailors know nothing about danger
Il But. nv lad, even if all this were gone,
should not be penniless." And he gave ;
: knowing wink, which induced his brothe'
to believe that he had, indeed, made goot
q trip of it.
= At this moment Grimaldi was agail
: called upon the stage; and Mr.. Wrough
$ ton taking that opportunity of talking to hi
d brother, made many kind inquiries of hin
relative to his success and the state of hi
e finances. In reply to these questions h
d made in effect the saVe statements as III
It had already communicated to Joseph, AM
g exhibited, as evidence of the truth OF hi
declarations, coarse can vas bag stutte'
full Of various coins, which he CAREFUL
replaced in his pocket again.
AS soon as the comedy was ended, Gri
maldi joined him and Mr.. Wroughton
# having congratulated his brother on hi
:, return and the fortunate issue Of his ad
: ventures, babe them good night, whe1
= Grimaldi took occasion to ask how Ion
- the sailor had been in town.
! He replied, two or three hours back
n that he had merely tarried to get som
o dinner, and had come straight to the thea
!. ire. In answer to inquiries relative to wha
Q he intended doing, he said he had not be
S slowed thought upon the matter, and tina
Q the only topic which had occupied hi
}, mind was his anxiety to see his mothe
If and brother. A long and affectionate con
G versation ensued; in the course of which
1t was proposed by Joseph that as his mo
is Their lived with himself and wife, and they
It had larger house than they required, the
If brother should join them, and they should
all live together. To this the brother mos