Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1868-09-17
Sflettfo 1llistrlIanp.
SINGULAR DISAPPEARANCE.
GrImaIdl's Brother.
BY CHARLES DICKENS.

BY CHARLES DICKENS.
One evening in the second week of Nov
ember, 1903, Grimaldi when playing at
Drury Lane, had been called on by the
prompter and was passing from the green
room to the stage, when messenger
informed him that two gentleman were
waiting to see him at the stage door.
Afraid of keeping the stage waiting, he en-
Joined the messenger to tell the gentlemen
that be was engaged at that moment, but
that he would come down to them directly
when he left the stage. The play was "a
Bold Stroke for Wife, Miss Melon was
Anne; Bannister, FeignneR; Atkin, Simon
Pnre; and Grimaldi, Aminaddb; ~
As soon as he could get away from the
stage he hurried down stairs, and inquiring
who wanted him, was introduced to two
strangers. They were young men of gen
tlemanly appearance and upon hearing the
words Here's Mr.. Grimaldi who wants
him." one of them turned hastily around
and accosted him.
He looked about his own age, and had
evidently been accustomed to much warm
er climate than that of England. He wore
the fashionable evening dress of the day
that is to say, blue bodycoat with gilt
buttons, and white waistcoat, and tight
pantaloons, and craried in his hand small
gold-headed cane
Joe, my lad" exclaimed the person,
holding out his hand in some agitation,
"how goes it with you old fellow?"
He was not little surprised at this famil-
lar address from person whom he was not
conscious of ever having seen inhis life and
aftera moments pause, replied that he really
had not the pleasure Of the strangers &c
quaintance.
''Not the pleasure of my acquaintance, -
repeated the stranger with loud laugh;
''well Joe, that seems funny anyhow" He
appealed to his companion, who concurred
in the opinion, and they both laughed
heartily. This was all very funny to the
strangers, but not at all so to Grimaldi; he
had vague idea that they were rather
laughing at than with him, and as much
offended as surprised, was turning away,
when the person who had spoke first said,
in rather tremulous voice:
''Joe. don't you know me now|
He turned and gazed at him again. He
had opened his shirt, and was pointing to
a 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 many
years ago.
They were naturally much affected by
this meeting, especially the elder brother,
who had been so Suddenly summoned into
fhe 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. ''BGr, Wrough-
ton is there-Mr. Wroughton, who was the
means of your going to sea. he'll be de-
lighted to see you"
The brothers were hurrying away, when
their friend, whose presence they had quite
forgotten in their emotion said:
"Well, John, then I'll wish you good
night"
Good night good night p said the
other, shaking his hand; I'll see you in the
morning.
"Yes. replied the friend, sat ten mind
''At ten precisely; shall not forget" an
swered John
Inc W NuOIl ne llttl Iul
ced his brother in any way, departed and
they went upon the stage together to Pow
ell, Bannister, Wroughton, and many others
i'll the green-room, who, attracted by the
singularity Of his return, under snch cir.
had collected around him.
Having his stage business to attend to, he
had very little time for conversation, but of
course he ayailed himself of every moment
that he could spare off the stage. In an an
swer tohis inquiries his brother assured him
that his trip had been eminently successful
''At this moment, he said, slapping his
breast pocket: "I have G600 here
why, John, said his brother, Its very
dangerous to carry 80 much money abont
you" -l l,-.. ....I
Dangerous y replied John smiling, ''we
sailors know nothing about danger But,
my lad, even if all things were gone,
could not be penniless. and he gave o
knowing wink, which induced his brother
to believe that he had, indeed, madea good
trip Of it, t-,4,
At this moment Grimaldi was again called |
upon the stage; and Mr. Wroughton taking
that opportunity of talking to his brother,
made many kind inquiries of him relative to |
his success and the state of his finances.
In reply to these questions he made in effect
the same statements as he had already
communicated to Joseph, and exhibited, as
evidence Of the truth Of his declarations, a
coarse canvas bag stuffed full of various
coins. which he carefully replaced in his
pocket again.
As soon as the comedy was ended, Grim
adj joined him; and Mr. Wroughton having
congratulated his brother on hisreturn and
the fortunate issue of his adventure, bade
them good night, when Grimaldi took ocea-
sion to ask how long the sailor had becn in
town.
He replied, two or three hours back;
that he had merely tarried to get some din
ner, and had come straight to the theatre.
In answer TO inquiries relative to what he
intended doing he said he had not bestow-
ed thought upon the matter, and the only
topic which had occupied his mind was his
anxiety TO see his mother and brother. A
long and atfsctionate conversation ensued,
in the course Of which il was proposed by
Joseph that as his mother lived with him
self and wife, and they had larger house