Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1869-08-14
A STRANGE IMPOSTER.

The proprietor Of the house was a baker
we'll to do 10 the world. and like many Of
his countrymeo, all intense admirer OF
everything that pertained to rank or no
biIitv. He was a fat. .jovial fellow, and
often invited me to the parlor to have a
talk over q pot of 'alf and aIf," observ
ing with much pride that noblemen and
gentlemen who had often been his lod'
gers had often honored him with a socia
able chat over the beverage.
One evening. while be was entertain.
ing me with anecdotes of q certain lord,
a respectable looking man called and ell
gagged the rooms on the ground floor,
which we're then vacant. The stranger
seeming satisfied with the price. said
that as he had just come up from Banbn.
ny be should occupy the rooms that same
evening.
"Banbury, Bapbury," said the baker,
"why that's my native place."
"Indeed ~said said his ledger ; then
l suppose you have heard Of Mr.. Wick
ham 7"
Although l have no personal recol
lection of the gentleman" replied the
baker, 81 know bis family as we'll as !
know my fingers and thumbs. Why, sir,
he is the richest commoner in the coun-
try. lived at Banbury, and l am some
what in ignorance about affairs down
there, but if you are a friend of Mr..
Wickham, you are as welcome to my
house as flowers in May or Goals at
Christmas"
If an angel had suddenly descended
through the ceiling with a clap of thun
der, no deeper impression could have
been produced upon the baker than he
evincsd when the person he accosted in
formed him he was the veritable Mr..
Wickham himself. The baker seemed
overwhelmed with obsequiousness and
respect. and rushed out of the room to
call up all his family, for Mr.. Wickham
to see them. After giving a detailed &C
count of the manner in which he first
met bis wife, and the respective ages OF
his children, he insisted on all drinking
to the health Of his guest. He did not
for a moment doubt bis having Mr.. Wick
ham for his ledger !; yet be could not
help wondering that neither footman nor
.portmanteau appeared. The next morn.
ing be made bold to ask how a gentle
Of his estate came to be unattended.
"Hush !" exclaimed Mr.. Wickham,
holding up bis hand in a posture of ad.
monition ; my servants are not in the
way at present az l don't want my arriv
al to be known. Am going to arrest a
merchant who owes me three thousand
If he should know of my pres
once in town, my purpose would he de-
Feated ; so keep quiet and don't mention
ny name whatever you do. You shall
know all 10 good time"
That night a servant came, and Mr..
Wickham fell into a great rage at him
For allowing the porter to put bis trunks
u the wrong train.
"Tbis, sir, will cost me a delay of
,hree days." shouted the irate Wickham.
70 that everybody in the house might
lear. "Have you telegraphed to warn
hem of the mistake 7"
"Jesmes has just been to the bofice,
'ir." replied the valet. with submissive
reference ; " and he says the baggage
will be here the day after Tomorrow"
And what in the name Of Heaven am
to do in the meantime ?" resumed the
,ewildered Wickhsm. "My friend.
lord Grosvenor, and others are out of
own, and here l am, owing to your stu
'idity, without money or clothes, and
;annot attend to my business. You had
better send James at once to Banbury to
'ring me some linen. and tell him to get
fifty pounds from my secretary"
When the servant had taken his de-
the baker ran to bis drawers,
md laying hands on the best linen he
lad, carried it to Mr.. Wickham and beg
red the honor of bis wearing it. He also
fifty pounds 90 the table, aud ex
'ressed q hope that bis guest would not
AXE it smiss If be offered these slight
okens Of his respect and regard Wick
IAN at FIRST refused, but was not proof
'gainst the pressing solicitations Of the
baker. Three days after
Yard the (ootwsn appeared 10 gorgeous
and with the missing trunks ; and
be baker more satisfied than ever tina,
" had to do With Mr.. Wickham. one of
icbest and nobIest Of gentlemen in The
made it more and more bis bu
iness to give fresh marks Of his respect
md attachment. 10 short, Mr.. Wick.
|am did the baker the honor of accepting