The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-08-02

.Frota Che London Evening Post.

II
nr;etor of the house was q baker, [wel to
do in the world.) and, like many Of his
conntrymen, an intense admirer Of every
thing that pertained to rank or nobility.
He was o fat, jovial fellow, and often in
vited me to the parlor to have talk over
pot of "'alf-and-'alf," observing with
much pride that noblemen and gentlemen
who had been his dodgers had often hon
ored him with social chat over that beVe-
rage.
One evening when he was entertaining
me with anecdotes of certain lord, re-
Specialize looking man called and engaged
the rooms on the ground-aoor, which were
then vacant. The stranger, seeming salts
fed with the price, said that as he had just
come up from Banbury he should occupy
the rooms that game evening.
"Banbury, Banbury," said the baker,
"why, that's my native place"
"Indeed % said his lodger in surprise;
"then I suppose you have heard OF Mr.
Wickhnm ?''
" Although have no personal recollec-
ton of the gentleman" replied the baker,
81 know his family as well as | know my
fingers and thumbs. Why, sir, he Is the
richest commoner in the country. 1t must
be now fifteen years since lived at Ban
bury. and l ON somewhat in ignorance
about affairs down there; but If you are o
friend OF Mr.. Wickham, you're as welcome
to my house as flowers in May, Or Goals al
Christmas"
If an angel had suddenly descended
through the ceiling with clap of thunder,
mo deeper impression could have been pro-
duced upon the baker than he evinced when
the person he accosted informed him that
he was the ycritable MIR. Wlckham blmsel'
The baker seemed overwhelmed with obse-
ouiousness and respect, and rushed out OF
the room to call up sll his family for Mr..
Wickham to see them. After giving de-
tailed account Of the manner IN which he
first met his wife, and the respective ages
of the children, he insisted on all drinking
to the health of his guest. he did not Tor
n moment doubt his having Mr.. Wickham
for his ledger; yet he could not help won
dering that neither footman nor portman-
teau appeared. The next morning he made
bold to ask how gentleman of his estate
came to be unattended.
"Hush," exclaimed Wickham, holding
up his hand in o posture Of admonitlon,
"my servants are not in the way at pre-
sent, as I don't want my. arrival to be
known. I am going to arrest o merchant
who owes me $4,000. If he should know
of my presence in town my purpose would
be defeated; SO keep quiet, and don't men
ton my name, whatever you do. You snail
know all in good time"
That night servant came, and MIR.
Wickham fell into great rage at him for
allowing the porter to put his trunks III
the wagon train.
"This, sir, will cost me delay Of three
days." shouted the irate Wickham, so that
everybody in the house might hear. Have
you telegraphed to warn them Of the mis-
take 7''
"Jcems has just been to the hoffice, sir
replied the valet, with submissive defer
ence, stand he says the baggage will be
here the day after tomorrow"
"And what in the name Of Heaven am
to do in the mean time p resumed the be-
wildered Wickham. "My friend, Lord
Grosvcnor, and others are out Of town, and
here I am, owing to your stupidity, without
money or clothes, and cannot attend to my
business. You had better send James at
once to Banbury to bring me some linen,
and tell him to get fifty pounds from my
secretary.
When the servant had taken his depar-
ture the baker ran to his drawers, and lay
ing hands on the best linen he had, carried
it to Mr.. Wickham and begged the honor of
his wearing it. He also laid fifty pounds on
the table and expressed a hope that his
guest would not take it amiss if he offered
these slight tokens of his respect and re-
gard. Wickham at first refused, but was
not proof against the pressing solicitations
of the obseQuious baker. Three days af-
forwards the footman appeared, in gorgeous
livery, with the missing trunks; and the
baker, more satisfied than ever that he had
to do with Mr.. Wickham, one Of the rich
est and noblcst of gentlemen in the king
dom, made it more and more his business
to give fresh marks Of his respect and at
tachment. In short, Mr.. Wickham did the
baker the honor Of accepting from him
three hundred and sixty guineas, for all OF
which he gave him his note.
About six weeks after the opening of this
adventure the affable and condescending
Wickham, while enjoying himself at q TIA
vern, was seized with violent headache,
accompanied with burning fever. As soon
as he found himself i'll he went home to his
lodgings, where he was waited upon by one
of his footmen, and assisted in everything
by the good baker, who advanced all the
money that was wanted and passed his word
to the doctor, apothecaries, and everybody
else. Meanwhile the patient grew worse
and worse, and on the fifth day he was
given over. The baker, grieved to the heart
at the condition of his illustrious friend,
felt bound to tell him, though with much re-
luctance, what the doctor thought OF his
condition. Wickham received the news
calmly, and with all the resignation of
q true Christian fully prepared for death.
He desired q minister to be sent
for, and received the communion the
the same day. The next morning, the dis
temper and danger increasing to an alarm
ing height, Wickham told the baker that it
was not enough to have taken care Of his
soul he ought also to set his worldly affairs
in order, and desired that he might make
his will. A scrivener was therefore immc-
diately, sent for, and the will was made and
signed in proper form before several wit
nesses. Wickham, by his will, bequeathed
all his estate, real and personal, jewels,
coaches, teams, racehorses, pack Of hounds,
ready money, etc, and house with all ap-
purtenances and dependencies, to the baker.
Never was anything more noble or generous.
This done, Wickham called the baker to
him, and told him that Immediately after
his decease he had nothing to do but to go
to his lawyer, who would give him full in-
structions how to proceed. Soon after he
fell into commissions and died.
The baker first applied himself entirely
to CARRYING out the provisions of the will,
emitting nothing that was ordered to be
done. The body was not to be inferred
until the fourth day after death, and all
was ready by the second. The baker had