, 1869-08-20
A STRANGE ImPosrER.
THE STORY OF A LONDON BAKER AND his
LODGER.

On arriving in London took lodgings in
half Moon street, Piccadilly. The propri
etor of the house was baker, we'll to do 10
the world, and, like many Of his country
men, on intense admirer Of everything that
pertained to rank or nobility. He was q
fat jovial fellow, and often invited me e, the
parlor to have talk over pot of 'alf and
'alf," observing with much pride that noble-
men and gentlemen who had been his lodg-
ers had often honered him with . sociHble
chat over the beverage.
One evening, while be was entertaining
me with anecdotes of a certain lord, q re-
spectacle looking man called and engaged
the rooms on the ground floor, which were
then vacant. The stranger, seeming salts
fed with the price, said that he had just
come from Banbury he should occupy the
rooms that same evening.
L" Baubury, Banbury," said the baker,
"why. that's my native place.
"Iudeed," said the lodger in surprise );
then 1 suppose you have heard of Mr..
| Wickham Z"
Although have no personal recollection
of the gentleman" replied the baker, " l
know his family as we'll as know my fingers
and thumbs. Why, sir, he is the richest
commoner 10 the country. 1t must be now
fifteen years since lived at Banbury, aud |
AN somewhat in ignorance about affairs
down there, but if you are friend of Mr..
Wickham, you're as welcome to my house
as flowers in may or Goals at Christmas"
If an angel had suddenly descended
through the ceiling with clap of thunder,
no deeper impression could have been pro-
duced upon the baker than be evinced when
the person he accosted informed him that he
was the veritable Mr. Wickham himself.
The baker seemed overwhelmed with OBJ.
'sequiousness and respect, and rushed out of
the room to call up his family for Mr. Wick
ham to see them. After giving a detailed
account of the manner in which he first met
his wife, aud the respective ages of the child
ren, he insisted on all drinking to the health
of his guest. He did not for moment doubt
his having Mr.. Wickham for his lodger: yet
he could not help wondering that neither
footman nor portmanteau appeared. TIE
next morning he made bold to ask how
gentleman Of his estate came to be unattend.
ed. ....
l1uouI w
his hand in a posture of admonition my
servants are not in the way at present, as l
don't want my arrival to be known. l am
going to arrest a merchant who owes me
| three thousand pounds. If he should know
of my presence in town my purpose would be
defeated SO keep quiet, and don't mention
my name, whatever you do. You shall
know all in good time"
That night q servant came, and Mr.. Wick.
ham fell into a great rage at him for allow
ing the porter to put his trunks 10 the wrong
train.
{" This, sir, will cost me delay of three
days." shouted the irale Wickham, so that
everybody in the house might hear "Have
you telegraphed to warn them of the mis-
take ?"
"Jeames has just been to the hoflice, sir"
replied the valet, with a submissive defer>
ence, "and he says the baggage will be here
the day after tomorrow"
"And what in the name of Heaven am I
to do in the meantime 2" resumed the be,
wildered Wickham. My friend, Lord Gros.
venor, and Others, are out of town, and here
am, owing to your stupidity, withott money
or clothes, and cannot attend to my business
You had better send James at once 10 Bsn>
bury 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 LAYING
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 hope that his guest
would not take it amiss if he offered these
light tokens of respect and regard. Wick
ham at first refused, but was no proof against
the pressing solicitations of the obsequious
baker. Three days af:erward the footman
arrived in gorgeous livery with the missing
trunks and the baker more satisfied than
ever that he had to do with Mr.. Wickhan,
one of the richest and noblest gentlemen of
the kingdom, made it more aud more his
business to give fresh marks of his respect
and attachment. In short Mr. Wickham
did the baker the honor of accepting from
him three hundred and sixty guinieas, for all
of which be gave him his note.
About six weeks after the opening of this
adventure, the affable and scondescending
Wickham, while enjoying himself at a tav-
ern, was seized with violent headache, ac-
compauied by 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 money that
was wanted and passed his word to the doc
tor, apothecaries aud everybody else Mean,
while the patient grew worse and worse, and
on the fifth day was given over. The baker,
grieved to the heart at the condition of bis
illustrious friend, felt bound to tell him
though with much reluctance, what the doc.
tor thought of his condition. Wickham re.
ceived the news calmly, and with all the
resignation of true Christian fully prepared
for death. He desired a minister to be sent
for, and received the communion the same
day. The next morning the distemper abd
danger increased to an alarming height,
Wickham told the baker that it was not
enough to have taken care of his soul be
thought also to set his worldly affairs in Or
der, and desired that be might make his will