The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-10-08
MisrelIaMp.


Toned house is the repository of various articles
of property belonging to numberless enlightened
but distressed citizens OF the United States.
The lower story of Mr. Lewis house is fitted up
with glass front, very dingy and dusty, 80 that
the various articles exposed to view in the win
dow are but dimly seen. There are flutes with
furnished keys that have lain silent for years.
The dust lays thick On the eab0nolture of each;
for those that blew the graduated air have
eharnk into mere skin long ago, and the agile
fingers that ran over the holes are now dry loose
bones, that lie here and there, never to hang to-
gether again.
You can see all sorts of things in Mr.. Lewis
window California diamonds; real diamonds,
very rare banios, relics of disappointed mlns-
trels guns, suggestive of sporting Englishmen
hard-up silver tea pots, now black and unoheer.
full, limiting at terrible distresses in some poor
fellows home and making you see the thin wife
stealing out at night to raise money on the fam
lily valuables to feed the children.
The interior of the shop is dry goods The
details, however, can be but dimly made out,
owing 70 the extremely dubious light that pre-
walls. Even in broad daylight a judicious
twilight exists in Mr.. Lewis. What the French
call demi jour, is much affected by lovers and
gentlemen who sport their watches. Through
this mysterious atmosphere one can feebly dis.
tinguish rows of shelves packed tightly with
dark bundles OF wearing apparel Biddy's gown
and Patrick's Sunday coat lie there together I'M
til next months wages come to separate them.
Mr.. Levi is my friend. 1 have, occasionally,
mercantile transactions with him for am
literary man, and it sometimes happens that
find myself the slave of a sudden necessity for
five dollars. On these occasions travel round
my room, as NJ. Xavier de Maiotre may be sup
posed to have done. in search of some appropri.
ate token of esteem which may convey to Mr.
Levi in order 70 induce him to advance the re.
quired sum. In this choice it is necessary to ex-
ercise discrimination. For instance, know 1t
will never do to present my stained velvet waist
coat three times running. And that if I we're
to take my little French clock to Mr.. Levi too
often the article would pail upon him and my
credit be impaired. Variety is necessary to per.
sons of Mr.. Lewis position. Continual partridge
destroys the appetite. They are epicures, and
must be fed with novelties.
Accordingly, one day, having need of the ira
ditional five dollars to meet the expenses of
literary soree at nay rooms, |, after some delib.
Grafton, determined TO present my Indian chess
board to Mr.. Levi, as token of my affection,
and work upon his feelings so far as to induce
him to present me with the longed for V. The
chess board was ivory inlaid The men were de-
lightfully Oriental, being carved all over, even
to the tips of their noses; altogether had great
faith in the article. as il had never before been
in Mr. Lewis charge.
waited until evening for pawning. A thick
fog, damp and threatening rain hung over the
streets so that there were but few passengers
abroad. Chickory street was almost entirely
deserted.
rang at Mr. Lewis private door. 1t was
privilege had earned, both by the consistency of
my friendship aud the usually valuable nature
of my presents. A deli ghtful Hebrew servant
girl, with nose massive as Egyptian architec.
L. 4
Lewis private parlor. Ia few minutes that es.
Unable gentleman entered
"Ab! Mister Papilotte." he said, holding out
his hand, how do you dof Come again, Ell /?
Well, what is it this EVENING""
"a little matter l want you to arrange for
me-" ! replied uirolling my silk handkerchief
from the chess board ~ want five dollars on
this for few days"
Hun, On my word, Mr.. Papillotte, I'm
sorry to see such Il gentleman coming here 70 Of
ten, It's really too bad"
Levi AS | slid before, took an interest in me
and sometimes talked to me like father.
my good Levi" l answered, laughingly,
don't take any serious trouble Ola my account
I'm all right. You know the best of us will get
into difficulties occasionally. By the way, would
you like to 90 t. the opera tomorrow night z"
The jews eyes gllstened. They love music.
these jews.
Have you got tickets +!
Here are two. Can you let me have the
money!"
swell, really, Mr.. Papillotte, chess is not Il
valuable property at present. 1t comes hard on
the intellect ,ir"
" But that l. an Indian chcss.board. 1t be.
longed to the Rajah of Gundarcool, and was Ia
ken from the royal table by on uncle Of mine in
the Albisore Fencbles, who was at the siege of
Gundarcool. 1t is historical chess.board, Mr..
Levi. DO you play chess, SIR"
"Not exactly But came very near learning
once"
'lou know that the pawn is inseparably con-
nected with the game, suppose :"
&" have heard something OF the kind, sir"
Completely in your line of bushes, you see. ="
Mr.. Levi started The Joke was completely
lost upon him. 1t was very mild joke, certain.
ly; bat then, what could have been expected
from man who begging for five dollars ?"
am sorry you don't play" l fastened to
continue, covering my jocular failure with some
other remark. " should like to have a game
with you. That chess board, assure YOU. is
worth thirty dollars, if it is worth penny"
Heaven forgive me, but the Raiah was crea.
tion OF the moment. had been made a present
OF the chess board by sailor who had voyaeed
to Calcutta; but one must he n little deceitful
now and then i'll this wicked world.
Well, I'll let you have tho money!" said Mr.
Levi Though we're rather shor, today. a
great deal OF business doing Just now Mr.
Papillotte;' and laying the Raah'. property ~,
the table he disappeared into the office to make
cut the duplicate A great deal of business
doing That meant, when translated a Urea.
deal of misery wauderipg bout the streets. .
great many homes III want Of petty sums nf
money; great many mechanics without SUNDAY
clothes a great many students moaning over