The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-02-25
BIDDEFORD, ME-, FRIDAY

mands already made on him, he must decline en-
tcring into any dispute on the subject Of evi-
dencc. Time would show and Mr.. Bruf wss
willing to wait for time.
A pause in the talk between US followed-and
Gabriel Bettercdge came out from his retirement
ut the window.
Can you favor me with your attention, Sir!
he inquired, addressing himself to me.
Il am quite at your service, answered.
Betteredge took chair and seated himself at
the table. He produced . huge, Old.fashionei
leather pocket-book, with pencil Of dimensions
to match. Having put on his spectacles he
opened the pocket-bood, ut . blank page, and
addressed himself to me once more.
Il have livvi,' said Betteredge, looking at me
sternly, nigh on to City years In the service Of
my late lady. was page-boy before that In
the service Of the old lord, her father. am now
somewhere between seventy and eighty years OF
age-never mind exactly where! | am reck-
oncd to have got as pretty knowledge and eI-
perience Of the world as most men. And what
does II all end inf II ends, Mr.. Ezra Jennings,
in oonjuring trick being performed on Mr..
Ezra Jennings in q copjuring trick being per-
formed on Mr.. Franklin Blake by q Doctors as.
sstant with bottle Of laudanum and, by the
living jingo, am appointed, in my old age, to
be coujuror's boy"
Mr.. Blake burst out laughing. attempted
to speak. Betteredge held up his hand In token
that he had not done yet.
Not q word, Mr.. Jenningsp = he said. 1T
don't want word, Sir, from you. have got
my principles, thank God. II an order comes
to me which is own brother to an order come
from Bedlam, II don't matter. So long as get
it from my master or mistress, as the case may
be, I obey II. may have my own opinion,
which Is also, you will please remember. the
opinion Of Mr.. Bruf-the great Mr.. Bruff! said
Betteredge, raising his voice, and shaking his
head ut me solemnly. 1T don't matter, with
draw my opinion, for all that. My young lady
says DO it. And say. Miss, II shall be done.
Here am with my BOOK and my pencil-the
latter not so well pointed rs could wish; but
when Christians take leave of their senses, who
Is to expect that pencils viii keep their points!
Give me your orders, Mr.. Jennings. I'll have
them In writing, sir. I'm determined not to be
behind ZEN, or before 'em, by 30 much as a
hairs breadth. I'm blind agent that's what
am. A blind AGENT repeated Detteredge,
with infinite relish Of his own description Of him.
self
WISH p1TS vi tuo uOuSt W Dc tvs
opened, said, 'and TO be furnished exactly al
they were furnished at this time last year.
Betteredge gave his poorly pointed pencil q
preliminary lick with his tongue. Name tn,
parts. Mr.. Jennings! he said, loftily.
First, the Inner hall, leading to the CHIEF
staircase
"First, the inner hail. Betterclge wrote
Impossible to furnish that, Sir, as 1t was fur
nisbcd last year-to begin WITH
"Why!"
Because thc,e was q stuffed Bullard, Mr.
Jennings, in the hall last year. When the fam
lily left the BuIrard was put away with the othel
things. When the buIzard was put away-h'
burst
I'VE viii except the buIrsrd then.'
Betteredge took note Of the exception.
.'The inner hall to be furnished again as fur
nishcd last year. A burst buIzard alone eI
cepted.' Please to 90 ON Mr.. Jennings
The carpet to be laid down on the stairs q
before
''The carpet to be laid down on the stairs a
before Sorry to disappoint you, Sir. Bu
that can't be done, either
'why not
because the man who laid that carpet dowr
Is dead. Mr.. Jennings; and the like Of him TO
reconciling together carpet and corner Is no
TO be found In all England, look where you may.
Very well. We must try the next best maj
in England
Bettercdge took another note, and went Oh
issuing my directions.
Miss verinda's sitting-room to be restores
exactly to what II was last year. Also, the cor
ridor, leading from the second landing to th
best bedrooms. Also, the bedroom occupie