The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-06-30
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTING.
HOUSE.


l.
1T came about in this way. had mar
ried and was going TO make my fortune,
and therefore (having that laudable end
in view left good situation in Yorkshire
tn settle down in Liverpool as a merchant
'' on my own account" and commence to
make it without delay. had not much
capital, and so resolved to economic at
first. In course of time 1 imagined the
tidy brougham and the country house
across the Mersey would certainly come !;
and one serene September evening, many
years ago, was walking up and down
St. Georges landinC-stage building castles
in the air, wondering whether rents were
high at New Brighton, and whether Kate
would prefer a pony phaeton to broug
ham. / am not sorry to add that still
reside in a modest house up Edge Hill
way, and that | come to business as Caesar
went to Rome, according to Joe Miller,
"summa diligentia," on the top of an ON
nibus was waiting for Mr.. Moss Moses
to return to his office in street hard by,
call it Mersey Street, and for the reason
that Mr.. Moss Moses had furnished
place to let which his advertisement called
two spacious counting rooms, good
ness knows / never counted much there
in the shape of coin; and / did not like
the situation nor the narrow, dark stair
case nor the look of the boy of Hebrew
extraction who bawled "Cub id" when l
knocked, and told me. "Mr Boses would
be id at eight o'clock" but twenty-five
pounds year was very cheap, so l told
my young friend would call at that time,
and look at the " counting rooms"
How well | remember that night! The
ferry boats from the Cheshire shore glid-
ing along with their lights twinkling like
glow-worms, the vast hull of the Great
Eastern just visible in the Sloyne, the
squared yards, and all a-tout look of
seventy four of the old school, showing
black and distinct against the daffOdil
sky, and the lap of the swell against the
under timbers of the stage-I was in
clined to be sentimental; hut Mr.. Moss
Moses claimed my attention, and once
more l entered his Office and found him
awaiting me. He was a little, fat, good
tempered Jew, who spoke decent Eng
lish; and who, l afterward found out, was
constantly sffirming in season, and out of
season, that he was no descendant of
Abraham.
"Hillo, Brunton,'' he cried, jumping
from his chair. "My lad told me you'd
been; where have you been these two
months and more? Look here, old fellow,
I've advertised your place; but you can
have il on the old terms"
Some mistake, sir, l believe; and 1
handed him card bearing the inscription
=" Charles Harker"
He took it and held it to the gaslight,
looked at the back, considered it endways,
and pOndered over it upside down. Then
taking the candle his clerk had brought,
held it close to my face.
If you are not disposed to proceed to
business, l will bid you good night" said
|, greatly annoyed at his manner
Its him, and it amt him." he said,
aloud; "Carl never could look man in
the face as this one does. And yet don't
see my way through the features"
There is no necessity for you to
trouble yourself about my features I" /
exclaimed, opening the door" good
night"
Stop, stop, my, good sir and don't be
offended. it was mistake. All Isaac's
mistake, upon my honor"
All a bistake," echoed young Isaac
My curiosity was excited, and, besides,
/ really wanted the offices and / there
fore allowed myself to be persuaded into
mounting the narrow staircase, until we
faced door bearing the name of Brunton
on it in white letters, and having the two
upper panels glazed, more, / should
imagine, to supply light to the staircase
than for admission of light to the Office
Mr.. Moss produced key and turning to
me with good -natured smile, said, I" "Pd
have sworn you were BruntOn five minutes
ago, but am sure now that / was wrong.
Carl always swore as he came up stairs,
and you haven't It's Brunton's face all
but the eyes, and I'd swear to the eyes any
where That is, to the twinkle of 'em,
you know"
And be unlocked the door and invited
me within.
Walking to table on which he had
placed the light, took chair, and pro-
duced my pocket-book.
Before we go further, Mr.. Moss, let us
quite understand each other. l have no
wish to derive any benefit from any vir-
tues Mr.. Brunton may possess, and l am
going to convince you that | am what
represent myself to be. Be good enough
to read that letter"
1t was one from a merchant in the
north, only received that morning, and
mentioned circumstances which were suffi-
cient to settle any doubts as to my iden-
tity.
Mr.. Moss read it, folded it up briskly,
and presented it to me with bow.
Sir, apologize. / confess that up to
this moment | fancied it was Carl; but
what puzzled me was, that such q surly
fellow should take to larking and playing
the fool. You are very much Like my last
tenant, sir, that is all"
"Very well; now that matter is settled,
let us look at the rooms"
The lighted gas showed me large one
and very barely furnished. There was a
large leather covered table with desk
on 1T, four chairs, an inkstand, and a par
TALLY filled waste-paper basket, and that
was all
Rather meagre, Mr.. Moss"
Now, my dear sir, what more could
you wants Would you like safes I've
got one to spare down stairs and you shall
have it, and new mat for your feet
there now,-I hate haggliDg"
Let me see the other room, please"
1t was one which person sitting at the
table would have right opposite to him
and it had no door. cit was a clerks
office" Mr.. Moss said, "and you wanted
your eye on such chaps" / suggested
that the principal might sometimes want
privacy, whereupon he said che had the
door down stairs and it should be hung
at once if | wished it." But having no
intention of engaging clerk at present /
told him it was of no consequence.
The room was about half the size of the
outer one, and contained desk and stool.
There was large closet for Goals and SUCH
like matters, aud good allowance Of dust
and cobwebs, all over.
I'll have IL cleaned mp tomorrow"