Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-06-14


instance, I know it will never do to pre-
sent my stamped velvet waistcoat three
times running And that if ] were 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 persons of Mr.. Lewis po-
sition Continual partridge destroys the
appetite. They are epicures, and must
be fed with novelties. .4'l.3a
Accordingly, one day, having need of
the traditional five dollars to meet the
expenses of forthcoming literary soiree
at my rooms, /, after some deliberation
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 delightfully."-
Oriental, being carved all over, even to
the tips of their noses. Altogether | had
great faith in the article, as it had never
before been in Mr.. Lewis charge.
waited until evening. IL was lovely
evening for pawning A thickfog, damp
and threatening rain hung over the
streets, so that there were but few pas
sengers abroad. Chickory street was al
most entirely deserted.
rang at Mr.. Lewis private door. 1t
was privilege had earned, both by the
constaacy of my friendship and the usu-
ally valuable nature of my presents. A
delightful Hebrew servant girl, with a
nose massive as Egyptian architecture,
opened the door and admitted me to Mr.
Lewis private parlcr. In few moments
that estimable gentleman entered iot
"Ahli Mr.. Papillotte" he said, holding
out his hand, how do you DO? Come
again, Ell? Well, what's it this EVENING"
A little matter want you to arrange
for me-" | replied, unrolling my silk
handkerchief from the chess board. |
want five dollars on this for few days. !"
Huml On my word, Mr.. Papillotte,
I'm sorry to see a gentleman like you
coming here so often. It's really too
badp
Levi, as | said before, took an interest
in me, and sometimes talked to me like a
father. l''F
My good Levi" ! answered, laugh
ingly, don't take any serious trouble on
my account Tn all right You know
the best of us will get into trouble occa-
sionally. By the way, would you like to
90 to the opera tomorrow nightY"
The Jews eyes glistened. They love
music, these Jews
Have you got ticketsY'
Here are two. Can you let me have
the money!
"WelI, really, Mr.. PapiIlotte, chess is
not valuable property just at present
1t comes hard on the intellect, sir.
But that's an Indian chess-board. 1t
belonged to the Rajah of Gundarcool
and was taken from the royal table byan
uncle of mine in the Albicore Fencibles,
who was at the siege of Gundarcool. It
is historical chess-board, Mr. Levi. Do
you play chess, sirY' h.
Not exactly. But | came very near
learning it once. = .Nf
You know that the pawn is insepara-
bly, connected with the game, / suppeseY
81 have heard something ofthe kind,
Sir"
Completely in your line of business,
You seep
Mr. Levi started. The joke was com
pletely lost upon him. 1t was very
mild joke, certainly; but then, could
better have been expected from a man
who was begging for five dollars2
Il am sorry you don't play | has
tened to continue, covering my jocular
failure with some other remark. Il
should like to have game with you.
That ehess-board, | assure you, is worth
thirty dollars, if it is worth a penny"
Heaven forgive me, but the Rajah was
a creation of the moment / had been
made present of the chess board by
sailor who had voyaged to Calcutta; but
one must be little deceitful now and
then in this wicked world. iaI
Well, I'll let you have the money"
said Mr. Levi, 2" though we're rather
short to-day. A great deal of business
doing just now, Mr.. Papillotte,' y and lay
ing the Rajah's property on table, he
disappeared into the office to make du-
plicate.
"a great deal of business doing"
That meant, when translated, a great
deal of misery wandering about the
streets: a great many homes gloomy for
want of petty sums oflmoney; great
many mechanics without Sunday clothes;
a great many students moaning over val
liable books, sacrificed to keep life
enough in them to read those that were
left; a great many drunkards craving
for their accustomed poison, and getting
it at the cost, of necessities; a great
many mothers shivering in blanketless
beds that the little ones might not starve.
This was the kind Of business that was
doing. lrs lr.'r
was rejecting on all this when heard
the parlor open, and light step fall
softly upon the carpet. Thinkiag that
it was Mr.. Levi returning with the money,
/ did not raise my head Presently a
voice-ahl how unlike Lewis buttery,
Jewish Accents-startled me from my
reverie.l lu ] ,a4I fi-Frr
II can play at chess, it said, softly
/ looked up suddenly A little fairy
creature. about sixteen years old, with
long fair hair, and large, beautiful blue
eyes. stood Just within the door, staring
at me like some timid bird at him who
wanders in the lonely woods, half fear
ing 20 approach, yet longing TO come
nearer
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