Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-07-01
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTING
HOUSE,


/.
IT 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
TO settle down in Liverpool as a merchant
son my own account" and commence to
make it without delay. had not much
capital, and so resolved to economize at
first. In course of time / 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 landing-stage building castles
in the air, wondering whether rents were
high at New Brighton, and whether Kate
would prefer pony phaeton to broug-
ham. / am not sorry to add that l still
reside in q 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 I did not like
the situation nor the narrow, dark stair
case; nor the look of the boy of Hebrew
extraction who bawled Cub i'd" when
knocked, and told me, "Mr. Bosses would
be id at eight o'clock" but twenty-five
pounds year was very cheap, 80 told
my young friend would call at that time,
and look at the " "counting-rooms."
How well l remember that night The
\
ing along with their lights twinkling like
glow-worms, the vast hull of the Great
Eastern just visible in the Sloyne, the
squared wards, and all a-tout look of a
seventy four of the old school, showing
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 1 entered his Office and found him
awaiting me. He was little, fat, good
tempered Jew, who spoke decent Eng
lish; and who, afterward found out, was
constantly affirming in season, and out of
season, that he was no descendant of
Abraham.
"Hillo, Brunton" ne 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 it on the old terms"
"Some mistake, sir, believe; and
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 il 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, will bid you good night" said
l, greatly annoyed at his manner.
"It's him, and it amt him." he said
aloud; "Carl never could look man in
the face as this one does. And yet 1 don't
see my way through the features"
"There is no necessity for you tC
trouble yourself about my features T.
exclaimed, opening the door-"good
night" =,
"Stop, stop, my. good sir and don't be
offended. t. was mistake. ALI Isaac'i
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 intC
mounting the narrow staircase, until WI
faced door bearing the name of Bruntor
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 a key and turning II
me with good -natured smile, said, IL
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 al
but the eyes, and I'd swear to the eyes any
where. That is, to the twinkle of 'em
you know"
And he unlocked the door and invited
me within.
Walking to table on which he hac
placed the light, took chair, and pro
duced my pocket-book.
Before we go further, Mr.. Moss, let III
quite understand each other. l have NJ
wish to derive any benefit from any vir
tues Mr.. Brunton may possess, and an
going to convince you that | am what
represent myself to be. Be good enougl
to read that letter"
1t was one from a merchant in tn
north, only received that morning, ant
mentioned circumstances which were sufh
cent 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 t,
this moment l fancied it was Carl; bu
what puzzled me was, that such surl
fellow should take to larking and playin
the fool. You are very much like my las
tenant, sir, that is all"
"Very well now that matter is settled
let us look at the rooms"
The lighted gas showed me large on
and very barely furnished. There was
large leather. covered table with des
on 1T, four chairs, an inkstand, and pal
TALLY filed waste-paper basket, and thS
was all.
"Rather meagre, Mr.. Moss"
"Now, my dear sir, what more coul
you wantf Would you like a safer Nv
got0Ee;to spare down stairs and you sha
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 tn
table would have right opposite to hin
ard il had no door. at was a clerk
office" Mr.. Moss said, "and you Wante
your eve ON such chaps" l suggeste
that the. principal might sometimes wal
privacy, wheTeupon he said he had II
door down Atairs and II should be hun
at once If wished it," But having II
intenti0nsof engaging a clerk at present
told him 1t was OF no consequence.
The room was about half the size OF IL
outer one, and contained desk and stoc
Ther6 was large closet for Goals and sucl
like matters, aud good allowance of du
and cobwebs, all over.
"Tu have 1t cleaned up tomorrow