Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1870-08-05
ma diligentia," on the top of an omnibus.

I was waiting for Mr. Moss Moses to re
turn to his Office in street hard by-cal
it Mersey street, and for the reason tha
Mr.. Moss Moses had furnished place to lie
which his advertisement called 1.-TWO spaci
GUS counting room" goodness knows
never counted much there in the shape o
coin and I did not like the situation mol
the narrow, dark staircase; nor the lool
of the boy of Hebrew extraction who
bawled "Cub i'd" when I knocked, ano
told me "Mr. Bosses would be id at eigh
o'clock > but twenty-five pounds yea1
was very cheap. so I told my young frieno
l would call at that time, and look at the
''counting-rooms."
How we'll I remember that nigbt!-
The ferry-boa.s from the Cheshire shore
gliding along with their lights twinkling
| like glowworms, the vast hull of the Grea
Eastern just visible in the Sloyne. the
squared yards and all a-taut look of {
seventy -four of the old school, showing
black and distinct against the dafodil sky
and the lap of the swell against the under
timbers of the stage-I was inclined to b.
sentimental but Mr.. Moss Moses claimed
my attention, and once more I entered biz
office, and found him awaiting me. HI
was little, fat. good-tempered Jew, who
spoke decent English; and who, I after.
wards found out. was constantly affirming
in season, and out of season, that be was
no descendant of Abraham.
"Hillo. Brunton !" he cried, Jumping
from his chair. my lad told me you'd d
been; where have you been these two
months and more? Look here, old fel.
low. I've advertised your place; but you
can have it on the old terms"
"Some mistake, sir. believe" and
handed him a card bearing the inscription
"Charles Harker."
He took it and held it to the gas-light,
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.
you are not disposed to proceed to
business. will bid you goodnight" said
I. greatly annoyed at his manner.
Its him, aud it amt him." he said
aloud; carl never could look man in
the face as this one does. And yet, I
don't see my way through the features"
There is no necessity for you to trou.
BILE yourself about my features" I exclaim-
ed, opening the door-''good night"
"Stop, stop, my good sir and don't be
offended 1t was mistake. All Isaac's
mistake, upon my honor"
''All bistake," echoed young Isaac.
My curiosity was excited, and. besides,
I really wanted the Offices; and I 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 im-
agine, to supply light to the staircase than
for admission Of light to the Office
Mr.. Moss produced key, and turning
to me with a good-natured smile, said
''Pd have sworn you were Brunton five
minutes ago, but 1 am sure now that
was wrong. Carl always swore as be
came upstairs, and you haven't. It's
Brunton's face all but the eyes. and I'd
swear to the eyes anywhere. That is te
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 60 further, Mr.. Moss, lei
US quite understand each other. I have
no wish to derive any benefit from any vir.
tues Mr.. Brunton may possess, and I am
going to convince you that | am what
represent myself to be. B, good enough
to read that letter."
It was one from merchant In the north
only received that morning, and mention.
ed circumstances which we're sufficient te
settle any doubts as to my identity.
Mr.. Moss read it. folded it up briskly
and presented it to me with bow.
''Sir, / apologize. / confess that tup te
this moment [ fancied it was Carl; bu
what puzzled me was. that such surly
fellow SHOULD take to larking and playing
the fool. You are very much like my las
tenant, sir, that is all'
Every we'll; now that matter is settled
let US look at the rooms"
The lighted gas showed me large one
and very barely furnished. There was