The Portland daily press., 1870-02-26
selected story
Gunnison's Blunder'

,iaa OF him, and he must let it out to some
one. 1t was bad enough, to be sure. l think
there were six cases in all, invoiced at some
thing like six-tive hundred dollars; these poor
Ginnson had got aboard the wrong ship, and
what made the matter particularly blue was
the TACT that they were intended for new Gus
toners, whom our firm was very anxious to
pisAse: we kept quiet, OF course, for nobody
was nunky enough to let it out for the sake
o. seeing the fuss; and, besides, we had hope
that goods might arrive safely aud be trans
shipped to the place where they belonged, and
no one be the wiser until they were sale III
the hands OF the consi9nees, and then for thai
reason the mistake might ap. ear III less
awkward light
at The end of the fourth anxious day-tor
CGpnison was in a terrible fd9et, as the goods
wee not Insured a dollar b. this line-tne
news came that the Spartan had gone 10 liz
bottom in a gale Off Hatteras. o.,. ;o;nt
Pale as a ghost and trembling ~ every yo'n''
Guuuison went into the private ONCE 10 nahe
a clean breast of the whole affair, Nhlle we
sat on our stools with bea ing heartS, listen
ing 10 the organizations OF aStonlshment and
amer which made themselves heard through
the glass partition.
WlCdel whispered over to me that she
doubtel the whole thing from beginning to
cad; he lid not believe the goods were out Of
the city, but that they were concealed in Gun
nis1n's lodgings, b' hind the plasielng or up
the chimney; he believed it was a re luIar put
up job al az ound, for no born man could be so
eutra2eously stupid"
WidJen was always doubling somebody or
thing, so none OF us paid much attention to
VIA, he said, excepting Jarvis, the custom
house clerk, who nearly fell Off his stool tie
told US the round was slippery, but we found
out altcrward there were no rounds in his
stool; besides, he had his ieet ON letter
boxl. He told Widen that he had best quit
talking in that fashion, as he might get hun
self 10 % trouble.
In half an hour Mr.. Hoxie, the best liked OF
the Junior partners, came into our office, look
ing great deal more sorry than angry " Cen
uemen, said he, speaking quite low, i suppose
yo1 all know OF Il e affair that Mr.. Gunnison
has just made us acquainted with. We are
sorry that it has happened, as it must deprive
us OF his services hereafter. We wish very
much Indeed that you would treat him with
every kindness and consideration possible, as
his lack of care has nothing to do with his
senilemaniy conduct, which l am sure we all
remember pleasantly. Try and make him feel
as comfortable about the matter as you can"
We We're only too glad to help poor Gun
nison out OF his trouble, if even only this
much. and we all heartily gave the promise.
Presently out he came, looking, very DEF ct
ed, and stood moment or two with his hands
deep in his pockets, gazing silently up at the
clear sky over the courtyard
He was athick-necked, Nell-shaped, blue-eyed
Lngishman who came among us onlv year
before, but who had made us all friends in
spite OF the trfiing burr on his tongue, and his
headiong championship OF his native Island.
Some of the fellows stick to it to this day that
his eyes filled up as he stood at the window
but his voice was Strong and steady enough
when be turned around, though | fancied he
had sort of despairing look III his face.
He went 10 his desk, and, opening the draw
ers. made little pile on the I'D, OF all his
ploperty-a penknife, a pretty inksiand, pen
wiper, an eraser and a bundle of letters; these
he wrapped up in bit OF paper, we looking
on all the while without the heart TO say a
word. Then he put on his coat and took his
hat from the nail, and, alter tumbling it in his
hands for Will he looked up at us with
smile that came very hard.
Its all over with me, and they've given me
the sack, and SO would if bad been in their
places Good by to you all. They din't
break out much, though wish they had Id
have felt much better If they had been little
more savage-I am sad at going away from
all, but as for leaving and being turned out
why, I'm well used to Tiny old enemy that
I've fought and fought for years, has got me
down again. mean my carelesSness.-GoOd-
by-good-by."
We gave him our hands silently, but very
Warmly, which made him look little bright
Ell as he turned towards the door. AS he
closed it behind him, and we beard the echo
of his footsteps on the creakins stairs, we had
feeling Of loneliness come over us all that
we had never felt before. When he got into
the street and looked back, and waved his
hand at us, and walked quietly and braveIy
into the crowd, we wondered ii either Of us
would have borne his disgrace as well, and
we felt a little shame at having no trouble to
fight, as be had, and wished a hundred times
that we could be with him again.
The wish was eratified sooner than we ex-
pocted. for late in the day fellow came into
the Office with letter directed to "Either OF
the Boys" and in GunnisOns own clear hand.
Widen advised us to toss it into the crate
b. without opening it, as he doubted it it had
any good in it, and was probably only beg
ging request from Gunnson, for one of us to
60 bail Tor him, as be had no doubt thought
it best TO give himself up 10 the officers OF the
law.
We paid no attention to this stuff, of course,
and opened the note. 1t read thus:
"DATTLEs AND THE REST OF YOU: wish
you would come to my chambers tonight
sharp. My brother says re can Justify cakes
and ale, even under the present circumstances
though LIN blessed if L see hoW-at any rate
come.
w S. V. p. Yours as ever,
"GUNNIsoN."
@There's barefaced.i mpulencem said Wild
den, disagreeably.
"iheIe's something to eat and drink in it,
impudence or not, SO Pm going" Ietorted
Batsles. That being the sentiment all around,
we all accepted, including even " idden. Jar
Wis said be had some doubts whether or not
he would be in town, but finally sigued the
answer.
JARVIS was one of the favorites in the Office.
for lie was quiet and polite in his manners,
and never had much 10 say in any dispute or
coBter ton that arose among us, though there
was quite difference between his behavior
and his dress, which was about the reverse OF
the other, being little boisterous in style. He
had more regard for colors than any one
ever knew. Pearl trousers, a dun shooting
Jacket, black waistcoat, grey felt hat, and blue
tie, to say nothing CT yellow gold chain and
seals, would put him in affection with him.
self on the sloppie,t day in midwinter, while
no Two days passed but he tried the effect of a
new combination. 1t must have cost him
much more than his salary amounted to, but
be would partly own up TO three or four ric h
unc'es i'll the flour trade, when we pressed
him hard, though his father kept tca-pin al
ley. He had direct, civil way with him, and
we never spoke of his dress except in chaff
which he used to take without even show OF
temper or vexation, either from good nature
Or policy-we could never decide which.
WAind our rendezvous at a little bake-shop
block or two away from Gunnison's, and b.
live minutes of eight we had all assembled
with the exception of Jarvis, and, the time
being nearly up, we went on without him.
We found our host in first-rate chambers, up
two flights. He received us heartily, and
Showed us into room which we took to be
his parlor. AT the first sight of us he missed
Jarvis, and asked for him with a shade OF
anxiety in his voice and manner, but we as
sured him he would be along presently, and
he said no more about him, but gave us seats
around the open fire. We noticed that the
chairs were arranged for six, three on each
side, with room for another seat directly in
front of the crate. GunDison exchanged a
few words with us, ard, after putting us quite
at our ease, went into an adjoining room to
Is he said-ietch his brother. While we were
wondering why he d dn't come alone, Gunni-
son returned, pushing before him an easy
chair with very high arms and a very thick.
soft cushion. On this was seated. cross.leo-
Sed, a boy of about thirteen. He had lonS.
light hair kept behind his ears. blue ewes. q
remarkably thin lace, clear skin. and a
pointed lower jaw. His hands were also long
and thin, and he allowed them to rest over
his knees in such a way that the sleeves OF
his jacket barely covered his elbows.
He glanced sharply at each of us as Gun
nisoD pushed him Tito the place for the sew
enth chair, and said to bis brother, in French:
"it was neither of these"
"No, there is one yet to come. My brother.
Gentlemen," added Gunnison, by way of in
PRODUCTION, turning 10 us.