Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-05-03

I
| was the only chum he had perhaps 3
corresponding vein of idleness made u,
sympathze at all events, we were great
friends and when his aunt, Miss, or as
she was called by courtesy, Mrs. Chubb-
he was an orphan, poor fellow, and under
the care of a maiden aunt-when she came
to take him home for the midsummer holi
days, she had a liking for me for hel
nephews sake, and wanted me to come
and see them at Pelham Crescent, Hast
ings. But i never went; and | saw M
more Of Chubb Jackson for | don't know
how many years.
l was serving out my articles with
Bump 4 Podgers, of Lincoln's Inn, living
in lodgings in Stanhope street, Hampstead
road, when, coming from Charing Cross
one evening by yellow bus, recognized
next to me on the knife board the image
Of Chubb jackson. 1t couldn't be the
inky boy of my school days; for this was
painful swell in lavender gloves, most
shiny hat, and shirt collar Of portentou,
size. Now Chubb as a lad had a most
inveterate stutter. So when the youth
turned to me, intending, l think, TO ask
for a light, having an unlit cigar in his
mouth, ald | saw his mouth working in
painful throes to deliver itself of the en-
bryo words. knew that he must be my
former school fellow, and cried, uncon-
sciousy initiating his stammer, Why
you must be C-chubb Jack son =
lie was living, found, still with his
aunt Chubb, in Albany street, close by
and we renewed our school friendship
forthwith.
Mrs Chubb was always delighted to see
me. l was so steady, she said Judging,
fear, rather from my antecedents than
from any actual knowledge Of my habits ;
and she always felt comfortable when
Chubb was with me- But there was
another attraction at 294 Albany street,
Letitia Cuttshon was there on a vista
protracted visit having no apparent COM
mencement or ending, but which was al
ways to end at some time or other, but
never die.
The second time | went TO see them
Mrs. Chubb told me, a. great secret
that she hoped Letitia and Chubb would
come together Letitia was the orphaned
daughter Of the dearest friend she ever
had-she gave a little sigh as She said it,
which made me think perhaps there was
some woman's romance hidden below her
placid lront-and II was the dearest wish
of her heart that the two should be mar
ried but she wanted Chubb to make
something Of himself first. He was now
apprentlced 10 a wood engraver, and be
really seemed to have found MS particular
hole for he had a wonderfully neat and
careful hand, and had considerable talent
for design He worked a good deal at
home in little atelier on the second floor,
and you would hear him, as he Clipped
away, humming sometimes, and sometimes
carollng, when you came to the hall door
in quiet Albany street.
Looking upon Letitia a. already
engaged, l had no intention Of falling Ia
love with her-but | couldn't help bccom-
ing very fond Of her, meeting her as did
constantly in intimate society, for she was
SO good and ovable Chubb was much
attached to her, fancied-but | don't
know whether he was quite such a good
boy as his aunt imagined, and | used to
doubt sometimes whether the career open
to him pleased him altogether.
Being not swells at all, but quite
uDpretentious folks, we would sometimes
20 to the pit of the Princess's Mrs.
Chubb would pilot her nephew through
and l would have to take care of Lefty in
the crowd, and sometimes, under pressure
of circumstances, would find my arm
around her waist, or take her little plump
hand in mine. Delicious pleasures for
hidden. but how sweet
1t happened, however, that some friend
Of Chubb offered him box for particular
night at the Olympic and it was then and
there determined that we would all GO
Chubb was to come to my office at half
past SIX, and Aunt Chubb and Letitia
were to call for Us there.
l had had a very busy day at Ljncoln's
Inn, and | had not noticed the flight of
time, when | heard a cab stop outside-it
was seven o'clock | was vexed with
Chubb that he hadn't kept his appoint
time for me to dress before the ladies
arrived. Now | had to run out in nv
office coat and ask Mrs. Chubb to wait till
| could struggle into my evening suit.
Don't be more than ten minutes.
Edward. She said, or we shall have to
pay extra for waiting. Chubb must
follow Us, the careless boy
There was nothing remarkable in his not
keeping his appointment-I don't think he
had ever kept one in his life. [ contented
myself with leaving a message with Mrs
Tompkins, the housekeeper, that he was
to dress quickly as possible and follow us
| charged her specially to have Jug of
hot water ready on the hob, that he
mightn't have any excuse for sitting down
in his shirt sleeves and smoking a pipe,
which he would be only too glad to do
on the slightest hitch in his preparations
| remember the entertainment at the
Olympic well. 1t was the last time /
ever saw r. act. The shadow of
1eath was upon the poor fellow then.
put he fired up once or twice with
Of his old spirit. 1t was a
5rotesque drama they played, but il
;addened me, too--there was something
Tierd and ghostly about the fun.
Act succeeded act, but still no Chubb
Jackson. Ever and again l turned nv
mead, thinking l heard him enter the box.
My uneasiness seized my companions also,
hey, too, began to look over their
shoulders each minute. 1t was a hot
night, but the theatre felt
chilly. Aunt and Letitia drew their
'hawls round them. l fancied, too, that
he audience on the other side began to
notice our uneasiness; +; lorgnettes were
evelled at our box.
All ofa sudden the box door was thrown
open, hung suspended for a
moment, the instant during which person
night pass in-and then closed heavily.
umped up, and ran into the passage. Not
/ soul was there. LetItia had given i