Connecticut western news., 1872-05-10
A STRANGE STORY.
PRESENT.

A STRANGE STORY.
 One afternoon, towards the end of Sep tember, the clocks in the city of London struck four, and the daily routine of busi- ness Tn the house of Pumkin Brothers came to a close. These events were not peculiar to that particular day; but a story must have a beginning. The numerous clerks closed their ledgers, and slowed away their papers with far greater alacrity then they had shown in. bringing them out some six or seven hours before and as they put on their overcoats, hats, and gloves, they began to chat with each other. One had got an order for the theatre for two, and asked another to have . chop with him somewhere, and then go thither; others were members of voIun- teer corps, and were in hurry to get on their disgnises, and go and be half-right turned somewhere. All had some personal object, pertaining to love, war, pleasure, or dinner, in view; in short, the striking of the clock had magic power, and turn cd them from mechanical cogs into men. One man went up to the head of de- partment, and from him received papers, which he put into the brcast-pocket of his coat, and then walked of without speak ing to his fellow-clcrks, beyond bidding good afternoon to one or another, and as- ssnting once or twice to the fact of the weather being fine.
 A mean beggar, that Mapleson," said Jones, as he arranged the flower in his but ton-hole.
 "Ah," replied Brown. "He dimes for shilling"
 And inks the rim of his hat"
 ." Perhaps he is poor," suggested the charitable Robinson.
 "Poor" cried Jones. "Who isn't :? Millionaires are not commonly found on clerks stools. He has his salary, and he is not married; and yet, he stints, and never goes anywhere, or does anything" {" Perhaps he has Q vice." suggested Robinson, who always fought the battle for the absent.
 "Ah he may have, certainly" replied Jones the just.
 " But it isn't only his meanness," said Brown, who hadinade overtures to Maple son, which had been met with more polite ness than cordiality; "he is so confoundly stuck up. Now, of all pride, hate mean pride."
 The unconscious subject of all this dis arrangement walked down Cheapside tn Saint Paul's Churchyard, where he stopped before bonnet-shop.
 Still there," he muttcred; "that is lucky. How we'll it will become herr'
 He entered, bought the bonnet whict had taken his fancy, and with the little cardboard box in his hand, started of il the direction of Islington. In vain did Han som cabbies raise their whips, and omnibus cads cry "'Ton! Ton 20 He walked every step of the way home.
 Home was parlor on tho ground Hool "a bright and cheerful rarlor, the orna ments and furniture of which, though no costly. were in perfect taste. There wsr, flowers there was a piano, open; musi, and books lay about in comfortable, bu not unsIdy way. Home was glrl of nine teen, who welcomed him with a smile called him Harry, and went into ecstacie over the bonnet. Home presently wa tea, tea treated as meal, not the mean ingiess supplement late diners under stand by the term.
 What do you think, Harry 2" exclaim ed the young lady in the course of tn neal
 "Think 2" replied Harry Mapleson, wit his mouth full; "why, think that there were many men of fortune who kne, had sister who could make such ar chovy toast as this, they would soon carr her of from me.n
 Young men of fortune do not marr their cooks; the new bonnet is much mor likely to rid you of me. But what W. going to say was, we have got goose"
 It isn't you pussy, and it is not me quoted the brother, turning to the cat.
 "Ob, what grammar !"
 "The verb to get takes an accusativ Susan. But about the geese. How d you steal it P
 "Nohow it came; together with i giblets, and half-a-dozen of sherry"
 What! Mir. Anonymous again p . "Yes.n
 "He is very good" said Harry, serio1 expression coming over his face. "B, there is one thing that do wish he wou send-his name. I hate mystery.n
 But you like goose,n added the siste
 We'll, yes; frankly, do-sherry lik wise. He says that he is an old friend our parents but if he is ashamed to a knowledge us now, had sooner be wit out his charity. However, it is ungracio to say so; and after swallowing a twent pound note, 1t would be absurd to straj at goose and giblets. We will cat tl bird on the day set apart for that purpo by the church. Shall we invite our fe low-lodger?n
 Mr. Nicholson Oh, eertainlyp,
 When the teachings were cleared ava and tie lamp lit, Susan Mapleson set work upon her brothers buttons al socks, and while she sewcd and darne he read novel aloud to her; eeuitat division of labor!
 Just as he had finished chapter, t hall-door closed, and observing that \ Nicholson had come in, and that it wou be good plan to give him his invitati at once, Harry Mapleson rose and we out, returning presently, followed by t fellow-lodger, an elderly man with slig stoop, who placed his hat and umbrella chair, and came forward to greet Sus, who took of her thimble to shake har with him.
 Have you been to British Museum day p she asked.
 Yes, my dear yes, as usual I am leech applied by the publishers to ( books"