National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-05-03
4 STRANGE STORY.
PRESENT.

PRESENT.
One afternoon, towards the end OF Sep
tcmbar, the clocks in the city Of Londor
struck folc, and the daily routine of busi
ness IN the house of Pumkin Brother
came to a close. These events were not
peculiar TO that particular day; but story
must have a beginning. The numcrou,
clerks closed their lcdgers, and stowec
away their papers with tar greater alacrt \
then they had shown in bringing then
out some six or seven hours before and
as they put on their overcoats, hats, and
gloves, they BEGAN to chat with eacl
other One had got an order for the
theatre for tH o, aud asked another to have
a chop with him somewhere and then &c
thithcr: Others were members of n vo!un
tcer corps, and were in hurry to get on
their DISCUSSES, and 60 and be hai-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 a magic power, and turn
Cd them from mechanical coes 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 off without speak
ing to bis iellow-clerks, beyond bidding
good afternoon TO one or another and as
senting once or twice to the fact OF the
weather being fine.
\ mean beggar, that Mapleson,n said
Jones, as he arranged the flower in his but
ton hole.
All" replied Brown. "IIe dimes for
smiling"
And inks the rim OF his hat"
" Perhaps he is poor suggested the
charitable Robinson.
Poor !" cried Jones. "Who isn't
Mllionsires are not commonly found on
clerks stools. lie has his salary, and he
10 not married; and yet, he stints, and
never goes anywhere, or does anything" "
Perhaps he has a 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,n said
Brown, who had made overtures to Maple
son, which had been met with more polite
ness than cordialitv; he is SO contoundly
stuck up. Now, OF all pride hate mean
PRIDE
The uncohscious subject Of all this dis
pMaecment walked down Cheapside to
Saint Paul's Churchyard, where be stopped
before bonnetshop.
Still there he muttcred "that is
lucky. How well it viii become hor!'
He entered, bought tn, bonnet which
had taken his fancy, and with the little
cardboard box in his hand, started of in
the direction Of l,lngton. In vain did Han
som cabbeS raise their whips, and omnibus
cadS cry "'Ton Ton - He walked
every step OF the way home
Home was parlor on the ground floor
"A bright and cheerful parlor the orna-
ments and furniture of which, though not
costly, We're in perfect taste. There were
flowers; there was a piano, open; musr
ana books lay about in a comfortable, but
not untldy way. Home was glrl of nine
teen, who welcomed him with a smile,
called him Harry, and went into ecstac.es
over the bonnet. Home presently was
tea, tea treated as meal, not the mean
lngless supplement late diners under
stand by the term.
What do you think, Harry ?" exclaim-
ed the young lady in the course of the
meal.
"Think ?" replied Harry Mapleson, with
his mouth full "why, ! think that if
there were many men of fortune who knew
had sister who could make such an
chovy toast as this, they would soon carry
her of from me.n
" Young men Of fortune do not marry
their cooks; the new bonnet is much more
likely to rid you Of me. But what | was
going to say was, We have got a goose"
" 1t isn't you pussy, and 1t is not me-
quoted the brother, turning to the cat.
Oh, what grammar y
" The verb to get takes an accusative,
Susan. But about the geese. How did
you steal it r.
- Nohow it came; together with its
tblets, and Ealf-a-d dozen OF sherry"
What Mr.. Anonymous again p
"yes.n
" II isvery good" said Harry, serious
expression coming over his face 81 But
there Is one thing that | do wish he would
send-hiS name. l hate mystery"
But you like goose" added the sister,
Well, yes frankly, do-sherry like
wise. He says that he is an old friend OF
our parents but if he is ashamed to ac-
knowledge us now, l had sooner be with
out hls charity. However, it is ungracious
7" say so; and after swallowing a twenty
pound note 1t would be absurd to strain
at goose and giblets. We will cat the
pfd on the day set apart for that purpose
oy the church. Shall we invite our fel-
low-lodger Z"
Mr.. Nicholson Oh, certainly ~
when the tea-things were cleared away,
ana TIE lamp lit, Susan Mapleson set to
WORK upon her brothers buttons and
socks, and while she sewed and darncd,
az read novel aloud to her; equitable
division OF labor!
Just as he had finished chapter, the
Xail-door "a! closed, and observing that Mr..
NICHOLSON had come in. and that il would
% oe good plan to give him his invitation
a' once, Harry Mapleson rose and went
put returning presently, followed by the
'slow'lodger, an elderly man With slight