Connecticut western news., 1873-05-16
THE BILL COLLECTOR.
A Most Mysterious Acquaintance.

mOSL mysterious AcQua1ntances
 He was peculiar-looking person, not more than thirty, I should say, with a face full of points rather tall, with an easy, shambling gait scarcely we'll dressed hardly gentleman, and if not a gentleman-what? When I say ''a face full of points, do not mean in- tellectual points, reflective points, vici- ols points, in fact, any ordinary or ex- traordinary points, but rather face full of possibilities. Was he an actor, an artist, an eccentric man of letters After considerable scrutiny, I decided s'No." Was he a professional of any kind ? Since nowadays the professions are so varied, I said, after much hesita- tion, s'Yes, professional The de- cision availed little. Meanwhile the mans presence had fascination for me. As I occasionally met his small blue-gray eye, suspicious of his being detective were indulged in; but he lacked the hard expression and the se- cretiye air acquired by that odious yet necessary member of society.
 This was few years ago, on the long colonnade of Congress Hall, in Sarato- ga. My man would take a position fav- orable for seeing the world which surg ed to and fro, and there he would sit nearly all the morning, nearly all the afternoon, not talking with anybody, doing literally nothing, except in the way of observation. I did not once see him speaking with human being. It was all the same to him, I am sure, for he wore perpetually that easy, vaga- bondish look. resolved to scrape ac- quaintance with him.
 Taking advantage of vacant seat next him, sat down.
 ''A fine day ?"
 It was with this original observation l commenced the attack.
 He actually turned and looked me full in the face, as much as to say, "Who the deuce are you, and what object can you have in speaking to me ?" A pleas ant look, nevertheless, though not un- mixed with suspicion. After he had satisfied himself apparently, he replied, "fery." The answer certainly was not provocative of further conversation still it was not spoken in sharp, cut off tone, but dropped from his lips in an acquiescing, amiable way, as if here was congenial subject on which we could exchange condolences.
 ''Do you know," I said, "that, of all the people l have seen here, you appear to be most enjoying yourself"
 "How is that ?'
 He uttered "How is that ?" in the easiest, most companionable tone inn aginable, as if we were old friends about to enjoy snug, cozy chat.
 Why, you seem to take things philo- sophically, and to make of Saratoga, what in reality it should be, place to rest and recreate in"
 ''Wel, you haUe hit my case, that s fact-it is rest that I am after! though ' don't care much for the recreation"
 You don't look overworked."
 DontI? That is strange. It is owing to my native vigor, guess. Per haps you won't believe me if I tell you am the hardest-worked man in New York city-more than that the most i'm posed-on individual in that little village the very most"
 :" am sorry to hear it. I confess I can't find the least trace of what you complain of in your countenance. By the-way," l continued, "your face is very familiar to me. Where have I seen you?'
 My companions manner suddenly changed. He looked at me in curious and prying, not to say offensive, way.
 No, it isn't so," he present. y eiacu- lated, by way of soliloquy. "We never got acquainted downright sure.'
 "I did not intimate that we had" I replied, tartly. "I said your face was familiar. D
 "Oh, that may be-that may be ]; easy enough, if you belong to New York. 1 am around, you may be cer- tain of that"
 How as to your being so much im- posed upon ?"
 "I could not explain unless I told you my business, and I sink the shop when I leave home. Don't I enjoy it here !''-he stretched his legs at full length, and they were very long. "Nothing to bother me no care, no responsibility"
 " And no one to impose on you," I put in.
 He laughed. "You are curious to find out who I am. saw that plain enough yesterday, You took my bear 1ngs all sorts of ways. You can't guess now"
 No, I give it up.''
 Well, l may call myself a philos- opher. My life is spent in studies of human nature-that makes a philos- opher, doesn't 1t ?"
 I assented, and he went on.
 My father intended me for a lawyer, but it was too narrow businegs-too little scope for real genius-not excite ment enough. In fact, I invented my present occupation-not to say invent