The Republican journal., 1873-04-03


trouble to show your very valuable works,
but | beg you to excuse me, for | donr
wa'@ the books" He gave a little sur
prsed start, and stared at Inc from the
bow on my hair, to the tip of my French
boot, striving to make out if was of sane
mind. remained standing he sat coolly
down, remarking that the Squire's name,
or mine, would be OF great assistance in
getting started" If | only would con-
sent to ''write Mrs. Ray, next after the
minister's, it would be such favor IL
think, sir, you fail to understand me. |
repeat, | don't want your book, I said,
almost angrily.
Without taking the slightest notice of
what | had SAID, he went on remarking
upon the beauties of this quiet little city !;
the beautiful views to be had in various
localities, especially from certain cupola
on Congress street, and from another fire
residence down by the mall At this point
| dropped into chair, wondering wheth-
er to call the police, or throw my vase of
wax flowers at his head But, as the
police were too far off 10 be called, and
the flowers were a valuable Gift from a
dear friend. | did neither but waited
He evidently interpreted this silence TO
mean a point gained, and produced from
his pocket a we'll worn specimen copy,''
with turkey, half turkey, gilt, and
morocco, calf and muslin bindings" And
| could have just which chose, by sim
ply writing my name 'next after the
ministcrs'? they, the ministers, having the
preference in the post of honor? ''Sir,"
| repeated with emphasis, 81 will not
trouble you to show the samples. I've no
doubt but they are everything you say
and am quite content to take your word
for it, inasmuch as shall not subscribe. -
"Ah! my good lady, do assure you,
that instead of its being any trouble, il
affords me the lveliest satisfaction to
exhibit this very valuable work to such
an excellent judge Of these things, Il,
YOURSELF drawing his chair close to mine
and pointing with his great rough fingers
to some coarse wood cuts. Fine linear
! engravings, madam, worth twice the sum
asked for the entire book Besides, tht
| book is the most wonderful of anything
| published in the last century. The manu-,
script was picked up by a Buddhist priest
off the coast of Bab-el-mandel, sealed VI
in a bottle. and was sold by him to a de
serter from Mr.. Stanley's expedition, VIII,
reached that coast IN an open canoe, ans
there took an English steamer through
the Suez canal, thence to London and back
to Hartford; where the publishers cal
with difficulty supply the demand, ST
great is its popularity, &c, g..
Just then my little boy came runnin!
into the room, when he began talking t,
the child, and explaining the prints; an,
finally turned to the very cheerful pictur
of an autoda-te. This was too much
Sir said, II don't want your book.
wont have your book. Can you compre
hend that? 1t shant be left in this house.
80, certainly, certainly, my dear lady
Of course, if vou don't want thp book
why-ive nothing more to say. Bu
them think you 10 want it I'm sur
/ the Squire would be delighted t. take it
| And as he will he at home on Saturday
q had told him no such thing. and a
YOU viii, very likely, change vour mind
| viii give myself the pleasure Of calling
again" Then taking his hat. he sLooI
me very cordially by the hand, remarkiug
Il am delighted to have met you;' anD
departed
Well, what did | do? | wrote dis
patch to Gov. Perham, to ''send me i'm
medlately a ten-inch-bore cannon, to b'
planted on my piazza" But upon retlec
tion, feared the neighbors would b,
greatly scandalized, and so telegraphe,
the Governor to ''wat until further OF
ders.' And I suppose he is waiting
RAY.