The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-05-12
THE BILL COLLECTOR.


- NAtst NAH HhNAhtAH HAhNtAeAAAhAhNNt
He was q peculiar-looking person, not
more than thirty, should say, with a
face full Of points; rather tall, with an
easy, shambling gait scarcely well
dressed hardly gentleman, and II not
u gentleman-what? When / say 80
face full Of points, I do not mean in
tellectual points, reflective points, vici-
ons points, in fact, any ordinary or ex-
traordinary points, but rather face
full of possibilities. Was lie an actor,
an artist, IN eccentric man Of letters !?
After considerable scrutiny, / decided
mo" Was he professional Of any
kind Since nowadays the professions
are SO varied, I said, after much hesita-
tioT Eyes, professional" The de-
ci;don ayailed little. Meanwhile the
mans presence had fascination for
me. As-I occasionally met his small
blue-grry eye, suspicious Of his being n
detective were indulged in; but he
Hacked the hard expression and the se-
cretiye air acquired by that odious yet
necessary member OF society.
This was o few years ago, on the long
colonnade OF Congress Hall, in Sarato-
Ga. Ny man would take position fay-
orable for seeing the world. which nurg-
ed to and fro, and there lie would sit
nearly oil the morning, nearly all the
afternoon, not talking with anybody,
doing literally nothing, except in the
way Of observation. / did rot once see
him speaking with q human being. It
was all the same to him, / am sure, for
he wore perpetually that easy, vaga-
bondish look. 1 Iresolyed to scrape nc
quaintance with him.
Taking advantage Of vacant seat
next him, sat down.
"a fine day?'
It was with this original observation
/ commenced the attack.
BE actually turned and looked me full
nthe face, as much as to say, "Who
the deuce are you, and what object can
you have in speaking to me?p Apleas-
s ant look, nevertheless, though not rin-
mixed with suspicion. After he had
satisfied himself apparently, he replied,
VERY" The answer certainly was not
provocative OF further conversation (;
still it was not spoken in q sharp, cut
offtone, but dropped from his lips in
IN acquiescing, amiableway, as Il here
was congenial subject on which we
could exchange condolences.
"Do you know" 1 said, "thnt, of all
the people I have seen here, you appear
to be most enjoying yourself"
"How is that ?"
He uttered "How is that2p in the
easiest, most companionable tone i'm.
aginable, us II we were old friends about
to enjoy snug, cozy chat.
"Why, you seom TO take things philo-
sophically, and TO make Of Saratoga,
what in reality IL should be, place TO
rest and recreate Ii"
"Well, you hare hit my case, that's q
fact-it IL rest that / am afteri though
don't cure much for the recreation.
"You don't look overworked''
"Don'tI? That is strange. 1t is
owing TO my native vigor, 1 guess. Per.
haps you won't believe me II I tell you
1 am the hardest-worked man in New
York city-more than that the most i'm.
posed-on individual in that little yillage
-the very most
"I am sorry to hear 1t. I confess 1
can't find the least trace Of what you
complain OF in your countenance. By
the-way," I continued. "yonr face is
very familiar to me. Where have l seen
yol9"
Ny companions manner suddenly
changed. He looked at me in curious
md nryinp. not TO saw offensive, WAY.