National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-05-09
THE BILL COLLECTOR.
A Most Mysterious Acquaintance.

He was 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 n gentleman, and if not
a gentleman-what? When l say "a
face full of points, / 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 he an actor,
an artist, an eccentric man of letters 4?
After considerable scrutiny, / decided
mo" Was he Il professional of any
kind? Since nowadays the professions
are so varied, ! said, after much tesita-
ton, Eyes, professional. The de-
cision availed little. Meanwhile the
mans presence had fascination for
me. As | occasionally met his small
blue-gray eye, suspicious of his being a
detective We're INDUCED in ; but he
lacked the hard expression and the Sc
cretive air acquired by that odious yet
necessary member of society.
This was a few years ago, on the long
colonnade of Congress Hall, in Sarato-
ga. My man would take position fav-
orable for seeing the world which rurg-
ed to and fro, and there he would sit
nearly all the prning, nearly all the
afternoon, not talking with anybody,
doing literally nothing, except in the
way of observation. | did Lot once see
him speaking with a human being. 1t
WAS all the same to him, | 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 2"
1t was with this original observation
l commenced the attack.
he actually turned and looked me full
IN the face, as much rs to say, "Who
the deuce are you, and what object can
you have in speaking to me? ?" A pleas
ant look, nevertheless, though not I'M
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 sharp, cut
of tone, but dropped from his lips in
an acquesclng, amiable way, ms if here
'"' {" NohSStnldl SlpItCl Ou NlllCA VIC
could exchange condolences.
"Do you know" / said, "that, of all
the people | have seen here, you appear
to be most enjoying yourself.
''How is that ?'
He uttered "How is that ?" in the
easiest, most companionable tone i'm
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 aud recreate in"
We'll, You hare hit my case, that's
iact-it is rest that | am after though
L don't care much for the recreation"
" You don't look overworked.
"DontI? That is strange. 1t is
owing to my native vigor, guess. Per-
haps you won't believe me if | 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 l
can't find the least trace of what you
complain of in your countenance. By
the-way," | continued, "your face is
very familiar to me. Where have l 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 presently ejacu-
lated, by way of soliloquy. eve never
got acquainted-am downright sure"
did not intimate that we had" 1
replied, tartly. 81 said your face was
familiar"
"Oh, that may be-that may be ;
easy enough, if you belong to New
York. !! am around, you may be GER
tain of that"
How as to your being so much i'm
posed upon ?"
81 could not explain unless I told !
you my business, and / sink the shop |
when l leave home. Don't enjoy it
here !'-he stretched his legs at full
ength,. and they were very long.
Nothing TO bother me no care, no
responsibility.
And no one to impose on you"
put in.
He laughed. "You are curious to
ind out who / am. 1 saw that plain |