Nebraska advertiser., 1876-08-24

ceive that Mr.. Pontifex was gentle
mana broken-down one, it is true
one who might have stained thai
proudest of all titles, but a gentleman
for all that. He was a spare man, o.
about the middle height, with close
ly-shaven face, his hair cut short be-
hind, but arranged in curly bunch
on each temple; there was Tedness
about the nose, that witnessed to "po'
tations pottle deep" his teeth were
dazzlingly white, and his perpetual
smile displayed them TO the best ad-
vantage. The face was. not an alto
getheF attractive one; its pleasant
look was supercilious and sarcastic
and however polite be might be, his
manner always inspired a suspicion
of ridicule. His dress, although seedy
in the extreme, was relic of forme
splendor. The boots, though now
broken down at the heel, had once
been of the shiniest of patent leather
the trousers, tightly strapped, though
patched at the knees and greasy,
might have been cut by Stultz; and
the coat, all discolored and shiny as
1t now was, might have been made by
Poole. He wore kid gloves which
were chiefly conspicuous for hrevity,
and even absence of fingers. Linen
did not appear to be weakness eff MI
Pontifex, as all vestige of it was con-
cealed beneath an old d-fashioned black
satin stock, with an apron.
Never had so strange figure loom
ed upon Charley's limited experience,
and he could not keep his eyes off it.
splendid weather, is 1t not, sir
Country, I should say, looks magnifi-
CENT?"
How does be know am from the
country?" thought Charley but he
answered, "Yes, sir, very"
'I adore the country! What is fin
er on a bright, dewy morning than a
dash across the country astride fine
blood mare?" said Mr.. Pontifex,
turning his bacon. "That is life. Do
you hunt, sir ?"
Rather an extraordinary question,
thought Charley, who colored up at
the idea that his fellow lodger was
making fun of him but the simple
look of honest inquiry npon that gen.
tleman's face was quite opposed to
such a supposition. Charley modest
ly disclaimed any indulgence in such
an aristocratic luxury.
MANY fox I've run to earth, {"
said Mr.. PontifeX, transferring his
bacon from the gridiron to a plate.
"That was in daysgone by; the tickle
goddess has not smiled upon me late
ly."
Having eaten hearty meal, Char
ley felt sleepy, and intimated desire
to go to bed.
Another excellent habit, engen-
dered by country life, early hours"
put in Mr.. PontifeX. when I used
TO pass the hunting season with my
friend, the Duke of Beaufort, / al
ways went to bed with the rook and
rose with the lark since those days
the owl has become my feathered
model. Good night, cir; delighted to
find that have so agreeable neigh
Dor; we sleep IN adjoining apart
ments."
Charley could not reconcile close
intimacy with the Duke of Beaufort
with cracked boots and patched trou-
;ars; which obtuseness of ideas prob
bly, arose from his inexperience of
he ups and downs of mundane af-
airs.
But more pressing and importunate
thoughts drove the memory of Mr..
2ontifex out of his head, The grand
of ways and means--the world
If Eondon-was before him. Three
hillings in his pocket-no friends
10 employment; only the chance of
getting some. His ignorance Of Lon
lon prevented him from realizing the
ull horror of his situation but he
could realize sufficient of 1t to be very
In the midst of his gloomy thoughts
le fell asleep, and did not wake un-
il late the next morning until he
vas aroused by Mr.. Pontifex hum
ming his matutinsl song. Before he
lad finished dressing there was tap
t the door, and a voice inquired,
May 1 come imp" Before Charley
ould answer, the singer, in demi-toi-
cite, came into the room.
"Good morning, sir" he said, with
he pleasautest of smiles; II hope
'ou have slept we'll. Mrs. Gripley
oes not provide US with the most
of couohes, proceeding,
on the medical view, that
lard beds are wholesomest. But
-outh, health, and exercise will find
leep upon the ruggedest of pallets"
During this speech, Mr.. Pontifex
7as casting rapid glance over Char
ey's goods and chattles. "By the
ye, could you oblige me with the
pan of your comb? 1 broke mine |
be other day, and have not replac-
d 1t, as I have not been in the neigh
orhood of my hair-dressers lately. 1
an only use the combs supplied by
ne man; strange preference, is 1t
OF? But we all have our pet weak
esses. Same with my clothes-on-
Y one tailor can fit me-"
What long time must have elaps-
d since he was in that tailor's neigh
orhood, thought Charley.
"I really must invest In a new set
+ Shirts" Mr.. Pontifex went on,
lancing at his dingy and ettenuated
men, and carefully arranging the
tile punches of side-hair II never