The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-01-19

told, was worth Flo. 1 don't believe
that for q single article of its masters
apparel an old-clothes man would have
given tenpence. Another fancier's "toy"
was reclining on cozy cloth of quilted
satin, trimmed with fur. Being afflicted
with cold in his head, this poor man
was compelled to the frequent use of his
Observation-Disclosures, winch was unmis-
takably part of buster of blue cotton
check, aud which he carried in his bat
tered old hat.
There was not much conversation.
When newcomer arrived he briefly
bade the company "Good evening" and
seated himself on his accustomed chair.
Then, having given his order to the
waiter, he produced from one pocket
something tasty and comfortable for his
"toy" to repose on, and from another
pocket tho toy itself and, having ar
ranged the one on the other in a con-
venient position for contemplation, he
Lit his pipe, accommodated his elbows,
and fell to smoking and blissful cogita-
ton. The only man in the room who
did not appear perfectly happy was Mr..
Wix. He must have kept his magnid-
cent little Maltese with great care since
last beheld it, for it was as silky and
spick- and-span as when it left the hands
of the barber. But the old cloud was
on Mr.. Mix's brow the soul of the fan
cier was crushed beneath the weight Of
that memorable three ounces. SHOW
are you, Mr.. WIKI" somebody asked in
tones of friendly coincidence. WHAT'S
the use of aggravating cove Z" snapped
MIR. Wix, tiercely. Put yourself in
my place, and ask yourself how you
would be 2"
There was cheerful though subdued
buzz of greeting, as Mr. Mossul came
in. He was mild-looking little man,
smartiy dressed, in a plum colored vel
veteen coat and black velvet waist
coat, plentifuhy festooned with silver
watch chain; and he wore his highly
polished, curly trimmed hat at an angle,
denoting easy circumstances. But the
most remarkable points about Mr.. Mos.
sui were his forehead and his hair. The
former was protuberant, the latter of a
rich tan-color, and sleek and silky. 1t
was parted down the middle, and Topped
under all round, so as to conceal his
ears, and hide the division between his
head and his coat-collar. It was impos-
sible to gaze on Mr.. Mossul without be-
ing Immediately reminded of King
Charles spaniel. Passing down the
room, Mr.. Mossul took his seat at the
head of the comfortable, and at once all
eyes were turned on him in expectation.
1t was evident that he was i'll at ease.
He sat with his hand screening his eyes
for few moments, and presently, in a
faint voice, requested Williams, the
waiter, to bring him the least drop of
neat brandy. Mr.. Wix .urtvely
glanced at him, his eyes kindling with
malicious hope.
"Nothing wrong, Mr.. Mossul, /
hope 2" friend inquired.
MIR. Mossul raised his head, with his
face as white almost as dinner-nspkin.
"Jess has had fit !" he said, in q
hushed voice.
There was murmur of CONSERVATION,
and, to conceal his malignant emotion,
Mr.. Wix seized his pint pot and held it
to his lips until it was empty.
"She had fit as nigh o'clock this
morning as TOUGHER" continued the
afflicted tripe dresser; "and I don't be-
lieve that the missus and me had forty
winlSs of sleep atween us afterwards.
Foamed at the mouth, she did, and her
hiud legs twitched paralytic like. And,
do you know, gentlemen, my missus,
singular enough, had dream"
"Oh, blow about the dream; bow
about the dogs Is it dead2 That's the
point" 1t was MIR. Wix who spoke.
The tripe-dresser regarded him with
a peculiar expression of countenance ere
he replied.
Goodness gracious forbid, sir. She
is alive, and, am happy to say, hearty
again, and well as ever. If the attack
has had any effect at all on her, it has
made her half an ounce or so lighter; but
that's nothing to fret about, as you'll
agree, Mr.. Mix
And, in the nick of time, to corrobo-
rate his statement, Mr.. Mossul's shop
boy at that moment entered the parlor
with Jess, the silken mite Of spaniel,
in choice little satin-lined basket, bark
ing and frisky.
1t was almost painful to watch the
wicked hope fading out of Mr.. Wix's
eyes, to give place to the expression
of sullen despair that had 50 long re-
sided in them. He endeavored to rally
and affect good-humor, but it was
dismal failure, and after while he pre-
tended suddenly to recollect an appoint
ment with friend, and, taking up his
toy" which was to him as the Old
man of the Sea was to Sinbad, he
gloomily took his departure. the