Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-05-27
miscellaneous
NO YOU DON'T.

eXp II. JOh DEC hLE1 stepped out on the
SGS ample porch of the Agricultural Club
he looked forth with disgust upon the dense
fog in which London was enveloped, and
then gazed with delight upon ticket for
Calais which he held in his hand.
MIR. Joe Beckley bad an exceedingly rural
air. Large and brawny aud grizzled, his
brown face covered with scrubby beard, his
joints oil clumsily developed, he looked like
a backwoodsman. Being n bachelor, also,
his toilet lacked that adjustment which
wifeiy touch or suggestion imparts, and in
tensified his rural air.
But that Mr. Beckley posed intelligence
was proven by his wide> awake air, and by
the fact that he had brought no baggage to
Europe, except the little sa.chel now de,
pending hy a strai. from his shoulder.
Z ne Hon. feiiX fslimpot, N. z, stepped
ont on the porch with him.
Bon voyoye, Mr.. Beckley. When you
get back to America, pray forward US your
articles in the Spade and Hoe, whenever
they appear"
Good bye, Mister Plimpot The best
time I've had in England had on your
demense, sir; and when tho land question
comes up in parliament again, hope you'll
send me copy of your speech"
"With pleasure, sir"
The two shook hands heartily, and MI
.Toc Buckley departed.
Ere he had gone half block secdy gen.
tleman in gray approached, and slapped him
tamiiarly on the shoulder.
GLOW do ye do, Barryy When did you
get in from Poverton?"
'.You are mistaken in your man, sir, j" said
Mr.. Beckley.
"Wbat! Amt this Barry Baxter2"
"No, sir. My name is Beckley?"
81 beg pardon. l mistook you for Baxter
same build, same whiskers. Where are
you from, sir?'
81 am an American"
"Possible 1 have brother in America.
What part arc you from?"
"Near Springfield, Massachusetts,"
"Ah, yes; my brother has been there.
Stopping in town with your family, sir7'
with my family?" replied Mr.. Joe Beck
ley, sly twinkle creeping into his eyes
eyes. My wife and the twins are staying
at the Merry Go Inn"
"AhI Well, sir, if you SEQ my brother
when you get back, please. give him my
love-"
And the seedy man in gray walked away.
Mr.. Beckiey looked after him in some sur
prize, then turned and went on.
Half block beyond 4 voice hailed him.
"Cab, sir?"
''No, I'll walk" replied Mr.. Beckley.
The cabman dashed on, and just as Mr.
Beckley turned back his head, somebody
stumbled out of the fog against him. 1t was
tall, spare man, in clerical garb and neck
| tie, with a sanctimonious air"
"Pray, excuse me-" he exclaimed. els
this MIR. Beckley? 1t certainly is. How do
you do, sir? How do you do?"
And the spare man shook bands cordially
with him.
Really, you have the better of me, said
Mr.. Joe Beckley, perpIexed. 81 don't re-
collect your Dsme."
"Cowper, sir, Cowper. We met in Mas
sachusetts some months sgo,you remember
ooh, did wei Where was it-st the
| Horticultural meeting?" inquired Mr. Beck
| ley.
He could have sworn he never met the
man before.
Eyes, that was the time. How is Mrs,
BeckIey, sir? and how are the twins getting
on? should like to see them all, Are they
| in London?"
A light broke over Mr. BeckIey's face.
AL uncertainty vanished.
"Tbey are with me, Cooper, at the Mer-
ry-Go 1nu," he said.
"Ah! glad to hear it. You are going
that way. shall be pleased to accompany
you. When did you come over2"
Last month" responded Mr. Beckley.
Aud the two walked on, apparently full oi
good feeling.
81 am proud to welcome you to our coun
try. And what do you think of England
Mr.. Beckley?"
"welI. 1 think {. is superior to Americ.
in some respects. but wouldn't care to liv,
in England. You are we'll organized here
whilo America is still crude but, after all
you have great many poor people, while ",