Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-02-18


we were shown into the parlor Of the
suite occupied by Dickens-after hav-
ing been formally announced and kept
waiting some twenty minutes-we
found the novelist standing before the
fire with his legs stretched apart and
his hands under the tails Of the most
extraordinarily loud walking coat
ever seen at the capital. This gar
ment was made of brown velvet,
trimmed with black braid, and with
high lappels, in which was stuck a
large hot-house rose. In his vest, also
velvet, was draped a gorgeous display
of gold chain and locket, immense
studs and cuff buttons ornamented his
embroidered shirt, and an astounding
ly bright tie and vivid check pants
completed his remarkable appearance.
In addition to all this his hair was
curled deliberately, his full beard
parted in the middle, his fingers bore
many rings and a gold-framed pair Of
eyeglasses swung at his button.
Taking no notice whatever of the
admiral's extended hand, aud merely
favoring the party with a curt halt
inch nod, he continued talking in a
loud, d~ictatorial tone 10 a young man,
whom he afterwards discovered 10 be
his secretary. After standing in an
embarrassed group some minutes,
Major Fellows, a venerable, white
bearded man of over seventy, whose
years should have commanded defer
ence even if the rank and reputation
of such men as Farragut did not,
stepped forward and made some re-
marks expressive of regret that the
great writer's visit to the capital
should be attended by such bad
weather. Dickens listened for a Sec
ond with almost insulting
and then, walking brusQuely to the
window, said
THE weather? Yes, dammit, it's
to rain again" And then alb.
taking up his hat and walking
stick, he said: I'D better take my
constitutional at once Good-day,
gentlemen and he rushed out.
Why, where has he gomez" said
Winter Davis, who had not under
stood what had occurred.
ITO judge from his costume said
Hentzell, whose dry wit nothing es-
Il should say he was going to a
masquerade" And leaving the young
secretary quite appalled, by the temer-
.ty Of the speech, we retired.
Now for the sequel. On the third
day after that the same Captain Hent-
zell "a better heart and a quainter
humor never met in one breast, God
bless his memory, and the writer
we're shooting ducks from the center
Of the famous Long Bridge that CON
Washington with the Virginia
side of the Potomac, when we saw the
above described get up coming at a
cracking pace toward us from the city,
for Dickens, be it known, was a re-
ioubtable walker, and took a daily
ramp of several miles around the sub
lrbs in all weathers.
Here comes the great English end
nan, | saba sobriquet we had
Iacrilegiously given the novelist on ac-
count of his clothes.
$50 | see,' replied Hentzell; "don't
at him, IAN you love me-
Quite unexpectedly, however, Dick
ms stopped and began asking us about
,he shooting and what not in rather
/ patronizing way. OF course he did
lot recognize us poor mortals, and it
vas evident he believed we did not
know whom. we had the good fortune
address. Presently a sloop passed
With an old river man steering, upon
which Dickens said vita an uneasy
peroeptible:
THAT old chap reminds me of a
in David Copperfeld,
Iou,ye read that book, | presumed"
Never"
mot read David Copperfeld?' said
is author, incredulously.
just then a gang Of ducks came in
light.
Now, look a-here, Dickens" said
I'D Captain Hentzell, composedly
his gun ready to shoot, IF you
want to sell us one ofyour photographs
'ou'll have to wait till the duck sea.
on's over. We've more important
hings to attend to Just now"
And the astounded and comically
,re%stfallen expression of the great
writer's face, as he loitered off, | shall
lever forget. | forgaye him his
American Notesi from that dov