The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-03-09

Tom Halliday was copying clerk and
messenger in the Office OF Messrs. Sharpe
4 Floyd. BE was just two land d-twenty,
wrote a capital hand, had a capital appe-
tite, and earned eighteen shillings
week, which, till lately bad sufficed for
bis moderate needs. We say till lately,
for some few months previously Tom
had, in q rash moment, fallen in love,
which be found to lead him into extrav-
sgant outlay in pomatum and neckties,
and in various ways to constitute con-
siderable tax on his moderate resources.
His sweetheart was the daughter Of q
worthy widow, who was care-taker, or
"laundress," in certain house in Chan
Gerry Lane, 10 which Messrs. Sharpe &
Floyd had formerly rented Offices
Hence Toms acquaintance with Mrs.
Moyse and her daughter. Bessie Moyse
worked a. milliner at shop in Regent
street; and 1t was an understood thing
that when Tom and she had saved money
enough to furnish two rooms they were;
to be married; but as In the course of
six months their united savings amount
ed to only five-and thirty shillings and
seme odd coppers, their engagement ap-
peared likely to be rather long one
On Saturday afternoons the young peo-
pie we're in the habit Of taking long
walk together, followed by tea at Chsn-
Gerry Lane-a festive ceremony which
was only marred by the presence of Un.
Gle Keckwidge, an aged relative who re-
sided with Mrs. Moyse. 1t was family
tradition that Uncle Keckwidge had been
rather q fascinating dog in bis day /; but
he was now very infirm, not to say child
ish. He was very deaf, and as rule
understood little or nothing of what was
going on around him; but every now
and then caught one-half Of sentence,
and invariably that half which the rest
Of the company would have preferred
that he should not hear. He had further
Q trying habit of plunging irrelevantly
into the conversation, following up some
train Of thought of his own, very often
OF an uncomfortably personal character.
The conversation which we have re-
ported between Mr.. Morpeth and his So
licitor took place on q Saturday. Tom
Halliday copied out the advertisement,
as directed, and left 1t with an sgent.-
By the time he had done this it was 8
O'Clock, and with light heart be hung
up bis well.worn Office coat, gave his hat
an extra polish and then started of to .
certain tree in Regent's Park, where be
found Bessie Moyse already awaiting
him.
/ After some indescribable proceeding
on the part Of Tom, which caused Bessie
to exclaim: swell, never, sirl And
with so many people looking, too !" they
Joined arm in.arm and proceeded to hear
the band in the Geological Gardens
This, however, they did after manner
Of their own. They had discovered that
the music was equally effective land a
shilling cheaper) from the outside of the
gardens, and as Tom justly remarked,
they didn't want to be bothered with an
imals, so they promenaded up and down
outside the palings to the inspiring
strains Of the martial music within.
The main topic OF conversation not
unnaturally, was Mr.. Morpeth's adver-
tisemsnt; and the young people amused
themselves by discussing, alphabetically,
what use they would make Of the reward,
|supposing that they we're lucky enough
to find the missing deed, Various plans
we're suggested; but 1t was finally deci-
ded that Bessie should set up tobacco
nist's and stationery business, in aid Of
Toms legal earnings. At first Tom was
rather inclined to undertake the tobacco
nist's portion of the business himself, as
be had an idea that he could serve ci-
gars snd vesuvians with considerable ar
tistic finish but this was overruled by
Bessie, Who would not hear Of his Civ.
ing up bis ''profession." That idea Was
therefore abandoned. Tom justly re-
marking that,as he wasn't at all likely to
find the deed, 1t really wasn't OF very
much consequence. After q somewhat
heightened stroll the young couple made
their way back to Chancery Lane; Tom
purchasing pint Of .shrimps on his way
as . contribution to Mrs. Moyse's re.
freshment arrangements. They found
the table spread, pot Of home made
jam and q plate of wster.cresses she'd
ding lustre on the festive board the ket-
tie boiling on the hob, and Mrs. Moyse
bustling about in the anal preparations
for tes-makine. Uncle Keckwidge sat,
with his hat on, In bis accustomed place
by the 6re
On Mrs. Moyse's 6rst taking posses
zion, some years before, Of the house.
keepers apartments in Bedford Row,
Uncle Keckwidge had complained Of q
draught, and had put on bis bat as 9
protection. Az the rest Of the family