Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-03-21
SHOOTING DUCKS:
One of the Usual Anecdotes of Dickens.

As a new crop Of anecdotes about
Dickens appears to have sprung up re-
Gently, perhaps the following may be of
lntesest to some of his admirers who do
not understand how totally apart was the
great novelist's genius and what might
be called-tor want of better term
his everyday Individuality Dickens,
was, to put it broadly, at one and the
same time one of the most marvellous
writers and unmitigated snobs that ever
breathed.
During his last visit to this country,
he gave, among his readings, a series of
four at Washington, where he stopped
some weeks, and where, as elsewhere, he
received the most fattering attention.
His apartments were at the famous
Welcker Restaurant, and he was called
upon, one afternoon, through previously
made arrangements, by party consist
ing of Admiral Farragut, Hon. Luke Po-
land, of Vermont. Henry Winter Davis,
Major John Fellows, Commissary Gener-
al Shiras, Captain Hentzell. of the Scor-
pion, an attache of the French legation,
whose name Is forgotten, and the writer,
among whom those living can attest to
the truth of the story.
When we were shown into the parlor
of the suite occupied by Dickens-after
having 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 extra
ordinarily cloud" walking-coat ever seen.
This garment was made Of brown velvet,
trimmed with black braid. and with
high lappels, in which was stuck large
dollhouse rose. In his vest, also velvet,
was draped gorgeous display of gold
chain and locket; immense studs and cuff
buttons ornamented his embroidered
shirt, and an astounding bright tie and
vivid check pants completed his remark
able appearance. In addition to all this
his hair eurled deliberately, his full beard
parted in the middle, his fingers bore
many rings, and gold-framed pair of
eye glasses swung at his button.
Taking no notice whatever Of the Ad-
mirals extended hand, and merely favor
ing the party with curt halt-inch nod
he continued talking in loud, dictatori-
al tone to young man, whom we after,
ward discovered to be his secretary.
After standing in an embarrassed
groud fer some Minutes, Major Fellows
| a venerable white-bearded man of ovel
seventy, whose years should have com
manded Difference, even If the rank ano
reputation of such men as Farragut die
not, stepped forward and made some re-
mark expressive of regret that the grea
writer's visit to the capital should be at
tended by such bad weather.
Dickens listened for second with al
most insulting Indifference, and then
walking brusouely to the window, said
1.-The weather." Yes, dammit, It's go.
ing to rain again." And then taking w
his hat and walking-stick, abruptly, he
said, ''I'd better take my constitutional
at once. Good day, gentlemen" and he
rushed out.
"Why, where has he gomez" said Win
ter Davis, who had not understood what
had occurred.
''To Judge from his costume" said
Hentzell, whose dry wit nothing escaped
81 should say he had gone to masque
rade.''
And leaving the young secretary quite
appalled, by the temerity OF the speech,
we retired.
Now for the sequel. On the third day
after that, this same Captain Hentzell-
better heart and quainter humor new
err met in one breast, God bless his mem
ory-and the writer were shooting ducks
from the centre of the famous Long
Bridge that connects Washington Will
the Virginia side of the Potomac, wher
we saw the above described "get up,
coming at a cracking pace toward u:
from the city; for Dickens, be it known
was redoubtable walker, and took {
daily tramp of several miles around the
suburbs in all weathers.
"Here comes the Great English Enc
Man," 1 said-a sobriquet we had sacri
igiously given the novelist on accoun
of his clothes.
$50 I see," replied Hentzell: "don'
stare at him, 'an' you love me. -
| Quite UNEXPECTEDLY. however, Dickens