The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-01-21
A Little Dinner With Jones

y
10 look for an opening as n medical man, my
aunt, Miss Ap.Rees, OF Rees Castle, was good
enough to give me a letter of Introduction to
her cousin, Mr. Pwllhyll Jones, Of kensing'
ton, who, she assured me, was most int,ucn'
tial man, and might be of great service to me.
Moreover, she added that he was very rich,
and had an only daughter, who was both beau.
uful and amablc.
have a very treacherous memory, and ar.
rving in London, seeing that my aunts letter
was already directed in her stiff, odfashloned
hand, | thought | would make sure of not
forgetting by sending 1t oil at once SO, tax
ing one of my cards, on which these words
were inscribed: MIR. John Rees, NJ res,
Blggwsberis," l wrote under the name, "wlll
have the pleasure of calling on Mr.. Pwllhyll
Jones on Wednesday evening and popped ii
into the envelope with my aunt's letter. Then
dropped the letter lRto a pillar box and
thanked goodness it was off my mind. Next
day received a most polite note from Mr..
Jones, begging me to forego ceremony and
come to dine on Wednesday en- tdmjHe
On the Wednesday I dressed myself with
care and starting Mt six o'clock, took the I'M
foreground railway to South kcnsington
When / arrived there 1t suddenly occurred to
me that did not remember my friends ad-
dress. Stop. thought had his note IN my
pocket, and drew 1t out and glanced at the
top. BY Jovci 1t had neither date nor ad
dress. objectionable carecssness Of Jones'
thought; but what was to be done? 1t was
only quarter past six, so had lots OF time
and my first idea was to apply TO policeman
did so. But the man Of law only knew one
Mr.. Jones living III kensington, and he was
rawnbroker Clearly this could not be my
Mr.. Jones, and the officer recommended me to
N oh Thnra,ppp a
ton of Cabmen agreed that 1t must be Mr.
Jones of RedclyfTe Square. Several offered to
drive me there, and jumped into the nearest
hanson.
There was brass plate on the gate of the
house at which we stopped, with Mr. T.,
Jones" in large letters. | dismissed my cab
and knocked. The door was opened by a
funerai-looking man-servant.
as Mr.. Jones ut homeY | asked
yes, SIR" SAID the man, eyeing me az an
undertaken might his patient" Then he ad-
ded, "The gentleman who was to be here at
seven, presumc?'
| nodded aCqulescenCe cheertully.
Master expects you, sir" he almost groan-
ed, and then he threw open side door and
ushcrcd me into small room which looked
like library, and left me alone.
The chair sat down in was very comfort.
able, and mentally resolved that | would get
one some day precisely like It, 1t had very
sloping back worked by crank to different
angles, and the top of the back spread out INTO
a concave cushion, which exactly supported
the head. was abashed to perceive that he
was in morning dress, whereas | had got my
self up, rs they say regardless of expense"
AS | rose Mr. Jones extended his hand and
squeezed mine lmpressively.
How are we, today" he murmured, with
his head on one side.
assured him that was never better in my
life, except for slight twinge of toothache
"Ah just So" he remarked
Then he motioned me to the chair, which
he wheeled directly under the gas, and ! sat
down, Evidently rather an eccentric sort of
fellow, | thought, as he put his left hand on
the top of my head, holding the other behind
him as he stood.
Have the goodness to open your mouth,
he said | smiled and did so. "A little wider,
please" II was getting rather ridiculous, but
remembered my aunt's injunCtons to be
its widest extent
After peering into it for some seconds, my
host suddenly brought his right hand round
from behind his back, and before | could say
a word he had got some horrid instrument fix
ed on one of my tav0rite molars, and was
away at 1t like fined. That was
too much struggled; | screamed. AT last
managed to shake him off, and there wei
stood glazing at each other and perspiring.
Fortunately | had saved my tooth. IL teltI
Dose, but 1t was still there. was very indg.
nant. Explanations followed. 1t seemed he
was DENTIST and had an appointment with n
patient, for whom he took me. We both apollo
yzed, and he begged my acceptance of one OF
MS cards, on which | read: DIR Penrhys
Tones, Surgeon Dentist" | breathed freely
once more as | found myself outside in thel
square.
When had somewhat recovered my equan.
NIFTY, looked at my watch, and found it still
wanted a quarter to seven. All was not lost,
hen. Hurrying up Queens Gate, found my
Ielf in Kensington Hugh Street, and at the
corner OF street perceived house agent s.
office. There seemed to be a chance here and
entered and made inquiries.
"Pwllhyll JONES'" murmured the agent, re-
lectively. "You are sure it Is Pwllhyll?" hcl
asked
YES" replied, was quite sure of that,
anyhow.
Then he referred to book, and said
There's p. Jones lives at No - Holland
Road, perhaps that's your man" | said II
vonld try him, at any rate.
No. - Holland Road proved to be at the
upper extremity of the longest and straightestl
If streets. The house looked respectable, and
rang the bell. Hardly had my hand touched
t when the door was opened cautiously, and
he head of weakened old woman thrust
tself out
you are the doctor, suppose" she said, In
/ hoarse whisper.
replied that my name was Mr.-or, If she
liked, "Doctor'-Rees, whereupon she beck
med me in without saying another word, and
,losed the door. The hail was rather dark
nut IN the dim light could make out that the
I'D woman was very pale, and trembling all
,ver.
you had better go up TO him." she said i
md became aware of tremendous noise
Ibove us. Then a japanned tea tray came
}, unding and rafting down the stairs, where.
lpon the old woman, with little shrek, scut-
led off hurriedly, and disappeared somewhere
i the back, where | heard her lock herself
n; and | was left alone IN the hall didn't
III a . nj al and had haIF N mind m lar,