News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-04-06

startled by the postman's double knock
What devil of vindictive mischief was i
that made him whisper then: "By Jove
I'll just answer the old cad's letter fol
him r.
Little Carrotson skunk into the pas.
sage and found four letters in the box.
He left one, in case a servant should
come up and collect the delivery but
the other three he carried into the din
ing. room where he had been working.
Tho breakfast things had not yet been
removed, and there was some water in
the slop- basin, by means of which the
boy speedily ungnmmed the three en-
yelopes. To say that he felt the slight
est compunction at what he was doing
would be incorrect he thought only of
having lark, and paying out old Gut
bill for his snobbery.
the FIRST letter was a.printed invita-
tion to dine with Peer the second
was note from lady who signed her.
self "Fiora Higgins" and wrote thank
ing Mr.. Cutbill for legal opinion he
had given her in friendly way. She
alluded several times to her daughter
Rosa, who was so pleased to hear Mr..
Cutbill's cold was better, and hoped so
much Mr. Cutbill would look in soon to
take cup of tea, and hear her sing one
of his favorite songs which she had
been practicing. The third letter was
in mans hand, and referred evidently
to some differences that had arisen be-
tween Mr.. Cutbill and the writer. The
latter-one Brown-wrote, however, to
say that he trusted Mr.. Cutbill would
rendered, and that the painful misun-
derstanding between them would now
cease.
1t has been said that young Carrotson
was an intelligent boy. He proved it
by the calm deliberation with which he
now went to work; for, having found a
sample of Mr.. Cutbills handwriting in
the adjoining study, to which he re-
paired on tip-toe, he applied himself
during half an hour to initiating that
writing till he attained proficiency. He
then indited the three following answers
to the lawyers correspondents, his face
being as serious as a judges whilst he
wrote, though there was a suspicious
twinkling in his eyes.
To the Peer he addressed himself
thus
"MY LoRD-It is very kind of you
to invite me to dinner, but am afraid
I cannot accept, because since 1 last
saw you have suddenly changed my
political opinions and think you are al
together wrong about everything. i
shall be happy to make friends with you
again if you will agree to think as I do;
but, perhaps, being obstinate, you
won't like to do this.
$50 no more at present. From your
lordship's obedient servant,
"LoNG CUTBI1L."
Next came Mrs. Higgins's turn.
" My DEAR Mrs. HIaGINs-Your kind
letter has pleased me so much, because
Of its allusion to dear Rosa. am SO
fond of her that l have been quite
miserable from wondering all night
whether she would marry me, and that
must excuse the shakiness of my hand
writing this morning. I am sure 1
should make a good husband if Rosa
would promise to keep my washer
woman's account correctly balanced. 1
am very particular about this. Please
think over the matter and let me have
an early favorable answer, which will
oblige, yours truly. LONG CUTB1II."
P. S.-Shouldn't like to catch dear
Rosa under the mistletoe.
The gentleman who wanted to be
to Mr.. Cutbin came in for
this kindly missive:
"MY DEAR BRowN-It was I who was
in the wrong all through our quarrel,
so please say nothing more in the mat
ter. have a vile temper, which free
y acknowledge, and if you had kicked
ne down stairs when we last met it
would have served me right, though l
might have objected at the time. Pray
come to dine with me on Saturday even
Dg at seven o'clock, and we will have
)ne of the best bottles of champagne out
If my cellar. Don't trouble yourself to
write and say you'll come, as shall be
,ut Of town tomorrow and next day,
nut will be back in time for our dinner,
which viii be rouser, Ever your
riend, L. CUTBILL."
Little Carrotson put the letters in
ENVELOPES, directed them, and stamped
hem with stamps of his own, after
Ehich, having hesitated moment, he
lung the three original letters into the
ire. He had thought at first of restor-
ng them to their covers and laying
hem on the lawyers table, but he con-
luded that the fun would be much
5reater if he simply suppressed them.
lie was seated by the fire, studying the
police reports in the times, and looking
s innocent as possible, when Mr.. Cut
ill returned home toward one o'clock.
Now, if the lawyer had behaved
like gentleman for the rest of the ,
lay, little Carrotson might have had
mercy on him. The boy was in doubt
bout posting the letters he had written,
nd. kept them in his pocket like loaded
ready for reprisals if Mr.. Gut
I'LL " checked him any further. Un-
the lawyer was a dull per-
on, and committed blunder npon blum ,
er in dealing with his small but sensi- ,
i've guest. He took him to the Tus- .,
aud show, but opposite the wax effigy =,
4 William Rufus he asked him at what !
ate that monarch had assembled the
hrone. He refused to let little Carrot 7
on go into the Chamber of Horrors, 7
aging it would excite him. He bade :
i'm admire the noble brow of Richard :
'obden, and took mean advantage of :
he occasion to bore HIM about free !
rade. Finally, he drew down on him ,
elf the contempt of Carrotson by mis- :
uotlng Shakespeare as they we're sur ,
eying Charles Kemble in the part of 7
Lamiet: "That's Hamlet saying, MY c
lndom for a horse," remarked the L
lendacious lawyer.
At Drury Lane in the evening it was
orse. Little Carrotson derived some !
from the pantomine, and al
ost relented in his revengeful pur- I
oses but the miserable lawyer refused !
, ~ 60. InrJo1,,TVn1a 10 ooiI |