Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-04-22
THE LOST MANUSCRIPT,
CHAPTEE I.

"MessrS- HartOpp " 10 "ou'u "o
glad IL Mr. EdgertOn would call on
them tomorrow morning, the 18th, AZ
10 O'Clock, as they have an important
commission to place in his hands"
For some seconds gazed at this note
completely bewildersd; then, jumping
from my chair, waved it triumphauty
over my head, much to the amazement
and concern of my pet dog Dick, who,
as usual, was basking grayely before
the FIRE. 1t was seldom, indeed, that
he had seen his master so excited.
"At last! at lastn' / cried. "SIccess
at last. The tables are turning, and
work il Coming to me instead OF my
seeking for it."
For, be 1t known TO the inquiring
reader, was, at the period Of which |
write, q young man who, for a greater
length of time than l like to tell, had
been struggling to obtain footing In
the arduous profession of letters. An J.,
although before this had often APP
peared In print, yet this was the first
commission had ever had put into my
hands.
No wonder that 1 was elated. that in
my heated imagination l thought my
fortune was made, and that success had
indeed come at last. In short, felt
like q barrister when he obtains his
first brief, or q doctor when he receives
his FIRST patient. The letter had come
by the morning post and being dated
yesterday, 1t Of course made the ap-
pOlntment for to-day. Hastily | flushed
my breakfast, and telling my land
lady that might be out some hours, 1
departed.
Poor Dick! he looked longingly at
me. He wished to be taken, too; but
no, Dick, you must not cOIue this morn
ing. There is no walk over Hampstead
Heath this morning; there is sterner
business afoOt.
Now, do not mind confessing that
my heart beat somewhat as 1 was
ushered into the presence Of the princi-
pa of the firm OF Hartopp & Co.; but
his pleasant manner soon treasured one.
had seen him but seldom before; for,
though had called frequently, offering
MSS. (which was generally rejected,) l
had scarcely ever seen him personally.
After few preliminary remarks as
10 my qualifications for literary work
and research, Mr.. HartOPp said, that
although they had not been able TO Use
all Tor nearly ALL tue MSS. had sub
niitied, yet what they had seen Of my
work had led them to believe | could
undertake the task they now wished
executed,
/ need not particularize what the
work was; sufficient TO say that il in
yolYed q large amount Of research ae
the reading room Of the British Mus
cum, and still further, that great sp.ed
was absolutely necessary. THE Ms.
must be in our hands by this day week
at latest; and it will be well II you can
bring US portions OF IL every evening rs
YOU 20 on. Can you do thlsf" con-
eluded Mr. Hsrtopp, and, as he spoke,
1 felt that his keen grey eye was read
ing me like 3 book. AT that time l
scarcely knew how in the world | was
to execute the work put before me. |
bad dim idea Of it, and that WAS all.
But how cOuld shrink hack, when the
object for which / had worked and
waited so long was within my reach?
Never. SO / said boldly that l would
accept the engagement and execute the
work to the best Of my ability.
THAT Is right" returned Mr.. Har-
topp, al am glad to hear you say 80.
i need hardly tell you that, II you
satisfy US In this matter, We shall be
able to offer you other commissions. 1t
will lead, doubtless, to other engage
meDts, which, l doubt not, will be
mutually profitable" He then pro-
ceeded to speak Of terms, with which,
however, need not trouble the reader
and ended by enjoying secrecy, (which
Is OF course absolutely necessary In all
such cases, and especially so in the
present one, as We doubt not but that
some other firm is engaged in the same
project"
walked hastily to the museu N, and all
the way was puzZling my brains as to
the best method of setting to work.
am wiser now, and having had more
experience, know better how to set
about such q search, but was rather
nonplusSed at that time.
However, entered the splendid
reading room of the mu-eum with firm
determination not to be beaten, and
soon set to work.
Book after book was consulted, but
all In vain. remember pauslng once
in my search apd gazing around, think
ing bow Ike il was to searching for a
needle in q rick Of hay. Here is the
information / require-someShere- If
only l can get clue to it. But hour
after hour passed. / made no progress.
At last, not to prolong this part of my
story, obtained clue, and not long
afterward discovered the old magazine
in which one Of the papers for which
was searching originally appeared.
But when the result was attained the
ring Of the gong warned me that further
work must be postponed tonight, for
the hour Of closing had arrived.
departed with heavy heart. The
first day was gone, and / had scarcely
made q beginning. | should have
liked to have been able to take in n
batch of Ms. this irst night, but could
not do 50. Would Mr.. HartOpp be DIS.
appointed and annoyed? Had light
and permission been forthcoming 1
could have worked on all night.
Early the next morning l was at my
- rost. and was soon able TO make pro-
yress. made copious notes. and was
Able to obtain certain valuable lnfOrma-
ZION.
Perhaps It was this success that
tcaused me to raise my head and think
tof rest-and lunch. And as l did SC
fnv heart was thrilled with q vagu4
sense of pleasure. Sitting at the Seal
next 10 mine was 3 young lady whom
! had often previously noticed In the
room, and with whose face | was very
familiar, but with whom I had nevel
vet exchanged q word, whose name
knew not, and never whom, until now
i bsd never even sat.
Ash said just now, had noticed hel
frsouenfly in the reading room, and
wss conscious that, much IS liked L