Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-03
DICKENS CORRESPONDENT.
How squeers Got ThrashiDg and the
Boys Had a Good Time.

Nel0 York Ecening Telegram.
"You said you were Dickens CORES
pOndent before his daughter was born.
You must have been very young at the
time"
Yes, was only five years old. 1t hap
pened thus: l had, in a childish way, be-
come deeply interested in the characters
in Nicholas Nickleby,' which was then
coming out in illustrated monthly num-
bers, the pictures of which my father
showed me as he told me the story,
and l told my father what | thought
ought to be done to Squeers, Nicholas and
the boys. He told me the author would
do what l liked, if l wrote to him; and,
accordingly, / dictated a letter to Dickens,
with whom my father was slightly ac-
qualnted, and, TO my great delight, let
ter was soon brought to our house by the
Rev. Thomas Barham, the author of the
IngOldsby Legends which shows Dick
ems kindness of heart and sympathy with
childhood. L have no copy of my letter,
but here is Dickens reply''-and Mr..
Hughes handed the reporter a letter in
Dickens handwriting, which ran as fol-
lows:
DOUGHTY STREET, LONDON, Dec. y, 1888.
RESPECTED SIR have given Squeers one cut
on the neck and two on the head At which he
appeared very much surprised and began to
cry, which, being a cowardly thing, Is just
what should have expected from him
wouldn't you.
have carefully done what YOU told me in
your letter about the lamb and the two
"sheeps'' for the little boys. They have also
mad some good ale and porter and some wine.
am sorry you didn't say what wine you
would like them TO have. 1 gave them some
sherry, which they liked very much, except
one boy. who was a little sick, and chOked
good deal. He was rather greedy, and that's
she truth, and I believe it went the wrong
way, which say served him right, and hope
you Will say so, too
NICHOLAS AND SMIKE.
Nicholas had his roast lamb, as you said he
was TO, but he could not eat it all. and says if
you do not mind his doing so he should like to
have the rest hashed to morrow with some
greens, which he is very fond of, and so am /.
lie said he did not like to have his porter hot,
for he thOughtlt spoiled the flavor, so | let him
have it cold. You should have seen him drink
1t. / thought he never would have left OF
also gave him three pounds Of money, all in
siNpenccS to make 1t seem more, and he said
directly that he should give more than half to
his mamma and sister and divide the rest with
poor omike. And | say he Is a good fellow
for saying so, and il anybody saws he isn't
am ready to fight him whenever they like
there
DISAGREEABLE THING.
Fanny Squcers shall be attended to- depend
upon IT. Your drawing Of her is very like
her, except that / don't think the halr Is quite
curly enough. The nose is particularly like
hers-and SO are the legs. She is a nasty,
disagreeable thing, and / know it VIII make
her very cross when she sees it; and what /
say Is that / hope it may. YOu will say the
same know.
meant to have written yOu long letter, but
cannot write very fast when | like the per-
son I am writing to, because that makes me
think about them, and like you, and so l tell
you. Besides. it is just S o'clock at night, and
always go to bed at S O'Clock, except when
II Is my birthday, and then | sit up to supper.
80 will not say anything more besides this
and that Is my love to you and Neptune; and
If YOU VIII drink nv health every Christmas
Day Will drink yOurs-COme. l am, re-
spected Sir. your affectionate friend,
CHARLES DICKENS.