Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-09-03
DICKENS, OLD CURIOSITY SHOP.

Ingredient IN the matter Oh coIlPio'o
happiness it was pity that IL could not
be supplied, for most of us don't get
that near to the much sought-for happi-
pcsS-so | proposed to assist him to
complete happiness.
you don't intend to take in all Of
Dickens London this afternoon" said
to him.
"Oh, bless YOU, no." he replied.
'Wcll. that simplities matters some
what. Havcyou made up your mind
where to begin?"
"If it's all the same to you would
like to see the old Curiosity Shop to
begin with, it you know where it is. "
THAT will make very good begin
ming; but you must prepare for good
walk"
Yes know it is long way from
here"
We were talking in the Free Press
Office on the Strand.
"How do YOU know that3' | asked.
He pulled from his pocket paper
edit on of the book, and commencing
few pages from the beginning, read:
II turned hastily around and found Mt my
elbow pretty little girl who begged to be d.
rccloG 10 a certain street NJ considerable
of the town"
" Now" said my friend, as he re-
placed the book. lie was in Covcnt
Garden Market which is but few steps
away, so of course the old shop must be
some little distance from here. You
see We read this subject up"
Yes, | notice that" | answered, not
at all pleased, for hate to show q man
around who knows too much. You
can't palm off as many wonders on him
as YOU can with other folks. "All that
shows is that Dickens himself didn't
know where the old curiosity shop was
rs well rs il is known now, or else he
wished to keep the place n secret. The
shop is but short distance from here.
We went down the Strand to the first
turning, which is the dark and dirty
little thurolIghfare known rs Drury
Court, leading into Drury Lane. We
walked around n corner and speedily
came TO the place we sought
Now said |, "if YOU open your
book YOU can read before we enter Il
description of the place as exact as the
day it was pcnned.
lie found the place in a moment and
read:
The place was one of those rcccptaclcs for
old aud curious things which seem To crouch
in odd quarters of this town. There were suits
of mail standing like ghosts In armor hcrc
aud there; fantastic carvings brought from
mOnkish clOistcrS: rusty weapons OF various
kinds: distorted figures IN China and wood,
and iron AMI ivory: tapestry and strange
furniture that might have been designed IN
dreams"
WcWcnt IN and the shop was crowded
to the door with Just such an array n,
had been forcshadowcd by the selection
he had read. An oldish MN with u
black skull-cap on his head advanced
from among the curiosities to meet us,
rubbing his hands one over the other as
he came.
"My friend" said, wanted to SEQ
the celebrated old curiosity shop of
Di kens, and brought him here. :"
'You did right, replied the dealer,
.wc sell n great deal to Americans.
That suit of armor -Cromwelrs to time
is Just about to be packed up To go
across the ocean. 1t goes to house in
Philadelphia.
1--WE did not come to buy, but merely
to look around the old house that Dick
ems made famous"
"Ah. A great many come TO sec it. y
Ny FREUD from America gazed with
n certain awe around the old shop.
And this" he said, lis the spot that
the wonderful genius of Dickens has
! forever"
oh, come on" interrupted; Iii
you are not going to buy anything come
! along"
That was rather abrupt he said,
when he reached the pavement; 81
wanted to stay awhile. But now that
know the place l suppose l can come
back"
BY this time we had gone up Drurv
Lane toward Oxford street. We turned
! into Long Acre, if l remember rightly,
and were soon before another curiosity
shop.
would you mind reading that ex-
tract once morep" | asked.
The young man did so. We then en-
tered the shop which had tho usual col
lection of antiquities. At the further
end of the room was large piece OF
stained glass labeled, "From st. AL
bans Abbey" A woman advanced.
This is Dickens old curiosity shop, ]
believer
"Yes," she answered, "and we have,
rs you see, very fine collection of an
tiquities.
"Oh, see here" cried the American,
"this won't do, you know. There
can't be"
YES, there can. Come along, VIC
have big task before us"
led him INCREASINGLY out, and we
were speedily in by-street and before
another window full of antique prints.
Just read that piece again, will you,
before wo go IMP"
"Oh, hang the piece! Say; what dc
you take me for, anyhow"
Il take you for fellow who wants
TO see a good deal of London when YOU
start on n hunt for the old curiosity
shop. Como in
This man gave his attention largely
to old swords and armor, and things ol
that sort.
"This has the reputation OF being tho
genuine shop mentioned by Dickens in
his novel;"
"Yes, sir" said the old armorer 81
have seen Mr.. Dickens stand for several
minutes before that window. Once
spoke TO him and asked him to come In.
side. He said"
''Come on, come on
stop, want TO hear what Dickens
said. This place seems genuine.
Seems! Nay. il is, I know, not
seems. They're all genuine. You
mustn't imply slurs on the gcnuincness
of places OF standard interest like
this"
Womoved on TO Oxford street and
when we came to another curiosity
shop said:
I'll suppose you remember that ex-
tract well enough so that YOU won't nee
20 read II again"
He mn ado NO onexyo, a. ,,,o ,,ont Il,