The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-02
DrcKENs's CORRESPONDENT.
How squeers Got Thrashing and the Boys
Had q Good Time.

How Squeers Got Thrashiag and the Boys
Had q Good Time.
New York Evening Telegram.
You said you were Dickens's correspondent
before his daughter was born You must have
been very young at the time"
yes, [ was Only FIVE years old 1t happened
thus: l had in childish way become deeply
interested in the characters in Nicholas MCKEE
by which was then coming out in illustrated
monthly numbers, the pictures of which my
father showed me as he told me the story, and
told my father what thought ought to be done
to Suueers, Nicholas ard the boys. He told me
the author would do what | liked il wrote to
him; and, accordingly. 1 dictated letter to
Dickens, with whom my father was slightly
acquainted, and, to my great delight,
letter was soon brought to our
house by the Rev Thomas Barham, the author
of the .Ingoldsby legends, which shows Dick
enss kindness of heart and sympathy with child
hood i have no COPY Of my letter. but here is
Dickens's reply7-and Mr. Hughes handed the
reporter letter in Diekens's handwriting which
ran as follows
"DoUaHERTY STREET, LoNpoN,
Dec. u, 1888
RESPECTED Sir-T have given SqHeers one cut
on the neck and two on the head, at which he APP
peared very much surprised and began to cry,
which, being cowardly thing, is Just what |
should have expected from hiIn-wouldnt you!
II have carefully done what you told me in
your letter about the lamb and the two ''sheeps'
for the little boys. They have also had some
good ale and porter and some wine. | am sorry
you didn't saw what wine you would like them to
have. I gave them some sherry, which they
liked very much. except one boy, who was lit
tie sick, and choked good deal. He was rather
greedy, and that's the truth, and l believe 1t
went the wrong way, which say served him
right and hope you will say so, too.
nicholas had his roast lamb. as you said he
was to, but he could not eat it ALL and saysif
you do not mind his doing so he should like to-
have the rest hashed tomorrow with some
green's, which he is very fond of, and so am t.
for he thought it spoiled the flavor, so let him
have it cold You should have seen him drink
it, I thought he never would have left off.
also gave him three pounds of money all in
sixpence to make it seem more, and he sad
directly that he should give more than half to
his mamma and sister and divide the rest with
poor Smike And / say he is good fellow for
saying so, and if anybody says he isn't am
ready to fight him whenever they llkc-therei
Fanny Squeers shall be attended to, depend
upon it. Your drawing Of her is very like her,
except that don't think the hair is quite curly
enough. The nose is particularly like hers-and
so are the legs. She is nasty, disagreeable
thing, and | know it will make her very cross
when she sees it; and what l say is that hope it
may. You viii say the same, | know.
II meant to have written YOU long letter but
cannot write very fast when like the person
am writing TO, because that makes me think
about them and l like you, and so | tell yon'
Besides, it is Just o'clock at night and al
ways 90 to bed at s o'clock, except when it is my
birthday and then | sit up to supper. So VIII!
not say anything more besides this-and that IS
my love to you and Neptune; and if you will
drink my health every Christmas day will
drink yours-Come am, respected sir, your
affectionate friend. CHARLES DICKENS"