The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-03-27
CHARLES DICKENS AT HOME.
HIS Eldest Dauahter's RecoIIectfons
of the Great Novelist.

OF the Great Novelist.
] have often seen mere babies who
would look at no other stranger present.
put out their tiny arms to him with un-
bounded confidence. or place a small hand
in his and trot away with him quite
proud and COntcntcd at having found such
a companion Ever since can remember
anything ] remember him rs the good
genius of the house. and as its happy
bright. and funny genius. He had funny
songs which he used to sing to them be
fore they went to bed. One in particular.
about an old man. who caught cold and
rheumatism while sitting in an omnibus.
was Z. great favorite, and. as it was ac-
companied by sueezes. coughs. and gesticu-
lations, it had to be sung over and over
again before the small audience WAS
satisfied
can see him now. through the mist Of
years, with child nearly always on his
knee at this time of the evening. his
bright and beautiful eyes fun of life and
fun. can hear his clear. sweet voice as
he sang TO those children as if he had no
other occupation in the world but to
amuse them; and when they grew older,
and were able TO act little plays, it was
their father himself who was tea, her
teurs. These theatricals were undertaken
as earnestly and seriously as were those Of
the grown-up people. He would teach the
children their parts separately what to
do and hoyy To 10 it. acting himself for
. their efIicatlDu. AT one moment hr
would bC The dragon in " FurtUuIu," at
. the ucNSRpme Of the seven servants. then
jockey PLAYED by the youngest child,
whose little legs had much difficulty to
getting into the top bouts-untI he had
taken every part in the play.
Charles Dickens was always q great
walker, but i'm these DAYS he rode and
drove more than he did in later years He
was fond Of the game OF hattledure and
shuttlecO,k k and used constantly 10 play
with friends on summer evenings
As the children grew older there were
evenings when they would I've allowed to
drive out into the country aud then get
ont of the carriage and walk with Papa
It seenls noNy rs Ii The Wild flowers which
used to bc gathered on those evenings in
the country lanes were Syvectcr and more
beautiful than any which grow NOWADAYS .
, The very lanes have aU disappeared and
. grown into houses Bat the memory of
the one who originated those treats. and
who witS The good spirit OF the time. can
. nevcr be slotted ont.
Charles Dickens was very fond Of music
and not only of classical music. He loved ua
tional airs. old tunes songs and ballads. and
was easily moved b. anything pathetic in
song or tune, and was never tired OF
nearing his special favorite es SrJngOr played
He uscd to like to have music Of am even
. ing, and duets used 20 be played Tor h"--
together. while ne would r~s1 m ,,r H. -',.s ID.
and down the ron. A member Of liz
lalnlig us singing a ballad one evening
Wh,ie he was apparently deep in his book
When he suddenly got mp, saying. " Nou
don make enough of that word. ." and he
sat down hy the piano showed her the way
I IN which he wished it ia be emphasized
and did not leave the instrument until ID
had bee" sang to his satisfaction When
FNtTE 4.
was, rs IL became favOIite with him. he
. would always listen for that word. with
his head = little on one side, as much Is tc
say i wonder II she will remember"
The New Year was ALWAYS welcomed
with all hOnurs. Just before 70 O'Clock
everybody would assemble in the hall
and he would open the door and stand in
the entrance, watch in hand--how many
of his friends must remember him thus.
aud think lovingly OF the picture us he
waited, with a half-sInile on his attentive
/ face, for the bells 10 chime ont
New Year Then his voice would break
the silence with So y Happy New Year tC
us all " For many minutes there would
be much en- mbraCIuE, Hud-Shaking, and
4 good wishing and the wants would al
come up and gel 81 hearty shake of the
hand from the beloved .. master Then
hot Spiced wine would be distributed
and good health drunk nj round Some
/ times there would bc "a country dance i'm
which the host delighted, and in which he
insiste ed upon every one joining, and he never
was to0-to IaX for an instant but kept il
up until even ne was tired and out OF
brec th ard had Mt last 70 clap his hands
and bring il TO an end. His thorough en-.
. joymcnt was most charming to witness.
and SeeIncl to infect everyone present
Charles Dickens brought a little white
Havana spaniel with him from America,
and from that time there were always
various pets about he house IN particu,
lar there was IN eagle and n raven. The
! eagle had q sort Of grotto made for him
and being chained he was not quite such
an object OF terror to the children as the
raven was. The raven, with his miSchicy-
Gus nature, delighted in frightening hem.
One of tho little daughters had very
chubby, rosy legs and tie raven used to
[ run after and peck at them, until poor
"Tatie's leds' became n constant subject
of cOmmseratiou Yet the raven was a
I great source of amusement to the family,
and there were countless funny stories
about him. He was especially wicked to
the eagle. as soon as his food was brought
to him, the raven would sWODp down
upon it. take it Just beyond the eagles
reach, mount guard over it. dancing round
il and Chucklfng. When lie COnsid-
cred he had tantaliZed the poor bird
enough he would cat the food rs dclibcr-
ately and slowly as possible, and then hop
away perfectly coutented with himself
He was not the celebrated Grip OF
"Barnaby Rudge" but was given after
the death OF that bird.