The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-15


Pray sir, may ask, are you native Of
this placer
"No-uo-sir. am mott" (stammered
the other, taken aback.)
"Oh' beg your pardon" with smiling
suavity), 81 fanced could detect Broad
stares on your facet" The discounted
creature vanished into space and was seen
no more.
We were strolling along the sands next
day, our party increased by the addition
of Mr.. Fletcher, who had just arrived on a
visit TO Dickens, lie was very eccentric
man, impulsive and erratic, indeed most
unexpected in his behavior. He sud
denly ran some yards in front of us, career
ing along with u frolicsome air. and indulg-
ing in sundry odd and unaccountable
antics, thereby attracting the attention of
several passing strangers. They stood still
and stared after him. "Ah" sighed one
with profound commscNtion, wagging his
head moumiully, GLOW sad! You see it's
quite true. Poor Boz! Whata pity to see
such wrcckl'
Dickens glared at him and called to his
friend, "llalloa, Fletcher, ! wish you'd
moderate your insane gambolngs There
are fools among the British public who
might mistake you for me. ="
1.-THE fools" looked decidedly snubbed
~ they bctook themselves of, pursued by
the glowing fire OF his eyes which seemed
TO scorCh them, lie was exceedingly am
noyed, and showed il in the dilation OF
his sensitive nostrils and the tightening Of
his lips, as he walked on, Tie broke into
u laugh after few moments,
"l'm afraid was rather down on those
poor beggars, but do not like the amblng
ass TO he mistaken for me" This was
only an chulition Of momoniary annoy
ancc, M he had undoubtedly great esteem
for Mr., Feichcr)
TO watch the sea was his greatest de-
hight; for hours he would remain M II in
trance, with face Of mpt, immoyablo
calm, and the far OF gaze Of his marvel.
Gus eyes turned scawurd, totally obliyious
OF everything around him At inst did
not understand his change OF moods-in
the evening full OF friendly converse and
fun; in the morning he would pass III by
with grudging recognition, rs II Il annoyed
him 10 be obliged 10 muttcr, "llow dye
dof'
One day Mile and I were standing ON
the balcony Of our house when Dickens
came sauniering by. On seeing us he
promptly struck an attitude, with one
hand pressed TO his heart, and the other
thrown out aloit rs he spoutcd, dramatic
ally;
"'Tis my lady It's my love Oh, that
| were glove upon that hand, that !
might touch that check !"
(Which OF us 10 YOU intend 60 be Juliet
10 your Romeo ~ inquired Mile.
"Whicheyer you choose, my little
dcars," he answered, touching his hat
airily aud strolling on. Next morning we
were there again as he passed, this time
| with merely an ungracious How dot
lie was weaving his ideas, and naturally
WIS bored by interruption. Aitcrward,
when his face wore this distracted look,
always pretended not 10 see him. II saved
him the trouble of being Obliged TO ccog-
nizc me, did not CnCroach on his compos.
ing mood, and altogether pleased him.
was horribly afraid OF him sometimes, and
told him 10 once, greatly TO his astonish-
ment.
"why, there's nothing formidable about
me-"
"Im't there" exclaimed. "You look
like forest lion with shaggy name, on
the prowl; and | always think Of the
words
lie roarcd 80 loud, aud Looked 70 wondrous grim.
| liii ven shadow dared not follow him.
| Dickens laughed aloud and cried, "what
10 YOU play shadow 20 my hon7 Nay
then, M Bottom the Weaver says, u mu'
aggraya,c my voice, will roar you as gei
tly ~ any sucking dove"
1 was less afraid Of him after this, but q
times ] still made point OF avoiding hin
especially when lac was wandering II
drcamland. Seeing him then, calm an,
solemn ~ the Sphinx, II was difficult q
imagine the amount NJ mischicyous fun o
which he was capable. To give an OK
ample. We were on the pier one evening
having been amusing ourselves by dancing
a auadrile, In n rallied oil place which
Dickens had named The family pew, be
cause il contained seats on two sides. III,
was In high spirits, IN he enjoyed being
here at dusk, where he escaped the scru
tiny Of the gaping throng." lie condo
s,cndcd 10 perform ON his pocket comb
! and u piece NJ paper, while Fred whisilcd;
the two nlus doing duty rs "band." After
our caperings VIC strollcd toward tho end
oi the little pier, 20 watch the tide ripping
In under the fading light. The scene had
become weird aud uncanny, the night
seeming 20 drop suddenly down without q
star or moon, the only light lingering
| phosphocscent CLEAN on the crest Of the
waves.
All at once the spirit Of the hour-a de.
mon OF mischief evidently "a TAX,
poEscgsion Of Dickens. Ito flung his arm
around me aud whirled me with him down
| the inclined plane of the jctiy, toward q
tall upright pole fixed ut the extreme end
To this pole lac chung with his other arm
| while be- informed me In theatrical accents
that lac Intended 10 hold me there until the
! Wild waves overwhelmed Us.
! "Thinh" lac cried, mouihing every word
Think Of the sensation We shall create
Think Of the road TO celebrity which you
are about 10 trcad--no, mean, n0tcxactly
10 tread, hut 10 founder intol"
Here ! cntrcatcd him 10 LET me 90, while
I struggled desperately 10 free myself.
"Tct your mind dwell on tho column In
/ the Tina wherein will wildly described
/ the fate OF the lovely Emma P, drowned
by Dickens In q III Of domcntia. Don't
struggle, poor little bird! you are powerlcse
In the claws Of such kite ~ this childl'
The last glmmer Of light was now gone,
and Gloss 10 us was the dark mystery Of
the surging water, very black, very cold,
/ aud above all coming nearer very rapidly.
With houid plash Il dashed over my
| feet. screamed out
ooh, my drcssl my best dress, my only
silk drrss will be- ruincdl"
lie WIS not softoncd In the least by this
tragic appeal. but continued pnting non.
aensically and painting with his oxcnions
10 hold me aud with his suppressed laugh
| ter Then gave q Wild shrek.
| UMta uislansf holm mel Make Mr.