Omaha daily bee., 1889-11-05
sMlKe OF ooTHeeoY's HALL.
The Original OF the Character Drawn
by Dickens Still LIVING.

The original OF "Smike' - one. OF
Dickens characters in "Nicholas Nick
leby"-is living ut Bury st. Edmunds,
says the st. James Gazette. He Is n
toyshop keeper named johnson. Inter-
viewed by representative of the Bury
and Norwich Post, he stated that he
was undoubtedly the original "SmiKe." I"
He gives graphic account of his life
at the Yorkshire school kept by u Mr..
Clarkson c'Squeers'l. In reply TO a
question how long it was since he knew
that he was the original of "Smike, !"
Mr.. johnson assured his interrogation
that ne never knew "Nicholas Nick
leby" was written until about ten years
ago, when he was told by Mr.. Gibbs, a
coufectioner, who borrowed the work
for him to read. He had previously
related to him the history of his
life in Yorkshire, and Mr.. Gibbs
said: why, your life is written
by Charles Dickens in Nicholas Nick
leby,'" and after Mr.. johnson had
proved the matter for himself
he betook himself to n sister at
Brighton to get additional infor-
nation and verify tho conclusion to
which he had come. He paid his sister
surprise visit, and said: II have come
to have my dinner with you and to ask
you whether you know that my life las
been written by any author" She said:
Yes, IL has been written" "By
whom?" said our friend "Smike.n ut
has been written by Charles Dickens in
in Nicholas Nickleby,'" said she.
That is all want to know" was the
satisfied reply. Previous to this sur
prise visit he had not been TO see his
sister for forty years, and during no
part of this time had she ever mem
toned the fact to him of his having
been adopted by Dickens as one of his
characters.
"And is the character of 'Smike,' as
given by Dickens, n faithful portrayal
OF the facts rs you know them?" was
the next question submitted. To this
Mr.. johnson replied that it was un-
doubtedly based upon actual facts; bat,
OF course, there was deal of fiction
thrown in by way of padding.
Dickens did not exceed the truth in
describing the condition of affairs at
Dotheboys hall. and might have easily
made it much worse than he did. His
chara cterlzatiou of the porridge as a
brown composition, which looked like
diluted pincushions without the covers, :"
was thoroughly justified, for it was in
deed "wretched tackle and the stir
about and potatoes, which formed part
oil the dietary, were no imaginary guam
tits. $50 badly were VIC treated" Mr..
johnson says, that we used to break
out at night and rob bean ana pea stalks
in order to supply our wants ana to make
up the deficiencies of the larder at the
hall But there was thorough esprit
de corps among the 'boarders, and those
who gathered these supplemental luxur-
les were loyal to their companions IN
m hn Sfn N in ~
ing the fair and equal distribution of
the spoil was always faithfully carried
out. OF course" he continued, 1--WE
were never allowed to sit at the table to
our meals. We we're arranged in two
rows at a long deal table and we had to
stand while eating'-a privilege which
probably was not included in "the
thanks for what we have received"
Pressed on the point respecting the
administration of the 'hour of brlm-
stone and molasses," Mr.. johnson re-
piled that it was perfectly accurate.
"BrimstOne and treacle was our medi-
cine" "said he, land it was administered
by Mrs. Squeers,' and, " he dryly added,
"a half-day's holiday was always given
on the occasion. - OF his escape from
the school and subsequent adventures
he also gives a lively account. Asked
as to what age he was when he ran
away from the school, he replied that
he was Is, When he was old enough TO
be able to realize his surroundings
there were about forty boys in the
school, but at the time he loft there
were not more twenty scholars receiv-
ing instruction, ''the first class in Eng
lish spelling and philosophy" having
become proportionately reduced in
numbers. The terms were 20 guiueas.
which included board, washing, and
everything. not excepting the ''four of
birthstone and molasses,h which. while
purifying the blood, had the additional
advantage of being valuable substitute
for breakfast and dinner.