Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-08-16

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"Mdry, lDju you gtUc me q kjSs3"
Some years ago l occupied the set OF
chambers in the Temple, London, that
are generally associated with the names
of Pendennis and George Warrington.
Four windows look out upon the gar
den court, the fountain and the Middle
Temple hall. The rooms are among the
pleasantest in London. A Mr.. James
Burnett "a stranger to mel lives in the
apartment ascribed to George Warning
ton; the remaining five rooms Of the set
accommodated two friends of mine
Edward Bold. barristcr in fair prac-
tice, and his younger brother, student
at Charing Cross hospital one Of the
brightest, cheeriest lads l ever knew.
We had a small kitchen in common and
were ministered unto by a couple Of
venerable ladies-Mrs. Swatlnan, q glob-
ular spinster Of about GO, and her asso-
ciate and assistant, a widow of lnysteri-
Gus age.
These two excellent personages were a
source Of vast entertainment to US. Mrs.
Swatman would announce, with the
greatest gravity, eve want some new
Shirts" or eve shall need new great
coat this winter" or Don't you think
we'd better get in some coals:" Speak
ing of Edward Bold, she once said to me:
We've been together seven years now!"
am afraid that Mrs. Swatnan regarded
me with mild contempt. She had "done
for' barristers al her life and was pos
sessed with the notion that other men
were for the most part suspicious char
acters. Her misgivings regarding ne
were somewhat allayed by the discovery
that | wrote for one OF two newspapers
and magazines; many Of 1.-The gentle
men, as she phrased it, being engaged
in similar pursuits. She was at all
events a faithful, industrious and adj
nirable old creature, and, compared
with the average Temple laundress, a
Jewel among washerwomen.
Her worthy book was fearful and
wonderful sight. &1.he Handwriting re-
CURED as much and as serious study as
would have qualified me to decipher
cuneiform inscriptions with ease; and
the theory Of photography affected by
the scribe Was-T h2tever else might be
said of it--delightfully straightforward
and unsophisticated. "Kollurd he'd"
''stak," "shuger," Gerry are examples
that occur to me Of an achievement in
this direction; and there was also Inys-
FERROUS item which cropped up every
row and then under the name Of flag
gifts" Regarding this last curiosity and
a proper sense Of economy conspired at
length to make me request an explana-
ton. Mrs. Swatnan, l said. chow is
1t burn SO much wood? / see half a
crown constantly for faggots; surely
there must be some mistal1e!"
."Lor bless you, sir" was her reply,
with an indulgent chuckle at my opac-
ity, Chat amt faggots, it's 'forgetsr"
Mrs. Swatlnan's assistant was queer,
undersized, shriveled old person who
looked as though she had been mu1nnli-
fed in the time Of the Pharaohs, and by
magic arts had been brought back to
life. Whether or not this were a true
account Of her origin she was at any
rate that most inesGimable Of treasures
willing servant. No amount Of trouble
ever moved her to complain; on the
most tenpestuous days she would trot
out on errands without murmur, and
she would fetch the most extrayagant
quantities OF bath water as spontaneous
ly as if 1t had been so much beer for her
own consumption. You are not to infer
from this comparison that she was ad-
dlcted to the beverage referred to; both
she and Mrs. Swatman were thoroughly
sober, respectable old bodies. For my
part 1 soon became their sworn ad-
mirer, and this long before [ had any
suspicion how important part one of
them was to play in the little drama Of
my life.
One afternoon Eward Bold came into
my room to ask whether l cared to go to
some private theatricals. Now hold
private theatrical5 to beHttle better than
public nuisances; nevertheless, after
duly considering two possible contingent
advantages Of the enterprise, | decided
that go would; and in the course Of a
cay or two received card from Lady
Rarracoot at home Thursday, June 18TH"
and when the Thursday in question came
around l presented myself at Lancaster
Gate.
The performance was to consist of an
opening farce-its name has escaped my
Ipemory-and Mr.. Arthur Sketchleys
comedy, Glow VIII They Get Out of TT"
and that l shall never foget. The farce
bored me; the actors Were imperfect,
and in looking forward to the comedy
which was to succeed l rapidly came to
the conclusion that it would be ANYTHING
but a success and that ''they' never
would ''get out of it." But there is an
end to all things, even to farce played
by amateurs, and after some tireso1ne
delay, which on exhibition OF pyro-
technic pianoforte playing rendered still
more intolerable, the curtain rose on the
comedy.
| was familiar with the piece, and re-
membered TOO well the original cast
Charles Matthews and his wife, Mrs.
Stirling, Frank Matthews and his wife.
Montafre and Miss Wentworth. In.
deed had been present at the rehearsal
when the piece was originally produced
at the st. James theatre in 1861, and /
knew every bit Of business" by heart: