Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-04-16

who moved about among the endless belts and pipes and titterinS hoppers in the powdery semi-light, look ing strange and misty. But in the main he kept at his big store upon the square; and here the next morning after John Earrings inter- view, while Joel was rather slowly run ming his fingers up a row of figures in his ledger, AbsalOm Heater burst in upon him something like a shock. "Thcy've fired!" he wcll-nigh yelled. Joel jumped. and. turning with an an- gry wrinkle in his forehead, demanded: ''Fircd what, you rattlehead?'
 Hired on Sumter, Sumtus, or somethin'! I'm goin'!" and out he went.
 Joel Whitney turned on his stool and said, very emphatically: "The Icuce!' Then he laughed. Next he put on his hat, and was putting on his coat to go out when Absalom re- entered with such velocity that he struck the capacious person of Joel amidships, who shut his arms instinctively about him, and together they sat down heavi- ly upon the floor "Im goin' to get marricd!" " cried Absalom, raking his nose along Joers vest buttons as they scrambled up.
 .Thundcr and lightnin'! are you :razy?" said Joel, glaring at him.
 ''They've fired! m goin' in the morn n'!Got to get married to-night!' panted AbSalOm, catching up some things about the room that belonged to him and flying out much as if he were shot from a mortar.
 Joel looked about him for moment, both rutlled and confused; then his good nature had its way and he sat down and laughed. He was accus- toned to Absalom impetuous manner of doing things, but since that perspir- ing youth had begun to enter the quietrr kingdom of manhood, this vio- lence of his had in measure spent itself; but in periods of great moment and excitement Absalom's vigor was clearly unabatcd, and Joel Whitney. thinking of it, broke into q fresh lit of laughter. He had not we'll done shak- ing whcnJulius Popp came bustling in.
 Julius Popp, lawyer, was the father of Ether Popp; he was also possessed of daughter younger than she chriStened IeSlit, son, too, of yet fewer summers was of his loins, and him he had proudly christencd Salvo. Whether or not this latter name fell naturally to the child, since Julius Pcpp saluted him as his real tirst-born. having no previous male issue, or sprang from Julius inortlnatc taste for swollen glittering words, could not perhaps be dc1inately set down. At all events, Mrs. Porp was of gentle. 1 unassuming turn and whatever odd ness lurked about her children and their names one felt instinctiNely had fallen from their sire. That mcrcurial person was of medium height, q touch bow-leggcd, and stepping just little at the knee as he stepped. His eyes were of rather doubtful hue, as was also the mustache on his lip. which seemed ever turning its tcndrils up to pick some indetinable quarrel with his nose. To mOllify these members Julius Popp spent not a little time strokinG the one and gently rubbin Q the other. Indeed. Julius had seem ingly set apart and dedicated his left hand exclusively to their service, save with the further CNtraneouS duty of very frequently adjusting his hat. That portion of his apparel was ever a stiff silk, and though much brushed, it seemed always a little rusty and behind the prevailing mode. A very accurate vanc it was, however, indicating with infalliblc clearness the mental weather of the wearrr. By times it rested very nearly upon his nose, again well back upon the head, then jluntily upon one side, and at long intervals squarely upon the crown. as if some grim and firm resolve to make conquest of the world had formed beneath it. That any purpose much alive, however, or of weight to tip the world the way it went, had ever been ovcrtaken and dispatched by Jul lius. was at least net widely talked of. His place of business, or to be more truthful. Mrs. Popp's place ot busncss-tor she owned the premises lay a little to the westward of the square. It was narrow building oi wood sitting upon a rather high foun- dation of brick. In the basement lay q barber shop, separated from which by partition, lay the office of Julius Popp, attorney at law, as announced by a sign upon the outside scarcely less inilammatory than the barber $ pole. Above in the front room Mrs. Popp had sort of dresS-making es' tablishmcnt. This was reached by a short flight of steps and q narrow porch that extended across the front o1 the house. This had been built pre-. sumably for Julius benefit; at least he had spent such quantities of time sit ting upon it with his chair tipped back and his heels upon the rail, watching ! time. and dreams, and substance, float from him in the smoke of his cigar z that Mrs. Popp, considering the fact , that she furnished in great part the ', before substance, haC turned the porch into sort of green . house or conservatory from which sht | derived some profit by the sale O. , bulbs and Lowering plants. Julius | thus bcreft of his lounging-place, did ,, not, however, as Mrs. Popp had hoped ! remain materially longer in his office | | below with probable increase in tho volume of his business-though this , perhaps, were not so inconsistent, since on the whole this volume was rathe1 , apparent than actual-but sought anC found other less innocent, thougl ! more conjenial. places to air himsel