The Winslow mail., 1897-05-22

condescending, as l may say" re-
marked Mr. Boffin. the butler, with sar-
casm.
"Eh? WhatY' laughed the annota-
tor, good-temperedly. Come, my dear
sir don't look so glum. You may as
we'll put cheerful face on it. It can't
be helped, you know"
when / want your advice in regard
to my personal appearance shall prob
ably arsk you for it, young man." re-
torted Mr.. B0ftin in a withering tone.
"All right All right. It's no use get
ting shirty, my good fellow"
And requesting you will not again
apply that vulgar and beastly term TO
me, young man. gasped Mr.. Boffin.
NO offense-no offense,' said the
other indifferently, as he continued to
look about him and scribble in his note
book. Let me see That's all here.
Where now? wing-room. All, yes.
Axmister carpet, etc.
And in an instant he was busy jot-
ting down the contents Of this apart
ment, also, Mr. Boffin looking on With
a crushing and q stony store, and the
bow-legged individual whistling-or
rather hissing-fragments of popular
tunes through his set teeth.
They next went to the library. Here
was a very fine collection Of well-bound
books--numbering some 1000 or 1900
volumes. The man with the notebook
moved slowly round-inspecting the
shelves.
'Ha!' he said, as he scribbled away
rapidly, Il see your guv'nor's a bibli-
ophile. He has some splendid old books
here. | know collectors who would
give their weight in gold for one or two
of these"
III tell my master what you say OBJ
served Mr.. Boffin haughtily. Il am
sure he will be gratified by your recon-
mendations, young man."
''Ah well, in spite Of your sarcasms,' .
said the other, not In the least put out
or abashed Il do happen to know a
good deal about articles of virtu, and
there are many good judges who set
store by my opinion, can tell you"
''Ho! indeed, young man?' was Mr..
Boffins comment.
And now," said he of the notebook,
as soon as the inventory Of the library
a rather lengthy proceeding-was COM
plete. I'VE had better finish off the
rest of the ground floor before going up
stairs. Will you show the way?'
VERY well, young man. But 1 do this
same under protest, and that's the can
did fack.''
The inventory of the kitchen, pantries
and other servants offices was soon
completed. That of the cellar was u
longer process Some of the wines were
of fine brand and of great age and
value, and the annOtator was careful to
jot these down accurately. They then
went upstairs and worked off the bed
rooms-followed by the inquisitive eyes
of Hannah, the head housemaid, to
whom the character of the visitors had
not been communicated and who was
very curious to learn what was in the
wind. Nor should this have been diff
ficult, for although the annotator him
self was of no distinctive cut, the air.
appearance and manner of his under
ling simply gave him away. A more
typical baliiff never trod in shoe leather
When the inventory was at length fin
ished it was nearly 8 o'clock. The
young man shut up his notebook with
snap and thrust it into his breast
pocket. He then said to Mr. Boffin
civilly--and indeed throughout he had
evidently tried to discharge his unpleas-
ant duty with as little offense as possi-
BILE:
Il must be off now. OF course l shall
have to leave my man here in posses
sion Very sorry. But it is what l am
forced to do. Just word in private -
drawing Mr.. Boffin aside. Make him
comfortable and treat him decently and
you'll find him most civil and obliging
fellow"
"If he is anythink else he won't find
it go down with me-" replied Mr.. Boffin,
with dignity.
NO, perhaps not. But it's always
wise policy to be on good terms with a
man in, | can assure you. Our friend
is used to genteel company. That is
why l have brought him here. Good
night"'
Good night. young man." said Mr..
Boffin, rather Modified by his conclud-
ing speech.
Now, then, my good feller," he re-
marked, turning to the bow-legged
bailif, after duly shutting and locking
the outside door, II should say as the
servants all, with the hunder-seryants,
is about your fit-eh?''
"Anywhere for me, guy'nOr I'm no
ways peril kler," answered the man.
with a betting humility, which still
further Modified the butler.
They'll be having their supper now" "
continued Mr. Boffin You had better
join them at once
Thank 'ee guv'nOr. could do a bit
of vittles," answered the bailiff. This
inventory business makes bloke peck
ish."
Il can't say that 1t has had that effect
on me-" was Mr.. Boffin's answer. 81
feel as if should never enjoy my food
again"
"Ah. you amt used to this sort of
thing, guv'nor, and so it upsets yer"
said the bailiff, with a sympathetic
shake of his head.
NO my man. | am not used 20 it
answered Mr.. Boffin. And the dis
grace of it has nearly settled me.
Disgrace" calculated bOwlegs.
1tXNvoll "a i., u fnnnV way tO look