Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-10

an inhabitant Of Branthan and a trustee to
the estates Of the hospital itself; ard under
the aegis Of this worthy the house surgeon
had already passed the first Of his year Of
office. when suddenly his patron and rela-
tive died.
Now. this. doubtless. was a matter for all
decent regret: and It shall be said that the
deceased ) grand nephew was affecting no
more than he felt tand that was honest
measure. for he had had a liking for the old
gentleman when he was Informed. to his
utter astonishment. that his uncle had left
him by Will everything Of which he had
died possessed.
The shock was as genially stunning as is
unexpected applause to an inc!pIcnt orator;
the reaction as depressing as might be the
discovery on the part Of such orator that
he had been cried up ironically, For. So 1t
appeared. George GEORGE had been be-
queathcd, IN ttll inspiring phraseology, a
heritage Of-tmptiueSs.
How this was 50 became at once appar-
emit The departed trustee had been a gov
eminent pensioner. His income died with
him. WhiIc he lived. this had either suf-
feed simply for his wants. else he had
been-aud such was his reputatiOn-a de-
plorable skinhint. Results. however. would
not aTi-ar TO sUEstautiate the latter
charge. No securities no dividend war
rants. no personal estate or boarded capital
were diSinterred from chest or bureau after
the most uncommon investigation. His
pension. it appeared. had rounded off at
either end the IeStatuT's financial position.
and the disappointed !eEdtee had at last TO
face his diSiiusiOEmcnt and accept his in
herltanCe fos what ii was worth. This was
little enough. in all Conscience trifle of
money at the bank, the almost moribuud
Ieasehold If house in Bridge street and
the furniture and personal effects tall of in
different ValuCb therein contained. The I'M
happy Doctors mOmentary dreams of being
able TO realize his best ambition by pur-
chasing practice at the termination of his
year OF othCe were dissolved into thin air.
Now, II was no good starting a grievance
against fate hgtauSe his holiday no
received q drenChing. SO to speak 1t was
not like him, moreover to do so. He simply
made the best Of disappointing job and
StralgntWGy put up 70 auction the whole of
the household paraphernaIia (Which in view
OF the near expiration Of the lease, c0GGld be
OF no earthly use To him), with the object of
converting it into at least an inconsiderable
nucleus Of capital.
Even here. however, dfsenchantment
seemed to wait upon him. The day of the
sale-cOnduCted on the premises by Bull &
HaCker-was chill and swampy. the attend
ance was poor; the bidding spiritless and
inefficient.
The doc;or-as before introduced. with the
modest memory Of his deed of heroism
overloaded by present preoccupation-look-
ed in during the course Of the afternoon to
see how matters were progressing. AS to
that, he was seized at once with diScom-
Portable conviction. The lots were being
knocked down with as cheap a jocularity
as II they were sklttleS In an alley Sew
eral. while he waited, were sold for an "old
song, and it was the barb in the sting TO
him, as always to the uninitated, to OBJ
serve IN each that inCOngruous association
OF objects, presumably much better offered
apart. that ii Is the irreverent humor of
auctioueers to exhibit in their tabulating of
the household gods.
Item: A coal scuttle a scent fountain
TWO clothes horses and sundries (the lat
ter inclusive. apparently. Of a charwoman's
bonnet. and framed photograph Of some
body 5 aunt. in CrinOliue, standing by an
Ionic ped=staD, six shillings Item: 4
camp waShstand. three dish covers and a
purdOnium (which turned out to be nothing
but the coal scuttle over again), two shil-
Jew "a fanciful description evolved out of
inasmIch as the figure was obviously and
even aggressively femiriEe-probably a
Hecats). painted In a flower pot saucer by
ar amateur But il fetched good price
three and siXpenCe. Item: An ormolu and
bronZed three-light gasalier.
At this point something Of brisk rally
occurred in the bidding. 1t was 1T the in
stance OF a stranger. who, upon the calling
of the lot QO4 was its number. swiftly de-
tached himself from the gloom of the outer
ring OF bystanders and pushed his way to
the front. with an evident eye 10 business.
He was a man OF a certain professional
cast, strongly built, loud. in the style Of
those who are accustomed to appeal fore
ibiy 10 audiences. His face Wis faccid.
Ike veal; his anointed curis, his eyebrows
and the blot of hair on his under lip were
of Brunswick black. His portiy form
with sham Astrakhan collar, and on his