The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-17

In which set Of chambers never having troubled
his head about the inscription, unless to bethink
himself at odd times on glancing up at it. that
hapIy it might mean Perhaps John Thomas. or
Perhaps Joe Tyler, sat Mr.. Grewgious writing
by his fire.
Who could have told. by looking at Mr.. Grew
gious. whether he had ever known ambition or
disappointment? He had been bred to the bar.
and had laid himself out for chamber practice:
TO draw deeds; convey the wise it CALL" as
Pistol says. But conveyancing and he had made
such a very Indifferent marriage of it that they
had separated by ccnsent-if there can be said
to be separation where there has never been
coming together.
No. Coy conveyancing would not come to Mr..
Grewgious. She was wooed. not won, and they
went their several ways. But an arbitration
being blown towards him by some unaccountable
wind. and he gaining great credit in it as one
interchangeable in seeking out right and doing
right. q pretty fat receivership was next blown
into his pocket by a wind more traceable to it's
source. So. by chance. he had found his niche.
Receiver and agent now, to two rich estates.
and deputing their legal business, in an amount
worth having. TO a firm OF solicitors on the
hoor below. he had snuhed out his ambition
(supposing him to have ever lighted it,. and
had settled down with his suffers for the rest
of his life under the dry vine and fig tree of
p. ]. T, who planted in seventeen-f orty-seve
Many accounts and account books, many files
Of correspondence, and several strong boxes,
garnished Mr.. Grewgious's room. They can
scarcely be represented as having numbered it,
so conscientious and precise was their orderly
arrangement. The apprehension Of dying sud-
denly, and leaving one fact or one figure with
any Incompetence or obscurity attaching to it.
would have stretched Mr.. Grewgious stone dead
any day. The largest fidelity to a trust was the
life- bIcod of the man There are sorts of life
blood that course more quickly, more gayly.
more attractively; but there is no better sort
in circulation.
There was no luxury in his room. Even its
comforts were limited to its being dry and
warm, and having a snug though faded freside.
What may be called its private life was con-
fined TO the hearth. and an easy chair. and an
old-fashiOned occasional round table that was
brought out upon the rug after business hours.
from a corner where its elsewise remained turned
up like a shining mahogany shield. Behind IL,
when standing thus on the defensive. was a
closet, usually containing something good to
Mr.. Grewgious's sleeping room was across the
common stair; and he held some not empty Gel
larage at the bottom OF the common stair. Three
over to the hotel in Furnivars Inn for his din
ner. and after dinner crossed back again, TO
make the most Of these simplicities until it
should become broad business day once more.
As Mr.. Grewgious sat and wrote by his fire
that afternoSn; so 50 did Id the the elerk Of Mr.. Grew
faced. daTk-haired person Of thirty, with big
dark ewes that wholly wanted luStcr, and a dis
satisfied doughty complexion, that seemed TO ask
to be sent TO the bakers. this attendant was
a mysterious being. possessed Of some strange
power over Mr.. Grewgious. As though he had
been called into existence, like a fabulous Fa-
miliar. BY a magic spell which had failed when
required 10 dismiss him, he stuck tight to Mr..
Grewgicus's stool, although Mr.. Grewgious's
comfort and convenience would manifestly have
been advanced by dispOssessing him. A gloomy
person with tangled locks. and a general air Of
having been reared under the shadow OF that
baleful tree of Java, which has given shelter
to more lives than the whole botanical kingdom.
Mr.. Grewgious. nevertheless. treated him with
unaccountable consideration.
Now, Bazzard," said Mr.. Grewgious, on the
entrance Of his clerk: looking up from his pa
pers as he arranged them for the night; what
is in the wind besides fogg'
Mr.. Brood says BaZzard.
What OF him.
Has called" said Bazzard.
You might have shown him in"
L am doing II. said Bazzard.
The visitor catnc in accordingly.
Dear met said Nh. GrewgiOus. looking round
his pair Of office candles. - thought you had
How do you do. Mr.. Edwin? Dear me-. you're
chokincl'
IT'S this fog returned Edwin; and il makes
my eyes smart, like cayenne pepper"
rs IL really so bad as that? Pray unto your
wrappers. It's fortunate / have SO good q fire:
but Mr.. Bazzard has taken care OF me-"
Nc l haven't" said Mr.. Bazzard at the door.
care OF myself without Observing It, said Mr.
GrewgiOus. Pray be seated in my chair. No.
l beg, Coming out Of such an atmosphere, in
my chair
ITO BE Continued Tomorrow