The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-03

enrich Mr.. Pickwick's philosophy and
emphasize his humanity TIL benevol-
ence and happiness radiated from him
and warmed all his surroundings, the
genial rays reaching even the lard In
cHsed heart OF Mr. wardle's Fat Boy
joe who divided his time with strict
impartiality between eating and sleep
ing.
Mr. Pickwick's attitude toward hui
manity and punch was equally unsus-
pecious There was no finer sight in
the world than to see him, sitting on
Ereenswnrd among his friends with his
superb legs stretched out before him.
the remnants of an excellent luncheon
scattered around him, and large stone
bottle containing punch within his
reach.
At such times. though the soul OF
generosity. lie was prone to hold the
jug absent mindedly. while ne proposed
.nl toasts. exercising immense
care not to forget any. even the hum
5lest friend. Some times, after drink
Ing reasonable number of toasts, Mr..
Pickwtck would become greatly alarm
ed lest the punch contain orange peel,
which always disagreed with him.
This demanded some extremely careful
sampling before he could assure him
self. rs he did usually, that there was
no trace Of orange peel in II, and that,
therefore, he could take more safely.
At one OF these outdoor picnics Mr.
Pickwick felt himself called on so i'm
per2tirely to propose toasts, owing to
the quite superior merits Of the punch
that he became worn out by his exer-
tons and sank to sleep under tree.
The party. desiring to shoot. left him
there in utter peace, in which, no
doubt. he would have remained inde-
Nnitely. had not the owner of the land
arrived.
He was Captain Boldwig, little man
and fierce man. Who are you, you
rascal?" roared Captain Boldwig, polk
ing Mr.. Pickw:ck's tender form with
big stick.
Cold punch murmured Mr.. Pick
wick. as he sank to sleep again.
Wheel him to the Pound!'' roared
Captain Boldwig to his gardener.
The gardener loaded the unconscious
form of the scientist into wheelbar-
row and deposited him in the village
pound, where he awoke with infinite
amaZcment, surrounded by villagers
who expressed their pleasure with loud
noises.
Where are my friends?" gasped the
injured gentleman.
You ant got no friends. Hurrah;
answered the populace. and began TO
throw vegetables and other rustic mis-
siles at the benevolent bald head.
Mr.. Pickwick might have been buried
under vegetables like another Babe In
the Woods. had not Sam Weller ar
rived in time TO assault the enemy and
especially to assault the town beadle
so violently tina; he was able to re-
port that he had quite spoiled him!
Safe ngain III the hands OF his
friends, Mr.. Pickwick swore that he
would commence action against Cap
tain Boldwg at once; but when MIR.
Wardle made u sly reference to cold
punch. he burst out laughing and they
all stopped at the first roadside tavern
TO Keep up their good humor.
Even Mr.. Pickwick's erer-springlng
good humor, however, was shaken
rudely one day when TO Dingley Dell
there came letter from the attorneys
firm of Dodson and Fogg TO Inform him
that Mrs. Bariel, his London land-
lady, had brought suit. against him lin
the sum of fifteen hundred pounds for
breach of promise. 1,:.
In the first blaze OF his righteous an
GER he prepared toHstart instantly fox
London, to punch the heads Of the two
lawyers; but gradually there came to
him the. depressing recollection OF an
uncomfortable scene. When he en-.
geGed Sam Weller ap his pervent. Mr.