The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-24

suffered as he did. It made Mark look unusually jolly. He even said confident ly to himself that in respect of its in- parting a credit to jollity, the vessel ur- doubtedly had some decided advantages over the Dragon, and that it was splendid to know that he would carry its main excellence ashore with him and have 1t constantly beside him wherever he went
 Mark should have been content He not only has this christening advantage of MT Chuzzlewit, but he suffered from sea sickness rather more than Martin or most other passengers. He had a peculiar faculty, also, of knocking himself about at every lurch of the ship, due to his in- sistence on keeping astir even when he was dizziest. But, unfortunately, when he tried tentatively to see if he could come out strong under such adverse conditions, he came out so strong before he knew it that he was forced to the conclusion that, after all, there was no credit in being jolly on the ship. where soon every child cried for him and sick people smiled and cheered up wher he. approached them and worn out women became almost gay In answering his remarks.
 Even the stewards and sailors con- spred to cheat him. for they hailed him whenever he thrust his face above decks, helped him find sunny places for the sick people whom he carried or led there, as sisted him in his cookery. or even helped him wash sume of the children.
 It was almost discouraging. It looked as if the fates were determined to make things easy for him. However, Martin Chuzzlewit, who was, so to speak, his personally conducted adverse circum- stance. lived up nobly to all the best that he might yet gain credit And when they arrived in New York, he felt that jollity in that town would not be entirely uncreditable either.
 They fell into hospitable hands that were eager to snatch and pluck an in- viting young bird like Martin. Mark Tapley was shy of the gentry that of fered them unparalleled inducements in land investment, but Martin requested Mark to keep his humorous remarks to himself and pitched hurriedly into the snGres that were set
 MT Chuzzlewit's funds having run lower than ever by this time, he felt moved 10 consider a proposition from Mark to the effect that they put their money into a common fund. Being person with some sense of justice, MT. Chuzzlewit insisted that they must be no longer master and servant, but friends and partners-a proposition that seemed exceedingly generous to Mar tin, even in view of the fact that Mark Tapley's contribution to the general fund was by far the larger Let us" said Chuzzlewit, in a glow of en- thusiastic generosity, begin business as the firm of Chuzzlewit X Tapley.'
 Lord love youi' cried Mark. Don't have my name in 1t. Make me Co. I've often thought as should like to know a Co, but I little thought as ever should live to be one"
 "Chuzzlewit and Go. 1t shall be then.' T .,,6 4r,1a of drinks for us to drink success to the firm
 The Co. obeyed with the usual alac- rity, as if he still were servant, or as if fetching and carrying were quite legit innate function of Co. And before they quite finished the drinks, the Co. mur- mured to himself that it was truly jolly to be member of the firm. This re- flection may or may not have been caused by a declaration of MT. Chuzzlewit's that it would be best for the new firm if all ques tions were decided by him on his own sound judgment.
 Agreeable to this excellent business doctrine, Martin Chuzzlewit presently in- vested all the funds of Chuzzlewit SS Co. in a purchase of western land in terri tory modestly named Eden by it's pro- motors.
 Mark ventured few remarks relative to Eden's resemblance to another we'll known Eden, by reason of Its possession of a liberal supply of serpents, accord ing to public rumor. These remarks in- censsd the virtuous real estate dealer so grieyously that he refused to sell them any land at all, and was modified only after Martin had apologized and re- bulIee Mark sharply.
 ''The Co.'S a-putting his foot in 1t al- ready" thought Mark. "He must be a sleping partner: fast asleep and snoring, Co. mustl I see"
 When they reached Eden Mark was very nearly satisfied that he had found