The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-03

powers, legal studies involve an objec-
tionable amount of detail, and in pro-
fessionaI correspondence the mind was
not allowed to soar to any exalted form
of expression.
Gradually his manner become
strangely constrained toward David
that sat tightly on him as if his new
duties We're a misfit. Copperfeld
thought that he perceived the reason
for this when Mr.. Micawber said one
day, My dear Copperfeld, man who
labCrS under the pressure of pecuniary
embarrassment is, with the majority OF
people, at disadvantage. That disad-
vantage is rot diminished Wnen that
pressure necessitates the drawing CT
stipendiary emolumentS before those
stipendiary emoluments are strictly due
and payable. All / can say is that my
friend Heep has responded to appeals
to which 1 need not more particularly
refer III a manner calculated to re-
dound equally to the honor of his head
and of his heart
Copperfeld said no more. He Ioathed
Uriah Heep who had wormed himself
into partnership with Mr.. Wickfeld, the
old friend ard lawyer Of DaVid's aunt,
Betsy Trotwood and the father of Ag-
mes Wickfield, whom David viewed with
worship like a. dear sister. Both his
aunt and he were looking on with con-
Germ, beholding Mr.. Wickfeld falling
more and more into the power of thu
servile, fawning creature whose every
expression had the quality of being
OdiOus.
CopperfielG had little time just then
to devote to his friends, the Micawbers,
for he was working might and main to
support his aunt and benefactor, whose
fortune suddenly had been swept away
AS she explained it, she had taken 1t
out of Mr.. Wicxfield's hands and in
vested it unWisely.
HelpleSsly they watched the heavy
shadows of great trouble that could
only be guessed and suspected, gather
over the old lawyer and his daughter,
Uriah Heep let COpperfield see that nc
held rot only the reputation, but the
liberty, of Mr. Wicl1lield in his hands !;
and under protection OF this power, he
made open pretensiOns for the hand of
Agnes TIL Copperfield longed to catch
him by the throat and end him.
All helplessly he looked on, however,
till one day he received a letter in MI
MiCaWber's well known ornamental and
flowing hand. After an eloquent intro
ductory passage, during which he aliud-
ed to himself as a foIndered bark, and
in which he stated also that his object
in writing was not one of a pecuniary
nature, he declared that on a certain
date he would make important dis
closures to Miss Trotwood, Copper
field and Traddles.
Mr.. NIicavvber Proves His Worth.
PunctualIy a the time set, Mr.. Micaw-
| ber not in his legal attire, but CARRIED
| tights, appeared and begged them to sub
NIT themselves for the moment to the
| direction of one, who however unworthy
| to be regarded in any other light but as
/ a Wait and Stray upon the shore OF
: human nature, still was fellOw-man
] though crushed out of form by individual
/ errors and the accumulative force of a
| combination of circumstances Having
| obtained assent, he asked them to give
| him a start of five minutes and then tC
proceed to the office of Wakefield ano
| Heep-
After he had gone. Mr.. Traddles con
fesSed that he and Mr.. Mfcawber had
! been in communication for some time
and that he knew that there was great
| Importance in the disclosure about t.
| come
They found Mr.. Micawber at his desk
pretending to write. The large office
ruler stuck in his waistcoat so thai
| a foot more of it protruded-
| He arose with every appearance of sur
prise at the visit and ushered them into
| a room where sat Uriah Heep-
Almost Immediately he drew forth from
| his pocket a document in the form of I
large letter, which led the somewhat
! BLESS and save the man! He'd write
| letters by the ream if it was a capita
offense.,'
! In appearing before you," read Mr.
| NIicawber in a rich, majestic voice. ''tC
denounce probably the most consummat t
Villain that ever existed and he pointed
the ruler like ghOStly truncheon al
Uriah Hep, who sat staring at him il
furious establishment, Il ask no consider
alton for mySef. Inc victim, from my
cradle, of pecuniary liabilities to which
1 have been unable to respond, I have
ever been the sport and toy of debasins
| circumstances. Ignominy, Want, Despair
and Madness have, collectively or sep
arately. been the attendants of my
| career
His emphasis showed the relish with
| which he described himself prey tC
| those dismal calamities, and he repeated
! the list with roll of his head In still
more flowing language he described his
| entrance into the employment of Wick
| field and Heep, and burst out suddenly
| and Unexpectedly; 'Heep, and only
Heep, is the handspring of that machine
Heep and only Heep is the Forger anc
| the Cheatl''
| Heep more blue than white, snatched
| at the paper. Mr.. Micawber struck his