The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-07-18

Eatahswill, where he had gone in
pursuit OF scientific knowledge.
Here they were surprised to
find old Mr.. Wardle accompanied
by Mr. Trundle
Well, and how are you, my
fine fellows?" said the old gentle
man. shaking hands with Mr.. VIM
kle and Mr.. Snodgrass at the same
time. Il have Just been telling
Pickwick at Christmas we're go-
ing to have a wedding"
"A wedding exclaimed Mr..
ISnodgrass.
Yes. wedding" said the good
humored old man, "Trundle there,
and Bella"
"Oh," said Snodgrass. Give you
joy. sir. How Is Joe?"
Very WE'LL" replied the old
gentleman. Sleepy as ever. But
come. here's the dinner You
must be hungry after your ride. |
am. without any ride at all; SO
let us fall to-"
Ample justice was done to the
meal; and when they were seated
round the table, after IL had been
disposed of, Mr.. Pickwick related
his progress since he had parted
from his friends.
Mr.. Pickwick would have gone
on for some time, had not the
entrance of Sam, with a letter,
caused him to break off In his clio.
quent discourse.
What have you there. Sam 7"
he said.
Called at the postoffice just
now, and found this here letter, a.
has laid there for two days" re-
piled Mr.. Weller.
~ don't know this hand" said
Mr.. Pickwick. opening the letter.
Mercy on us! what's this2 IL
must be a Jest; it--it-cant be
true"
whats the matter?" was the
general inquiry.
Nobody dead, Ia there?" said
Wardle, alarmed at the horror In
Mr.. Pick wick's countenance.
sMr. Pickwick made no reply,
but. pushing the letter across the
table, and desiring Mr.. Tupman to
read IL aloud, fell back In his
chair with look of vacant aston
ishment quite alarming to behold.
Mr.. Tupman, with a trembling
voice, read the letter:
"Freeman's Court,
"Cornhill, Aug. %, 1880.
"Bardell against Pickwick.
Sir: Having been instructed
by Mrs. Martha Bardell to COM
mence an action against you for
breach of promise of marriage,
for which the plaintiff lays her
damages at fifteen hundred
pounds, We beg to inform you tht
a writ has been issued against
you in this suit in the court OF
common pleas; and request to
/ know, by return post, the name
OF your attorney In London, whS
will accept service thereof.
I'VE are, Str, your obedient
servants, DODSON e FOGG.
"Mr. Samuel Pickwick."
There was something so i'm.
pressive in the mute astonishment
with which each man regarded his
neighbor, and every man regarded
Mr.. Pickwick, that all seemed
afraid to speak. The silence was
: at length broken by Mr.. Tupman.
"Dodson and Fogg," he re-
peated mechanically.
"Bardell and Pickwiok," said
Mr.. Snodgrass, musing.
peace of mind and happiness
of confiding females" murmured
Mr.. Wrinkle, with an air of alb
straction.
ITS a conspiracy" said Mr..
Pickwick, at length recovering
the power of speech; a base con-
spiracy between these two grasp
ing attorneys, Dodson and Fogg.
Mrs. Bardell would never do II
she hasn't the heart to do it.
she hasn't the case to do 1t. RI
diculous.
"Of her heart" said Wardle,
with smile, you should certain
!, ly be the best Judge. / don't wish
to discourage you, but / should
certainly say that, OF her case.
Dodson and Fogg are far better
judges than any of us can be-"
TITS vile attempt to extort
money!" said Mr.. Pickwick.
~ hope 1t u.s." said wardle, with
short, dry cough.
who ever heard me address
her in any way but that In which
ledger would address his land
LADY," continued Mr.. Pickwick,
with great vehemence. who
ever saw me with her? Not even
my friends here"
Except on one OCCASION" said
Mr.. Tupman.
Mr.. Pickwick changed color.
"Ah." said Mr.. Wardle. well,
that's important. There was moth
ing suspicious then, I suppose?"
Mr.. Tupman glanced timidly q
his leader. Why" said he,
there was nothing suspicious:
butt don't know how is hap
pencil, mind--she certainly was
reclining in his arms
Gracious powers!" calculated
Mr. Pickwick, as tho recollection
of the scene In question struck
forcibly upon him; what dread
full instance Of the force of CIR
cumstancesl SO she was--so she
was"
"And our friend was soothing
her anguish" said Mr.. Wink1a.
rather maliciously.
$50 / was said Mr.. Pickwich.
81 won't deny 1t. So I was
| "Halloi" said Wardle; for .