Evening star., 1928-11-12
WORLD FAMOUS STORIES
PICKWICKIAN WARMTH
BY Charles Dickens.

Charles Dickens. 1sl2-7o; was famous e.
| British novelist, author of "PiekWick Pa,
pers,S David Copperheld,' oliver Twist"
! etc.
| Being invited to fancy-dresS break
| fast at Mrs. Leo Hunters, Mr.. Pickwlck
had obtained special permission for
| himself to come in his usual costume.
| But when he took up his hat and re-
paired to the Peacock Inn he did not
know that Mr.. Wrinkle had conveyed
the news of the fancy ball there before
him.
Mrs. Potts going" were the first
words with which he saluted his leader.
"Is she?" said Mr.. Pickwick.
"As Apollo" replied Mr.. Wrinkle.
"Only Pott objects to the tunic."
He is right; he is quite right" said
Mr. Pickwick emphatically.
"Yes. So she's going to wear white
satin gown with gold spangles."
They'll hardly know what she's
meant for, will they?" inquired MFR.
! Snodgrass.
"Of course they will" replied Mr..
Wrinkle Indignantly. They'll see her
Tyre. won't they?"
"True. I forgot that" said Mr.. Snod-
grass.
81 shall go as a bandit" interrupted
| MT. 1upII11I,
what" said Mr.. Pickwick with a
sudden start,
"As bandit" reueated Mr.. Tupman
mildly.
"You don't mean to say" said Mr.
Pickwick, gazing with solemn stern
ness at his friend; you don't mean to
say. Mr.. Tupman, that it is your inten-
ton to put yourself into a green velvet
jacket with 2-inch tail?"
such is my intention, sir" replied
Mr.. Tupman warmly. And why not
sir?"
Because, sir" said Mr.. Pickwick
considerably excited; because you are
too old, sir"
And If any further ground OF objec-
ton be wanting" continued Mr.. Pick
wick, you are too fat, sir"
Sir" said Mr.. Tupman, his face
suffused with a crimson glow, this Is
an insult"
"Sir," replied Mr.. Pickwick in the
same tone. sit is not half the insult to
you that your appearance in my pres
ence in green velvet jacket with a q
inch tail would be to me-"
sir" said Mr.. TupTnan' you are a
fellow"
sir" said Mr.. Pickwick, you're
anotherl"
Mr.. Tupman advanced step or two
and glared at Mr.. Pickwick. Mr.. Pick
wick returned the glare, concentrated
into a focus by means of his spectacles
and breathed q bold defiance. Mr.
Snodgrass and Mr. Wrinkle looked on
petrified at beholding such c-ene be-
tween two such men.
Sir" said Mr. Tupraan, after short
pause, speaking in low, deep voice
you have called me old!
81 have" said Mr.. Pickwick.
And fat!"
"I repeat the charge"
And fellow!"
so you are"
There was a fearful pause.
MY attachment to your person, sir,
said Mr.. Tupman, speaking In a voice
tremuious with emotion and tucking UP
his wristbands meanwhile, 'is great
very great-but upon that person
must take summary VENGEANCE"
Come on, sir!" replied MIR. Pick
wick,
Stimulated by the exciting nature OF
the dialogue. the heroic man actually
threw himself into paralytic attitude
confidently supposed by the two by
ISLANDERS to have been intended as a
posture of defense.
| "What! exclaimed MI 0NoogTdss,
suddenly recovering the power CT
speech, of which intense astonishment
had previously bereit him, III, and rushing
of receiving al, application on the tenn
pie from each. dWhatl Mr.. Pickwick
with ths eyes of the werld upon you
Mr.. Tupnaan, who in common with us
all derives a Iuster from his undying
name! For shame, gentlemen, for
shamel"
The unwented lines which momen-
tsrv nassion had ruled in Mr.. Pick
wick's clear and open brow gradually
melted away as his young friend spoke.
like the marks of a black lead pencil
beneath the softening influence of in
dia rubber. His countenancs had re-
Gumsd its usual benign expression ere
II have been hasty," seid Mr.. Pick
wick: "very hasty. Tupnlan, your
hand"
The dark shadow passed from Mr..
ITupmans face as he. warmly grasped
the hand Of his Eleno'