Evening star., 1928-10-15

Charles Dickens. 1sl2-ls7o; was an Eng,
lish novelist. author of "Pickwick Papers,
Tale of Two Cities, David Coppertieln.'
Great Expectations" etc.
Mr.. Pickwicks appearance and be-
havior we're most unaccountable. He
paced the room to and fro with hur-
ried steps, popped his head out of the
window at intervals of about three
minutes each, constantly referred to his
watch, and exhibited many other mani
festations OF impatience very unusual
with him.
Mrs. Bardell," said Mr.. Pickwick
at last that amiable female approach
ed the termination of prolonged DUST
ing of the apartment Mrs. Bardell was
at the time Mr.. Pickwick's landlady.
Sir" said Mrs Bardell.
do YOU think 1t a much greater ex-
pense to keep two people than to keep
one?"
LA, Mr.. Pickwick." said Mrs. Bar
dell, coloring up to the very border of
her cap. as she fancied she observed
a species of matrimonial twinkle in
the eyes of her lodger. La, Mr.. Pick
wick. what question:"
well. but do you?" inquired Mr..
Pickwick.
THAT depends" said Mrs. Bar
dell, approaching the duster very near
to Mr.. Pickwicks elbow, which was
planted on the table-"tl1at depends a
good deal upon the person, you know
Mr.. Pickwick, and whether it's a saving
and careful person, sir"
That's very true" said Mr.. Pick
wick. but the person I have in my
eve (here he looked very hard at Mrs
BardelD / think possesses these quail
ties, and has, moreover, considerable
knowledge of the world, and a great
deal of sharpness. Mrs. Bardoll, which
may be of material use to me-"
LA. Mr.. Pickwick," said Mrs. Bardell
the crimson rising to her cap border
again. Mrs. Bardell, as you have
guessed, was a widow.
"I do" said Mr.. Pickwick, growing
energetic, as was his won't in speaking
of a subject which interested him, j
do. indeed, and to tell you the truth
Mrs. Bardell, have made up my mind.
Dear me, sir" exclaimed Mrs. Bar
dell.
you'll think 1t very strange, now.
said the amiable Mr.. Pickwick, with q
good -humored glance at his companion
"that I never consulted you about this
matter and never even mentioned 1t TIL
this morning-eh?"
Mrs. Bardell could only reply by a
look. She had long worshiped Mr.
PickWick at a distance, but here she
was, all at once, raised to a pinnacle
to which her widest and most ex-
travagant hopes had never dared tc
aspire. Mr.. Pickwick was going to
propose deliberate plan, too-sent
her little boy to the Borough to gel
him out of the way-how thoughtful
how considerate!
We'll" said Mr.. Pickwick. what dc
you think?"
"Oh. Mr.. Pickwick," said Mrs. Bar
dell, trembling with agitation, you're
very kind, sir"
It'll save you good deal of trouble
won't it?" said Mr. Pickwick.
"Oh, I never thought anything OF
the trouble, SIR" replied Mrs. Bardell;
"and, of course, I should take more
trouble to please you then than ever;
but it is so kind of you. Mr.. Pickwick
to have so much consideration for my
loneliness"
"Ah, to be sure" said Mr.. Pickwlck
II never thought of that. When I am
In town you'll always have somebody
to sit with you. To be sure, so you
will"
I'm sure I ought to be very happy
woman" said Mrs. Bardell. "Oh, you
dear"
Mr.. Pickwick started.
"Oh, you kind. good playful dear.
said Mrs. Bardell, and without more
ado she arose from her chair and flung
her arms around Mr.. Pickwick's neck,
with a cataract of tears and chorus
of SobS.
BLESS my SOUL" cried the astonished
Mr.. Pickwick-"Mrs. Bardell, my good
woman-dear me. what situation
pray consider. Mrs. Bardell, don't-if
anybody should come"
"Oh. let them. come" exclaimed Mrs.
Bardell frantically. "Ill never leave
you-dear. kind. good SOUL" and with
these words Mrs. Bardell clung the
tighter.
Mercy upon me-" said Mr.. Pickwick,
struggling violently, II hear somebody
coming up the stairs. Don't, don't,
there's a good creature, don't"
But entreaty and remonStrance were
alike unavailing. for Mrs. Bardell had
tainted in Mr.. Pickwick's arms, and be-
fore he could gain time to deposit her
on a chair Master Bardell entered the
room. ushering in Mr. Tupman. Mr..
Wrinkle and Mr.. SnodgrasS-Mr. Pick
wick'S regular companions.
Mr.. Pickwick was struck motionlesS
and Speechless. He stood with his
lovely burden in his arms, gazing va
cantly on the faces of his friends, with
out the slightest attempt at recogni-
ton or explanation. They in turn.
stared at him. and Master Barden, in
his turn. stared at everybody
The astonishment of the Pickwickians
was so absorbing and the perplexity of
Mr.. Pickwick so extreme that they
might have remained in exactly the
same relative situations until the sus-
pended animation of the lady was re-
stored. had it not been for a most
beautiful and touching expression of
filial affection on the part of her youth
full son.
BY degrees the impression that his
mother had suffered some personal
damage pervaded his partially developed