Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, Marion County, 10 January 1894 — Page 11

THE mIATA STATE SENTINEL, WEDNESDAY MORNING, JANUARY 10, 1891 T WELTE PAGES

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A PRESENT FROM MARGATE.

Mr. Dimick was aw?.Tened from his afternoon nap by a tit of coughing. He as subject to bronchitis. He took the red and yellow handkerchief from his fare and laid it acro hjs kns. Then he fumbled in his jwkt and produced a Fmall piece of tissue paper containing a few sticky glycerine tablets. lie carried one to his mouth with his trembling fingen, and began to suck it contentedly. This indulgence in fveets was his one extravagance; but then, as he said to Mr. Peters, "a ha'p'rth went a long way, and seemed t loosen the throat." Mr. Dimick lived in the twopair front and Mr. Peters in the twopair back; and they were both on the parish. Th proximity of their homes and the similarity of their circumstances had induced a strong friendship. They usually took their tea together, and always thir evening pipes, and they had the same friends. When they went to church, which they usually did on fine Sunday mornings, they accompanied each other and sat side by side, and when either manifested a tendency to g lumber the other took . upon himself to touch him sharply in the ribs. Perhaps what bound them together more than anything else was their mutual suspicion of the designs of the parish. They felt that it grudged them their half-a-crown a week, and would gladly have seen them settled in "the house," and each did his best to keep the other in health, because, said Mr. Peters, "If you or me, Dimick. was to be tork with a stroke, or a fit. or any sich a thing, off to the houo theyld bundle us, sure as my eye." Mr. Dimick ws in slightly better circumstances than Mr. Peters, owing to the fact that he had a daughter in ne country who had marri.-d a chimneysweep, and who was in tolerable, circumstances. A disinclination on Mr. Dimiek's part to quit the capital, and the dt-mands her nunr-rons offspring made upon her time and powers, prevented his living with her. but she made him with a small allowance, which the little old man acc.pt-d gratefully. He was grateful for most things, and was very guileless and oniMing; so mu h so that his enemies hail been wont to conEider him "touched." In appearance ho was not unattractive He was clean, and his wrinkled skin was pink and white. He had small blue eyes, to whi.-h the tears came very readily. On ? ither cheek he had a tui't of white whisker; and his hair, what remained of it, was also white. He stooped from the shoulder and habitually carried his head fclightly to one side. When the sweet was reduced to minute proportions, and his cough and the irritation which indued it had subsided. Mr. Dimick took his stick and tottered in to see Mr. Peters Mr. Peters ha 1 aljo hern napping, but, rousd by Mr. Dimiek's entrance. sat up and cleared his throat ivisily. Then he pointed with his bony forefinger to the seat opposite his own, whi'h Mr. Dimick touk in silence. Mr. Peters wore, all his wardrobe at once, but even then he felt the coll: and he and rheumatism were intimate acquaintances. In api-earance Mr. lVLersdid not at nil resemble his friend and neighbor. There was more of him, and in his younger days had t-e.-n v ry tall. II had keen old eyes, v. üh bushy gray eyebrows ab"Ve them, ,t large aquiline nose, and the fact tL.it lie had only two t-eth remaining in hi? nvuth made the width of that feature, more striking; there was, he was wont to remark in his jocular moods, space to let for advertisements there was likely to be more, for the t nure of the remaining mdars was very insecure, and they had to be treated with great respect. "Well, Dimick,' said he at length, "and how might you be feelin? 1 don't seem to have heerd you a-coughin since I've been set tin' here." Mr. Pet .ts had a h'tid voice, and he always adopted a somewhat patronizing Tone toward Mr. Dimick. Th- latter thought he expected to b- looked up to and looked up to hint accordingly. H had a large bump of veneration. "Oh," answered h". in his shrill tone., "I ain't lookin' for my bronchitis steady for another month to come. Just a touch occasional ain't worth talkin' on. And how might you be?" "Why, for a gentleman of my years I'm fairish. I'm srettiu' h big boy now, Dimick. Kifrhty-tnr.e next birthday, Dimick. IIa, ha!" This conversation took place daily. Mr. Peters made the most of his small Joke. Mr. Dimick, who was a little deaf, did rot always hear it, but a .pecini phaJce of the head whbvh aecomi anied it invariably enlightened him as to the point at which he ought to laugh. "Ha, ha:" he said. "You're a jovial chap. Peters. Ha, ha. ha! So you're getting a big boy now, are you, Peters? Wal. 1 might say as I'm a growin' boy myself, but I'm a growin' downwards. Peters." Mr. Dimick had evolved this J ke in the watches of the night many months axo. It had done duty steadily since then. "IIa. ha! And so you are. You don't measure what you did. Dimick. You ain't so upright. You'll have to go in for drilling" Mr. Dimick shook his nead. "I'ld have to swallow a pokt r afore I'ld some straight." he said. "Well. how'M it be to swallow a run of tea Instead? I'll just put 011 the kittle to boil. Put it won't do ter make It like I did this mornin'. Why, it was riling at the time. P.ut really now it strikes me as raytler funny fo. I b'lled up the kittle, yer see, for breakfast, and I put it in the teapot. And then I thought I'M be a gfxxi boy and make the room a bit tidy lirst and have rny breakfus in comfort. S) I set the pot on the 'oh to draw, and I was a lookin' fj-ward to a nice strong cup. And when I set down to iour it out it hadn't tso much color us a drop of whisky; it was just water, and that was all. I'd clean i rgot the tea. And there was the kittle off the 1k.11. Now. you know that's one of them occasions when swear words come handy. Hut. lor', now, it do seem rather funny, me expecting it to I e SO nice and brown, and out it come-' water." "Dear, dear, dear!" said Mr. Dimb k, "and you with such a good memory too." "Yes, I've got a good memory, that's true; but it serven me lifter for things a good way off than for things near by. I've heerd it's that way with eye?, t', sometimes. You mipht say my memory's long-sighted. It ain't quite so convenient to me, p'r'aps, as t'other way, but it makKs me more entertaining don't yer see? better company, so to p-ak. Why, If I was in ser iety, I often think I could make Vm set up. I've done a good few things in my life. I took to errlnds at ten year old. and I give up sweepin crossings at eighty, and there's been other situation sandwiched In. Ten from eighty's seventy, and that's a fairish time to be on th job." "And so It Is, so it is; considering most of us don't live that long. Why, notwithstanding I'm Beventy-eight myself, I haven't worked more'n fifty. I was in service, you know, and then I kep a little cobbler's shop; but when Sairey died, I didn't eeem to keep up heart, and I got along less good than formerly, and then it was odd Jobs; and after my gal married I lived on my bits of savin's uatil they got low, and after that I looked to the parish. It weren't what rid have wished, nor what Sairey would hav wished neither" h passed his

hand across his eyes "but it ain't the house, and after all. a-s I've said to myself many's the time, what's the good of people purviding these here conveniences if no one don't .avail themselves?" Each of the old men knew the details In the life of the other to which allusion had been made, but the want of originality in their conversation did not depress them. They had preferred the old familiar topics to any novelty. Mr. Peters poured the tea Into the large cups, one of which had a magenta rim touched up with gold, and the other a picture of some sea sands, with crinolined ladies and short-frocked children disporting themselves upon them, and

on which was written In iancy letters, "For a Good Hoy." These and the brown teapot and a plate or two comprised Mr. Peters's supply of crocktry. Mr. Dimick was better off in this respect. He had quite an array on the shelf in his room and on the mantelpiece. "Sairey" had had a mania for china, and he had not liked to part with her possessions. She had been wont to purchase her marmalade in glass sugarbasins and milk-Jugs, and her tea at stores where a handsome vase was given away with half a pound. There were also, two highly colored ornaments which had belonged to her brother, who was a "Forester," and of .which she was Justly proud. They were opposite each other cn the mantelpiece next to the blue and white lustres which Dimick had given her on the twentieth anniversary of their wedding. One represented a gentleman in a green tunic with a leg and a half, the other half leg, from the knee downward, being superseded by a shiny brown dog. In his hand he held a red hare, which was hanging head downward. Perhaps there was nothing in all the world which Mr. Dimick prized so highly as these "Foresters." net only because thev had leen Sairey's brother's, and then Sairey's. but because as works of art he regarded them as beyond reproach. Mr. Dimick. being a visitor, was presented with the Margate cup. Its contents v.re very dark and very much sweetened. Milk was a luxury usually reserved for Sundas. Mr. Peters did not think it was an improvement to the t;:ste of tea. He said so now. "It suit of softens it down, don't you know?" h ri marked. "Now and then for a change a drop of milk ain't to be desi ised, but for settin' you up I don't believe that tea should be diluted." They drank their tea very slowly and conrented'.y. Their days were so long that the little pleasures had to be protracted. Mr. Peters, by reason of his tothlessness. soaked his bread so as to make it softer; Mr. Dimick. who had a small npietite. nibbled a crust very cheerfully. He always ate trust on principle when he partook of Mr. Peters's hospitalitv. also on principle he Insisted on Mr. Peters's eating crumb when the latter had tea in his room. presentlv. whether it was that a piece of bread went the wrong way or from other causes, Mr. Dimick was attacked bv a violent tit of coughing. It came upon him so suddenly that he was quite unprepared, and the teacup fell off his weak old knees on to the fender. Had it fallen onto tli llr it would perhaps, not being remarkably delicate, have escaped injury, but its sharp contact first with the edge of the fender and then -with the tongs had the effect of b.-.akini: it into several pieces. The. handle rolled under the grate, and the tea 1 an into the ashes. Mr. Peters sprang up with such energy that he nearly let his o-vn cup fall. Then he deposited the iatter on the table and went down on his stiff knees to inspect the inj try. It hurt him to move quickly for one thing, he was very much annoyed at the accident for another, and he was a man of an impulsive temperament, so that when he saw the ina nudiableness of the breakag he grew crimson in the face ami said furiously. "You've smashed it to atoms. And there ain't nothing I valued like just that bit of chiney!" poor Mr. Dimick tried to apologize, but he was at the moment physically incapable of doing so. He was very red in the face and the tears were streaming from his eyes. He shook his head K precatingly. Hut whenever he tried to speak the tough began again. "You'll ought to have put it down when vou see the cough eomin' on." continued Mr. Peters mercilessly; "teacups of that kind don't grow in gutters that ou should treat 'em so cheap. If it had teen yours I make no doubt you'd have taken better care of it. Not äs you could h--lp c.r.ghln' that's your infifmitv but you micht have set the c ip out of mischief first. If there's a thing I can't abide it's to have my furniture destroyed, and that cup I valued special. It weren't like any other cup to me." Mr. Dimick looked at him piteously. "I'm that sorry. Peters." he said indistinctly; "I wouldn't have let it go if the coughin' hadn't come suddint like; but the ticklin' bepan and then the cup sort of leapt off my lap and I couldn't have stopped it not if it had been ever so." "Ah. well, well." said Mr. reters. whose temper had well-nigh spent itself, and who was already beginning to be mollified; "there's a proverb that 'it ain't no use crying ove spilt milk, and I surpose It'll hold good for tea, too. I spoke hasty. Of course you didn't do it for the purpose. Don't name it any more, Dimick, don't name It." Hut this softening on his part affected Mr. Dimick more than his anger had done. By now, too, he had regained command over his voice. "But I must name It." he said; "it's only nat'ral you should be vexed." Mr. Peters had now resumed his seat, one or two of th broken pieces in hi3 hands. He surveyed them ruefully, then laid them on the table. "No" he said. "I'm not vexed. Of course I couldn't purtend as I'm not sorry, for sorry I am. but accidents happin in th best regilated fam'lies; and I'm sure none couldn't be better regilated than yours and mine. Ha. ha. ha! Don't you look so downcast. Dimick. It ain't nothink. after all. I'd have had to part with that cup sooner or later, you know; it couldn't have gon along to heaven with me. Ha, ha! Cheer up, Dimick; there's plenty more tea in the pot. And if you'll jest let me step in and fetch one of your cups you can have it all comfortable." I'm sure you're very generous, Peters." said Dimick. holding out his little thin hand to his friend, who grasped it in his horny one. "very generous. And you a valuin' of it. and all. But I can't help feelin" you mind it more than you own." "Mind it. I do. Dimick." assented the old man. "I am but human, and a cup's a cup. And when I tome back I'll just tell yer what I ain't never mentioned to you afore, why I sort of held to that one. it was a sou veneer, you see." He rose to go into Dimirk's room. The latter did not offer to go himself. He was a good deal upset by the little accident, and his fit of coughing had exhausted him. So he sat over the lire, shaking his head mournfully, and regarding the broken pieces on the table. Peters took life very cheerfully, but Dimick was more Inclined to grizzle, and to worry about things that could not ba helped. Mr. Peters returned before long. He had taken the firpt cup and saucer that came handy, and it happened to be of a very similar kind to the one which had been brocken. It was white and gold, and it had a little picture of a pier in black uion It, above which, In gold letters, was written "A Present from Margate." Mr. Dimick started slightly when he saw which cup Mr. Peters had chosen. It was one from the shelf which he was not in the ha'dt of using, regarding It In the light of an article of vertu; still he Faid nothing, but suffered Mr. Peters to wipe the rim with his coatsleeve, and then fill It with tea from the pot, browner than the last and nearly as hot. "There." said Pelers, "now we are all comfortable , again. Help yourself to

sugar, Dimick. Where's your spoon? Oh, there it is! If it ain't rolled under the table! Well, don't worrit to stoop. Use mine." Mr. Dimick stirred his tea and began to sip Jt in silence. However, as the warm fluid comforted and cheered him he gradually regained his former composure. "You was a-going to tell me about that cup," he said. "And so 1 was. Well, I don't know why I ain't named It to you sooner. But you see a thing sort of resembles a person; there's points you name when they're dead you don't breathe while they're livin. I ain't much of a one for sentiment, as you know, Dimick. You're more that way than me; but even them as has hard cases often has a soft part inside like a crab, so to speak." He settled himself more firmly in his chair and put his hands inside his sleeves, a habit he had when preparing for a narrative. "Well, anyways, I had a soft part in m for her as gave me that. She weren't a woman, though you might think it. I've had weaknesses for a various few o' them In my time; but, bless you, I've forgot most of them now, names and all, though I remembers occasional the colors of their hair. But this one was a bit of a girl, not more than eight years old. and a cripple to the bargain. But If ever 1 loved a human soul that was her. M3- wife and me wasn't well matched, which, though it don't do to speak ill of the dead, Dimick, I may say that, if ever there was a bad-tempered one, her It was. Still, she've gone to her account, and I won't say but at times I agrewated of her. A man is but a man. 'Liza and me we married each, ocher out of spite, I think. I don't know why else, for we quarreled when we kep" company, and I believe we thought there wasn't sich a good way of payin out one another as gltting married. So, you see, there weren't much love lost that way." "Me and Sairey never had a word pass between us," said Dimick thoughtfully. "Ah." said Peters, rather sharply. "I dare say it'ld take a 1 lever woman to quarrel with you. Well, anyways, some has luck and some don't. P.ut I may say that for cookin' a pertater 'Liza hadn't a equ.il. But to resoom. Well, this kid Alice her name was she and her mother, who was a widdy lady that took in trousers to machine, they lived in the same house, down below. Alice, .she was iike a doll in a toyshop to the face of her; fair she was. and blue eyes, and hair all yellow, pretty well, I don't believe I ever see a face to beat it 'cept (nee a lady somewhat similar featured what walked on a tight mpe in a circus when I was hopping in Kent. P.ut from birth this kid had something w rong with one side pai alyzed it was and she had to wear a special sort of leg thing got out of a hrspital. P.ut get about she did. wonderful. Well, that child were as full as mischief as a egg is of meat; but loving tdie were she'd cling around yer neck and kiss you so pretty, and if any one give her something she weren't happy but you'd have half. And she'd come to my room we had no youngsters, you see and say. 'Hullo. Mr. Peters.' and I'd say, 'I ain't at home, Alice,' and shed laugh, that hearty and say, 'Oh. but I see yer, Mr. Peters; and p'r'aps you've got some sweeties for me; have you, Mr. Peters?' I generally kep' a bit of somethink by mo. And in she'ld com? and perch on my knee, and tell me her bits of news, and what her teacher at the Sundryschool -had taught her there was a kind young woman as taught some of them cripplesj around our way and how her mother was gettin' along for work, and what tricks she had been up to. We

was sich friends as never was. Well " Mr. Peters hesitated for a moment before continuing, while he regarded Mr. Dimick with a dubious eye. He was aware that Mr. Dimick had a hU-h opinion of him. and he did not wish to fall in his estimation. "Well," he said then, "we ain't none of us saints. I suppose I'm In the riht way now. But there was a time when I were wilder. Dimick. I don't mind owning up th"', there was occasions when I didn't -e the benetlts of teatolism, no, nor yet temperance. I don't say as I was a drunkard, Dimick, but p'r'aps I come anigh to bein' p'r'aps I might have been one outright but for that slip of a thing what the Almighty sent to me. Some folks might say as her life were useless. She come for a bit, ami she were crippled, and th-m she were took; but, mark ye. Dimick, there's a lot done by that sort of folk as we feel called on to pity by reason of their afflictions." "I don'.; make no doubt of it," said Mr. Dimick, and he nod, led two or three times very emphatically. "I don't make no manner of doubt of it." "Anyways, one evening I'd had a bust up. and I came home a bit upset and I rounded on 'Liza, and I will add, Dimick. though it weren't a usual thing with me like with som. that I up and hit her. And we w as a ma kin sich a row that we didn't hear the little tin knock. But she had just come in. and she says in her shrill plpln' voice, she says, 'Are you play in'? Iet me play too. Let me play too, Mr. Peters.' And I said, rough like, '(lit away. Alice,' and 'Liza she was cryin'. And Alice, she says. 'Why, it ain't a game! You're ahitting of her, Mr. Peters !' And then she set to and cried like as if she'd been the one hurted. And she ran awaydown to her mother. And not a blessed glimpse of her did I have for three days. Vou see, Fhe were disapjx-.lnted in me; that were, it, Dimick, and her little feelin's suffered. Well. I couldn't stand not seein' her. and at last 1 went along to her mother and I said, 'Send Alice tip. I'ld like a game with her.' And Alice's mother she said, 'Well, to tell you the truth. Mr. Peters,' she said. 'Men's men, and I know the world; but Alice, she's but a baby, and I've kep' her innereent, and If she's a bit nauphty at times, she don't know no real wickedness. And she've been taught at the school, and I wouldn't wonder but the Lord have learned her Himself a lot of pretty thoughts. And quarrellin' and all upsets her. And she don't seem to feel for you what she did. Mr. Peters, she sai j. And then she went in and shut the door. "I didn't .ay nothink; maybe, even. I was a bit riled at her airs, but I felt it notwithstanding! And one day soonish after I catched Alice in the passage, and I says, 'I've got some sweeties, Alice;' and says. 'Have yer, Mr. Peters?' And she looked at me sort of wistful, and I says, 'Don't you want 'cm. Alice? ain't you going to see me?' And she puts her little head to one side like a bird and says, 'I don't love you, Mr. Peters, when you speak so loud and mak2 Mrs. Peter cry. I'm frightened.' And I says, 'I won't do It no more, Alice;' and she jumped up and clung around me and tays, 'I love yer again, Mr. Peters. I do love yer, and I want them sweeties.' "Lord, it seems I can feci them little hands on my neck now, and hear her little voice, 'I do love yer, Mr. Peters, she said. There was a short pause. Mr. Teters cleared his throat, and made surreptitious use of his shiny coat sleev to wipe his eyes. Mr. Dimick sympathetically produced the red and yellow handkerchief and wiped his. "You might not believe it," went on Mr. Peters at length, "but the fear of oiTending that little tin kep' me straight. I don't say as I wouldn't have ray glass, but I knew when to stop, you see. I couldn't go to upset her confidence In me. Some time after, when the summer come, some club or seething paid a bit, and her mother she scruhbed together a bit more, and Alice she went for two weeks to Southend along with sonr others. She'd t-een ailin" a piece and they thought it'ld set her up. We mlssecj her, you tet, but still we was glad fi.r her to have that there change. But sJie wasn't looked after quite proper tlvre was a lot of them youngsters together, you see and she come back brown and that, but a sight weaker. She tfldn't have no tricks left in her. But now I tell yer what she'd had a bit of money give her. I don't know as I didn't glv her a copper or two myself to spend on bweeties. She'd saved it nil, and when she was away she boyght two things; one was a little box with shells to it for her mother, and the other that there " he pointed to a table, and then, suddenly remembering the accident which had befallen )Aa treasure.

left the sentence unfinished. He only heaved a great sigh which went to Mr. Dimiek's heart. "She says to me, 'Here, Mr. Peters, I've bought yer this, and there's "For a Good Boy" on it, 'cause you are good, ain't yer, Mr. Peters? There wasn't one "For a Good Man." she says, 'but I thuught you wouldn't mind bein" called a boy for once, Mr. Peters,' she said. Lor', I did laugh. "The next winter she died. "I've got rid of many things, but I've had a superstition about that there cup," he ended huskiiy. "Dear, dear." said Mr. Dimick, applying he red handkerchief again, "and I've broke it." He looked at the one he was holding and then deposited it carefully on the table. A thought had come to him. It was in ahswer to it that he said mournfully: "That was Sairey's." "Yes," said Mr. Peters, "it's a pretty bit of chiney," too." "She was took to Margate once with a treat," continued Mr. Dimick. still dolefully contemplating the Cup and saucer; "it was only women and I didn't go along. But she brought that with her for me. She always had a thought for me, Sairey had. There was the cup and a lot of shrimps. I remember them shrimps. They weren't like no other shrimps I ever tasted. I mind I said to Sairey, 'Shrimps is like everything else. The best's in London. Why. I've got tastier ones in the 'Arrow road many's the time off a barr-r.' Lut the cup I hadn't no fault with." "No," ?ald Mr. Peters again, "it's certainly a pretty bit of chiney." Perhaps Mr. Peters guessed what was in Mr. Dimiek's mind. He kept his eye fixed upon the "Present from Margate," and at length he said, "It resembles mine, too, don't it?" "Why, yes." said Mr. Dimick ruefully, "it ain't altogther different neither." He put out one finger and touched it. "P'r'aps." he said with a break In his poor old voice, "p'r'aps it'll make a subf-titoot."

"Meanin'," said Mr. Teters "in the place of t'other?" quickly, 'That's so," assented tremulously. "Why. for that matter venient only to have one. Mr. Dimick it it is ill-con-don't look afraid I'm hospitable, do it? But T m robbing of you, Dimick.' "Don't name it." said mick; "there's others." poor Mr. DiBut he looked as sad as if he were parting with an old and valued friend. "Well." sn id Mr. Peters, magnanimously, "we'll put it in this way, Dimick. Whenever you drop in to tea you shall use it. Thank you kindly." I won't refuse you. Dimick. I know you wouldn't offer it if you meant me to refuse you." "No," said Mr. Dimick. But the "no" was a very undecided one. Very- soon after this little transaction he W'nt back to his own room. He usually retired to bed shortly after dusk, ha iiig a pipe by way of supper. This evening he had not the heart to undress and settle down f,.r the night. He lit the evil-smelling oil lamp and sat down at his small table, resting his elbows upon it. Then he deliberately contemplated the room and his jossessions. There were the "Foresters" and the lusters, there were the glass sugar-basin, and the two glass Jugs, there was the green vase with rc-d roses, there were the two chipped pudding plates that Saire had picked up cheap, there were the two with" the pretty pattern round the brim that they had bought together at Clare market, there was the cup with the "Battle of Waterloo" on it, and there no, a gap, a gap represented the cup and saucer which had come from Margate. All that he possessed seemed valueless without Jt. Look where he would he could see nothing but just that gap. And surely Sairey would have tien deepiy grieved to have her collection spoilt in this manner. He shook his head and moved uneasily on his chair. Prha7s he had been too impulsive. But then he had destroyed his friend's little treasure, and sun !y it was onlyjust to make such restitution as lay in his power. Even if he had had the money to buy a cup as good as that which had been broken, he could scarcely have hoped to replace it by one which could recall his own to Peters, especially as ihe Latimer road did not offer many facilities for the purchase of variti.s in china, ai'" he was not strong enough to . farther afield unaided. But it did s- 111 a pily. and he could not hep.- wishing th.if there? were any other way of making it up to Peters but just this one. Once more he surveyed his belongings. Was there anything he valued less? The otlvr cups. Why. h" supposed not. Certainly there were two of the flowered pattern, but then it seemed a shame to separate Hum, and they looked so nice on either side of the green vase. "The Battle of Waterloo?" interesting. He liked hands and pick out True, he wasn't quite No. that was so to take it In his the characters. clar as to which was Wellington was P.oney and which thev were dressed so much alike, and the few features they possessed were so sdmiliar; but what did that matter? The value of the cup was undiminished. It was suiUcient that both the generals were represented. IL ceased his meditation suddenly. There was only room in his mind for one thought at a time. The question as to what he could spare to Peters was driven out by the reflection that he would have to roarraiige his china. The "Battle of Waterloo" and the "Present from Marcrate" had set each other off. The disposition was now one-sided. There was a want of symmetry about the shelf as it appeared at present. The sutrar basin might perhaps be used to supplement the cup; it could be spared from its place, but then it was certainly rather large, it would dwarf the cup. Suppose he took the cup off the shelf altogether and put it on the mantelpiece by the side of one of the lusters. No; even then it woulA want something to match it. And if iL went in the middle? Why then he would have to move the bunch of wax llowers leneath a (broken) glass shade which so elegantly occupied the central position. It was very worrying. He. began to think that the possession r'f property was not without its drawbacks. Then he gave way to futile wishes and regrets. He lamented his generosity to Peters, and he felt what a pi'.y it was he bed gone in to t-a that afternoon, or, at any rate, that he h;ol held his cup on his knees. Perhaps, if he had not been sitting near the fender the cup might have fallen without being broken. But he had gone to take tea with Peters, he had held th - ccp cn his knees, it had fallen on the fend' i;. and he had offered a substitute. He 'up posed there was nothing for it but submission. At lst he abandoned the Idea of making any rearrangement tonight. He began the U-ngthy process 'of undressing, grit into Ved, and extinguished the li;--ht. It was striking 10 when he laid his nightcapped herd on the pillow. That was for him quVte a late hour. But "hough he might have been rxpecte to feel tired, no h ep visited his eyelfls. He lay there hour after hour wide awake, and stating inio the darkness. In his mind's eye he stUl saw that gap. and it worried him to past endurance. He tried to think of something o'.se. but however hard he strove to dwell upon some other topic, he always came back to the cup or made fresh eombinations with his china, . all of which, as they pre?ented themselves to his imagination, were in some way unsatisfactory. Once ne almost determined to go into Peters's room and ask him to give him back the "Present," but then he remembered how well Peters had behaved about the breakage, and how, with more justice, he might ask him to give back his cup. No. it would not be right to take bis gift away. It had been freely proffered. And, after all, he had gone so far as to assure Peters that it was not a mere compliment, but a bona fide offer which he had made. It would be humiliating to draw back now. At his age anr in his health a sleepless night was no itifle. The next morning he was so weak and tired that he did not get up. He lay dozing on and off, but In the wakeful intervals he was much depressed. He had, even when his mind

the Dutch Process Xo Alkalies OR Ollier Chemicals are used in the preparation of w. BAKER & CO.'S reakfastCocoa which it abaolutely pure anl soluble u n uas more iia n in rre 1 1 the ttrength of Cocoa miiea I with Starch, Arrowroot or duzar, and is far more eco nomical, coating less than one cent a cup. It is delicious, courisbiog, and EASILY DIG EST EM. Sold fcy Grer ererfwher. W. BAKER &C0.. Dorchester, Mau. was not actively dwelling on the subject, a consciousness that something unpleasant had happened. At last he could stay in bed no longer. He got up and, as on the previous afternoon, went in to have tea with Mr. Peters. He was anxious to see his cup once more. "Hullo," said Mr. Peters, who was again disturbed at the fag-end of his post-meridian nap: "why, what have you been doin all the mornin'? It's my cleanin' up day to my furnitur. looking pea tv." and I've been attendin Hov's yourself? You're "I don't feel partickler hearty," said Dimick, accepting as before the unoccupied chair to which Mr. Peters pointed; "I haven't slep" "Dear, that's a bother. Was it the rough? You must be careful, yer know, Dimick. If you gets bad this winter they'll be sendin' you off to the "Workus Intirmarj as sure as my name's Xathanel Peters." "It weren't the cough." "What then? Worritin'? You'll never grow fat if you worrit, Dimick. and If you g-t so thin as that come to you'll have bed sores when you're ill. I suppov worritin's like measles some's habl and some ain't. What is it now?" "Nothink pertikler," said Mr. Dimick feebly. Mr. Peters looked at him sharply "There is." he said. "Xo. ther ain't." "rll. l.,,k a bit parkier then, my soul, who ought to be happy Bless if we US. SO ui-in t with all our cares behind to speak, except a matter of stiff joints? That ain't worth considt-rin'. Now, let's nave a cup of ta. Mr. Dimick held his cup closely in his two hands, partly because the heat of the steam warmed them, but chiellv because ih- contact with the cup "itself che.-red him. It was like the touch of a loved being, and diffused comfort through his system. For the time th. "Present from Margate" was his own again, and he was almost happy. Peters noted the expression of his face. He was a shrewd fellow. Perhaps he had some suspicion that Dimick had been making a sacrifice lyond his feeble strength. Put he said nothing. The two old m.-n talked little. Dimick was somewhat deafer than usual, owing to his general weariness, and he vvas also not a particularly lively comjJtt.ii ion. Put he sat on quite a long time. Th cuj was to him what a strayed sheep is to a loving shepherd; for it, it was worth leaving all the others which w.re safe. When at length he did retire it was with a backward, loving filame at the piece of china which was not lo?t upon Peters. "Thrc ain't no doubt," said the latter to himself, that Dimick is a-cirawin back. He don't want to part with that cuj). He's a-woiritin' about it. Hut if he want it let him speak up and say it. I don't count hints as nothink. llesides. 1 didn't ought to encourage him in eovetousness, und he've got all them other bits." That night, as on the previous one, poor Mr. Diir.ii k slept but little. When he awoke front an uneasy slumber the moon was shining into hi- room, and it was as light as day. Th gap on his shelf was painfully apparent to him. He lay and watched it for Presenlly he sat up in bed, a sudden resolve. s im fired time, wich same night "I don't think I'ld mind it th in the daytime," he said. "but at it do se.-m to worrit me. It s use, I dare say, but when you come to my aire use is seco'id, natur'. Tomorrow I'll do 'em different. Hut tonight 1 feel I must have it. peters sl-eps deep. If I croej in quiet I can soon feel it and bring it in, and I can put it back in the mornin'. " He got out of bed. put on his old coat, and slij'ped his feet into his "carpets." Then he stole to the door, oiend it, and stood in the dark p.jssagv. It was only a step fnm his door to that of Peters. His hands were trembling so that he could scarcely turn the handle, and he was. above all things, anxious to avoid making a noise. He did not want to alarm or disturb his friend. Deaf as he was, he could hear Mr. Peters's loud and prolonged snores. They comforted him as a voucher for the soundness of that gentleman's slumber. He crept stealthily along the floor. He knew every inch of that room, as weil as he knew his own. and he was aware that Mr. Peters kept his croekery in the little cupboard near the window, the drxvr of which always stood open. Pffore very long his finpers were carefully feeling" along- the shelf. They wandered first into the sugar basin; he knew that by the feel of the suRar. He removed them, ?nd presently they touched the twisted handle of the "IYescnt from Margate." A thrill passed through him a thrill of joy and triumph. llr would know that handle among a thousand, even in the darkness. He felt along the cup; it was standing in the saucer. He took the parts up very carefully, one in either hand, to prevent their rattling ajralnst each other. Now he had got them, a sudden eagerness to be gone possessed him. He went alniiPt hurriedly .across the room, making foT"The door, dragging his slippered, feet along with less caution, and consequently with more noise than before. Whether his footsteps were audible to Peters, or whetehr the la'tter was merely awakened by a bad dream, is not certain, but, whatever the cause, he suddenly sprang U in bed with an oath. It broke with startling force upon the silence and gave uimicK sucn a irigni 1 that he jumped nearly out of his skin, cu and saucer fell from Ids loosened grasp with a clatter, and in a minute lie was lying on the floor in a heap, groping for them and crying like a child. If Mr. Peters had been asleep before, he was now effectually awakened. Iba struck a light and looked about him. Then he deliberately git out of bed, walked up to the intruder and shook him. as one would shake a naughty child with whom one was more grieved than angry. ",So that's it," he said; "you're sleepwalking after that bit of chiney. Take it along with you and don't be a fool. Why. you're all of a shiver. You'll take a chili and be sent to the - infirmary, that'll b your end. for I sha'n't be able 1o attend to yer if you git me out of bed and keeps me in the cold, all in dlshabily as the furreners say. There don't go blubbering." The shaking had changed to a gentle patting on the Shoulder. "You ain't in your second childhood yet awhilec Leastways I thought you wirren' t, but 1 . aren't so sure any longer." "I felt that longin' for it." said Mr. Dimick. pitifully. "But I didn't mean to keep it." "You're welcome," said Mr. Peters. He picked up the pieces of china; the saucer was cracked, fiU the cup was uninjured. He then placed them in Mr. Dimiek'shands and then led him to the door, and closed it upon him. As for Mr. Dimick, shaken, exhausted, and shivering as he was. he was happy. He put the cup and the saucer back on the bare place on the shelf, then with a sigh of relief, like a tired child, he got back into bed and drew the clothes around him. He never left the bed again. The cold which was the result of his nocturnal wandering turned to an attack of bronchitis more evtre than he had ever

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known. When the little parish doctor !

paid one of his somewhat begrudged visits he told himself that he would have one patient less this winter. Indeed, it soon became apparent both to Mr. Peters and to Mr. Dimick himself that the end was approaching. Neither of the friends had made any allusion to the immediate cause of the illness, and as Mr. Dimick could not taVre his tea in Mr. Peters's room, there was no need to mention the fact that the latter only possessed one cup. One afternoon, however, about a week after his attack. Mr. Dimick invited Mr. Peters to take tea with him. "It's about the last time, I think, Peters," he said in his weak old voice, now scarcely raised above a whisper, "but I'd like it special." "I'm very willln', Dimick," Mr. Peters said; "but don't you git low, now. There's no knowing but you'll be up and about yet. P'r'aps you'll see me out." Dimiek's deafness had increased. He did not hear what Peters said, but he grasped his meaning. He shook his head. Then he pointed with his lean finger to the shelf. "Take down the 'Margate.' " he said; "I want you to drink yer tea out of it. It ain't" he paused to cough and his eyes filled with tears "it ain't as I grudged it yer Peters. It was just use yer know. And somehow I fancied Sairey wouldn't be pleased. i'ld ought to have been content, seein' as I smashed the sou veneer." "Now don't name it, Dimick" Peters said; don't, I beg of yer. Bless me," he added huskily, "I'ld rather you be happy than have a cup with twenty Margate piers to it." "When I'm gone." Dimick said still more feebly, "it's yours, Peters. It's yours now, but if you'll just put It back on the shelf till I'm gono I'd be very grateful. It's use. you see. I don't mind you a-drinkin' from It, but I would like it put on the shelf opposite the Hattle.' " "All serene." said Mr. Teters. "There's other things," went on Mr. Dimick presently. "I'M b glad as you should have. The Toresters' they musn't go out o the family. My daughter must have the 'Foresters,' and mavbe she'd fancy the lusters, but the rest of ! the chiney I'ld be glad as you should take it. You can set 'em against the souveneer. p,ut I'd like the 'Margate' to be kep' on the shelf. Peters, till I'm under ground. It were Sairey's. you see, and it's use, Peters, it's use." The Cornhill Magazine. THE SAIB OLD STOKY. He Wa the Flf t y-Klnlit h .Man Wbo Had Hidden That Home. When th train rolled under th phadow ef a Virginia mountain and male one of those incoherent stops to which '"through" trains are somewhat given, the bushybrowfd passenger craned his neck out of the window and trlod to discover what was the matter, with the usual unsatisfactory rest.it. His two traveling companionsthere were only three in th compartment of the smoker wished he wouldn't, as the open windows created a draught, which both objected to. They also objected to the passenger. He affected a riot-provoking style of headjrear. which the elderly man in the corner eyed with exceeding disfavor. His accent was worse than his hat. Putting the thre together, his curiosity, hat and accent, the geographical problem of his nativity was as simple us the mtre adding of them together. The elderly passenger was as easy to classify. There could have be-n no doubt that he was from the South the most inexpert guesser would have said that. An empty sleeve and a certain martial air would have led the same reckoner to conclude that he had also borne ;irms fur that section during the time when the two sections were vis-a-vis with each other. The man with the accc-nt made an observation aliout the brightness of the moonlight, which caused the elderly one to take a look out of the window. "Why, hello," he exclaimed, as he sent a glance at the uncl;-isshied member of the party which mii;ht have meant anything. "I think I know this place. Why, of course; certainly I do. Yes; yes; same place. Same old mountain; looks as natural as it did thirty years ago. And just such a nitht as this when I was here. Ah: I'll remember that night if 1 forget rny grandraothtT." The younger man. who was a student of war history, became interested at once. He put aside his yellow-baektfd novel and prepared for a remitnseeme. War of any kind seemed to be wholly irrelevant U the man who had been looking out of the window he of the accent and hat but he had a boundless curiosity. He close! the window and listened. The narrator continued: "I will tell you something about that old hill over there,-' he said, "if you rate to listen. It is doubtless a very nice old hii! when you come to know it well, hut I made its acquaintance under very trying circumstances. That was in war times in the year well. I don't exactly remember the date, but that doe? not signify. 1 was then serving in the confederate cavalry, c'hamhliss's brierade. Stuart' command. I was on a scouting expedition that nitrht. I si x or us in the party. We hal been riding all day. tryintr to rejoin the command, which had suddenly shifted its quarters. And I tell you we were mighty tired when we got upon the top of that plateau which you se there, and concludel to camp for a few hours, for our horses did not l'-.ok as if they could carry us another mile without rest. We knew that it was not safe to tarry long, as the enemy was ali around us. "Well, we picketed our hordes, and after stationing one man as sentry the others stretched themselves upon the croun.i for a few hours' sleep. It seems to me that I had hardly dozed off before we were aroused by the sentry. Vorne, wake up. he said, as he hurriedly kicked one sleeper after another, 'the enemy is coming.' We rublied the sleep out of our eyes and listened. The tramp of horses could be distinctly heard in the dead stillness of the ni.ht and looklnp down the road in he direction of the sound we could distlnKuitäi about a dozen horsemen coming directly toward us. "When we saw that we were not very greatly outnumbered we decided on a defensive policy. The road made a sharp curve before reaching the top of the plateau. Just where it diverged was a ledere of rock, and behind this we ranged oiirselvts and waited the approach of our friends. They came clattering up the hill, and when within about thirty paces, near enough to distinguish their blue uniforms, for we did not want to make a mistake, the sergeant pave the order to tire, j'our of the men reeled out of their saddles, one horse dropped to his knees, pitching hl.s rider over his head, and th others, thinking probably they had run against the picket line of a regiment, turned and fled. "That is, all but one did. He was mounted on a powerful black horse, and the animal, stung by a bullet, came rushing directly toward us. As he leaped the ledue one of our men made a grab at the bridle and had his cheek laid open by a saber cut. Another, who threw himself at the rider, was carried off his feet by the rmii of the maddened animal. We sent several bullets from our revolvers after the pRir. hut 1 don't believe any hit. At any rate they toth got away." The man with the hat had been listening intently to the narrative, and would frequently nudge closer to the speaker. He seemed several times on the point of interrupting, but contained himself. At this point he extended a bony hand to the old man. The latter looked as if he had expected some little attention of that sort, and took it without a word. "I am," said the listener, emotionally; "I am that man the man who rode the black horse that night." I The other said, inscrutably, what a re- ' markaUe meeting a very remarkable meeting, time, place, everything, and then tluise two talked about things until the next station wa reached, and then the hero of the black horse bade his whilom enemy a touching geod-by. The old man was silent for a long time aftr he had left. There seemed to be something on his mind which perplexed him. Finally he lished out a notebook from his pocket, and after studying its pages for 11 long time he replaced it. drew a deep sigh, and said: "lo you know that is the tlfty-eichth man I have discovered who rode that particular horse." N. Y. Times. A MiiyImIi Job. Storekeeper "You say you arc willing to work. Now, I want a man to lie in that patent bed all day and show the people how comfortable it is. I'll pay you II a dav and ycur meals." Weary W ilk ins "Do I have the meals fetched to me?" Storekeeper "No. You can get them around the corner." Weary Wilkins (walking off in disgust) "An' have to pet up an' walk around dere free times a day? Not much! De opprespors of hones' labor has got ter be downed." Puck. Xo Xecd of It. "Have you a wardrobe?" asked the manager of an actress who had Just applied for an engagement. "Why, no," she replied. ' "I am in the burlesque line, you know." i She was engaged on the spot. N. Y. Tress. !

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