Desk and Debit; or, The Catastrophes of a Clerk

by his proportions to be an alderman. I was disposed to regard him with great respect, as he was my uncle-at least I had made up my m

akes whatever Seat i

ge

satisfaction. Mr. Collingsby took no notice whatever of her, as it was evidently beneath his dignity to do so, or even to be annoyed by her uneasy motions. Opening the newspaper he carried in his hand, he began to read the leader, t

erefore, I was entirely satisfied to have him turn out to be the brother of my mother. In about an hour the train stopped; and by this time I was ready to sit down. But only one gentleman left the car in which I was riding; and he sat directly opposite the

dropped into it. I made myself as comfortable as possible, though my porcupine companion hitched violently towards the middle of the seat, so as to make sure that she had her full share of the s

no little venom in her tones, and loud enough to have been heard by Mr. Colli

read the headings in large type in Mr. Collingsby's newspaper, for I had non

ow much," added the

by or to me; though I was compelled to believe it was all in the family, and made no difference. It was undeniable that "some folks d

sby needn't put on airs, and pretend he don't know me. I know'd him the moment that con

he was the very impersonation of offended dignity. Her remark rathe

recognize you," I v

d my son is every bit and grain as good as he is, though I say it, who ought not to say it. My name's Whippleton, a

did," I

appear to hear a word that was said; but I fanc

r heard of Collingsby and Whippleton, the bigge

in Chicago,

all your troubles are to come. There's a great many mean folks in the world; you'll find that out soon enough. For my part, if there's anything in this world

this point. I was rather sorry to have the character of my presumed uncle damaged i

ow d'ye do! I hate mean folks. I ain't mean myself. There ain't a mean b

n did not recognize yo

isted, throwing a bitter emphasis on the mid

r, he heard every word that was said by the garrulous old lady, who appeared to have been talking more for his benefit than mine in some of her remarks. But the appearance of the conductor at th

l their pockets, and all their portable effects, for the evidence that they had paid their fare. I noticed that Mr. Collingsby continued to gaze unmoved at the columns of his newspaper

as he politely bowed to Mr. Collingsby, and

eck; but Mrs. Whippleton was stil

t!" exclaimed the old lady, glancing again towards Mr. Collingsby, who

one?" asked t

nd it took nigh on to every cent of money I h

find it," adde

have. You hustled all my things over, and I

e back," added the conducto

u?" said Mrs. Whippleton, as she commenced an

ave

ing the lost pasteboard, for which the handsome sum of twelve dollars had been expended. I really pitied the old lady, for she did not appear to be in good c

s become on't!" sa

er for the want of anything else to say than

think I'd l

ed, alarmed at this violen

a ticket, where's

t it before you g

after I sot down here. You don'

dn't think of

ticket?" asked the conductor, re

n hide nor

lf. If you had a ticket at all, it is here

demanded Mrs. Whippleton, pursing up h

; jump up, an

ctor searched on the floor, and in the chair, overhauled the bundles, and turned up t

the old lady, as she worked

Are you sure y

ink I'd li

t it before you

you lost it when you stirred up my things. If you

want your tick

in't got

me twelve

ted the old lady. "Do you

re what you are made of

hain't got twelve dollars. Bes

icket, I will give

t twelve dollars. You c

st leave the

! And not go b

fare before we stop next time,"