The Three Brides, Love in a Cottage, and Other Tales Part 41

"I'm eternally obliged, Jack."

"Not the least, my boy--always ready to serve my friends. By the way, have you got any money about your clothes? I invited you to take coffee, but I forgot my purse in my other trousers--no change, you know."

"There, get this V changed," said Bliffins, handing him a bank note.

Jack took the note and walked up to the counter.

"Coffee and pie for two, my dear" said he to the attendant. "It's all right--you know me--pay next time--Withers and friend. Come, Bill, I've fixed it."

"But the change!" said Bill.

"Never mind the change--morrow do as well. By, by,--_au revoir_."

"Remember the governor!"

"All right, my boy."

"And Juliet!"

"Make yourself easy."

So they parted. The next day, Jack sent in his card to the governor at the Adams House, and followed the pasteboard before the message could be returned. The governor received his visitor with his usual urbanity.

"Good quarters, governor!" said Jack, looking round him as he dropped into a rocking chair, and tapped his boot with his walking stick.

"Chief magistrate of the commonwealth--well lodged--people pay--all right."

The governor was much amused at the coolness of his guest, and waited patiently to learn his business. He was not kept long in suspense.

"Governor," said Jack, "I come to solicit your favor not on my behalf, but in the cause of friendship--sacred friendship--holy bond of two congenial hearts, &c.--but you know all that. My friend, sir, William Bliffins--unfortunate young man--reduced in circ.u.mstances--good family--good blood--grandfather in the revolution--soil of Bunker Hill irrigated with the blood of Bliffins--but you know all that--run through his fortune--on the town--not a penny--hard case."

"Do you solicit charity, sir, for your friend?"

"Not exactly--official favor--vacant clerkship--secretary's office--make him comfortable--but you know all that."

"Really, sir, you run on at such a rate----"

"Way I've got--few leading points all you want--time precious--money (old saw)--Bliffins--clerkship--don't you take?"

"I think I recollect the name, now. But I must inquire into the character of the applicant. How did he lose his fortune?"

"Unbounded benevolence--heart like an ox--bigger--endorsing notes for friends--founding hospitals for indigent Africans--temperance movement--philanthropy expensive--but you know all that."

"The office in question requires a good penman. Can your friend write well?"

"Splendid hand--copperplate--_currente calamo_--shine in your eyes."

"Have you a specimen of his penmanship?"

"Cords at home--some in pocket. Here you have it! no, that's my washerwoman's bill. Ah, here it is!" and Jack pulled out a crumpled note, and placed it before the governor.

The governor scanned the doc.u.ment curiously, and with great difficulty deciphered the following words, which he read silently:--

"Dear Jack,--Fashion has been beaten, and I lost on the mare. I shall back Tom Hyer to the extent of my pile. He is training finely. Bricks has a couple of Santa Anna's game c.o.c.ks for me, on board the Raritan, at Lewis's wharf. Can you run down and get 'em from the steward? Yrs, &c."

The governor smiled as he handed back the note, but made no remark.

"Where can I communicate with you, sir?" he asked.

"Dog and Thistle, Blackstone Street. I'll write my address."

So Jack wrote his address card, (by the way, he wrote a splendid hand,) and took his leave of the governor.

From the Adams House he posted to Louisburg Square, where the Trevors were living in great style. Slightly acquainted with Miss Trevor, he found no difficulty in being admitted to her presence. After rattling over a few commonplace topics, he came to the object of his mission.

"Have you seen Bliffins lately?"

"Not very," replied the fair one, languidly.

"Dying, ma'am, dying."

"Is it possible? What's the matter, sir?"

"Love--desperation--patience on a monument couldn't sit there forever--heart ache--only one thing to save him."

"Indeed! and what is that?"

"He loves you, madam, pa.s.sionately, devotedly, enormously--Petrarch, Abelard, lukewarm lovers in comparison. Throws himself at your feet--save him!--marry him quick! or you'll lose him!--say yes."

"Sir, my father will communicate with you," said the lady, rising to terminate the interview.

"Dog and Thistle, Blackstone Street," said Jack, and bowed himself away.

The next day Jack and Bill were again seated together in a small room at the Dog and Thistle, waiting the result of the obliging operations of the former. In a few moments a waiter brought in a note, superscribed John Withers, Esq. Jack tore it open, and read as follows:--

"Sir,--In answer to your application yesterday, I am sorry to return you an unfavorable reply; but the chirography of the person you recommended, to say nothing of other considerations, unfits him for the vacancy in question.

Having made inquiries with regard to yourself, and finding that you are in circ.u.mstances which might render employment acceptable, while your conduct proves that you have sincerely repented of the follies of your early years, I have concluded to request your acceptance of the office yourself. If you accept the offer, please report yourself to-morrow.

"Yours, respectfully, ---- ----, "Governor of the Commonwealth of Ma.s.sachusetts."

"You're an impostor!" shouted Bliffins. "Is this your friendship?"

"I can't help it," said Jack, ruefully. "I'm innocent--I did the best I could for you."

"How did he know any thing about my penmanship?"

"I showed him this note," said the unhappy Jack, producing the doc.u.ment.

"That note? You've ruined me! Do you know what it was about?"