The Argosy — page 43: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

30 The Ebony Box. the candles. ‘That new housemaid of ours is not altogether to be trusted. I suppose you’ve been telling your uncle all about the wonders of London.” “And something else, too,” put in old Jacobson gruffly. ‘ He wanted to set up in practice for himself at Worcester: off-hand, red- hot !” “ Oh dear!” said Mrs. Jacobson. | “'That’s what the boy wanted, nothing less. No. Another year or two’s work in some good house, to acquire stability and experience, and then he may talk about setting up. It will be all for the best, Sam ; trust me.” “Well, uncle, perhaps it will.” It was of no use for him to say per- haps it won't: he could not help himself. But it was a disap- pointment. Mr. Jacobson walked over to Dyke Manor the next day, to consult the Squire as to the best lawyer to place Sam with, himself suggest- ing their old friend Cockermuth. He described all Sam’s wild ways (it was how he put it) in that dreadful place, London, and the money he had got out of amidst its snares. The Squire took up the matter with his usual hearty sympathy, and quite agreed that no practitioner in the law could be so good for Sam as John Cockermuth. John Cockermuth proved to be agreeable. He was getting to be an elderly man then, but was active as ever, save when a fit of the gout took him. He received young Dene in his usual cheery manner, upon the day appointed for his entrance, and assigned him his place in the office next to Mr. Parslet. Parslet had been there more than twenty years ; he was, so to say, at the top and tail of all the work that went on in it, but he was not a qualified solicitor. Samson Dene was qualified, and could therefore represent Mr. Cockermuth before the magistrates and what not: of which the old lawyer expected to find the benefit. ‘Where are you going to live?” he questioned of Sam that first morning. ‘“T don’t know yet, sir. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson are about the town now, I believe, looking for lodgings for me. Of course they couldn’t let we look; they’d think I should be taken in,” added Sam. ‘Taken in and done for,” laughed the lawyer. “I should not wonder but Mr. Parslet could accommodate you. Can you, Parslet! ” Mr. Parslet looked up from his desk, his thin cheeks flushing. He was small and slight, with weak brown hair, and had a patient, sad sort of look in his face and in his meek, dark eyes. James Parslet was one of those men who are said to spoil their own lives. Left alone early, he was looked after by‘a bachelor uncle, a minor canon of the cathedral, who perhaps tried to do his duty by him in a mild sort of manner. But young Parslet liked to go his own ways, and they were not very good ways. He did not stay at any calling he was put to, trying first one and then another; either Gomicbooksneo