The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

—_ ams) a ag gy a Say Sa a a a rc ge eee — = re were very shrewd fellow ;—and he had a habit of looking | fr knowing and critical when any one was speaking, that his opinion, when subsequently delivered, was received with respect and deemed an authority. ~. The reader may therefore perceive that Mr. Bubble- ton Styles was a thorough man of the world. Ie took care never to commit himself. In small moncy trans- actions he was always regular and correct: he there- fore escaped the imputation of meanness, and actually acquired at a cheap rate the denomination of “an The consequence was, that when he failed—which was very often indeed—in large transactions, he was considered merely as “ a spirited but unsuccessful speculator,’—never as a dishonest honourable character,” person. He had an office in the City: but were any of his friends to ask, “What zs Styles?” the answer would be a vague generality—such as, “Oh! he is a City man, you know—engaged in business and all that !”—a reply leaving the enquirer just as wise as he was before. And yet, at his office, there were all the symptoms and evidence of “ business,’”’—a letter-box at the door—a clerk engaged in writing at the desk— a pile of letters here, and a heap of account-books there—samples of many kinds of goods on the mantel and shelres—mysterious-looking bales and hampers on the floor—files covered with dingy papers, looking ike invoices and bills of lading—~and the words Bills Jor Aceeptance labelled over a slit in the board-work that enclosed the desk. Thus the place had a very business-like aspect: -and yet no one could define what was the precise nature of the business carried on thero, But we have travelled to Mr. Bubbleton Styles‘s office in Crosby Hall Chambers; whereas Mr. Bubble- ton Styles himself is just now in a tavern-parlour in Fleet Strect. The clock had just begun to strike three as Captain O’Blunderbuss and Mr. Frank Curtis entered the public-house: and by the time they reached the afore- said parlour it was six seconds pest three. There sate Mr. Bubbleton Styles—with his silver watch in his hand, and gazing at the Ducth clock over the mantel-piece, as if he were anxiously comparing : the two dials, and found himself much put out because there happencd to be a slight difference between them. “Tf I thought it was my watch that was wrong,” he said aloud, apparently in a musing manner, but really because he caught a glimpse of the entrance of Curtis and Blunderbuss at- the moment, and he never lost an opportunity of impressing even his best friends with an idea of his punctuality,— if I thought it was my watch thaf was wrong, I would trample it to pieces beneath my heel.” “ No—don’t do that, old fellow! ’ exclaimed Frank, advancing towards him. “Much better give it to me!" “JY would not do any thing so prejudicial to a friend as present him with a watch that went irregularly,” returned Mr. Styles, in asolemn'tone. “ But the fault is not with my watch, Jam convinecd: it lies with that rascally old clock. However, you are only six seconds after your time: I should have allowed you the full minute—and then I should have waited no longer. Come, sit down, Curtis—Captain O’Blunderbuss, sit down; I have just one hour to devote to you. As the clock strikes four, I must bo off. What will you take?” “ Potheen for me, if ye plaze,” said the gallant officer. © Brandy for me,” observed Frank. NUE ALYSTERIES OF LONDON. / a oe eee 47 “And wine-and-water for me,” added Mr. Bubbleton Styles, “TI never take spirits until after supper.” The various beverages required, were immediately ordered and supplied; and the three gentlemen pro- ceeded to business, the parlour at the tavern—or | rather public-house—being occupied only by thom- | selves at the moment. “Well, old fellow,” said Mr. Frank Curtis, address- ing himself to Mr. Styles, “what good thing can you plied the gentleman thus appealed to. “Ido not mind telling you that I have been rather unfortunate lately in one or two enterprises—and I want something to Set me square again. J have a few bills coming due in 4 couple or three months, and would not have them dishonoured on any account. Thank God! however, I have no paltry debts—no mean milk-scores—no ped- dling affairs. I always avoid them. Still I must make a bold stroke for the sake of my larger transac- tions ;—and I presume that neither of you are averse to earning a little money easily and speedily.” “Arrah! and be Jasus! that’s the most wilcome thing ye could be afther saying to me, my frind!” ex- claimed the captain, surveying the speculator with deep admiration. “Now,” continued Mr. Styles, “I have been think- ing that we three can work the oracle well together— and I propose i “What?” demanded Mr. Curtis, anxiously. “Tould your tongue—and have patience, Frank!” ejaculated tho gallant officer. “Jt shall be your turn to spake prisintly. Well, sir—and what is it, thin, that ye’re afther proposing!” “A Railway!” returned Mr. Bubbleton Styles, “Divil a betther idea could ye have formed!” cried the captain, enthusiastically. “Glorious!” exclaimed Curtis, in an equally im- passioned tone of approval. “Don’t be excited—take things calmly—in a busi- ness-like way,” said Mr. Bubbleton Styles. “It ig now twenty minutes past three: we have forty minutes more to converse upon the subject. Much may be done in that time. Mere,” continued the speculator, drawing « skeleton-map of England from his pocket, and spreading it on the table; “you see this line drawn almost longitudinally from one end of Great Britain to the other? Well—that is my projected Railway. You perceive, we start from Beachy Head in Sussex—right on, as straight as we can go, to Cape Wrath on the northern coast of Scotland. Of course we avoid as much as possible placing any portion of our line in competition with railways already exist- ing; but we shall have Branches to all the principal cities and manufacturing towns, and Single Lines wherever they may be asked for.” “Capital, be Jasus!” exclaimed the Iibernian officer, unable to restrain the exuberance of his do- light at this magnificent scheme. “ And be what title d’ye mane to call this purty little bantling of your's, Misther’Styles? ” “The Grand British Longitudinal Railway,” en- swered the speculator, in a measured and emphatis manner. The captain was so elated by the grandeur and vast comprehensiveness of this denomination, that he rang the bell with furious excitement, and ordered the waiter to replenish the glasses, “Now,” continued Mr. Babblieton Stylez, “having expounded my vicws, it is nece«zarv totake into con- put us up to?” “A speculation that will enrich us all three,” re- r (C(O) (C DOO <S LL (SO)