A Charles Dickens Story.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 72

A Charles Dickens Story.

i Charles Dickena, not long before his death, told an anecdote as nearly as possible in the following words-: — •'I had occasion to travel to Liverpool last winter, and, the weather feeing cold, I took the precaution to put on a respirator, and to muffle myself vrell up to the throat, which somewhat destroyed my identity. "By the aid of Jehu I was conveyed to Euston square, and, having taken my ticket, I proceeded to a first-class carriage, in which I found only one occupant, a gentleman ap2>iirently about 40 years of ago. "The ti-ain at length started, and for some time I occupied myself with reading. "At length I became wearj, and, observing that my companion evinced similar symptoms, I commenced conversation with the usual, ' Very cold day, sir.' "My companion cordially responded. He was very voluble, and spoke on many subjects, ami at length turned to literature. He descanted on the merits of Lytton, Thackeray, Lover, Tennyson, Browning, and a score of other authors ; but added, *My favourite author is Dick«n<=. I have had the pleasure of being a personal intimate friend of his, and spent many happy days at ('adshill.' "Being convinced that he haci not identified me, I determined to preserve my incognito, and, if possible, to chastise hia impudence. "I -ventured to observe that I also was a fnend of Mr Dickens, and had known him some yo.irs. At this he stood up. gra-ped my hand, and gave it a hearty shake, and paid he wa-s pleased to make my acquaintance, as Mr Dickens's friends were Ins friends

"He handed me hi.<» card, upon which I read, ' \IY No. — , Prince's Park. Liverpool.' ami reqnc-tpd that I would honour him with a fall. A* he said this tho train dr^w into the station. We alighted, and s-nw our luggage placed on our respective flies.

"I phouk hands with my unknown friend, who expressed Hip hop^ thnt T wouldhim an car'.y call. 'But,' paid he, '\«u iia\r> not vet tolil me your name.' Mill,' -aid I, 'I really forgot; it is Charles

"The fly, oocdipn* to my signal, drove f.ff and as wp ru^nl out of the s-tatmn T looked out of the window and saw my friend gazing after me. lookin? mufli liorrifWl, and sippaiently heartily ashamed of being di 1- ! tectod in a misrepre-entati"'.i.