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The Temptation of Samuel Burge Captains All, Book 8. By: W. W. Jacobs (1863-1943) |
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By W.W. Jacobs THE TEMPTATION OF SAMUEL BURGE [Illustration: "The Temptation of Samuel Burge."] Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing
hungrily at a supper table which had been laid some time before. It was
a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the
jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what
etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an
expected guest. "He must be coming by the last train after all, sir," said the
housekeeper entering the room and glancing at the clock. "I suppose
these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us
country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time. You must be wanting
your supper, sir." Mr. Higgs sighed. "I shall be glad of my supper," he said slowly, "but I
dare say our friend is hungrier still. Travelling is hungry work." "Perhaps he is thinking over his words for the seventh day," said the
housekeeper solemnly. "Forgetting hunger and thirst and all our poor
earthly feelings in the blessedness of his work." "Perhaps so," assented the other, whose own earthly feelings were
particularly strong just at that moment. "Brother Simpson used to forget all about meal times when he stayed
here," said the housekeeper, clasping her hands. "He used to sit by the
window with his eyes half closed and shake his head at the smell from the
kitchen and call it flesh pots of Egypt. He said that if it wasn't for
keeping up his strength for the work, luscious bread and fair water was
all he wanted. I expect Brother Burge will be a similar sort of man." "Brother Clark wrote and told me that he only lives for the work," said
the jeweller, with another glance at the clock. "The chapel at
Clerkenwell is crowded to hear him. It's a blessed favour and privilege
to have such a selected instrument staying in the house. I'm curious to
see him; from what Brother Clark said I rather fancy that he was a little
bit wild in his younger days." "Hallelujah!" exclaimed the housekeeper with fervour. "I mean to think
as he's seen the error of his ways," she added sharply, as her master
looked up. "There he is," said the latter, as the bell rang. The housekeeper went to the side door, and drawing back the bolt admitted
the gentleman whose preaching had done so much for the small but select
sect known as the Seventh Day Primitive Apostles. She came back into the
room followed by a tall stout man, whose upper lip and short stubby beard
streaked with grey seemed a poor match for the beady eyes which lurked
behind a pair of clumsy spectacles. "Brother Samuel Burge?" inquired the jeweller, rising. The visitor nodded, and regarding him with a smile charged with fraternal
love, took his hand in a huge grip and shook it fervently. "I am glad to see you, Brother Higgs," he said, regarding him fondly.
"Oh, 'ow my eyes have yearned to be set upon you! Oh, 'ow my ears 'ave
longed to hearken unto the words of your voice!" He breathed thickly, and taking a seat sat with his hands upon his knees,
looking at a fine piece of cold beef which the housekeeper had just
placed upon the table. "Is Brother Clark well?" inquired the jeweller, placing a chair for him
at the table and taking up his carving knife. "Dear Brother Clark is in excellent 'ealth, I thank you," said the other,
taking the proffered chair. "Oh! what a man he is; what a instrument for
good. Always stretching out them blessed hands of 'is to make one of the
fallen a Seventh Day Primitive." "And success attends his efforts?" said the jeweller. "Success, Brother!" repeated Mr. Burge, eating rapidly and gesticulating
with his knife. "Success ain't no name for it. Why, since this day last
week he has saved three pick pockets, two Salvationists, one bigamist and
a Roman Catholic." Brother Higgs murmured his admiration. "You are also a power for good,"
he said wistfully. "Brother Clark tells me in his letter that your
exhortations have been abundantly blessed... Continue reading book >>
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Fiction |
Humor |
Literature |
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