F. Colburn (Francis Colburn) Adams
Chapter 69
easily described. Nevertheless, there are moments when his
countenance wears an expression of mildness-one in which the quick
eye may read a character more inoffensive than intrusive. A
swallow-tail blue coat, of ample skirts, and brass buttons; a
bright-colored waistcoat, opening an avalanche of shirt-bosom,
blossoming with cheap jewelry; a broad, rolling shirt-collar, tied
carelessly with a blue ribbon; a steeple-crowned hat, set on the
side of his head with a challenging air; and a pair of
broadly-striped and puckered trowsers, reaching well over a
small-toed and highly-glazed boot, constitutes his dress. For the
exact set of those two last-named articles of his wardrobe he
maintains a scrupulous regard. We are compelled to acknowledge
George an importation from New York, where he would be the more
readily recognized by that vulgar epithet, too frequently used by
the self-styled refined--"a swell."
Life with George is a mere drift of uncertainty. As for aims and
ends, why he sees the safer thing in having nothing to do with them.
Mr. Tom Toddleworth once advised this course, and Tom was esteemed
good authority in such matters. Like many others, his character is
made up of those yielding qualities which the teachings of good men
may elevate to usefulness, or bad men corrupt by their examples.
There is a stage in the early youth of such persons when we find
their minds singularly susceptible, and ready to give rapid growth
to all the vices of depraved men; while they are equally apt in
receiving good, if good men but take the trouble to care for them,
and inculcate lessons of morality.
Not having a recognized home, we may add, in resuming our story,
that George makes Baker's his accustomed haunt during the day, as do
also numerous others of his class-a class recognized and made use of
by men in the higher walks of life only at night.
"Ah! ha, ha! into a tight place this time, George," laughs out Mr.
Soloman, the accommodation man, as he hastens into the room, seats
himself in the box with George, and seizes his hand with the