ton's tears and logic.

Returning to London, some three months later, I found many of my former
acquaintances were absent; but Lady Holberton, Miss Rowley, and Mr.
T---- were all in town again. The day after I arrived--it was Tuesday
the 20th of August--as I was walking along Piccadilly, about five
o'clock in the afternoon, my eye fell on the windows of Mr. Thorpe's
great establishment. I was thinking over his last catalogue of
autographs, when I happened to observe a plain, modest-looking young
girl casting a timid glance at the door. There was something anxious
and hesitating in her manner, which attracted my attention. Accustomed,
like most Americans, to assist a woman in any little difficulty, and
with notions better suited perhaps to the meridian of Yankee-land than
that of London, I asked if she were in any trouble. How richly was I
rewarded for the act of good-nature! She blushed and courtesied.

{Tuesday, 20th of August = does this date the final composition of "The
Lumley Autograph" or of its setting? August 20 fell on a Tuesday in
1844 and 1850}

"Please, sir, is it true that they pay money for old letters at this
place?"

"They do--have you any thing of the kind to dispose of?"

Judge of my gratification, my amazement, when she produced the Lumley
Autograph!

Of course I instantly took it, at her own price--only half a
guinea--and I further gave her Lady Holberton's address, that she might
claim the liberal reward promised far the precious letter. Tears came
into the poor child's eyes when she found what awaited her, and I may
as well observe at once that this young girl proved to be the daughter
of a poor bed-ridden artisan of Clapham, who had seen better days, but
was then in great want. It is an ill-wind that blows no good luck, and
the contest for the Lumley Autograph was a great advantage to the poor
artisan and his family. The girl had picked up the paper early one
morning, in a road near Clapham, as she was going to her work; Lady
Holberton gave her a handful of guineas as the promised reward--a sum
by the bye just double in amount what the poor poet had received for
his best poem--and she also continued to look after the family in their
troubles.

But to return to the important document itself. Never can I forget the
expressive gratitude that beamed on the fine countenance of Lady
Holberton when I restored it once more to her possession. She rapidly
recovered her health and spirits, and it wa