THE Central Literary Magazine. No. 1. It must be borne in mind that this Magazine is neutral in Politics and Religion; its pages are open to a free expression of all shades of opinion without leaning to any. JANUARY, 1883. VOL. VI. Sister Gertie. A TALE OF CHRISTMAS EVE. P CHAPTER I. ROBABLY a more contented bachelor never drew himself up to the fireside of his solitary sanctum in the great city of London than I, Alfred Dawson, on the 23rd of December, 187. My health was good, my conscience easy, and my quarters the envy of all my unmarried (if no other) contemporaries. The remains of that "dinner-tea" meal which, in the skilful and kindly hands of my landlady, was redeemed from common-place, and transfigured into a repast at once substantial and dainty, had been cleared away; and my faithful dog Dan (whose breed I would fain particularise had it been possible), at an accustomed glance from his master, had brought to my feet that pipe and pouch whose advent meant to both the beginning of a night of true though silent companionship. Giving the fire an extra poke in jovial reminder of the season, and dropping into my easy chair with Dan for a footstool, I gave myself up to a few hours' well-earned rest. This was almost the only night for a whole year that I had done so, for, contrary to the advice of "the office," I had determined twelve months ago to take my LL.D. ere another Christmas should come round, or fail in the attempt. My fellow clerks-some good naturedly, some otherwise had unanimously prophesied the latter alternative; and even Mr. Denning, the head of our firm, who had hitherto urged me onward |