Word: coal
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Dates: during 1870-1879
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...have; but to disbelieve in him would be folly. Are not strange but authentic stories told of his midnight appearances at ill-fated rooms? Have we not watched for him on long and wearisome nights, when - to our relief - he did not attempt to rob us of our coal? His whereabouts are uncertain. Once he entered - through a window - the lower floor of Grays. Once he hid - must it be confessed that he instinctively chose a place of security? - in a Holyoke bath...
...Coal will burn in an air-tight stove...
...knew a dun once. He came, I think, from some coal-office in the distant Port. He was the most affable dun that ever made out a bill. He did not seem to care so much for his money as for the pleasure of my society. I have known him come into my room, fill his brier-wood pipe from my jar of green seal, seat himself comfortably before the fire of his own coal, and enter into lively conversation with me on politics, literature, or art. His pipe out, he would take his departure with never a word...
...suspicious knock at the door, - suspicious because it was unaccompanied by that vigorous kick on the lower panel which usually characterizes the summons of Smithie's friends. That individual in fearless tone said, "Come!" Enter an elderly gentleman with silver locks, supposed to be not entirely unconnected with the coal-trade. "Is Mr. Smith in?" Smith, in dressing-gown and slippers: "No, sir, Mr. Smith has just gone to recitation, and won't be back for four hours." Exit the thrall of carbon, and great hilarity on the part of Smith...
...Smith afterwards found his match at that coal-office. A younger employee, a youth with small and silky beard, showed strategic powers far superior to those of my friend. Smith and I were one day seated in his room, - which, by the way, is a very pleasant one, - when we heard some one ascend the stairs with nimble step and cheerful whistle. He went past Smith's door and up the next flight to one of the rooms above. In about five minutes' time he came down, whistling as before, and with light knock and heavy kick demanded admittance...