Mr. Murphy

“ Oliver L. Murphy had returned from the front office.
“Pretty well, Mr Murphy.”
“Had quite a session with Mr Golden.”
“I bet,” said Caroline with sympathy. “I’ll bet he was something.”
“Well, I handled him O.K. today. He’s not so hard to get along with. Of course, he’s got some queer ideas. Those people often have.”
“Isn’t that the truth.” Caroline arranged the paper in her typewriter. Mr Murphy leaned over and smelled the carnation in the imitation silver vase.
“Smells nice, don’t it?”
“It certainly does, Mr Murphy.” She smiled. Mr Murphy went back to his desk and Caroline typed. ”

“ Murphy scratched his [Pg 30] head as if he would make an inlet for these new ideas.—“Paul Jones, Long Tom and even Captain Kidd were such captivating characters.”—Mr. Murphy changed off to the other hand.—“On this account I was disposed to admire Captain Shannon, and when I noticed the books he had read and loved I admired him much more. I have always told my brother that a man is charming in proportion to his love of tales of daring and chivalry and romance.”
Here the tide of Miss Katherine’s eloquence was interrupted by an eager gesture from her listener. ”

“ These are things we think of, but do not write.
Murphy was indefatigable. We thought we had a load more than Murphy made it, what with shifting this and changing that, and substituting something and stuffing small truck under tables and empty boxes that we wanted for our conservatory. My wife watched him in admiration.
"Mr. Murphy," she said, "you would be invaluable to the United Railways as a conductor on the Druid Hill avenue line!" ”

“ Con Murphy. You see, I won't be far from you girls if you want me any time," he pursued.
"You are going to live with Mr. Murphy?"
"Yes. He's got a spare room—and it's very neat and clean. There's a woman comes in and 'does' for him, as he calls it. He needs a chap like me to give him a hand now and then—taking care of the pig and his garden, you know."
"Not in the winter, Neale," said Ruth, gently. "I hope you are not leaving us for any foolish reason. You are perfectly welcome to stay. You ought to know that." ”

“ Ruth shook her head. “No, he’s not in yet. He hasn’t come in yet. He’s always late, Mr Murphy is.” Mr Murphy was the head of the Statistical Section where Robert Holton worked. Caroline was Mr Murphy’s secretary. ”

“ Now you go back to your desk and send Mr. Murphy here. I'll let you know shortly whether Saturday night or this noon will be convenient."
It was perhaps a half-hour before lunch-time when Mr. Comer again called for Mitchell, greeting him with the gruff inquiry:
"See here, do you think I'm going to advance you from twelve to twenty-five a week at one clip?"
"No, sir."
"Humph! I'm not. I had a talk with Murphy. I think he's a liar, but I'm going to make it fifteen hundred a year and expenses. Now get busy and work your 'trade' for all it's worth." ”

“ Mister Murphy's decided to have a 'Ospital for his. 'What's a Captain of Industry without his little fad?' says he. 'Vittles may cost a trifle more, but I'll have my 'Ospital,' he says.”
Mr. MacCandlish had forsaken the group that clustered about Feeny, and stolen to the back door of the St. Murphy-Feeny with burglarious intent; but he heard the voices of men within and the clink of glasses, and turned mournfully away. As he hid so his glance fell on Mister Murphy's garbage can. In that instant hunger overcame him. ”

“ A large number of questions were put and answered to the satisfaction of the large audience by the candidate, who stated he subscribed entirely to the Trades Hall Council programme.
Mr D. Wylie, in moving that Mr. Murphy was a fit and proper person to represent North Melbourne, delivered a most telling and eulogistic speech in favor of Mr Murphy, whom he congratulated for his exertions on behalf of labour. ”

“ The recent death of this interesting public man has revived the grateful memories of those who were associated with the establishment of the Melbourne Working Men's College. The decision of the college council to vote the amount necessary to defray the funeral expenses is an expression that has a much deeper significance than that of a mere financial consideration. For, with Mr. Francis Ormonde, Mr. Murphy shared the honor of being the prime agent in the foundation of the college. ”

“ MR. W. E. MURPHY.
Mr W. E. Murphy held a most successful meeting in the Town Hall, last Wednesday evening. There was a very large attendance. The chair was occupied by the president of the Trades Hall Council, Mr. J. G. Barrett, who in terms of commenddation introduced the candidate. Mr. Murphy referred at length to the Premier's speech which he criticized from a liberal standpoint. The candidate was opposed to Coalition Government, which he held should now be conducted on party lines. It was due to the liberal party that the great measures now in operation were fully enjoyed by the people. ”

“ Roger. I'll go and speak to un, they'll give over for an honest Englishman, I warrant un. (Exit)
Lady Betty. What a pack of Savages!
Jack. They have no police; at Paris one of the Canaille dare not come within the Atmosphere of a Man of Condition—there, for sending forty Livres to the Lieutenant of the Police, a Man of Quality may run a Scoundrel thro' the Body.
Sir Robert. Well, well, come let's in to dinner—Mr. Florid, and the French Gentleman are waiting for us.
Lady Betty. Oh, I could not eat in this condition—I'll step upstairs to M'am'selle Harriet. ”

“ The men's characters have been all sacrificed by the author to the valour of the woman—he has made his female do the deed of a man, and his best man perform the act of a child.
[Pg 5] Though Evander ranks as the first male character in this play, no actor likes to appear in the part. He would rather be inferior, and less infirm.
As Mr. Murphy had much theatrical experience as well as taste, it is astonishing that the personage most talked of, most praised, and by far the most perfect character in the whole drama, should never make his appearance! ”

“ Murphy first came into prominence as a member of the Engineer's Corps of Volunteers, one of the finest bodies of men ever organised, and in a short space of time he, by his ability, raised himself to the position of a lecturer and one too of no mean order, in matters of military importance, and models made by himself are considered worthy of being preserved and can still I believe be seen at the head quarters of the above corps. ”

“ Murphy has such a way with him that the editor and the poetess each took a dozen tickets.
When the result of the draw was published Murphy won six prizes, but no one grudged him them as he had taken so much trouble. The Grand Prize, a "statue carved by an Italian artist, the finest bit of sculpture ever seen in Ireland," was won by our popular grocer, Mr. McAroon. We were all delighted. People trooped in crowds to McAroon's back-door after closing-time to toll him so. ”

“ About the year 1800, the late residence of Mr. Nattes became the lodgings of Arthur Murphy, too well known as a literary character of the last century to require here more than the mere mention of his name, even to those who are accustomed to associate every thing with its pecuniary value; as Murphy’s portrait, painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds for Mr. ”

“ Murphy is too poor a man to buy his way in, but I trust that all consistent working men will not prove untrue to themselves; but will leave no stone unturned to reward him for his past efforts, by placing him in the proud position of their representative in Parliament. ”

“ How do you do? How do y'do? What News? A very dull day. Egad I wish Monsieur Abbé were looking in upon us, it wou'd furnish him with some pleasant Hints for his Remarks on the English Nation. En bien, Mr. Quicksett—upon my Soul you have a great deal of very pretty Phrases, and most admirable repartee.
Quicksett. I hear you, Sir, I observe you—this is your French Education.
Jack. French Education is the only thing in the World to form a pretty Gentleman—it gives a man a notion how to live, and a taste for Intrigue. ”

“ Thrale, sold at Christie’s in the sale of Mr. Watson Taylor’s pictures (June, 1823) , for £94 10s. Murphy had prepared his translation of Tacitus [26] for the press, at his house on Hammersmith Terrace (the last at the west end) ; but declining health and circumstances induced his removal into lodgings near London, at “14 Knightsbridge.” From these apartments “he soon removed to others in Brompton Row, where he did not p. 27remain long, not liking the mistress of the house, but returned to his former residence (No. 14) , where he resided till the time of his death.” ”

“ The morning papers following a debate at the Trades-hall Council tells which way the wind blows around the corner of Victoria and Lygon streets, but from the 1st October, 1885, till the advent of the year of grace 1886, the sanctity of the chamber over which Mr. Smith presides in Collins street west does not appeal to have been disturbed by the intrusion of a reporter. ”

“ He showed how the present working men's college was established by his efforts, he having the last day the offer by Mr Ormond was expiring, interviewed that gentleman and obtaining an extension of time, collected the sum of £6,500 which with £5,000 given by Mr Ormond provided for the construction of one of the greatest institutions in the colony. ”

“ Having gone through the rudiments of classic literature, he returned to his father's house, and was probably intended for the trade of a bookseller. He has been heard to say that he could bind a book. At the end of two years, being then about nineteen, he went to assist the studies of a young gentleman, of the name of Corbet, to the university of Oxford; and on the 31st of October, 1728, both were entered of Pembroke college; Corbet as a gentleman-commoner, and Johnson as a commoner. The college tutor, Mr. Jordan, was a man of no genius ”

“ But a voice his attention that moment arrested—
'Tis a subject, perchance, in which he's interested.
So once more his gaze pierced the keyhole right through,
Where he had of the table an excellent view.
"How are you, my angel? Much pleasure it gives
Me to see you! For your sake alone Murphy lives.
Though your beautiful charms all his brains are fast stealing,
And his heart it would break did you hurt but a feeling. ”

“ When my wife was a little girl with braids down her back, Murphy used to see her in the excited crowd in front of the neighbor's door, as he toted a grand piano to the waiting van. Many a time Murphy has started to give that little girl a penny because she was so cute. Many a time he has reconsidered and kept the penny himself!
It was Murphy who moved us. He is anywhere from seventy to ninety years old now—a stalwart, [Pg 19] steel-muscled young fellow who runs his own wagon and lifts his end of the heaviest burden with a heart as light as his chest is deep and his back broad. ”

“ There was renewed life in this invigorating air, and Murphy spurred forward, his companion pressing steadily after. They were but two flitting shadows amid that vast desolation of plain and mountain, their horses' hoofs barely audible. What imaginings of evil, what visions of the past, may have filled the half-crazed brain of the leading horseman is unknowable. He rode steadily against the black night wall, as though unconscious of his actions, yet forgetting no trick, no skill of the plains. ”

“ Murphy advanced rapidly to the first rank of the advocates of his day, and notwithstanding his turning aside, to the indulgence of his tastes for general literature, his enlightened labors and bright career in legislation, his promotion and service on the bench for two years, his decayed health and irregular attendance on the courts in his latter days, he maintained his position in the public estimation, even to the end of his life. ”

“ I think I had a nibble."
"You don't seem to have good sport there," shouted Murphy.
"Vewy poo' indeed," said Furlong, dolefully.
"Play your line a little," said Murphy; "keep the bait lively—you're not up to the way of fascinating them yet."
"Why, no; it's wather noo to me."
"'Faith!" said Murphy to himself, "it's new to all of us. It's a bran new invention in the fishing line. Billy," said he to the gossoon, who was in the boat with him, "we must catch a salmon again to divart that strange gentleman—hook him on, my buck." ”

“ From that moment he was a mark of contempt in the ship. Every lie was a Murphy, and every Murphy a liar. He dared not resent this scorn of ours; and found himself so uncomfortable, that he offered no objection to the removal proposed by the captain; his character followed him, and he never obtained promotion. It is a satisfaction to me to reflect that I not only had my full revenge on this man, but that I had been the instrument of turning him out of an honourable profession which he would have disgraced. ”

“ One of the Delawares took Murphy by the arm and led him to the head of the line. He limped so heavily that he barely touched the ground with the tip of one foot. He was seen to shut his lips and shake his head, as if to force back his suffering and to brace himself for the trial before him. But he did not utter a word; it was useless.
At the head of the line on his right, was stationed a warrior whom he recognized as one of his captors and his chief persecutor. He was large and inclined to corpulency, but his painted face was ugly to the last degree. ”

“ Murphy knew no distinctions of race, creed or sex in the holy cause of charity. When our Methodist minister, who is universally popular, as his knowledge of a horse would be a credit to any denomination, got up an Auction Bridge Drive in aid of the Anti-Gambling League, Murphy came home with three pink antimacassars, a discourse by Jeremy Taylor and two months' pay out of the pocket of McDougal, the organist, who seems to play cards by ear. But Nemesis was lying in ambush for Murphy. ”