Weekly Trinity journal., 1870-12-24

found in him kind adviser and generous
friend. This evening, when l had finished my
pipe, | sat down to write to him, to request the
loan of a few dollars to pay my landady and OBJ
tain dinner on Christmas Day, now drawing
near. ended by wishing him a pleasant time
at the house he was going to, and informing him
that felt quite miserable and had not friend
or acquaintance to speak to.
finished this letter and then resolved to write
to Mr.. Deschamps, inform him of my repeated
failures in search for employment and ask him to
give me letter or two TO some city men who
might aid me.
folded the letters and the next morning dis
patched them.
That day wandered about, as | had so often
done, looking up" people but it was heart
breaking work, that d" looking up" People
would regard me with stormy stare while | re-
lated my mission, and when had DONE would
hardly deign reply. This somewhat embar-
rassed me, and felt very much de ,rop indeed,
and generally left their offices feeling much
smaller man than when | entered.
] had eaten nothing the whole day, as | was
boarding my twenty-five cents, for fear my friend
Box could not spare me the loan had requested
and arrived at my lodgings tired, hungry and
almost desperate at the state Of affairs.
On the mantelpiece letter addressed to
me, in handwriting did not know turned
it over and surveyed the elaborate monogram,
II. D., wondering who it could be from.
To satisfy my curiosity, opened the letter and
read it. 1t was as follows:
" My DEAR SIR Il received Yesterday the en-
closed letter from you, but find upon examination
that it was not intended for me, but that you
evidently addressed n letter to me, and posted it
to your friend sending his to me. My name be-
ing Henry and your letter commencing My
Dear Harry /, of course read it through, and it
only upon looking at the bottom of it saw
the name, II. Box, Esq.
" am indeed sorry to find you are so badly
off. and sorry you did not tell me sooner; how
ever, have found out your state, although in
a somewhat strange manner, and having found
it out, shall be glad to aid you as far MS can.
" You say in this letter to your friend that you
have not the wherewithal to buy Christmas
dinner. Don't buy one ; come up and dine with
me, or rather, come early and spend the day.
Hoping to see you soon, | remain yours, truly,
II. DEsCHAMps."
Here was dilemma this gentleman had found
out my situation through no fault of mine hav-
ing found it out though, might well put n
good face on the matter, and accept his really
kind invitation had just finished it, when
Harry Box entered the room, cxclaiming, " Look
here, Godfrey, You We sent me n letter intended
for Deschamps, and suppose have sent him the
one intended for me-"
! replied d" Yes, certainly have, and more
over, am in slight fix through having done so ="
then gave him my letter to himself to read !,
which when he had finished, he at once complied
with the request therein contained, granted my
loan and, after wishing me every success, left
me.
dispatched my letter to Mr.. Deschamps ac-
cepting his kind invitation, and on Christmas
Day, with futterng heart, stood at his door
step, cap in hand.
| was very kindly received by him and intro
duced to his wife and daughters accompanied
them to church, made myself as agreeable as
could, and found my host very worthy gentle
man.
After dinner, and when the ladies retired to
the drawing room, we drew our chairs near the
fire, my worthy host and myself being left tete-
a-tete.
He began the conversation by alluding to my
letter, and then listened to my tale as to how /
had become so " hard up"
I" The fact is, my dear Mr.. Jordan" said he
" this city is at present so full of unemployed
young men, that it is lately a most difficult mat
ter for such a one as yourself to find employment !
will, however, give you letter to friend of
mine in this city, Mr.. Blair, n banker, and ask
him to aid you ; | think he will, if he possibly
can"
thanked my friend, and we joined the ladies
after another half hours conversation this
head.
! spent very pleasant evening and forgot my
troubles listening to the singing Of mine hosts
daughter. | am passionately fond of music, and
possessed with an idea that could sing, was
soon deep in some Duets which had discovered
amongst the pile of music. made great head
way in the good graces Of my friends and took
leave of my host at n late hour. At the door he
shook my hand and wishing m good night, shut
the door rather abruptly, after having left some
thing in my hand, which, rpon examination,
proved to be n hundred dollar bill, attached to
which was slip of paper bearing the words -
Accept this loan, but don't thank me-" APP
preciated the delicate manner in which this had
been rendered, and Of course joyfully concluded
to accept il.
went whistling along the streets toward my
lodgings, feeling happier than | had done for
months. "Surely," thought /, "my lucky star
is about to arise | shall soon emerge from the
cloud which has so long obscured me-
That night wrote long little letter to my
Fanny, telling her of my good fortune, the fact
being, had not had the money to pay the pos
tage the letter before but didn't tell my
dear girl so.
The next morning called again at the house
of my friend according to his request, and
ceived from him letter to M-. Blair, the banker.
trudged off, and soon reached the bank, and
found Mr.. Blair-a sandy-hared man of about
fifty, who looked up at me through pair Of
gold-rmmed spectacles, which gave him ter
ribly respectful and awe-insprlng appearance.
DoWeu ana presented my Ietteri winch nc
glanced at and then requested me to be seated,
and proceeded to read it.
While he was perusing it, tried in vain to
appear at ease and, as an attempt toward that
end, became very interested in a map of the city
hanging upon the wall.
| fully expected the usual answer that had so
often received, and sat like Il martyr awaiting
it. was gradually going down Broadway
with my eye) and mpressiDg upon my memory
the names of the different streets leading out Of
it, when Mr.. Blair looked up and said @ SO you
want employment, Mr.. Jordan? Are you good
accountant
answered, '' Yes; that I had kept the rcgi-
mental accounts two years. and was always con-
sdered good at accounts"
" Well, !" said Mr.. Blair, " our cashier is leav-
- | tvttI ri