Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-02-22

! II am to ask, sir" she said civilly, eff you
would be kind enough to give me final an
swer about keeping this chamber, as | can
let it out to some one else Immediately, if you
intend giving it up"
Richard had moved from the hotel to a
small private boarding house, as being better
suited to his means, and, uncertain whether
even the present expense would not be too
great for him, had told Mrs. Hart that he
would let her know at the end of a week
whether he would remain there or not. The
week had elapsed, and it was necessary to come
to decision. Richard thought of his nearly
empty purse, and hesitated. He was averse
to moving, but possibly he could find cheaper
accommodation elsewhere.
81 shall change my quarters tomorrow"
said he "You can make whatever arrange
ment you like about letting the room."
"Would you kindly allow this gentleman
to look at it, sir ?" was the next request
Richard assented, and a benovolent-look-
ing, grey-haired elderly man was shown in.
He glanced around, and nodded approval of
the chamber and its appointments. In its
survey his eye fell upon Richard, who had
withdrawn to window, and rested for mo-
ment keenly on his face.
"The room will do very well,'' he said to
Mrs. Hart as they descended the stairs. AS
they reached the bottom he added, "Remark-
ably fne-looking young man, that. Who is
he, madam?"
ellis name is Powell sir" rejoined the
landlady. "He has only been here week,
but I've taken quite fancy to him somehow,
and am sorry to lose him. I'm real sorry
for him, too"
"Why so?" queried the old gentleman.
because I think he's real poor, sir, from
what he told me. He's been trying to get
employment, and hasn't succeeded yet. l
take it he's been rich, and failed, or lost all
his property some way, because he's got some
elegant little things -trinkets and such like
and his clothes are of the finest"
The "elegant little things" were some seals
and other trifes belonging to his watch, which
Richard had made up his mind to carry on
the following day to a jeweller to dispose Of,
and a seal ring which Mr.. Conway had given
him, and with which he did not care to part.
"Trying to get employment, do you say"
said the old gentleman. care you sure Of
that, now?''
eyes, sir, I am quite sure, because he told
me so himself"
"And what did you say his name was"
"Powell, sir-Mr. Richard Powell"
"Good." The old gentlemen took out his
pocket-book and wrote the name down on
card contained therein then took thence an
other card on which was inscribed the name
Samuel Danton," and handing it to Mrs.
Hart, requested she would take it upstairs to
Mr.. Powell, and say to him he would be glad
of the pleasure of an interview with him.
"Now, sir?" asked the landlady.
eyes, now, if you please"
"Dear, hope some good fortune is going
to befall the poor young gentleman" said
kind-hearted Mrs. Hart, to herself, as she
once more ascended the stairs. Richard in
his loneliness and craving for sympathy, had
given her some slight insight into his troubles,
and her interest was quite warmly excited in
him.
When she knocked at his door and handed
him the card, giving Mr. Danton's message
at the same time, he looked surprised, but
said he would be glad to see him.
"Won't you come into my parlor, sir" said
Mrs. Hart. "You will be quite free from in
terruption there"
And now behold Richard and the friendly
old gentleman seated Nte-d-Ete.
The conversation commenced in some
what abrupt way.
"Sir," said Mr. Danton, 81 understand you
are in want of employment"
"Unfortunately, sir, that is the case" re-
joined Richard.
care you willing to write eight hours
day, and have your board and lodging free,
and the rest of your time to employ in any
way you like?"
"Willing! Of course I would be willing,
if"
"If what? Talk out plainly"
eff suitable salary was offered,' said
Richard, somewhat hesitatingly, for he could
not tell whether the old gentleman meant for
him to write only for his board and lodging,
or intended that he should receive other COM
pensation besides.
"Suitable Well, that depends on what
you call suitable. Would dollar an hour
be enough to satisfy your?
Eight dollars day Certainly, I would
be unreasonable to expect more" said Rich
ard.
"Those are my terms" said Mr.. Danton,
slapping his hand down on the table. "Do
you accept them?"
"But, sir" said Richard, who thought he
must be a very eccentric character, "before
any bargain is made, would it not be better
to be little more specific in regard to this
employment you offer me? You have not
told me what sort of writing am to do, nor
have shown you a specimen of my hand,
which I suppose is necessary"
"Hum-well, yes, that's true. suppose
you can write legibly-can't you Here,
take this paper and try"
He handed half sheet of paper and a
pencil out of his notebook to Richard, who
wrote off few lines and handed them to him
for inspection.
"Good, very good, capital, will just do, in
! f,ot eu;te mo to q IT" said the old gentleman