Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1874-07-16
HARD UP FOR A DAY.

urday in July. 1877. that l, George Forth
stood on the steps outside one Of those Of.
| fees which our excellent, (but, as think,
penurious) government is obliged to kesr
up for the promotion of public business
l was waiting for my chun. Mat O'Brien.
who was. as bis name indicates, an Irish
man. We were both in the same Office,
though not in the same department. and
lodged together in street near Totem
ham Court-road, where We rractised that
economy which the microscopic salary ac-
corded to the struggling Government clerk
so imperiously demands.
had not Eve minutes 20 wait before he
made his appearance. He was little
above the average height, with q fresh
complexion. dark brown hair. and those
peculiar violet-b blue eyes which would have
made Q far more ordinary looking man
quite handsome. His chief cbaracteris-
tics were intense good nature and K cen
sense Of good humor, added to which
was fluency Of speech and general dis.
regard of everything in the way Of couse-
quepces that sometimes led to results
which it took all his sangfroid and blar-
ney to extricate himself from.
Now. it so happened-not . very IN.
usual occurrence-that We were in fear
full state Of impecuniosity just n that time,
and Matt had. moreover. irritatcd our
landlady by recklessly giving latle par
ty few days before, and then coolly ask
ing for loan Of ten shillings from her
the next morning. at the same time as
suring her that he would not be able to
pay his rent for the next fortnight, that
We had resolved to 6nd out some fresh
pasture for day or two.: il possible. in
order to escape the anticipated refusal oi
that virulent old lady in regard to finding
our teas aud breakfasts.
On his coming out, eagerly hailed
him: ....t
We'll. what luck z
4 don't believe that they could scr an.
ble up two pounds ten in the whole build
iug.' replied Mat. with a vicious dig at
the pavement with his cane. L tried
Flowers, ana lie says he has only got four
and fourpence to last him foT , week.
Blackmau has only got fourpence, which
he offered to stand pot Of mild with
he's good fellow. Then I went to San
derson. and l saw him pct sovereign in
his waistcoat pocket. and he told me il
belonged to his brother, whom he had to
pay to-day; but be always was . mean
wretch. know he gets one Of those baked
parties for supper every night, and put
away what he saves by it in . tin box
with slit in it, and when the dirty thing
is full he rusbes of with it to the Post Of
6ce Savings Bank. and be won't stand
even q penny for . new box. bat fastens
down the lid again himself to save the
fearful expense. l have NO patience With
such mean ways
Well. then. old fellow cried I. what
can We muster? Do you know wha. the
time of the day is! II you do. We are all
right
My watch has stopped. gravely replied
Mat. producing . latchkey attached to .
black silk ribbon. at the same time ma
king an audible pop with bis mouth. -
But how do we end the enemy he I'd.
ded.
Due north said I. pulling out small
shilling mariners compass. which did duty
for my watch. that iuestimable article be-
ing at that time taking . rest for the goot
Of its, or rather my health.
At this painful revelation We we're both
Of us struck dumb. and attracted BY mu.
tual sympathy. joined arms and proceed.
ed down the street in meditation and sor.
row. was the first to break the silenes
BY asking him how much genuine coin o.
the realm he possessed, to which he an
svered.
Three shillings good and one bad
l then pulled out my store, which con
sisted Of one shilling and ninepence. Th'
sight Of this small fortune seemed to re
vive Mat, who exclaimed. cheerfully.
oh. We shall do. Come along. ant
We will have two seoues spiece-they ar
awfuliy SLING at the pr:ee-and then