Nebraska advertiser., 1876-08-24


sion of thanks, tripped back to hl:
room. Charley sat down on the edge
of his bed, and fell into brown study
What was he to do? How was he tC
live? The romance of his great pur'
pose was fading before the grimnes:
of necessity. 1t must be keptin abey'
auce for time. Food he must have
to obtain il he must work. To obtain
that work must be his first care
| Where was he to seek for 1t? Fol
what kind of work should he apply
There was no answer to any of these
questions in his mind: and then an
awful fear fell upon him-the feal
that he should starve and die. Sup.
pose he made a partial confident oi
Mr.. Pontlfex Left to his own de.
vises, he was helpless as an infant
What better adviser could he possibly
lind than a man of such extensive eX-
perience and knowledge of the world
as that gentleman evidently possess
ed?
So Charley asked Mr.. Pontifex If he
could step into his room for few mo-
ments, as he wished to ask his advice
upon an important subject.
Delighted, am sure. at the honor
you do me; most happy to afford you
any advice that lies within my hum
bic capacity" said Mr.. Pontifex, en-
tering in full toilet, and all smiles.
Charley briefly told him that he
had run away from home; that he
had received a good education, and
wished to get employment of some
kind-it did not matter to him what,
if he could earn a respectable living
by it.
Mr.. Pontifex listened to this con-
fession with a pursed-up mouth and
elevated eyebrows. Have you nc
friends in London who would tempo
rarily assist you-who would use
their interest to gain you employ
ment? 2"
81 believe have some one in the
north of London" answered Charley,
hesitatingly.
"What part of the north ?"
81 do not know; only know IL is
somewhere In the north"
Mr.. Pontifex smiled. IA very
vague direction, that" he said. "Why
my dear sir, the metropolitan district
which the post office distinguishes by
the letter n contains at the very least
eight hundred thousand inhabitants,
and is larger than several of the cele-
brated capitals of Europe"
"What would be the best means of
trying to find them out?" asked Char
ley, hesitatingly.
"If they are trades or professions,
the Directory if they are gentry,
the Court Guide,'" replied Mr.. Pom
tifex.
+ Charley said that they were gentry,
and wished to know where he could
see Court Guide"
"If you will walk with me after
breakfast, think can take you to a
place where you can get a sight of
one"
Charley was profuse In his thanks,
and felt inspired with new hope. But
Mr.. Pontifex shook his head, saying,
at is very difficult to find persons in
London, except they be public char
aeters, unless you are accurately ac-
quaInIeu Will IneIr Whereabouts"
"But you can advise me as to how
l should proceed to obtain employ
ment ?" asked Charley.
"a very difficult thing to get in
London withoutfrie or recommen-
dations," J." replied Mr.. Pontifex. Nov
there is one piece of good advice L can
give you, and you cannot do better
than to follow it,"
"And what is that ?" asked Char
ley.
Return home at once; or If there
is any difficulty, write first, and ask
forgiveness, and give them time to
prepare the fatted calf"
Charley's face fell.
1T is impossible for me to take that
advice" he said, dejectedly.
"Oh, nonsense friends overlook
the peccaLilIoes of youth. Perhaps,
If we looked in this mornings Iele-
graph, we should find at the top Of
the first page, If S2-and-so will re-
turn to his disconsolate parents, all
shall be forgiven"
Charley shook his head.
oh, hope 1t is not 80 bad as all
that: By the bye, talking about So
and-so reminds me that I have not
the pleasure Of knowing your name"
Call me Charley for the present."
he said, coloring.
Beneath his pleasant, vacuous smile
Mr.. Pontifex was sharply scanning
the youths face.
my dear young friend" he said
kindly, laying his hand upon his arm
and speaking in more natural tone
than he had yet used, "humble pisis
a very indigestible dish to the young,
but it Is one of those pLats that every
mans stomach nj ust get used to, un-
less an individual is born with a sill
yer spoon In his mouth. Return home
again under any circumstances, how
ever disa9reeable. Do not remain in |
London it is terrible place for a |
young man like you. / have no wish |
70 discourage you, but should iii re-
pay the confidence you have placed
u me did I offer any other advice.
You will find 1t almost impossible to
obtain any respectable employment.
Thousands of young men of known
Ibility with unexceptionable refer
'nces and good interest. are seeking
q