The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-10-25

uAtuepA VI AAVW uAb CEIVks tuo " all
was in motion again.
Albert was in ecstasies over the sue
cess Of his Joke, = and shook all over
with laughter, in which, Of course, his
companion joined. 90 dearl that's
tool good for anythingr' he cried. saint
it, John p''
John assented thatit was very funny
indeed.
Neither Of the boys noticed that the
seat lately occupied by poor deceived
Mr.. RanCal had just been taken by q
fine-looking middle-aged man, wrapped
in heavy cloak, who appeared to be
absorbed in his own thoughts, butreally
heard every word they said.
They kept up brisk conversation,
Albert speaking in quite loud tone,
for he was feeling very merry. Ha,
ha, ha but l did think the old fool
would hear the brakeman call the sta
ton, though. didn't suppose could
get him any further than the door.
To think of his clambering clear out
on the platform, and getting left! He
believed every word told him. What
delicious old simpleton p
And having exhausted that edifying
subject for the moment. he presently
began to brag of his plans and pros
poets.
~ don't believe you stand much Of
chance there they say Luke Con-
ways awful particular the middle
aged stranger heard John remark.
Pooh shut upr cried Albert.
g Particular That's Just it-and
makes my chance all the better I've
brought the kind of recommendation
that . particular man wants, you see. y
But there'll be lots of other fellows
trying for the place"
Don't care if there's fifty" said
Albert. I'D come in ahead of 'em
all. I've got testimonials of character
and qualifications from Prof. Howe,
Rev. Joseph Lee, DR.. Henshaw and
Esquire jerks, the great railroad con-
tractor. His name alone is enough to
secure me the situation
At this juncture, the strange gentle
man turned around and gave Albert a
quick, searching glance. But the con-
ceited boy was too much occupied with
himself to notice the movement, and
kept on talking. Now and then the
thought of the victim whom he had
fooled seemed to come back and tickle
him amazingly. Wonder where the
old man is now. Ha, ha! Do you sup.
pose he has found out where Harrow.
town is? Oh, but wasn't it rich to see
how scared he was when l walked him
up? And how he jumped and scram.
bled out of the car! Pom my word,
never saw anything SO comical."
Here the stranger turned again and
shot another quick glance, this time
from indignant eyes, and his lips parted
as if about to utter stern reproof
But he did not speak. Some hidden
motive withheld-him.
We will now leave Albert and his
fellow-travelcrs, and follow good Gid
con Randall.
1t was quite dark when he stepped
from the cars, and he inquired of a mar
at the station
"Can you tell me where l can fine
Mr.. Aaron Harrington"
"There's no such man living here, tt
my knowledge" was the reply.
g What! isn't this Harrowtown?'
asked Mr.. Randall, in great consterna
ton.
mo, it is Whipple's Village
"Then l got out at the wrong sta.
ton. What shall l do?" in voice Of
deep distress.
"Go right to the hotel and stay till
the train goes in the morning." said the
man. pleasantly.
There was no alternative. Mr.. Ran.
dial passed restless night at the hotel
and at an early hour he was again al
the station, waiting for the train. His
face was pale, and his eye wild and
anxious. "The stage broke down, and
l missed the first train" thought he,
aand then that boy told me to get out
here. I've made a bad beginning, and
I'm afraid this trip will have bad
ending"
There were other passengers walking
to and fro on the platform, waiting fol
the cars to come.
One was plain-featured, honest.
looking boy, who had been accompa-
MED to the station by his mother. Just
before his mother babe him "good-by,' =
she said
Lyman, look at that pale, sad old
man. l don't believe he is used te
travelling. Perhaps you can help him
along"
Soon a loud, prolonged whistle was
heard. The cars were coming.
Allow me to assist you, SIR" said
Lyman Dean to Mr.. Randall, as the
train stopped; and he took hold of his
arm, and guided him into car to q
seat.
"Thank you, my boy. I'm getting
old and clumsy, and a little help from
young hand comes timely. Where
are you going, if l may askp''
ITO Harrowtown, sir. l saw an ad.
vertisement for a boy in store, and
I'm going to try and get the situation.
My name is Lyman Dean"
All? I'm sure l wish you success,
Lyman, for l believe you're good boy.
You are going to the same place am.
/ want to find Aaron Harrington, but
I've had two mishaps. l don't know
what's coming next
I'll show you right where his office
is. I've been in Harrowtown good
many times"
Half an hour later the brakeman
shouted the name of the station where
they must stop. Lyman assisted Mr..
Randall off the train, and walked witl,
him to the principal street. Here :
Mr.. Harrington's Office said he.
"Oh, yes; thank you, kindly. And,
now, could you tell me where Mr.. Luke
Conway's place of business is?''
Why; that's the very gentleman
I'm going to see," said Lyman. His
place is just round the corner, only two
blocks off,
Mr.. Randall looked deeply interested.
He turned and shook the boys hand
warmly. Lyman" he said, s.Mr.
Conway knows me. g am coming to
see him by-and-by. am really obliged
to you for your politeness, and wish
could do something for you. l hope
Mr.. Conway will give you the situa-
ton, for you deserve it. If you apply
before get there, tell him Gideon RAN
dial is your friend. Good-by."
Fifteen minutes after found Lyman
waiting in the counting-room of Luke
Conway's store. Albert Gregory had
Just preceded him. The merchant was
writing, and he had requested the boys
to be seated short time, till he was at
leisure.
Before he finished his work, slow,
feeble step was heard approaching,
and an old man stood in the doorway.
Luke, don't you remember me?''
The merchant looked up at the sound
of the voice. Then he sprang from his
chair and grasped the old mans hand
in both his own. +" Mr.. Randall! Well
come, a thousand times welcome, my
benefactor!' he exclaimed. And, seat
ing his guest on the Office lounge be-