Mexico weekly ledger., 1877-11-08
FAST AND SLOW.
RY RALPH TRY0N.

John Marshall, and Alfred Jenkins
boarded in the same family, were fel-
in large store, and both
received a salary of six hundred a
year. The latter a dashing young
man was one year the senior OF his
companion, who, although twenty,
and considered very s.ctive and prom
ising, had not achieved the title OF
ssfast'' as his friend has done.
John did not enjoy the luxury OF
being in debt, for he had what Alfred
termed, very foolish habit of pay
ing upon the purchase, which his
friend declared no sort of a way tc
establish ones credit in the future.
And John also had i'll of his own
and obstinately adhered to this old
fashioned practice, setting at naught
all of Alfred's eloquent endeayors tc
persuade him to the contrary.
Jenkins, perhaps made the most
brilliant salesman, but Marshall tht
most careful. If the former effected
the greatest sales, the latter efieted the
largest profits, so that each abou
equally enjoyed the favor of theil
employer. Neither could be callet
dissipated, but Alfred was rather
fond of fast horses, and John perhaps
Of the retirement of his own apart
ment and seclusion from society.
In the matter of dress--an impor
tant point in the debut of manhood
each remained true to Ids own char
acteristics. The elder followed fash
ion to the extreme. The younger
though the less gaudily attired, wa'
always tastefully, if not elegantly
dressed. Alfred prided himself upor
being ''ladies' man." but John was
no less man for the ladies. Boil
admired Kate Gingham, the beautiful
daughter of their employer, the one
openly, the other scarcely dared to
whisper this secret to his own heart.
"Wel, jack said Alfred, one
evening, bouncing into the room,
''you know am twenty-one to-day,
and what do you think Gingham has
done for me?"
Something handsome, l dare
say"
"Yes, rather. You know he in
vited me to call On him this even
ing!"
al thought / heard something to
that effect.''
''WeH, old honesty, what do you
think of this?' and Jenkins held up
n fine gold hunter watch with a chain
attached.
ga splendid present.
"Not a bad affair, must say; but
there is something would have great
ly preferred to this, and the old
shrewd one, l fancy, knew it all the
time"
81 can think of nothing that would
suit you better, unless, perhaps, fast
horse"
"But ] cam and that is bis daugh-
ter.'
ssYou saw Ilate-that is, Miss
Gingham?"
"Confound the pretty jade, yes, and
alone. 1 made up my mind to dis
close all my attachment this evening,
but just as often as l grew sentimen-
tai, the gypsy would ask what new
dress-patterns weShad in, or about
laces and other odious stufIs of the
shop"
"She proved little too coy for
you then?''
Say sharp, rather. She knew well
enough what / was about, but kept
N off ab arm 3 length, just as far as
you please. ! was obliged to an
s
swer all sorts oftquestions about you.
By Jupiter, thought the girl wished
me to understand that she was more
than half in love with You. z
''With me, nonsense, Alfredp ex-
claimed John, fairly blusinng, and
looking more pleased than he was
aware.
81 agree with you, Jack, for the
girl that I could not manage, woult
prove too hars |for you, I fancy. Con
found it, how dun ! feel tonight; bn
4 want you Ia DO me a favor
= certainty, Alfred il IN my power
Then loan me ten dollars.
Ehe young man drew forth we'll
q led pocket-bpok, and handed hin
the required amount.
"Thank you, Jack, ] will repa,
you in a few days. am going {
give champagne supper to fe'
friends, and hadn't quite enough 3
the needful. OF course ycu will nc
refuse to be one of US on this occas
ion.',
"But 1 must. though, as you kno'
always do.''
Make this an exception, them"
Il cannot, Alfred, and you kno
nv reasona. p,