The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-01-15
TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS

too Tree use of that unruly member, the
tongue. [ was young fellow then
clerk in London bank. My father was
an officer in the army. and he often told
us boys that setting each of US up in some
business or profession was all he could
ever 90 for US, for the scanty pittance be
would leave behind him must belong sole.
~ to my mother and sisters. But nv
brother and were energetic and hopeful
SO long as each day brought us enough
to satisfy our daily wants, we rocked lit
tie of the future. .....
One bleak, cold January morning was
greatly surprised on my arrival at the
bank to tind my father pacing w and
down before the building. / was not
living at home just then, and his presence
there made me fear lest something was
wrong.
'Phlllp,' be began, 'are you in time?
Can you spare me three minutes?"
"Yes, Sir" I replied, ':for a wonder. l
see l am ten minutes earlier than need
be-. What is the matter?''
do not look so startled" he said.
Nothing is wrong. You know Mr.,
Fosberry2'
"Oh, you mean that half-cracked old
man who is awfully rich, and is nv god
father az we'll as cousin thirty times re-
moved?'' asked. ..7.
eyes" was the reply. ~Well, last night
| received letter from him, after years
OF silence, in which he asks after vol. !"
| And he read me the letter.
"What queer old boy!" I exclaimed.
"What does he mean 9" for did NOT nv
actly understand it.
"Mean," cried my father, excitedly,
snatching the letter from me, and crush
ing it in his pocket. "Why, to make YOU
his heir, Philip-his heir!'
"Whew!'' said I, blushing; "that's a
good idea" ~,
You must apply for leave to go off at
once said my father. "Strike while the
irons hot. It's splendid chance. Philip
splendid! Use it we'll, and your fortune
| is made"
So I thought, applied for leave, and set
Oft for the Paddington Station soon after,
with my ears ringing with a legion of in
structions fol pleasing old men, given me
by my fellow-clerks. The only one
could clearely remember was, to rise
whenever he came into the room, and
then eschew every comfortable arm chair
for fear he should want it. felt burst
| ing with Importance, and actually treated
myself to glass of hot whisky ana wa
ter at the refreshment room.
"Hello, Williamr' suddenly cried a
| voice.
"Why, Jack, what brings you here?"
| replied, recognizing friend, John Evans.
II am going down to Gloucester said
he. Where are you off to?
"Oh, to such luck!" I cried. I am off
beyond Hereford, to humor an old gen
tleman."
"What?" said Jack.
"Come along, and I'll tell YOU all
about it," said T. ''Second class? Yes all
right. Here we are.''
After we were settled in our places, an
old man got in. He was poorly dressed,
and wore green shade over one eve,
while the other looked weak and droop-
ing. We grunted Our disapproval at his
entrance, and made mutual grimaces, but
as his blind eye was toward us thew were
lost to him. As the train moved off, |
told Jack my story, which you know al
ready.
well done. Philip! Your bread is
buttered for you," he exclaimed, when he
mad heard me to the end. s'What a
glorious chance! Man alive, wish were
in your shoes, that's all.''
Eyes, yes: my boy. All right" I ex-
claimed. "Well, it's shame if I don't
secure good smoke now, before the light
OF my pipe goes out into obscurity. Do
you object to smoke, sir?'' s..r. . =
This latter question was addressed to
the old gentleman in the corner, who ap-
peared curious mass of old coats, rail-
way rugs, and newspapers. .-.'s
II do object very much," was the
grufay spoken reply. ...
very sorry, SIR" said I. "Ill keep
my head out of the window. then"
Shame seizes me when recall this in.
cident. In Leu of attention to the ola
mans wishes, coolly lit my pipe, and
though knew the wind would blow the
smoke right into his eyes--thoueh I
heard him growing with rage-I pufted
on heedlsssly: should be sorry to be
so rude now, but you see I was young
and excited.
The short January afternoon was draw
ing 10 close, ana very soon after we
were dependent for light on the lamp
that hung from the center of the carriage
roof. -zt-.
Whether it was the old mans example.
who bad gone to sleep, or the monoton.
Gus noise of the train as it sped along, or
thatourpowers of chatting were exhausted.
| knew not. but anyhow we too began to
feel Inclined for nap. But we found
the lamp an intolerable nuisance with its
necessarily Pickering light.
Bother it! Can we blow it out2" I
exclaimed.
Mot If We cracked our cheeks. But
We a notion!" cried ever readv-witted |
Jack. "Hand me the old boys hat"
Whatever for?' as I handed him the |
artlcl' IN question. 1t VS. worn and
rust7. but we'll brushed and we'll shaped,
no make an extinguisher Of" replied
Jack; and so saying he fitted it on the
lamp, making the globe act like the bald
head OF the owner of tue hat. I. fitted to
nicely, and 80 tightly as to keep we'll in
It's place. The arrangement answered
splendidly, and not glimmer of light
was to be seen.
When the train stopped at Swindon we
AWOko. and rushe0 Our Of thu oo,.;. a. |