The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1879-03-05
"Mean p cried nv father eX-

ct. "Mean-why, TO make you
bis heir, Phillip-his heir!"
"Whew!" said /. blushing
"thats a good idea!;'
You must apply for leave and
90 off at once" said my father.
"Strike while the irons hot. It's
a splendid chance, Phillip, spIen-
did! Use it well and your for
tunes made"
So l thought, applied for leave,
and set off for the Paddington
Station soon after, with my ears
ringing with a legion Of instruc-
tions for pleasing old men, given
me by my fellow clerks. The on
ly one l could clearly remember
was to rise whenever he came in
to the room, and then eschew
every comfortable arm chair for
fear be should want it. felt
bursting with importance, and &C
tualIy treated myself to a glass OF
bot whisky and water at the re-
freshment room.
Hello, William !'' suddenly
clied voice.
"Why, Jack, what brings you
here ?" l replied, recognizing an
old friend.
"I'm going down to Gloucester" )"
said he. "Wherc are ycu off to ?"
"Oh, to such luck !'' | said:
I'm off beyond Hereford, to hu-
NOR an old genllcman.;'
"What ?" said Jack.
"Comc along, and Ill tell you
all about it," said |. "Second-
class. Yes, all right. Here we
are"
After we got settled in cur
places, an Old man got III. lie
was poorly fixed, and had green
shade over one eye, :whlle his
other looked weak and dropping.
We grunted our strong disappro.
val at his entrance, and made
mutual grimaces, but as his blind
eye was towards US, they were
doubtless lost on him. AS the
train moved off told my story,
which you know already.
"Well done, Phillip. Your bread
is buttered for you !'' ho exclaimed,
when be had heard NE to the
end. "What a glorious chance
Man alive, | wish | was in your
shoes, that's all !"
Eyes, yes, my boy. All right y
exclaimed. "Well, it's q shame
if don't secure q good smoke, be-
fore the light Of my pipe goes
out in obscurity. Do you object
to smoke, sir ?"
This latter question was adj
dressed to the old gentleman in
the corner, who appeared a Gu
rious mass Of seedy old coats, rail-
way rugs, and newspapers.
Il do object very much" was
the old gentleman's gruff reply.
"Very sorry, sir" said J.. i IL
keep ny head out Of the window
| then."'
Shame seizes me when | recall
this incident. In lieu Of attend
ing to the old mans wishes, l
coolIy lit my pipe, and though l
knew the wind would blow the
smoke rightinto his eyes-th"ugh
| heard him growing with rage
| pufed on heedlessly. ! should
be sorry 70 be 50 rude, now, but
you see l was young and very ex-
cited.
The short January afternoon
was drawing to close, and very
soon after we were dependent on
the lamp that hung from the cen
ire of the carriage roof for light
Whether it was the old mans
example who had gone 10 sleep
or the monotonous noise Of the
train as 1t speeded along, or tna'
our powers Of chattering were ex
hausted, 1 know not, but anyhow
we too began to feel inclined for
nap. But we found the lamp al
intolerable nuisance, with its in
cessantly Pickering light.
"Bother itl Can't we blow i
out?" | exclaimed.
"Not if we cracked our cheeks
But I've notion !" cried th'
ready-witted Jack. "Hand M
the old boys hat"
"What for?" | asked, as | hand
ed the article in question. 1t wa