The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1879-01-01
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toward his nose, when unwonted voices
were heard in the hall, the steps Of two
men, and the tap Of cane on the bare
floor.
"Ihe occupant Of this tenement" said
voice, Joe now recognized as his landlords,
SIS an eccentric young man, who boards
himself and supports an invalid uncle"
Rap, rap, rap" went the cane on Joe's
| door
Joe, unaccustomed to receiving company,
was trile discomposed. lie pushed the
hair out of his eyes with his wrist, and, still
graspiag the backing. brush, thew open
the door.
Mr.. Sampson, Mr. Sterling" said Joes
landlord.
Joe bowed in dazed sort of way, hold
ing his glittering hands away from contact
with his clothes, and swaying the brush in
the ar.
Mr.. Sampson is about purchasing this
building, and is inspecting the tenements,"
explained the landlord.
II think-it seems to me, that I've
met you before young man." said Mr..
Sampson.
ayes, SIR; I'm the Sterling that clerks in
your store said Joe, humbly.
Bless me, so your arel Sturgcs attends
to the store mainly, and | don't have much
chance to know you boys. So you live
here, do your You really dor
"Yes, sir. And this is my uncle, Mr.
Knowles, said Joe, nodding toward Uncle
William, who was beginning to bristlc at a
fancicd slight
Mr. Sampson bowed; giving Uncle Will
lsam glance that pretty accurately took
the measure of that gentleman.
And YOU live here, Sterling, and support
youruncle, chl" said Sampson, blunty and
TO Uncle Williams offense
Il do, SIR" sad Joe, protiering his only
unoccupied chair, and motioning one of his
callers to the lounge. "Our apartment
can. be called elegant, and all things mere
about aren't exactly to our tastes, but it does
very well and we're quite comfortable"
but rcally-re-a!-ly, this is quite extra
ordinary for the present day for the pres
cnt day. Quite extraordinary"
May | ask what salary we are paying
you'" continued Sampson, looking about
the room.
Five hundred year, sir"
and | undcrstand-excusc me young
man, but do understand that you support
yourself and uncle with your salary, exclu-
sively?"
"Oh, dear, no sir said Joe, misunder-
standing Sampson. ~ shouldn't be will
Ing to spend all my salary, Weput nearly
two hundred in the bank last year"
Mr. Sterling said Sampson, looking
Joe sharply in the face, edo you wish me
to understand that you and your &ncic
lived on three hundred dollars last year,"
Certainly, sir, and lived pretty well,
too; didn't We, Uncle Williamp
pretty WE'LL said Uncle William, faint
ly
you know, sir" continued Joe, vt isn't
the necessaries Of life that eat up the boys
salaries 50 its the extras they like, and
some of which they must have, unless they
live little more quietly
Better live more quietly, them" NUT
tered Sampson.
"As for myself" said Uncle William,
III won't deny that it comes hard on me. |
don't blame Joe, but it isn't what I've been
used to- | was once u man among men,
even Ms you are, sir free and easy in re-
gard to money matters, and with no ex-
pcctations of being brought down to this.
LIN nearly helpless, sir; Pm great suffer
or, and I'M
Yves. sec-I sec," interrupted Samp-
son, impaticnty. 81 beg pardon, Mr. Ster-
ling; I'm greatly Interested. May | ask
what are your expcctationss'
"rhey'rc not great" said Joe, distracted.
~ rubbing the blacking-brush over his
hand "Mr. Sturgcs promised a rise in
salary if did we'll, and then I've thought
that If did we'll, pcrhaps-pcrhaps thereu
be more rises. Clerks do progress YOU
know"
"Ycs; I know" said Sampson, smiling.
Then I'm hoping to some day obtain
plcasantcr home, and better medical aid for
Uncle William
VI wish you success, young man. I think