Sharp County record., 1880-12-02

in United States bonds. His will he
carried in his pocket, a duplicate being
deposited in his box at the Burglar
Proof Safe Deposit and Trust Company.
The company itself he had made his
administrator.
The time had come round for one of
his periodic removals on a Saturday,
and his trunk was packed, ready for
the carriage; he had taken leave of his
landlady with his usual formula: 81 am
grateful to you for your care of me. l
am going off on a journey to-day and
am uncertain how long l may be gone,
so | will not ask you to reserve the
room for me-" and she said, as his land
ladies always did,
go, hope you will come back again,
sir, and if anybody asks for you, where
shall | say you are?"
81 should really like to come back, :"
he replied. " You have taken excellent
care of me, but l won't promise; good
bye, goodbye" Then this landlady
like all the rest cherished for months a
vain hope that the quiet gentleman who
paid in advance and never made any
trouble would come back. For some
reason the carriage did not come, and
Mr.. Springer, getting impatient, went
out to call another. He stood in the
doorway lookingup and down the street
but there was no vehicle in sight. There
was no man or woman either, but pres
emily asturdy young fellow came slowly
along the sidewalk. emay have seen
Mr.. Springers anxious face; at any rate
he stepped briskly to his side and asked
if he could do anything.
Do you want your trunk carried?"
he asked, with little hesitation and a
slight blush. 81 am strong enough to
carry it some way. I'd like to earn a
little something" Mr. Springer looked
q second time at the young man, who
was not however much younger than
himself, but more robust and self-pos-
sessed. The man had asked a favor,
but Mr.. Springer, who was always rath-
er helpless in an emergency, seized upon
him as deliVerer.
80, if you would" he said gratefully.
81 was looking for a carriage, but |
don't see any. 1t is not very far, only
to the Grand Central Depot" He said
this last in a low tone as if wishing not
to be overheard by his landlady who was
standing near. Twill pay you liber-
ally. will pay you what I should have
to pay the hackman, and very will
ingly."
"Come along" said the young fel-
low, shouldering the trunk and march
ing off, followed by Mr.. Springer. 1t
was not long walk, and as the porter
was vigorous one Mr.. Springer found
it easiert to drop behind and follow his
trunk. At the depot the trunk was
checked duly for Oakdale, q village in
the interior, for which Mr.. Springer
had bought his ticket. There was a
half hour yet before the train was to
start, and he need not have been so
worried. Now that he had nothing to
do, he recovered his equanimity and
taking out his pocket-book gave his ex-
temporized porter dollar.
"It's more than hackman's fare,
isn't it?" asked the man, still looking
at it wistfully.
"No, it's not more than might have
been charged" said Mr.. Springer.
"You've no idea,n he added candidly,
chow they will take advantage of you
if you only seem to be in a hurry"
"Well, I'm as much obliged as any
hackman could be- said the man,
pocketing the dollar. Its the first
money I've earned in two days, and |
was speculating little about my din
ner, when l saw you"
"Dear me-" said Mr.. Springer. 'Tm
very sorry. Are you "a porter by
profession?n The man laughed. The
truth was he had so much an air of
good breeding that Mr.. Springer be-
ginning his sentence to workman felt
disposed to end it to gentleman.
mo, my profession" but the man
hesitated a moment. " No matter about
my profession" he added, "if l can
only get something 10 do"
"What can you do?" Mi. Springer
asked. 81 haven't many friends" he
went on hastily, "but may be able to
give you some advice. You appear to
be stranger. Are you not an English
man?"
"Yes. l suppose / can't conceal that.
Well. [ can play the organ"
"Play the organ. Dear me. Why, |
saw an advertisement in the paper this
morning for an organist wanted. He
was wanted in Oakdale. In fact that S
the reason I'm going to Oakdale."
"What! are you an organist"
80, no."
"Then you are looking out for a
friend? Pardon me-"
80 no, not at ALL" said Mr.. Spring
er, stumbling over his words. L" | can't
make it clear all in a moment. | want
ed to 90 out of town to spend few
days and | remembered having heard
the clergyman of Oakdale preach and so
| thought T. 90 there for Sunday at any
rate. You see there'd be sure to be a
church." The young man looked again
at this nervous gentleman, but suddenly
bethought himself.
"Will you, my dear sir, do me a
great favor, a very great favor, and
mention my name to the clergyman"
He scribbled his address hastily on q
piece of paper. His name was Edward
Meyrick and the address he gave was
that of a reputable music firm.
''But l don't know the clergyman"
IL l. l.