Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-02-03
TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS.

/ shall never forget the uncomfortable
position that found myself in through
too free use of that unruly member, the
tongue. Twas 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 busi-
ness or profession was all he could ever do
for us, for the scant pittance he would
leave behind him must belong solely to
my mother and sister. But my brother
and | were hopeful. So long as each day
brought us enough to satisfy our daily
wants. we rocked little of the future.
One bleak, cold January morning /
was greatly surprised upon my arrival at
the bank to find my father pacing up and
down before the building. / was not
living at home just then, and his presence
there made me fear lest something was
wrong.
"Philip," he began, "are you in time !?
Can you spare me three minutes
"Yes sir" replied; "for wonder, |
see am ten minutes earlier than need
be-"
"You know Mr.. Fosberry."
"Oh, you mean that half-cracked old
man who is awful rich, and is my god
father. as well as cousin thirty times re-
moved" | asked.
"Yes," was the reply. "Well, last
night received letter from him, after
years of silence, in which he asks after
YOU" And he read me the letter.
"what queer old boy" I exclaimed.
"what does he mean:" I asked, for did
not understand it.
Mean" cried my father, excitedly.
snatching the letter from me. and crush
ing it in his pocket. "Mean-why, to
make you his heir-Philip-his heir"
"Whew," said /. blushing, that's a
good idea"
"You must apply for leave and go off
a, once said my father. "Strike while
the iron is hot. It's splendid chance,
Philip, splendid! Use it well, and your
fortune is made"
So | thought, applied for leave. and
set of for Paddington Station soon after,
with my ears ringing with legion OF IN
structions for pleasing old men given me
by my fellow clerks. The only one
could clearly remember was, to rise when
ever he came into the room, and then es-
chew every armchair for fear he should
want it. felt bursting with importance
and actually treated myself to glass Of
hot whiskey and water at the refreshment
room.
"Hello, William" suddenly cried a
voice.
why, Jack, what brings you here ::
| replied, recognizing friend, John
Evans.
81 am going down to Gloucester said
he. "Where are you of to-
"Oh, to such luck" ! cried. IL am
off beyond Hereford to honor an old gen.
tlemanw
What" said Jack.
Come along, and I'll tell you all
about it." said /. Second class: Yes,
all right. Here We are
After we were settled in our places an
old man go, in. He was poorly dressed,
and wore green shade over one eye while
the other one looked weak and dropping.
We grunted our disapproval at his en-
trance, and made mutual grimaces, but
his blind eye was towards us and they
were lost to him. As the train moved
off told Jack my story, which you know
already.
"Well done, Philip! Your bread is
buttered for you" he exclaimed, when he
had heard me to the end. "What glo-
rious chance Man alive, wish were
in your shoes, that's all"
"Yes, yes, my boy, all right" | e1-
claimed. "Well, it's shame if don't
secure good smoke now, before my pipe
goes out in obscurity. DO you object to
smoke, SIR"
This latter question was addressed to
the old gentleman in the corner, who ap-
peared a curious mass Of old coats, rail-
way rugs and newspapers.
"I do object very much, was the
gruffly spoken reply.
"very sorry, sir" said l. "rll keep
head out of the window then"
Shame seizes me when l think Of this
incident. In lieu of attending to the old
mans wishes, coolly lit my pipe and
although knew the wind would blow
the smoke right into his eyes-though !
heard him growing with rage-l pulled
on heedlessly. l should be sorry to be 50
rude now, but you see / was young and
excited.
The short January afternoon was draw
ing to a close, and very soon after we
were dependent for light on the lamp
that hung from the centre of the carriage
roof
Whether it was the old mans example
who had gone to sleep, or the monotonous
noise of the train as it sped along, or that
our powers of chatting were exhausted,
l know 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't we blow it out :"
exclaimed.
"Not if we cracked our cheeks. But
I've notion" cried ever witted Jack.
"Hand me the old boys hat"
"What for" as / handed him the ar
ticle in question. 1t was worn and rusty
but well brushed and well shaped.
ITO make an extinguisher Of" replied