Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-01-10
NO. 8.
Gales ano Skettbes.
rWO Kindred TnOrSAND DOLLARS.

ltO Ittc u USt VI titstt uttiuhtts ttC
tongue. was Young fellow then, clerk
ficer in the army. and he often told us boys
that setting each of us up in business or
profession was all he could ever do Tor us.
for the scant pittancc he would leave be-
hind him mus, belong solely to my mother
and sister. But my brother and were
hopeful. so long as each day brought us
enough 10 satisfy our daily wants, we
recked little of the future.
One bleak. cold January morning I 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.
"rhilip." he began. 'are YOU in time?
Can YOU spare me three minutespN
"lcS, sir" replied; "ior wonder. |
see | am ten minutes earlier than need
be. You know Nh Fosherry?
"oh. YOU mean the half-cracked old man
who is awful rich and is my godfather.
rs well a> cousin thirty times removedo"
asked. fs4t
Yes was the reply. We'll, last
night received letter from him. after
years Of silence in which he asks after
YOU" And he read me the letter.
What Il queer old boy" exclaimed.
What does he mean ?'' | asked, for did
not understand it,
Mean. Cried my father. excitedly.
snatching the letter from me. and crushing
il in his pocket "NIcan-why, to make
YOU his Philp-his hcirr'
'Whcw." said |, blushing. that's a
good idea.
''lou must apply for leave and go off at
once" said my father. ..Strikc while the
iron is hot. It's splendid chance. Phil
ip, splendid Use il we'll. and your fortune
is made
So thought, applied tor leave. and set
off for Pnddington Station soon after.
with my ears ringing with a legion of in
structions Tor 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 comfortable armchair for fear
he should want it. | felt bursting with
Importance. and actually treated myself
to glass of hot whiskev and water at the
retreshment room
A. "Uello. William suddenly cried
voice:
"Whv, Jack. what brings you hercp" I
replied. recognizing Il friend. John
Evans.
IL am going down TO Gloucester" said
he. Where are YOU off TOP
.'Oh, To such luck - ] cried lam off
beyond Hereford TO honor an old gentle
man.
What said Jack.
Come along. and I'll tell you all about
| it," said !. Second class ?. Yes, all
| ri"ht Here we are
After we were settled in our places an
old man got in. He was poorly dressed,
| and wore u 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 eve was towards us and they were
| lost to him. As the train moved off told
Jack my story, which you know already.
We'll done. Philip! Your bread is
buttcred for you" he exclaimed. when he
had heard me to the end. .'What a ylo-
rious chance. Man alive. wish were
in your shoes, that's all.
.'Yes. yes, my boy, all right - ! ex-
claimed. "Well, it's Il shame ifI don't
secure a good smoke now, before my pipe
goes out in obscurity. DO you object to
smoke, sir? ..tt -.-,. t..,
| 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.
II do object very much, was the
gruflly-spoken reply.
Every sorry, sir said ]. "Ill keep
head ont of the window them
Shame seizcs me when think of this
incident. In lieu Of attending TO the old
man ; wishes, coolly lit my pipe and
although I knew the wind would blow
the smoke right into his eyes-thougb
heard him growing with rage--I pulled
on heedlcssly. | should be sorry to be so
rude now. but YOU see was young and
excited
The short January afternoon was draw
ing to a close, andvcry soon after we were
dependent for light on the lamp that hung
from the centre Of the carriage roof
Whether il was the old mans example
who had gone to sleep, or the monotonOus
noise Of the train az it sped along, or that
our powers OF chatting were exhausted.
know not. but, anyhow, we, too. began to
feel inclined for nap. But we found the
lamp an intolerable nuisance with its in
cessantly Pickering light.
, Bother it, Can't we blow it out ?''
exclaimed
mot if we cracked our cheeks. But I've
notionr' cried ever witted Jack. "IIand
me the old boys hat
"What for?' as | handed him the arti.
Gle in question, 1t was worn and rusty
but well brushed and we'll shaped.
ITO make an extingnisher off, replied
Jack and 40 saving, he fitted it on tht
lamp, making the globe act like the bald
head Of the owner Of the hat. 1t fitted to :
nicely and SO tightly as to keep it well in
its place. The arrangement answered
splendidly, and not glimmero of light was
TO be seen.
When the train stopped at Swindon VIC
awoke and rushed out Of the carriage tc
get refreshments, quite forgettingiour fel.
low-paesenger and his hat. On returning
/. we found they had both flown. The trair
; started. and when we arrived at Glouces
. ter. Jack left me. l had cool lonely
n jouncyto my destination, a little station
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