The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-10-27
EDWARD MEYRICK'S FRIEND.

EuWhnD ME IhlCkS tRIE ND.
Mr.. Thomas Springer had lived
several years in New York city. and vel
could at any time have disappeared
without causing any anxiety or LEADING
my one 10 feel more than n moments
curiosity. not TO sav responsibility.
10 begin with, his name was not in
ne city directory. He never was any
where when the canvssser for the direc-
tyry was on his rounds. He invariably
ieit the house where he roomed Just be-
iofe the annual visitation both of the
directory man and the assessor of taxes
and whilethese detectives were out, was
either travelling or lodging as transient
IN some hotel, He took lodging and
paid his rent monthly in advance, but hc
found bis table at some one or other Of
the npmbcrless hotels and restaurants,
wherever he happened to be when his
hour. for dining came round. He had
no place of business, for he had no busi-
russ lie had money, enough snd more
F t4Hn enough for his needs. which was
~ invested in government bonds.
st must not be supposed that Mr..
Hpfinger because he bad so slight holu
ppnn the community was a mere Va.
grant. Having nothing to do. be fell H. to
Ene most methodical habits of doing it
re was the most punctual of men and
f1e mos Norderly. He kept all personal
Hbects In single trunk, and he had
4imnlihed- lite SO perfectly that it neye,
required more than half an hour for him
10 get together in his room all that ho
Possessed and pack it neatly in his ont
Iunk. -'' W"
1 ne time had come round for one o,
pig periodic removals on a Saturday
and his trunk wns packed. ready for til,
tarriage; he had taken leave of his land.
ihdy with his usual formula: Il an
grateful 10 YOU for your care of me. J
am going fl on a journey to-day and an,
uncertain how long / NAV he gone. so
viii not ask you tnreserve the room for
me-" and she said, as his landladies nj
Ways did;
Oh, ! Ihope you will come back again,
sir, and ifanybody asks for you, where
shall say you areP"
should really like to come back"
he replied. You have taken excellent
eare of me, but won't promise; good
bye, goodbye" Then this landlady
ike all the rest cherished for months q
vain hope that the quiet gentleman who
paid Ia advance and never made any
trouble would come back. For some rea-
son the carriage did not come, and Mr..
Springer, getting impatient, went out 10
cal another. He stood in the doorway
boxing up and down the street. but
there was no vehicle in sight. There
was no man or woman either. but
presently sturdy young fellow came
slowly along the sidewalk. He may
nave seen MIR. Springer's anxious face;
At any rate he stepped briskly To his
sidr anc asked il he could do any hing
DO you want your trunk carriedpn
he asked. with little hesitation and a
Slight blush. . am strong enough to
carry it some way. I'd like to earn a
little something" Mr.. Springer looked
second time at the young man, who
was not, however, much younger than
himself, but more robust and self pos
sessed. The young man had asked a
favor, hut MIR. Springer, who was
always rather helpless in an emergency,
seized upor him as a deliverer.
"Oh, il you would, "he said, gratefully.
was looking tor carriage, but /
don't see any. 1t is not very far, only
to the Grand Central depot" He said
this last in low tone as if wishing not
TO be overheard by his landlady who
was standing nesr. u will nav Won
literally / will pay you what should
have to pay the hackman, and very
willingly"
"Come aiong," said the young fellow,
shouldering the trunk and marching off,
followed by Mr.. Springer. 1t was not
long walk, and as the, porter was a
vigorous one MIR. Springer found it
easier to drop behind and follow his
trunk. AT the depot the trunk was
checked duly for Oakdale, a 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 peed not have been so worried.
Now that he had nothing to Go, he re;
covered his equanimity and taking out
his pocketbOok gave his extemporized
porter a dollar.
It's more than a hackman's fare,
isn't itPn asked the man, still looking at
it wistlully.
- No, It's not more than might have
been charged" said MIR. Springer.
You've no idea" he added, candidly,
how they will take advantage of YOU if
you only seem to be in hurry"
Well, Im as much Obliged as any
backman could be-" said the man.
pOekeling the dollar. Its the first
money pVe earned in two days. and I
was speculating a little about my dinner,
when / saw YOU
Dear me, " said Mr. Springer. I'm
very sorry Are yOI a-a porter by pro.