, 1880-05-17

said Mr.. Hudson. walking in and tax
jn,s chair. 81 took a notion to call
around and see how you were this
evening""
Bond expressed himself very glad to
see his employer. and while he took
his hat and cane. Mr.. Hudson glanced
around the room. 1t was an attic
room, with dormer windows; good
fire was burning in an open CRATE; a
book-rack filled with books adorned
one side of the room, and the center OF
the floor was occupied by table on
which were writing materials.
You look very cosy here, Herbert;
but why do you have an attic room
Are there none you ca1 have below
stairs ?"
"Oh, yes. sir; but this is dollar a
week cheaper, and I have all the more
money to send to my father" replied
Herbert.
Isn't your father we'll OFF, in
quired Mr.. Hudson.
mot very, sir; he used to be pretty
rich, but his business was disastrous,
and he lost good deal Of money" said
Bond.
"What do you find to do evenings ?
Does not time hang very heavy?"
"Oh, no, sir! have books to read
and letters to writc. Tonight am
writing home; they want me to make
them visit, bus 1 write that it is a
pretty busy time just now, but when it
is over I shall ask you for a few days
of absence" answered Herbert.
"You shall have it willingly" said
Mr.. Hudson, and then he added l.:
"Does Charles ever call upon you ?"
"No, sir. 1 have asked him to sew
eral times, but he has never called"
"Are you contented here in this
boarding house?' Inquired Mr.. Hud-
sen.
1T is very good boarding house,
and Mrs. Kuntin ia very kind; but
have often wished that could live at
home" answered Herbert.
"And why can't you? How far is it
from here p asked his employer.
Twenty-Five miles, sir; rather far
to travel every day. and then l can't
afford the expense" was Herbert's re-
ply.
"What time could you reach the
store in the morning?"
cat half-past eight, SIR"
"And you would have to leave at
what hour in the afternoon?"
cat about half past Eve, sir"
"Not very bad hours for the bust
ness. Perhaps it can be arranged SO
that you can live at home, Herbert"
"Oh, should like it 50 much if I
could. I am so homesick here in the
city!' was the clerks reply.
Well, I'll look into the matter,
Herbert. It seems a pity that one who
is so fond of his home can't live there,
in these times of railways and fast trav-
cling" said Mr.. Hudson, as he arose
to depart. Herbert thanked him for
his visit, and said it would please him
to have Mr.. Hudson call again.
The old gentleman descended the
stairs we'll satisfied with the call, and
said to himself:
"Now for Charles Sehmour. 1
hope I shall find him as we'll occupied
as Herbert Bond"
The boarding house was reached, tho
bell rang, and Mr.. Hudson was ad-
mitted. The servant said Sehmour
was in, and ushered him to the cham
bsr dsor. Mr.. Hudson knocked, and
the door Immediately swung wide
open, and a voice exclaimed, " Well,
old fellow, got along at last, have you?
We're all ready for you; have got the
-" Charles Sehmour stopped here,
aud his face turned suddenly pale at
seeing, instead of one of his boon COM
panions, his venerable employer. It
was several seconds before he could
recover his speech. "I beg your par
don, Mr.. Hudson, you must excuse
me; 1 expected a friend this evening,
and in the dim light of the entry l
thought ysu were he. Walk in, sir,
and sit down"
Mr.. Hudson entered the room, and
was somewhat surprised to see the
identical three young men who haG in
suited him on the street; they were
smoking cigars, and had their feet ell
evated on the bureau. mantelpiece and
bedstead. Mr.. Hudson saw at once
that he was in confusion, and Sch
mour's actions were painful and awk-
ward. Nevertheless, his employer
started a conversation, and had been
there but few minutes when foot
step was heard on the stairs; the door
opened a little, and bottle of cham
pagne came rolling across the floor,
followed by a round Dutch cheese, a
bunch of cigars and two more bottles.
Sehmour looked dreadfolly distressed,
but could do nothing. 1t was fourth
friend, who had been out after refresh
ments, and took this facetious mode of
Introducing them into the chamb Der.
Mr.. Hudson thought it was time to 60.
so he took his leave and returned to
his home.
Mr.. Hudson was not long in making
up his mind as to which one of his
II 60 RI