Sharp County record., 1880-12-02

is not. But 90 on"
" Well, it seems that his sister has
been playing the organ since his last
organist left, but she is needed in the
choir. He took Il lantern, went over to
the church and stayed an hour there,
with his small boy blowing while |
played. The short of it is he engaged
me on the spot and | enter on my duties
tomorrow"
Did Miss Johnson 60 with you"
"Yes. 1t was her opinion l expect
that decided the rector. don think
he knew much about music, but she did.
She evidently knew her own mind. :"
Mr.. Meyrick was ready to stay and chat
but Mr.. Springer confessed himself very
tired, and they bade each other good
night.
When church time came the next
morning Mr.. Meyrick's friend unexpect-
edly declined to 90 with Mr. Meyrick.
No. He would keep his room that day,
and as he had given already various in
dications of oddity, the young English
man simply accepted this as a new but
nowiSe strange sign of insanity. To be
sure he had come to Oakdale apparently
for the express purpose of going to
church, yet he did not stir out of the
house, and scarcely left his room till
night-fall Then he strolled out with
Mr.. Meyrick and heard this young mans
account of his day. 1t had been very
interesting. The service was good, the
sermon was good and the sister of the
rector song in a way to inspire any Or
ganist.
SO you will stay and play the or
CAMP asked Mr.. Springer.
&" Most certainly. am better off here
than | should be in New York. To-
morrow l will repay you. The rector
has promised to pay my first quarters
salary in advance" j."
go, no, not at all, not at ALL" pro-
tested lIr. Springer. 81 consider the
money most excellently laid out, most
excellently. 1t was a service to Mr.
johnson and to his sister," The En-
glishman looked at him.
"By Jove, so it is" he said. "Pd
not thought of it before in that light
They owe you thanks"
80 no. And don't mention me.
You won't mention me, Mr.-Mr. Mey-
rick"
"rll try not to, Mr.. Meyrick' friend.
It's rum go, though" and he laughed
again to himself.
Mr.. Springer continued to spend his
visit to 0akdale in extreme seclusion.
He bade his friend goodbye the next
day after breakfast. He would return
to New York by the first train.
"Now, really, say" said Mr.. Mey-
rick, as he walked along the platform
with him, holding his arm, for Mr.,
Springer's hat was so drawn down over
his eyes as almost to blind them, "it'S
too bad to let you 60 and not be able to
get sight of you again, Do give me an
address to which | can write in case
well, in case 1 should get into difficulty
again"
"To be sure. l had not thought Of
that" said Mr.. Springer.
Or in case Mr.. Johnson or his sis
ter should need your help he added
jocosely. Mr.. Springer laid his hand
solemnly on his arm and looked up
from under his hat rim.
"Mr. Neyrick," he said, "promise
me in g'aa On event that you will write
to me-"
"Well, what is your name?"
"Write to Newell, write to Mr..
Meyrick's Friend, New York" The
train bell rang, and Nh. Springer
jumped on the platform.
"By Jove," said Mr., Meyrick gazing
after him, " there goes a precious
lunatic. But he did me a good turn
when he brought me here"
81 say, Tom," called one postoliice
clerk to another within the inclosure,
about six months after our story began,
here's Mr.. Meyrick's Friend at last.
Shall we put him in M Or in FP'
30, give him to me, Jack. He's
Nm is for mad, as mad as a March
hare"
"Well, I'm glad he's happy at last.
1t must be q good half year that I've
been asked every Monday morning if
there was q letter for Mr.. Meyrick's
Friend. I'll give you the letter because
1 want to see the poor gaby twice more.
He'll come Monday morning next to
nv window first for Friend and | shall
cruelly disappoint him and then run
round to your window to see his smile
of joy
The next morning brought Mr.
Springer with his customary punctual-
ity. He asked at the S window for
letters for Mr.. Springer; he then ap-
piled at the F window and made his
final call at the NJ window. Two clerks
peered at him as one handed him a
letter.
"He looked shade more scared,
Tom" said one.
Eyes. thought it made him lit
tie nervous, Jack"
The letter which Mr.. Springer read
in the privacy of the Battery was as
follows:
my DEAR MEYEICK'S S FRIEND: Ihave
not written to you before partly be-
cause l had great doubts whether my
letter would reach you and partly be-
cause / had no favor to ask of you.
You know was to write if you could
do me favor or Mr.. johnson or Mr.
Johnson's sister. But l have really
needed nothing until now, when have