Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-02-17

but he set his teeth together firmly and
locked straight ahead. On the side
walk his thoughts were diverted fl
moment or two by assisting an old Indy
into an omnibus, and gathering up her
bundles for her politely; and then he
walked on-he did not know where ex-
actly, nor care. Very lightly, however,
is our destiny sometimes seemingly
buffeted about. A word, an act. or II
look even frequently changes the whole
course OF our lives; and by his sligh
courtesy TO The old lady Rufus found out
the next day that he had won not a
little good luck.
After wandering about the city all
the morning, quite disheartened and
lonely, looking in at the store
windows, resting in parks and
wandering how it ever came about
that he should be in such circum-
stances, he returned TO his auat's.
Dreary enough it was there, though, in
her prim little parlor; and, wanting
something TO take up his attention, he
turned TO the morning paper, and read
the advertisements again. One particu-
larly attracted his notice. "A banking
house desired a bright, honest boy as
messenger. Address =. o. Box I30s.'
Rufus sat down at the center table and
wrote with much care carefully
worded letter. Then he destroyed 1t.
and wrote another. and still another,
until he was satisfied he had done his
best. His father had taught him never
to halt do anything, and he remembered
now all his good advice. From his ex-
pericnce at the lawyers, moreover, he
was aware that there would be Il great
many letters besides his, and he knew
that, il he did not make his excellent,
no attention would be given 1t among
the Others. And so It proved when, on
the following morning, he stood in
private room Of the great clearinghouse
Of Barons Brothers.
A great many answers, my boy. n
great many" said the kind old gentle
man before whom he waited; "but
have selected yours and one other IA the
most worthy OF our notice. The other
lad-yes, yes, let me see," looking at a
letter he held in his hand, while Rufus
grew anxious. "Hc has the advantage
OF being familiar with the city and Is
well recommended"
There was the old lady Just over by the
FIRE that Rufus had helped into the
omnibus the day before. and smiling "A
pleasant recognition at him at this mo-
mont. She went across to her husband
and whispered n word or two in his ear,
which settled the choice a. once. In
ten minutes more Rufus was en- his way
back to his aunt's, one of the happiest
boys in the city. That was the begin
ming OF his employment with Barone
Brothers, bankers.
One day, three years aiterwar1. it
happened that Rufus was intrusted by
the firm TO carry some documents TO a
gentleman living in n small village near
the State capital. AS he did not arrive
at the end of his journey until late he
was Obliged to remain in the village
over night at the hotel; and 1t was
Mt this time that he won his next
good luck. While sitting on the
hotel piazza. in the evening. his atten-
tion was attracted by an aristocratic-
looking gentleman, who was pacing
to and fro on the gravel walk al the
foot of the steps, with troubled, anx-
ious manner. By-and-bye a man arrived
on horseback, for whom. it seemed, he
had been waiting, and both immcdi-
ately came up on the piazza and satdown
"Give yourself no further uneasiness,
Mr.. Wheeler" said tho newcomer, in
low tone. The legislature is sure to
pass the Brewer bill tomorrow. 1t is
all arranged. beyond doubt"
And you are sure that Barone
Brothers have no way Of finding 1t outp"
the anxious gentleman asked. dropping
his voice almost 10 whisper, and look
ing around suspiciously.
Yes, as sure as anybody can be-"
Rufus had not been an Intentional
listener; but when he heard the name
OF his firm mentioned his pulse began an
extra beat 81 two. The Brewer bill
What was itH He had never heard of
1t before. Evidently. though. Barone
Brothers ought to be informed that
1t was about TO come up before the
legislature. lie went down on the
walk and strolled around, trying TO
decide what TO do. The nearest tele-
graph Office was at the railroad station,
about three miles away. and Il would
not be open at that time Ct night But
he must be over there by three O'Clock
in the morning. sdre; for the operator
would be on hand when the early ex-
press passed. That was his determin-
alton, and his message was:
THE Brewer bill will pass to-day.
Perhaps Barone Brothers ought to know