The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-02-04

remark had touched in a tender spot, 81
flatter myself that l can bring that
twenty-five hundred dollars from the
bank in New York to this place without
losing it. | think I'm sharp enough
to"
80, l am well acquainted with your
opinion on that point laughed Mr..
Sloman, land it is for that very reason
that hesitate to trust you. And besides,
Tom, as / said before, you are often heed
less in what you do"
''You treat me like a child, father,n
grumbled Tom.
''WeH, WE'LL said Mr.. Sloman, i'm
patiently, "We've talked enough about
it. You may go, Tom, but / must eau
ton you to be very careful with the
money, and with whom you come in
contact while you have it. Only a
month ago Mr.. Lucas was followed from
the city by fellow whom he thinks in
tended to rob him. You cannot be too
careful"
Toms reply was supercilious smile.
| could not help being amused at his sub
lime self-confdence. An hour later he
stepped on board the train for New
York
Not seeing vacant seat in the car
which he entered, Tom was about going
forward when some one touched his arm
and a voice said:
Here's a seat, SIR
Tom turned. The speaker, an intelli-
gent-looking, well-dressed man of about
thirty, was in the act of removing his
valise from the seat beside him to the
floor
Il have so often been inconven-
ienced,'' said the stranger, as Tom took
the profered place." by the hoggishness
I can't call it by any other name-of
persons in the cars who fill every seat
near them with their baggage, that |
never allow myself to give fellow-trav-
eler cause to complain of such conduct
on my part"
THAT is praiseworthy in you, sir"
said Tom, with an air of importance,
81 wish that everyone was as courte-
ous.'
Thank you, sir. Going to New York,
| presumed
''Yes, sir"
$50 am I. I'm 'drummer--always
on the wing. Travelling just now for
Brown & Co., of Boston; wooden goods.
It's very fascinating life, sir But per-
haps you're in the business, YOURSELF"
mo"
"Nop Well, do you know, 1 half
thought you were. You have certainly
a business manner. I'll venture to say
you've the making of an AL drummer
in you, sir"
do you think so?' asked Tom,
pleased with what he thought compli-
ment.
Il certainly do. What is your bust
nessP-if you will pardon my curiosity"
''Just at present I'm a student at
YALE replied Tom.
Indeed! l have brother at Yale
He's Soph.'
$50 am 1. Perhaps 1 know him.
What is his name?" asked Tom.
''Jones"
"What, Fred Jones, of Boston?"
'tYes.''
81 guess | do know him. cried Tom,
with enthusiasm. "You must have
heard Fred speak of me-Tom Sloman.''
Are you Tom Sloman? have heard
Fred speak of you He thinks very
highly of you"
Erred and I always get along well to-
gether," said Tom, complacently.
Eyes; I'm delighted to make the ac-
quaintance of a college-mate of my
brothers."
Tom thought Mr.. Jones a very agree
able fellow, and Mr.. Jones certainly did
all he could to strengthen the favorable
impression he had made.
He had, it appeared, been an extern
sive traveller; and during the remainder
Of the ride he entertained Tom with
very genial, pleasant talk of his expert
ences in different parts of the world He
had just begun what promised to be
thrilling story of a strange ex-
perience of his in Paris, when the train
came to stand-still in the Grand Cen
trail Depot.
''Do you go up town." inquired Mr..
Jones, as they left the car.
NO" replied Tom, 81 go to the Dash
Bank
"Sorry that we shall have to part. |
go to Fiftieth Street. / hope we shall
meet again, my dear fellow"
81 hope SO, I'm sure, Mr.. Jones. But,
l say, l should like to hear the rest of
that story"
"You may, I hope, sometime. Can't
possibly stop now, I'm sorry to say, for
I've a business engagement. Good
byer' and the genial, pleasant Mr. Jones
touched his hat and hurried away.
Tom took Fourth Avenue car re-
GREETING that he could not have the COM
pany OF his new acquaintance, for whom
he had conceived quite favorable opin-
ion.
Half an hour later he reached the bank
and presented his check with letter of
introduction from his father, or the
teller would not have cashed it.
''Now we'll see whether l can get
back to Dash without being robbedr' was
his mental exclamation, as he left the
bank. "If anybody thinks he can get
this money, let him tryr'
As no one heard the challenge, no one
accepted it, and Tom jumped on board
a passing car.
At the same moment a short stout
elderly man in pepper-and-salt suit,
whom Tom had glanced at and noticed
in front of the bank, leaped upon the
front platform. Tom entered the car at
one end, this man entered it at the other.
There was certainly nothing very susni- |