Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-08-03
The Storp Teller.
A BROWN PAPER PARCEL.

I am going to tell in plain, straightforward
way, how it happened. Tom says that may
make the story public, if think his experience
will serve as a warning to any one. lie mas
been kind enough to give me several partlcu-
lars of the affair which he has hitherto re-
Trained from speaking about. 10 he sure,
more than year has passed. and the edge OF
moor TOMS modification has become blunted,
but there was time when any reference to the
unlucky affair of which I am about to write,
in his presence, caused him great annoyance.
Our factory-in the Office of which am en-
ployed as a book-keeper-is in the village or
Dash. several miles from New York, on the
line of one of our well-known railroads. The
company employs nearly two hundred hands,
and the weekly pay roll amounts to about
twenty-five hundred dollars.
Every Saturday, for several years, Mr.. Lucas,
the Junior partner, of the firm, has been in the
habit of going to New York by the noon tram
to draw that amount in small bills from the
bank, returning by the train leaving the city
at two O'Clock. ~,
"This is unfortunate ~ exclaimed Mr.. Slo-
man. the senior partner, as he entered the Of
flee one Saturday morning, and threw himself
into a chair. s'Mr. Lucas has sprained his
ankle and can't go to New York for the money,
as usual suppose l must 60, though IN so
busy that l don't see how l am to spare the
time"
II will 90 if you wish,' said, ''though I'm
rather behind with posting, as you know, sir.
Still ~
mo, no - he exclaimed. II would rather
90 myself than spare YOU"
81 saw" interposed Tom Sloman, who had
been seated at his fathers desk reading the
morning paper for the last hour, "1'll 60, if
you like, sir.''
Tom had been enjoying his college vacation
for about fortnight. Two-thirds OF each
day he had spent in lounging about the office,
and it was in some slight degree his fault that
Twas behind with my work liked Tom. ne
was q well-intentioned fellow, but just little
egotstical. He loved good companionship,
was talkative and made acquaintances easily.
His favorite theme of conversation was Thom-
as Sloman, Jr., and that gentleman's shrewd-
ness and sagacity he held in high esteem.
ssThe man who wishes to overreach me, he
used to say, ''must get up early in the morning.
"I'll 60, if you like, sir" said Tom, to his
father "I've nothing else to do, and I'd like
a ride to the city and back"
Mr.. Sloman cleared his throat, as was his
habit when anything annoyed him, and looked
thoughtfully at his son.
''I don't know" he said slowly.
"Why, I'd like to CO." said Tom.
twenty-five hundred dollars is a large sum
of money! said his father; ''and you know,
Tom, you are rather needless sometimes"
The young man made no reply, but his face
flushed angrily and he began impatiently tap
ping his boot with his little bamboo cane.
''There are good many sharpers in New
York city, as you know" added Mr.. Sloman
land man who carries money with him there
needs to be very cautious and very careful"
ssMy dear sir, said Tom, whom this remark
had touched in a tender spot, 81 t1atter mysel!
that can bring that twenty-five hundred dol
lars from the bank in New York, to this place
without losing it. think am sharp enough
tO-'a
30, am well acquainted with your opinion
on that point" laughed Mr.. Sloman, "and il
is for that very reason that hesitate to trust
you. And besides, Tom, as said before, yor
are often needless in what you do"
'You treat me like a child, father" grum
bled Tom.
ssWell, WE'LL said Mr.. Sloman, impatiently
"We've talked enough about it. You may go
Tom, but must caution you to be very care
full with the money, and with whom you come
in contact while you have it. Only a mOntl
ago, Mr.. Lucas was followed from the city b.
fellow whom he thinks intended to rob him
You cannot be too careful"
Toms reply was a supercilious smile.
could not nelp DelnS amused dC Ills SuUlllH
self-confidence. An hour later he stepped OF
board the train for New York.
Not seeing vacant seat III the car whichh
entered, Tom was about going forward whel
some one touched him on the arm and voic
said
Here's seat, sir"
Tom turned. The speaker, an intelligen
looking, well-dressed man Of about thirty, Wa
in the act of removing his valise from the sea
beside him to the floor.
81 have so often been incOnvenlenced, sal
the stranger, as Tom took the prottered place
''by the hoggishness-I can't call it by an
other name-of persons in the cars who ii
every seat near them with their baggage, tina
never allow myself to give fellow-travele
cause to complain ofsuch conduct on my part.
"That is praiseworthy in you, SIR Sal
Tom, with an air of Importance. II wis
that every one was as courteous"
'sThank you, sir. Going to New York,
presume ?"
''Yes, sir"
$50 am I. Pm drummer--always on tn
wing. Travelling just now for Brown & Co
of Boston, wooden goods. It's very fascin;
ting life, sir. But perhaps you're in the bus
ness, yourself -
''No.''
'No 20 Well, do you know, l half though
Ds,>11. l,,cS