The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-06-03
Srlert Storp.
A BRowN-PAPER PARCEL.

forward way how it happened Tom says
that / may make the story public, if think
his experience viii serve as a warning to
any one. He has been kind enough to give
me several particulars of the affair which
he has hitherto refrained from speaking
about. To be sure. more than a year has
passed, and the edge of poor Toms morti-
fcation has become blunteti, but there was
time when any reference to the unlucky
affair Of which am going to write, in his
presence, caused him great annoyance.
Our factory-in the Office Of which
am employed as book-keeper, IN the
village Of Dash. several miles from New
York. on she line Of one of our wellknawn
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 train to draw that amount in
small bills from the bank, returning BY the
train leaving the city Il two o'elsck.
This i unfortunate Z exclaimed Mr..
Sloman, the senior partner, as be entered
the Office one Saturday morning. and threw
himself into chair. sMr Lucas has
sprained his ankle and can't 80 70 New
York for the money, al usual suppose
| must 20 though Tin . bnsy that fdon't
see how | can spare the time.
Il win % if you wish, said, though
I'm rather behind hand with posting, as
vou know sir. Still
@No. noF he exclaimed II would
rather 20 myself than spare you.
Il say, intesposed Tom Sloman, who
had been seated at his fathers desk read
ing the morning paper for the last hour,
I'm 70, If you ike, sir.
Tom had been enjoying bis college va
cation for about fortnight. Two-thiras
of each day he had spent in louHging
about the ofice, and ii was in some slight
DEGREE his fault that was behind my
work. | liked Tom. He was well in
fentioned fellow. but just little egotissi-
cal. He loved good eorapanionship, was
talkative and made acquaintance easily.
His fayorite theme sf conversation Eas
Thomas Sloman. .lr., and that gentleman )
shrewdness and sagacity he held in high
esteem.
s.The man who wishes 10 oyerreach me,
he used to say, must get up early in the
morning.
aIn 90 il you ike, sir said Tom, 70
his father. ssIive nothing else to do, and
I'd ike ride to the city and back.
Mr.. Sloman cleared his throat, as was
his habit when anything annoyed him. and
looked thoughtfully At bis son.
II don't know, 7 he said, slowly.
a.Why, I'd Ike to 20, said Tom.
aTwenty-fve hundred dollars is q large
sum of money said his father; ~and you
know, Tom, you are rather needless some
times.
The young man made no reply, but his
face flushed angrily and he began impa-
tiently tapping his boot with his little bain-
boo cane.
There are u good many sharpers in
New York City, a. sou know, added Mr-
Slonnan. .and man who carries money
with him there needs to be very cautious
and very careful
my dear sir, said Tom, whom this re-
mark had touched in a tender spot, Il fiat
ter myself that 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--
70. / am wen acquainted with your
opinion on that point, laughed Mr.. Slo-
man. and IL is for that very. reason that |
hesitate to trust you. And besides Tom,
as ! said before, you are often needless in
what yon do
aYoa treat me ike 4 child, father,
grumbled Tom.
aWeH. weIl. said Mr. Sloman, impa-
tiently. sWe'ye talked enough about it.
You may go, Tom, but | must caution 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 intended to rob him. You
cannot be too careful
Toms reply was a supercilious smile. |
could not help being amused at his sublime
self-confdence. An hour later he stepped
on board the train for New York
Not seeing a 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 yalise
from the seat beside him to the floor.
II have 50 often been Inconvenience, 7
said the stranger, as Tom took the proffer-
ed place, @by the hoggishness-I can call
it bv any other name-of persons in the
ears who I'll every seat near them with
their baggage, that / never allow myself to
give fellow traveller cause to complain Of
such conduct on my part
THAT is praiseWorthy in you, sir, said
Tom, with an air Of Importance. II wish
that every one was as courteous
Thank you, sir. Going to New York,
/ presume
yes sir