The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-07-21
"In a very simple manner, nv de

here was partly at her request, to thank
you for your timely help; and ] am de-
lighted to have tumbled across an old
school chum as we'll"
"What are you---your sisters
brother?' exclaimed FeliI, fairly taken
aback at this unexpected recognition.
"I'm awfully glad to meet you again,
old fellow"
The two sat down and joyfully re-
newed the links of an early and fast
friendship, served as most friendships
are by time and diversity of pursuits In
after life. Alfred Morrison had been in
the same 'form" ~ Felix at the big
proprietary scholastic establishment at
Slowoester, and their relationships had
ever been those of close chumship.
They naturally questioned each other
as to their careers. Morrison was filling
an humble, yet step to something bet.
ter, an important situation in govern.
ment office, and Felix soon explained
to his friend how and under what cir.
cumstances he found himself in Lon
don. j
$50 you're going up for the Control
are you I" said Alfred Morrison. "Well,
| wish you every luck, and first place
in the lists
"Thanks; but I'm afraid it's rather
late in the day. I've been putting off
things until there isn't ghost of a
chance now. shall get ploughed hor-
ribly and disgust my poor old governor
l mean to have try, though; l shall
work morning, noon and night for the
next fortnight"
"You will have to leave a blank this
evening, for I am going to ask you to
come and dine with us at home; Just a
cosy family affair, no strangers. The
governor will be delighted to make
your acquaintance"
The allurement was powerful one;
but Felix felt himself in duty bound to
resist. He pleaded the urgency of his
work.
"Rubbish!' said Alfred Morrison,
with knowing wink. "Don't let that
prey upon your mind; you'll pass right
enough; I'll answer for that. I'm not
going to take any refusal with regard
to this evening; and won't somebody be
pleasedf She talked of nothing else
except you this morning at breakfast.
Why, Dean, you're coming out as a
hero of romance in first.rate style!"
Felix would fain have continued to
excuse himself, as he felt too much con-
cerned about his preparation for the
examination to indulge in renewed idle
ness. .N
"Oh, but you must come, old fellow
said Alfred; "and I'll tell you what I'll
do if you let me- I've been through
the grind myself, and know what it
is, think; therefore will come to you
every alternate night until the examin.
alton and coach you. What do you
say to thats"
Felix admitted that he had been
seriously thinking of employing some
such help, but it was at the fag. g.end of
the session and his purse was light and
he could hardly see his way to the ex
pense. But he would gladly accept Of
an old friends help; and as q proof OF
his gratitude would devote that evening
to him and his friends.
During the rest of the time before
his day of trial, Felix worked like 9
negro slave. Strong bodied, clear-head
ed and with tremendous staying powers
he, with the most useful help of Alfred
made the very utmost of the briet
period that remained. As he went on
too, he felt that he was gaining los,
ground very fast. At school his intel
lectual capacities had been by no mean,
of an insi significant calibre, and he fount
his task one of no such great difficult,
after all. The list of subjects, onc'
hopelessly formidable, became "smsl
by degrees and beautifully less" til
within two days of the one fixed 70
the competitive examination, he knew
himself sufficiently strong to do gooC
battle.
He had found time, also, to pay
visit to the Morrisons, and to pass
delicious hour with Amy-an hou
fraught with results in which Cupit
played no unimportant part.
On the day previous to the contes
he shut up every book and pulled him
self together by good healthy msrcl
miles away into the country. Th
oldest and most experienced "coach
could not have suggested to him any
thing more sensible.
| The momentous hour came, an
Felix walked into the big rooms q
Burlington, openly and frankly, wit
the air Of one who meant to win if b
could, but by fair and square means.
"Now for success--snd Amy! Tha
is what Felix Dean said when tn
papers were handed to him. The
seemed to have been made up by
charmed hand, so we'll did they Ii
within the range of his knowledg,
His good luck continued througho,
the examination, and he rose at la
confident he had done well. 1t wa
not without feeling of gratitude I
Amys brother that he made this a
acknowledgement to himself; and it wa
not without sense of pity that h
glanced round at the rows of youn
fellows like himself, porng over the
desks-pale, earnest and thoughtf'
students, many of them, too-youtl
of all stations and from corners of ol
sea. girt isle-English, Irish, Scotc
and Welsh-all eagerly struggling f(
ten vacant appointments.
A fortnight or 80 after, Charles Be
en-, who was greatly interested, call,
Felix's attention to the published Ii
of successful candidates in the Times.
Cool to the last, Felix took it !
carelessly and began to read II
name appeared third!
"Got it, by Jove Shouted Beva
delighted beyond expression. "Hu
rah!
In time the young official in III
Majesty's control department, wit
the full consent sf everybody concer
ed, took unto himself somebody as
fair little official in his own domesl
control department. 1t need scarce
be stated that the somebody was An
Morrison, and that Felix more th
once blessed his happy stars for brir