Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-07-28

ln6SC COTOS uTG WONcL ~ lii dlu IA
That, when Death draws near, nothing else
well hear,
But a sweet voice grooming a cradle song.
Josephine Pollard IN ~. Y. Ledger.
HOW JACK WENT TO THE DERBY.
Jack Straw was bent upon going to
the Derby, but he did not know how to
manage it. His employers were serious
minded men, who steadily set their faces
against ~horse-racing, and declined to
give any clerk a holiday on Derby Day.
By an odd coincidence Jack had been
dangerously i'll, or had been suddenly
summoned to the deathbed of a dying
relative for nine successive a%nniversa-
ries of the popular race festival, so he
instinctively felt that these %expedients
were, on the present occasion, out of
the question. In fact, only last year he
had narrowly escaped being dismissed,
and he knew perfectly we'll that his
principals had their eye on him. Reck-
less, light-hearted and extravagant as
he was, there was a point at which his
imprudence halted. The prospect of
losing his employment was sufficiently
serious in these hard times to have a So
bering effect even upon him, and con-
sequently he mounted to his accus-
toned seat on a city-bound bus on the
eventful morning, though his spirits
went steadily down during the drive at
the sight of the numberless vehicles
bound in the opposite direction.
Jack had a buoyant and sanguine dis
position, and beneath his gloom these
iurked a forlorn hope that something
might occur during the day to enable
him to get away. Nothing could have
looked more unpromising, however,
than the aspect of the Office when in due
course he arrived there. Though he
was earlier than usual, the principals
and head clerks were all at their desks.
and there was not the slightest sign OF
relaxed discipline. On the contrary,
Judging from certain indications which
met his experienced eye, he perceived
that a busy day was in store for him, so
that all chance of Slipping away seemed
hopeless. He took his seat with a sigh,
but he had hardly done so when one OF
the partners hurried into the outer Of
fee.
(Which Of you saw a Mr.. Newman,
who called yesterday" he inquired,
anxiously.
II took his name, sir, and showed
him into your room," said a youth.
.Should you know him again?" de.
manded the principal.
'tNo, sir, l don't think I should,'
said the lad, after q moments hesita-
tion.
'.Did none of you notice him? I want
to send somebody into the country after
him.
II should know him again anywhere,
SIR" interposed Jack Straw, ~recklessly.
His employer looked doubtfully al
him, and there was a suppressed litter
among the junior clerks, most of whom
were perfectly well aware that Jack
had been out when Mr.. Newman called.
care you sure?" demanded the prin.
cipal.
Certain, sir" said Jack, inspired by
an intense longing to escape from the
office.
"Well come in here" said his EN-.
ployer, leading the way into the room
where the partners sat.
Jack followed with a foreboding thar
he was getting himself into a scrape
but was unable to resist the opportunity
Of Sinking his work. He was i'll at eass
during the whispered conference which
took place between the partners, though
he contrived to appear outwardly calm
'Mr. Straw" said one of them a
last, rather mysteriously, ''we paid ava,
some money to this Mr.. Newman YES
terday, and have just heard by accident
that some very much resembling
him is living at Chelmsford, at this ad
dress, under the name of Curtis. w,
believe informant is mistaken, anc
we don't like to take any steps withou
being sure Of our facts. Now, you know
the Mr.. Newman who called here YES
terday by sight?"
eyes, SIR" said Jack, rather less con
fdently.
"Well, we want you to go down tt
Chelmsford and see if Mr. Newman an(
MI. Curtis are the same person. If so
we have been swindled, and you hat
better telegraph to us to communicate,
with the police. You understands"
'Supposing he should be out SIR
said Jack, whose conscience was be
ginning to prick.
"You must wait till he comes in, an
get a sight of him. There must be n,
mistake, remember; and you had bette.
start Immediately.
Jack felt rather embarrassed, and wa
half-inclined to retract his statement
But he had not the heart to do SO. a
his principals seemed to regard the at
fair as settled. After ALL, he said t,
himself, there was no one in the ofic,
who could identify MI. Newman. ane
therefore his undertaking a perfect,
hopeless mission could do no harm.
Jack started forth with the vague ide.
Of travelling to Chelmsford by the mex
train, as ia duty bound, but when h,
reached Grace-ohuroh street his goot
intentions were diverted by the stream
Of vehicles full of holiday folk en- rout.