The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-11-21

ali declined MN, some cIviiiy. At iasr
he came TO a superior place of business.
There were large Oiiicesand Il handsome
house connected with 1t In the rear. At
the side of the Offices were pnlleys s,
cranes, and all the appliances for load
ing vessels, and yard with horses and
vans, SO that the whole frontage of the
premises was very considerable. a brass
plate said, ar. Bartley, shipbroker and
commission agent" but the man was
evidently ship-Owner and carrier be-
sides; SO this miscellaneous shOproused
hopes in our versatile hero. He rapidly
surveyed the outside, and then cast
hungry chances through the window of
the mans office. 1t was bow-windOw
of unusual size, through which the pro-
prietor or his employees could see a long
way up and down the river. Through
this window Hope peered. Repulses
had made him timid. lie wanted TO see
the face he had to apply to before he
yentured.
But Mr.. BARLEY was not there. The
large Office was at present occupied by
his clerks; one of these was Leonard
MOnckton, a pale young man with dalk
hair, a nose like IL hawk, and thin lips.
The other was quite a young fellow,
with brown hair, hazel eyes, and an open
countenance. MANY hard rub puts
point on man. SO Hope resolved at
once to say nothing TO that pale clerk
so like kite, but to interest the open
countenance in him and his hungry
child.
There were two approaches to the
large Office. One, to Hopes right,
through a door and a lobby. This was
seldom used except by the habitues of
the place. The other was to Hopes
left, through very small office. gener-
ally occupied by an inferior clerk, who
kept an eye upon the work outside:
However. this Office had also small
like daor when n man had anything to
say to Mr.. BARLEY or the clerks in the
large office.
William Hope entered this outer Of
flee, and found it empty. The clerk hap
pened to he in the yard. Then he open
ed the inner door and looked in on the
two clerks, pale and laggard, and APP
prehensive of repulso. He addressed
himself to the one nearest him; it was
the one whose face had attract ID him.
"Sir, can see Mr.. Bartley?"
The young fellow glanced over the
visitor worn garments and dusty shoes,
and said. dry)y. 'IIum.if it is for chart
ty, this is the wrong shop"
Il want no charity said Hope, with
a sigh; IL want employment. But do
want it very badly; my poor little girl
and are starving"
"Then that is shame" said the young
fellow, warmly. "Why, you are gem
tleman, aren't your"
81 don't know for that" said Hope.
"But / am an educated man. and lcOuld
do the whole business of this place. But
you see am down in the world"
you look like it," said the clerk,
bluntly. but don't you be so green as
to tell old BARLEY that, or you are done
for. No, no: I'll show you how to get
in here. Wait till half-past one. He
lunches at one. and he isn't such brute
after luncheon. Then you come in like
Julius Caesar, and brag like blazes, and
offer him twenty pounds worth of in
dustry and ability, and above all arith-
metic, and he will say he has no open
ing land that is lie), and offer you fif-
teen shillings, perhaps"
IF he does, I'll jump at it." said
Hope, eagerly. But whether | sue
coed with him or not, take my child's
blessing and my own"
His voice faltered, and Bolton, with Il
young mans uneasiness under senti-
ment, stopped him. "Oh, come, old fell
low, bother all that! Why, we are all
stumped in turn" Then he began to
chase solitary coin into a corner of his
waistcOat pocket. Look here, LII lend
YOU shilling-pay me next week-it
will buy the Kid breakfast. Iwish /
had more, but | want the other for
luncheon. | haven't drawn my screw
yet. 1t is due at twelve"
III take it for my girl" said Hope,
blushing, "and because it is offered me
by gentleman and like a gentleman"
Granted, for the sake of argument"
said this sprightly youth; and so they
parted for the time, little dreaming,
either of them, what Il chain they were
weaving round their two hearts, and
this little business the first link.