The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-05

west 10 east. I'LL Iney reached JnaJ place
wnere we introduced them to the read
eT.
Starvation and disease impended over
his child He must work, or steal. or
something. In truth he was getting des-
perate. He picked himself up and went
about, offering his many accomplish
ments to humble sh0p-keepers. They
all declined him, some ciyilly. At last
he came to superior place of business.
There were large offices and handsome
house connected with it in the rear. At
the side of the offices were pulleys,
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 BARLEY, shipbroker and
commission AGENT" but the man was
evidently a ship-Owner and a 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 a bOw-windOw
of unusual size, through which the pro-
prietOr or his employees could see long
way up and down the river. Through
this window Hope peered. Repulses
had made him timid. He wanted to see
the face he had to apply to before he
vcntured.
But Mr.. BARLEY was not there. The
large office was at present occupied by
his clerks; one of these was Leonard
MoncktOn, pale young man with dark
hair, a nose like hawk, and thin lips.
The other was quite a young fellow,
with brown hair, hazel eyes, and an open
countenance. Many hard rub puts
,.,A CO Ixrn1 ut
once to say nothing to that pale clerk
countenance in him and his hungry
child.
There were two approaches to the
large Office. One, to Hopes right,
through 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 eve upon the work outside.
However. this Office had also a small
window looking inward; this opened
like door when 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 be in the yard. Then he Open-
ed the inner door and looked in on the
two clerks, pale and haggard, and APP
prehensive of repulse. He addressed
himself To the one nearest him; it was
the one whose face had attracted him.
"Sir, can | see Mr.. Bartley?"
The young fellow glanced over the
visitors worn garments and dusty shoes,
and said, dryly, HUM if it is for chart
ty, this is the wrong shop"
IL, Il Il
a sigh; Il want employment. But l do
want it very badly; my poor little girl
and | are starving"
Then that is ashame," said the young
fellow, warmly. "Why, you are gen
tleman, aren't your"
Il don't know for that" said Hope.
But | am an educated man, and Icould
do the whole business of this place. But
you see | am down i'm 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 a lie) and offer you iif
teen shillings. perhaps"
IF he does, I'll jump at it." said
Hope, eagerly. But whether l sue
coed with him or not, take my child's
blessing and my own"
His voice faltered. and Bolton, with
young mans uneaSiness under senti-
ment, stopped him. ooh. come, old fell
low, bother all that Why, we are all
stumped in turn" Then he began to
chase solitary coin into corner of his
waistcOat pocket. Look here, III lend
You shilling-pay me next week-it
will buy the kid breakfast. | wish |
had more, but want the other for
luncheon. haven't drawn my screw
yet. 1t is due at twelve"
I'll take it for my girl" said Hope,
blushing, land because it is offered me
by a gentleman and like gentleman"
Granted, for the sake of argument"
said this sprightly youth; and so they
parted for the time, little dreaming,
either of them, what a chain they were
weaving round their two hearts, and
this little business the first link.