Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-12-27
HIS NIGHT OFF.
Philadelphia Press

| When Harold Rivers came to Philaiel-
phi1 two years and a half ago he was IS
| years old, but knew nothing OF life in a
great city. His father was a merchant in a
little village in Huntingdon county. and
when he died left q small competence for
the support of his widow and her two chill
dren. Harold finished school at IL, and for
q time clerked it as his fathers successor,
but he weoried Of the little store and the
quiet village A weeks visit to his cousin
| in the city made life at home seem dull and
narrow, and after few more months of
discomfort he applied for place in the
great clothing establishment Of Cutter
Fitem e. Co. To his delight, his appli-
cation was successful, and with q Zig ht heart
and high hope lie left his mother and sister
to their round Of quiet existence, and hur-
ried to what hs thought life Of glitter and
dazzle At first he wa, paid only s. a
week, but this seemed q large sum to him,
and his mother sent him at long intervals
IS bill for spending money. He liked his
work and his companions in the store, and
now he earns $l2 a week, and considers him
self very badly paid.
Every other Saturday Harold gets OH,
early, at in the afternoon. Yesterday,
after an I-usual run Of trade. he was de-
tanned until nearly 8 o'clock. However, he
reached his boarding house in time for sup
per, and half an hour later. clad in one OK
Cutter, Fitem a. Co. 5 meat suits of black
corkscrew, foar-butt0n cutaway coat,
trousers with fine stripe IN them, silk hat
and silver-headed cane, hs shut the front
door behind him with bang and walked
briskly up the street Harold liked
his clothes He had worn them only few
times, and no had been careful not 10 allow
his trousers to bag at the tneeI Pants
he called them, and he li<ei them even bet
ter last evening because they contained,
besides little silver, two g bills. To DO
sure, he owed Frank STERN, the salesman
in the stationer's, Sl.5o. He mustn't forge.
that, he recollectei. because Storm was
such o persistent chap, ani always got
vexsd il you didn't pay him promptly. This
led to the reflection that when he met
Frank later in the evening be might
get even; and this again led 70
thoughtful comparison between his cut
away coat and the Prince Albert
which Frank always wore on these
Saturday nights Still absorbed in thess
reflections, Haroi turned q corner, walked
another block, and pulled the bell at the
door Of three-story brick house. Tbs
house was one Of block in which all tbs
houses were just aiiksL But in this part;ca-
lar house lived Mary Wains, and Harold a.
ways called TO see her on Saturday evening
and sometimes on Wednesday evening. too
Her father. who is bookkseper, has q good
opinion OF Harold, and b. Is on friendly
footing with the whole HOUSEHOLD. though
Mary's mother occasionally looSs at him a
little anXiousiy, Is she notes how rapidly 10
is losing tbs boyish difidence which had
pleased her when hs :irs: wz.,<ed home from
church with Mary year or more aga
Mary oper.d the hall door for Harold.
and. somewhat impressed BY the splendor
OF his attire. Cor she hadn't yet removed
hsr apron aftar helping her mother MT
away the tea thing, led the way into tns
sittins-roomL Mrs Wa;ne was there AMI
thought TO hersclf that Haroli's salary must
have been increased The young man seemed
preoccupisd ami Ill as eass, and soon after
he ross TO 60
Don't Be in hurry suggested Mary.
Il made Sons chocolate cake today.s
Hospitality seconded Nrx Waine. won't you
stay little and try itr
Rus Harold made A excuse. in rather
hating phrase, about an engAsemsot and
hurried away. 4 hope Harold isn't vast
ing his time evening" remarked Mrs
Waine. His mothsr 10 s1sa . mics woman,
and feel . little anxious abou: him- I
Saturday svsningA' By. Mary diligently
practiced . new crochss stitch sic bad
learned and said nothing.
Harold hs<itassd . moment in front Of
The housa Ths Light within looked warm
and cheerful azi TIE charm q shs little
circ.s about tho it:ins-room table fingered
with him Thsn - fsis The silver N his
pocket and hard ths jingle q . street car.
Ten wiaatos' rSde AID b. vAs Oh again.
Ga tie corner Be met Frank Storm and an I
other youns man nsy walked up Cast
nut ssrset down smother sszsss and snssred /
. galy-pahssd building. whsrs many othsr
young msn. soc,s usdro0sd iiks them /