Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-06-24
A Railway Free Pass.

| erly bachelor of n thrifty turn of mind.
lie was very comfortably off indeed,
but he never spent II shilling when II
siXpence would do, aud he acted on the
priuclple that charity, in pecunary
sense, beeins-ard ends at home. But
his meannesss was not conspicuous, for
| he was always atfahle and obiiging
when it cost him nothing, and he lived
so quietly that he VAS not suspected Of
being rich. He was timid, fussy lit
| tie man, who was extremely correct in
his notions, aud prided himself above
everything on being Il hwaOiding citi-
zen.
Mr.. Pettigrew passed the greater part
of his time at the club, where he had
the satisfaction Of feeling that he OBJ
tained full value for the amount of his
annual subscription. Among his club
acquaintanceS was certain Captain
Falconer, with whom he had been for
4 ooulO SCuto lCl Aios Il VI "a
long time Mr.. Pettigrew has been very
| shy of this gentleman, who was gener-
ally regarded as rather q mysterious
parsonage. Nobody knew how he con-
trived on his half-pay to array himself
| in the height of fashion, to live In sump-
tuous style, and TO keep up the appear.
ance of man of means. 1t was ru-
mored that the Captain obtained Il
| handsome commission on the business
he introduced to well-known West
End money leader, and it is certain
that he could always be relied upon to
put young scapegraces in the way of
obtaining the wherewith to meet press
ing obligations. But there was no
proof that Captain Falconer derived
any benefit from these acts of good ma
ture He was jovial, loud-voiced,
rollicking, boisterous person, who was
a fellow. well.met with everyone,
and possessed the happy knack of being
able to accommodate himself to every
kind Of society.
Mr.. Pettigrew, whose worldly exper-
ience was strictly limited, had only mis-
trusted the Captain because he seemed
the sort Of man who would borrow
twenty pounds without the slightest
compunction. He never, indeed, alto
gether conquered the misgiving. but in
course of .time-as Captain Falc0ner
made no attempt to impose upon him
Mr.. Pettigrew ended by responding
readily enough to his friendly a1vanc =
es. The fact was that the Captain won
his regard by the occasional gift of a
theatre ticket, seat at the opera, or a
card Of admission to some privileged
| entertainment. 1t was peculiarly
| of the Captains that he was always
able to bestow favors of this kind. Mr..
Pe.tigrew was by no means recluse,
and TO 60 anywhere or see anything for
nothing added real Zest to his enjoy
ment. He therefore accepted these
little tokens of friendship from the
Captain in grateful and appreciative
spirit, the more particularly as he fat.
tered himself that the Captain really
had regard for him. This idea, wheth-
er correct or not. was certainly excus-
able, seeing that Mr.. Pettigrew had
never offered to make the slightest re-
turn for services rendered many shape
or form.
1t chanced at length that Mr.. Petit
grew had occasion to take journey to
to the west of England, owing to the
serious illness of rich aunt, from
whom he cherished expectations. He
had known Captain Falconer to pro-
cure free pass for an acquaintance
upon the very line that he had wished
to trayel by, and he therefore yentured
to ask him to do the same thing for
him. The Captain. whose good nature
| oOOhiCu ihchHauotiotCt iOdulIy uOOCuCu
to his request. so far at least as might
lay in his power. He explained that it
was not always easy to obtain free
pass on the line in question, but prom
ised to lse his influence, and seemed
hopeful of the result. He was better
than his word, for when he met Mr..
Pettigrew by appointment on the plat
form of the London terminus on the
day of his departure he pressed into his
hand pass to Plymouth and back.
MY dear Captain Fslconer, exclaim.
ed Mr.. Pe'tigrew, lingering the docu-
ment delightedly, Il am really extreme
ly obliged to you.'
80 you ought TO be, said the Cap
tain, in his j3vial way Il had no end
of trouble to get it. can tell you. Put
it in your pocket he added, rather
mysteriously: TIA ia ! old fellow.
Sorry can't wait to see you off,
| Mr.. Pettigrew wrung his friends
hand and took quite an affectionate
farewell of him. The pass was really
substantial favor, for the first-class
fare to Plymouth and hack-for Mr..
Pettigrew, like many other people, nev
er stlnted himself Of luxury and com