The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-03-16
THE TWO HEROES.
BY ANNIE BOwLES WILLIAMS.

"Isn't that fellow at your house rather
prosy2" asked one young bank clerk of
another as they sailed off together for
an evening walk.
"Prosy! that isn't half; he is one of
the pokIest fellows in the world. Have
a cigar, FredW
"Thank you. How did you get such
fine cigars?"
"By paying for them"
"You are growing dainticr and finer
every day. 1t is u wonder to me how
you get so much out of five hundred a
year. Of course, you do not have to
pay your board as I do; and there is no
need for the son OF Il president of a bank
to depend wholly upon himself in any
way. I suppose"
"The president of a bank does not
agree with you, l am sorry to say.
Father gives me a lecture every oncc in
a while. But one can't be young but
once, and l intend to enjoy myself.
Going to the party, FrcdY"
Il want to go badly enough; but
what with a new suit, a girl, etc, it
would more than swamp me. I am in
debt already for u suit l have half worn
out. l tell you, Wal, five hundred a
year is not half enough to live on if one
can't have it all for spending money, as
you do. They don't give us enough"
"Of course they don't. can't begin
to. live or my salary. I think l have
earned twice as much as l have received
every year l have been in the bank.
There is ono good thing about being
prosy, as you call it, like Holloway;
since he has no gcntecl habits, and is
contcnted to be a commo drudge, he
can not only live on his salary, but Il
two-thirds of it.. The shabby, stinpy
fellow is actually putting money in the
bank; although he hasn't n decent suit
of clothes to his name, and looks so like
destruction that he is not tit to SIT at the
first table, much less to be in a respect
able bank"
Chow did he happen to get the
places"
ellis grandfather did something for
my father when he was a boy, I believe.
After Halloway's parents died, father
heard that he was left poor, and sent
word that if he would come here he
could go into the bank, md pay his
board at II house by doing chores.
He sees to the furnace, helps about tie
horses, etc. Father will not let anyone
else say anything, but I heard him tell
ing Holloway a month ago that he had
better get some new clothes. Holloway
didn't say much; but he hasn't any new
clothes yet, although he is getting
shabby enough to disgrace the family"
"He is too young and green to suit
you. l never saw you speak to him."
81 didn't care so much about his
being two years younger tn II l am
and as to his greenness, I was good
natured and foolish enough, to begin
with, to think I would initiate him a
little. But his verdancy proved to be
so hopeless and his tastes so common
that I soon gave up my benevolent
efforts. His primncss, too, was utterly
discouraging. I offered him a cigar
once, and what do you think the dingy
ragamuffin said2"
Il cannot imagine"
"Hc said he could not afford to smoke,
and If nc could he should not like to
soil his mouth with tobacco. Now isn't
that a good joke for q fellow who has
his hands in coal and hay a good part
OF the time, and not q decent coat to his
back9 Afraid of soiling his mouthw
81 should think so! Hah! Has he
ever been to the theater?,
mo; although at the time I under
took to be good-naturcd I offered him a
ticket. l did not ask him to go with
me, because he wa so awkward and
shabby; but I thought ] would do the
best ] could"
Didn't he want to go"
y presume he was too bashful to 90
alone; but the excuse he gave was that
he did not want to take presents. He
said that il he should ever make UP His
mind to go to5the theatsr he would buy
his own tickets, although he thanked