The Penn's Grove record., 1886-02-06

i ave q certain hOTJ VI ldlclJ-cNbu
you must acknowledge that?"
"Iknow,y you were the best man in
the place." 1 said; land we were sorry
to lose your services"
81 think 1t was fOrtunate for you that
you did, " he said with a laugh, Tor in
a few years 1 should have appropriated
a good proportion Of your profits. l
saw where the chances lay, However
I've lately been turning my energies
into a more legitimate channel and
lind it pays better, as well as being
more comfortable to my conscience.
I've no longer a constant dread OF Il
policem man, and can look every man in
the face"
We continued talking some time
longer; he was an amusing companion,
and RECALLED me with the most enter
tanning stories of his life in America.
At last my business compelled me to
leave him, so | rose and excused my
unwilling departure.
He held out his hand as | went, and
l shook it. / did so with considerable
satisfaction. Ifelt an immense relief
in finding that the man whom l feared
| had i|rreparably injured had become a
changed character and had actually
pro(ited through the very experience
That might have been expected to ruin
him.
''I'm glad you'll shake hands with
me-" he said warmly; sit shows that
you, at all events, no longer despise
me-"
Every one must respect a man who
has done as you have" | said.
"I'm afraid not-at all events, Idon't
mean to risk it. If you should happen
ever to talk of me to any one at your
place l wish you would not mention
that you have seen me.
81 am sure no one would wish to
rake up the past" l said.
"Perhaps not; but | don't want any
one to be reminded of it. l don't OBJ
iect to your speaking about it, but no
one else shall. I've even changed my
name; here is my card.n
took it-Mr. Charles Farebrother.
'If 1 can be of any assistance to you
l hope you'll say So" | remarked as l
put on my hat. 81 should be glad of IN
opportunity of making you forget, as
far as possible, that we were once on
bad terms"
gu dit NClJ SOONy l. ohOuiO oSNh
cely have ventured to ask you to do
me a favor. You are in a hurry, now,
| see, will you honor me by dining with
me some night this weekp Ishould very
much like a talk with you; perhaps it
might result in advantage to both OF
u.s."
l consented partly through curiosity.
a few minutes afterwards | was on
my way to the office.
l was careful not to mention that l
had seen Macfarlane; his wishes were
entitled to respect,
AT the appointed hour | met him at
his hotel. He gave me an admirable
little dinner and supplemented it with
some of his choice cigars. Not a word
did he say which could have reference
to our past connection; he was simply
an agreeable host.
l was curious to learn how it was he
had changed so marvellously IN his cir
cumstances, hut he seemed in no hurry
to enlighten me. However, as we sat
chatting after desert, he gradually led
the talk up to the reason of his invita-
ton.
To condense his story, it appeared
that on leaving the prison he managed
to scrape together $50, which took him
to America. He obtained employment
in a small jewellers store or shop, but
soon managed to find a better situation.
Instrumental in saving the place from
a burglary, he was handsomely reward
ed-a timely investment Of his gift
turned out successfully, and he found
himself in possession of $4,000.
All this time he had been on the look
out, and he thought he saw an opening
for making money. The knowledge
which he had acquired as traveller for
our firm showed HIM that the gold
smiths art was not in a high state of
perfection in America, especially in
the western states. He conceived the
idea of buying the raw material and
sending it across to England for man
ufacture-the smaller cost and greater
finish of workmanship in this country
amply repaying the comparatively small
charges for freight and duty.
The business prospered; he took two
partners, who brought considerable
capital into the firm, and he was now
the head of a fiourishing concern.
OF course this was intensely interes-
ting to me. There was evidently Il
field for further enterprise, of which l
knew but little. Ionce had made in
duiries about the American market,
but had failed to secure an opening.
"I'm over about 1t now" said Mac
farlane, ''and one of my partners
Richardson-will be over next week.
Now what we want to find is firm
who will do the manufacturing for us
at fixed and moderate rates-a firm we
can trust for good workmanship, and
so save the cost of a London agent and
place of business. Richardson recon-
mended Jackson's, but they have serv-
ed us rather badly, and we have come
over to make fresh arrangements.
My mouth watered. If only u firm
could get hold Of such a job, it would
go far to revive our sinking prosperity.
My business energy got the upper hand
of me, and l dropped a hint that possi'
bly, we might come to some arrange
ment.
~ confess it is just what l should
like" he said, ''but l was afraid to pro
pose it. You are not likely TO want to
do business with me, considering what
has happened in the past"
did not know what to say so l KEPT
silent.
"Howeevr, you will keep your eyes
open this time, no doubt he continu'
ed with a laugh. seriously, though
nothing would please me more than to
have you as our manufacturers; l know
your style of work and am sure you
would trea. US generously. Only i
must insist ON one thing, should we
come to any understanding. There are
TO be no running accounts between us,
We may pay on the nail for all work
done, not 10 bills or checks, but In cash.
Unless you consent to that Proviso, ]
decline to carry the matter a step fur
Their.
protested against his want of be-
lief in my change of conviction regard,
ing him. But be was firm; he would
not ieel comfortable unless be put al
/, possibility Of doubt on our Fart out Of
the question.