Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-06-17

his msiesty's commission, and to get this
vou must first beg for letters to my Lord
This and my Lord That, and dangle about
GREAT hocses, praying for their influence,
and bribe the lackeys, and then perhaps
you'H never get your commission after
all"
This was discouragiDg.
"RoiIing stones, lad" said the great
merchant, gather 20 moss. Better stand
opiet behind the counter, sweep out the
shop serve customers and keep accounts,
and perhaps some day be partner and
grow rich"
But Ralph hung his head.
"Tben how can help thee, foolish boy ?
Yet because / knew thy father, and for
Drusy's sake. Stay, would you go to
Iudia?"
To India Little, indeed, of the great
doing, in India reached the town of Wark.
worth. Yet Ralph had heard the vicar
talking with MIR. Carnaby, of Col. Give,
aud the famous battle Of Plassy. To Iadia!
His eyes a ished. go.
"Yes, sir; would willingly go to
Indie"
any worthy friend, Mr. Nathaniel Sill
yertop is in the service of the company.
Come, let US GEEK his counsel"
They walked, the boy being much
astonished at the crowd, the noise and the
never cessing business of the streets, down
Cheapside, through the Poultry, past the
new Mansion house and the Royal Ex-
change into Carnhill, where stands the
honorable East India company's house, a
plain. solid building, adorned with pillars
of the doric order. Mr.. HeatheriDgtoa led
the way into q great hall, where was al
ready assembled o crowd of men who had
favors to ask of the directors, and finding a
servant he sent his name to Mr.. S!lvertop
Presently, for nothing was done in IN
digniied haste in this house, MIR. Silver
top himself-a gentleman of three score
and grave appearance the
stairs. To him Mr.. Hetherington unfold
ed his business.
Here, he said was young fellow from
Northumberland, heir to small and pref
ty estate, but incumbered for three or four
years to come with a guardian, whose a.
fiction he appeared to have unfortunately
lost, so that it would be well for both to
remain apart; but he was a young gentle
man of rowing tastes, who would fain see
little of the world, and-but this he
Whispered brave and bold fellow.
Mr.. Silvertop regarded the led atten-
lively.
"Our writer's" he said solemnly, ego
out on small salaries. They seldom rise
above e400 or 5000 year at the most.
Yet-mark this young gentleman-so great
are their chances in India that they some
times come home at 40 or even less, with
elOO, 600 ay, 100000 Think upon that,
boy! So great thing 1t is to serve this
honorable company"
The boys eyes showed no emotion. A
dull dog, indeed, he seemed to Mr.. Silver
top, not TO tremble at the mere mention OF
so vast sum.
leave him here, my good friend, " said
Mr.. Silvertop. 81 have business, but j
will return and speak with him again. he
can walk in the hall aud wait"
Mr.. Hetherington went his way and
Ralph waited.
After an hour or 30 he saw Mr.. Silver
top coming down the stairs again. He
was escortiug, or Leading to the door, or in
some way behaving in respectful and defer
entail fashion to tall and splendid gen.
tleman, brave in scarlet, wearing a sash
and sword and a g>ld-laced hat. At the
foot of the stairs, Mr.. Slvertop bowed low
to this gentleman, who Joined little
group of gentlemen, some of them also in
scarlet. He seemed 10 be the chief among
Al oll 20 i'm wit
the greatest respect. Then Mr.. Silvertor
looked about in the crowd, and spying
Ralph, beckoned him to draw near and
speak with him.
80" said Mr.. Sjlvertop "you are the
lad. Yes, remember" Ralph thought
it strange that he should not remember,
seeing that it WAS but an hour or two
since Mr. Silyertop had spoken last with
him. "You are recommended by my
friend Mr.. Hetheriugton. Well, know
Motive are pestered with applications fol
our writerships. Every runaway-Rslph
blushed every out-st-slbows youngel
sou"-the great gentleman in scarlet
who was close at hand, here turned hi:
head and looked at the lad with little
interest-'every poor curate's brat whC
eau read and cipher want to be sent to
INDIA"
You cannot, SIR" said the gentleman
in scarlet, ''send too many Englishmen Il
India. would that the whole country
was ruled by Eoglishmen-yet not BY
quill drivers"
He added the last words in lower voic,
yet Ralph he1rd them.
Mr.. Silcertop bowed low, and turned
again TO the boy.
"A writership," he continued, "is tn
greatest gift that can be bestowed upor
deserving lad. Remember that, and i
but cannot promise. / wonld oblig'
my friend if could-5ut l will not I'M
dertake anything. With my influence
yet do not say for certain; writershil
is greater matter than you seem to thinl
Il might bring the case before the direct
ors. Is thy handwriting fair and th,
knowledge of figures absolute?"
Ralph blushed, because his hsndwritin,
was short of the clerky standard.
II thank you, SIR" he said, "but / low
not writing. would rather carry q swort
than pen.
eta, ia, ta," replied Mr.. Silvertop
whose influence lay wholly in the mercan
tile department OF the company. "W
waste our time. A sword! l know naugh
Of swords. Go thy ways, boy-go thy ways
Is London city, think you, a place for tn
carriage of swords! Go, take the king
shilling, and join marching regiment
1 warrant you enough Of swords and bayo
re's"
Ralph bowed aud turned away sadly
The gentleman in scarlet, who had appar
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