The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-09-05
Whereupon the druggist recited the
facts already known to the reader.

Whereupon the druggist reclted the
facts already known to the reader.
Did the druggist know anything about
this man2 He had never heard his name.
He thought he was employed in the
Treasury. Couldn't say why be thought
so. He had sometimes seen him with
other clerks. He had often stopped at
the store, but he hadn't seen him since
the acc dent.
Later in the day Mr.. Amidon called at
the Department, but did not find tho
young man. He looked over the list of
those who were for any. cause absent.
Finally, by accident, he learned that one
had been discharged on the very day the
old gentleman fell on the street. Inquiry
showed that this was the person he
sought. Mr.. Amidon hasten to verify
the statements in the application for re-
appointment. He learned further that
the young man was of irreproachable
character, and except for the instances
of tardiness noted against him, had been
faithful and intelligent clerk.
So it happened, day or two later, that
our young friend, who was growing
quite anxious, received. one morning,
two communications. The one bore the
stamp of the Treasury Department. and
was first opened. 1t announced his re-
appointment. He looked curiously at
the other. He didn't know that he had
any dealing with the Bank. He
was more than astonished at the contents.
To very neat letter of thanks from Mr..
Amldon was appended an offer of situ-
alton in the bank at better salary than
he had been receiving.
And now my story is substantially
told. Every reader knows instinctively
what followed. Of course he accepted
the latter offer. Of course he became in
dispensable in the bank, being a really
capable young man. Of course he was
prudent and sagacious, and invested his
savings in real estate that soon doubled
in value, and in the course Of two or
three years was looked upon and pointed
out US rising young man. He often
saw Nellie, who persisted in thinking
him quite hero, though he was not.
Anxious to atone for her first rudeness,
she had gone further, perhaps, the other
way than strict politeness required. So
it came about, little by little in the chain
of events, freely indeed, but in obedi-
ence to the far-off, apparently uncon-
nected cause, they were drawn together,
interested in each other, and-why pro-
long the tale7 AS so many worthy
couples before them, and so many who
will follow them to the end of time,
please God, they fell violently in love,
and in due time were married. After
ward, whenever they talked the matter
over, they were both of them ready to
declare that twas a case of love at first
sight, which the reader has seen was by
no means the case.
And now let us turn back little in our
story to see how strangely things come
about. 1t was quarter to nine, we said,
when Oliver Harmon looked at his watch,
at the corner of N street and Connecticut
avenue. He thought it we'll to be several
minutes early rather than one minute
late. 1t was very hot, and he did not
like the extra walk. Besides, there was
a place downtown where he could get
his mineral water without going out of
his way. and he concluded to wait.
Therefore it was that he kept straight
down the avenue. His walk was such,
as we have said. that if he had turned at
N street it would have brought him to
the exact spot, at the exact instant that
Mr.. Amidon fell. But as he did not. he
never knew the old gentleman's need Of
assistance which he would have been de-
lighted to render. Consequently, he was
never employed in the bank; consequent
ly. he never saw Nellie. and, of course,
did not marry her. 1t was Henry Leland
who had been walking down Fourteenth
street who did all that.-H. Il. Warner.