Evening journal., 1889-12-11
JENKINS EXPERIENCE.

at the desk.
"No, sir, | am here yet. thought would
Just 90 over the Messingham account before
| went home, said l. apologetically.
"And a good job" said Metcalfe, beckon-
ing me into the private office. Look here,
JenknsIr
"Yes, sir.n
He held up an oblong package, sealed with
two spashes Of red wax, and tied with pink
twine.
Jenkins, said he, Il am going to put
great deal Of confidence in you. Janney our
head clerk is sick, and | want to send this
money to Afford tonight, by special messen-
ger / might send Duffer, but Duffer can't
hold his tongue. There is Owlefeld, but
| Owleheld isn't always to be trusted So
have selected you Mind, you are to give it
/ into the hands Of Farboro a Dusantoy your
self with this note, handing me buff en-
/ velope
"Yes, sir. shall endeavor"--
81 dare say, dare say But don't stand
talking here. Time is precious. It's past 6
already, aud the night express goes at 0.
| Make all the haste you can, and remember
that have trusted your
| bowed and sped away, the precious oblong
package safely buttoned into my breast
pocket, over heart which throbbed with
pride and self graduation.
From old Metcalfe, this signal mark of
favor was freighted with meaning There
was no telling where it might not lead
What would Duffer have given for an OPP
portunity like thisl How would Owlefield
have rejoiced in such chance
Mr.. Metcalfe should see that his confidence
was not i'll placed.
In half dozen breathless sentences re-
lated my extraordinary luck to Mollie, who
was waiting supper for me.
Pack the little black bag, Mollie,n said l,
waving away all her offers Of food, except
cup of scalding coffee, which very nearly
took the skin off my tongue. Lay out my
pepper and salt suit No, no, can't eatl
III Just get bite on the train Don't tell
! you I've got TO catch the night expressin
Mollie's adiniring eyes followed me as l
hurried onward
.Oh, Tom,n said she, II always knew you
would live to be a partner In Metcalfe &
Cop
( Nonsense, Moni ! say, hasn't old Awley
sent home those boots yetl These CATERS
aren't fit to travel In.
"Ill just run down for them, Tom know
/ be can't have shut up vet"
"No, you stay and sew up this rip in my
glovesr said l. impatiently. "rll 90 myself
Old Awley, the cobbler, was fast asleep in
his stall, but luckily the boots, newly soled
and heeled, were ready for me; and when the
train steamed out Of the station / was seated
therein. my ulster buttoned TO the throat, q
little Scotch cap which had purchased of the
: train boy perched on the side Of my head, and
a huge paper Of sandwiches In my hand.
The car was not especially crowded. had
. decided not to take sleeper, in spite Of Mol
, lies recommendation.
YOU'D better take a BERTH" she said
"You know you have never Travelled in 9
I sleeper, and it would be such fun"
: 81 dare say" dryly rejoined. "But, you
S see, I'm not travelling for fun, and | don't
! mean to risk going to sleep"
"Oh, Tom, shall you stay awake all nightf
e lone night won't hurt me, Moll."
But, after had read the evening papel
through, and eaten two sandwiches and 6
piece of Mollie's delicious home made cake,
b began TO succumb to tile rocking motion Of
a the train and feel a sensation of most allur
, ing drowsiness
Two stout men in the corner were snoring
II a lady at the other end Of the car had made
! up an impromptu bed for her bullet headeC
\ boys with a travelling shawl and two bags
the train surging to and fro with the regulai
\ "Rockaby- baby effect.
"This won't do said l to myself "rn
bound to keep awake somehow. III eat tn
rest Of the sandwiches"
was not hungry, however, and even Mol
d lies dainties palled upon my appetite.
was just about to throw the sandwiche
out Of the window. when caught the raven
4 GUS glare Of pair Of eyes opposite.
: "Have someF said l, instinctively.
!, "Thank you, sirln said the pale young ma
/ opposite, muffied TO his chin In shabby tray
cling shawl, and wearing boots the dea
match 10 those that had contemptuously b
slowed on old Awleys eldest son the day bt
l. fore. II am little hungry, II you don
|. mind.H
. He devoured my leavings like a famishe
= wolf Iproffered my neat little wicker COY
y cred flask OF sherry. He drank eagerly.
= "You don't look well, /" said l.
= II am Just up from a long siege Of indan
u matory rheumatism, said he. "rm going I
Afford to look for work, and I've had no SUI
per.n
! what kind Of workTn
Z "The only work I'm ct fora clerkship (
!, some sortp
y He related a simple tale Of sickness, privI
ton, fruitless search for employment.
remembered that had heard Mr.. Me
u calfe tell Owenson, the bookkeeper, fe
utlle previously Audl ~ Mouiu e31h AI heSN
= sary 10 employ two OF three new clerks in Il
u down stairs department
ne Perhaps said l. "a could help you to g,
work in New York;
The big, suuken eyes sparkled.
"It would be salvation TO me If You could
said he. "Tm penniless and almost star
q ing.n
:. II suppose you can bring referencesp
" "Oh, yes / could do that"
Y, "Well, IN see what can be done,n said
' with pleasant sense Of patronage.
81 His hollow cough interrupted us; it rackI
him from head tD foot.
lls Look here, said /, ''you're not ct 70
~ up all night Suppose we see If there isr
ey accommodation in the sleepers. heard d
ls conductor say the train wasn't extra fun.
OF My companion raised his thin hand with
deprecatory motion.
"The sleepers are dollar extra" said
no Didn't tell you ! was peDnilessFH
ry "Oh, IN treat" said laughing, "aDd y,
iis shall pay ms out Of your nrst weeks salary