Wichita eagle., 1889-11-12
JENKINS EXPERIENCE.

"Has Jenkins gone home yeti"
The question, and Mr. Metcalfe's bald head,
ware precipitated simultaneously into the Of
fee / started from my post, on tall stool
at the desk.
''No, sir; 1 am here yet. I thought I would
just go over the Messingham account before
/ went home" said I, alphabetically.
."And good job" said Metcalfe, beckon-
ing me into the private Office. Look here,
| Jeukins!''
Eyes. sir"
He held up an oblong package, sealed with
two splashes Of red wax, and tied with pink
Irvine.
jenkins" said he, 81 am going to put a
great deal of confidence in you. Janney tour
head cler0 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 Owlefcld, but
Owlef;eld isn't always to be trusted. So I
have selected you. Mind, you are to give it
into the hands of Farboro & Dusantoy your
self, with this note" handing me buff en-
yelops
Eyes, sir. 1 shall endeavor"-
81 dare say, dare say! But don't stand
talking here Time is precious. It's past
already, and the night express goes at O.
Make all the haste you can, and remember
that have trusted you'll"
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 Dufer have given for an op-
portunity like ths How would Owlefield
have rejoiced in such chance!
Mr. Metcalfe should see that his confidence
was not ill placed.
In half dozen breathless sentences I re-
lated my extraordinary luck to Mollie. who
was waiting supper for me.
'Pack the little black bag, Mollie," said 1,
waving away all her offers of food. except a
cup of scalding coffee, which very nearly
took the skin OFF my tongue LAY out my
pepper and salt suit No, no, can't eat!
I'll Just get bite or the train. Don't tell
you I've got to catch the night EXPRESS"
Mollies admiring eyes followed me as
hurried onward
"Oh, Tom," said she, 81 always knew you
would live to be partner in Metcalfe &
CO.."
Nonsense. Molll / say, hasn't old Awley
sent home those boots yets These CATERS
aren't fit to travel in.
''I'll just run down for them, Tom. / lnow
he can't have shut up vet"
"No, you stay and sew up this rip in my
gloves" said l, impatiently. ''Tll go myself !"
Old Awiey, the cobbler, was fast asleep in
L " o1ol
and heeled were ready for me; and when the
train steamed out of the station l was seated
therein, nv ulster buttoned to the throat, a
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. l had
decided not to take IA sleeper, in spite Of Mol
lies recommendation.
"You'd better take a BERTH" she said.
"You know you have never Travelled in a
sleeper, and it would be such fun"
Il dare say" dryly rejoined. "But, you
see, I'm not travelling for fun, and l don't
mean to risk going to sleep"
ooh, Tom, shall you stay awake all nightr'
Zone night won't hurt ME, MolL"
But, after l had read the evening paper
through, and eaten two sandwiches and a
piece of Mollie's delicious home made cake,
began to succumb to the rocking motion of
the train and feel sensation Of most allur-
ing drowsiness.
Two stout men in the corner were snoring;
a lady at the other end of the car mad made
up an impromptu bed for her bullet headed
boys with travelling shawl and two bags
the train surging to and fro with the regular
"Rockaby- baby" effect.
"This won't do" said I to myself. 'rm
bound to keep awake somehow. I'll eat the
rest of the sandwiches"
| was not hungry, however, and even Mol
lies dainties palied upon my appetite.
was just about to throw the sandwiches
out of the window. when l caught the raven
Gus glare of pair Of eyes opposite.
"Have sonnet" said l, instinctively.
THANK you, sir,' soid the pale young man
opposite, lnu.fled to his chin In shabby trav
cling shawl, and wearing boots the dead
match to those that had contemptuously be-
slowed on old Awley's eldest son the day be-
fore Il am little hungry, if you don't
mind"
He devoured my leavings like a famished
wolf. profered my neat little wicker Gov
cred flask of sherry. He drank eagerly.
you don't LOOK well" said l.
Il am just up from long siege of inham-
matory rheumatism said he I'm going &c
Afford to look for work, and I've had no sup
per"
What kind of work."
1.-The only work Tn fit fora clerkship of
some sort"
He relsted simple tale Of sickness, priva-
ton. fruitless search for employment.
/ an,seh nat / l1pA IT Mot
Calfe tell OwenSon, the bookkeeper, few
days previously that it would soon be neces-
sary TO employ two or three new clerks in the
down stairs department.
Perhaps" said |, Il could help you to get
work in New York.
The big, sunken eyes sparkled.
1T would be salvation to me if you could"
said he. I'm pennileSs and almost starv-
ing"
II suppose you can bring references"
''Oh, yes / could do that"
well. I'll see what can be done" said I,
with pleasant sense of patronage.
His hollow cough interrupted Us; it racked
him from head 10 foot.
Look here,n said l, you're net fit TO sit
up all night. Suppose we see if there isn't
accommodation in the sleepers. ! hesrd the
conductor say tbs train wasn't extra full"
NV companion raised his thin hand with q
deprecatory motion