Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-22

had made him timid. He wanted to see
the face he had to apply to before he
yentured.
But Mr.. Barley was not there. The
la. ge office was at present occupied by
his clerks; one of these was Leonard
MOnckton, pale young man with dark
hair, nose like hawk, and thin lips.
The other was quite young fellow,
with brown hair, hazel eyes, and an open
countenance. MANY a hard rub puts a
point on a man." So Hope resolved at
once to say nothing to that pale clerk
so like a kite, but to interest the open
countenance in him and his hungry
child.
There were two approaches to the
large Office. One, to Hopes right,
through door and lobby. This was
seldom used except by the habftues of
the place. The other was to Hopes
left, through very small office, gener-
ally occupied by an inferior clerk, who
kept an eye upon the work outside.
However, this Office had also a small
window looking inward; this opened
like door when man hadanything to
say to Nh BARLEY or the clerks in the
large office.
William Hope entered this outer of
fee, and found il empty. The clerk hap.
pened to be in the yard. Then he open
ed the inner door and looked in on the
two clerks, pale and haggard, and APP
prehensive of repulse. He addressed
himself to the one nearest him; it was
the one whose face had attracted him.
Oh, can 1 see Mr.. Bartleyf"
The young fellow glanced over the
visitors worn garments and dusty shoes,
MD coi1 1frT1Ty if &c 70, o1,,.
ty, this is the wrong shop"
Il want no charity" said Hope, with
a sigh; Il want employment. But do
want it very badly; my poor little girl
and [ are starving"
Then that is ashame," said theyoung
fellow, warmly. why, you are a gen
tleman, aren't your"
Il don't know for that" said Hope.
But | am an educated man, and IcOuld
do the whole business of this place. But
you see I am down in the world"
you look like it," said the clerk,
bluntly. 'But don't you be so green as
to tell old BARLEY that, or you are done
for. No, no; I'll show you how to get
in here. Wait till half-past one. He
lunches at one, and he isn't such brute
after luncheon. Then you come in like
Julius Caesar, and brag like blazes, and
offer him twenty pounds worth of in
dustry and ability, and above all arith-
metic, and he will say he has no open
ing land that is a lie), and offer you fif-
teen shillings, perhaps"
of he does, III jump at it," said
Hope, eagerly. "But whether / sue
coed with him or not, take my child's
blessing and my own"
His voice faltered, and Bolton, with a
young mans uneasiness under senti-
ment, stopped him. ooh, come, old fell
low, bother all that! Why, we are all
Stumped in turn" Then he began to
chase solitary coin into a corner of his
waistcoat pocket. Look here, I'll lend
you shilling-pay me next week-it
will buy the kid breakfast. | wish /
had more, but want the other for
luncheon. | haven't drawn my screw
yet. 1t is due at twelve"
'I'll take it for my girl" said Hope,
blushing, "and because it is offered me
by gentleman and like a gentleman"
Granted, for the sake of argument"
said this sprightly youth; and so they
parted for the time, little dreaming,
either of them, what chain they were
weaving round their two hearts, and
this little business the first link.