Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-10-31
JENKINS EXPERIENCE.

nee. staEUeu from my post, on Tall Stool
at the desk.
"No, SIR; am here yet. thought would
just go over the Messingham account before
went home" said |, alphabetically
And good job" said Metcalfe, beckon-
ing me into the private office. Look here.
Jenkinsi"
ayes, 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
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 Duifer, but Dufrer can't
hold his tongue. There is Owlefield, but
Owlefield isn't always to he trusted. So
have selected you. Mind, you are 10 give it
into the hands Of Farboro Il Dusantoy your
self, with this note" handing me a bun en-
velope
"Yes, sir. | shall endeavorn-
81 dare say, dare sayl But don't stand
talking here. Time is precious It's past 9
already, and the night express goes at &
Make all the haste you can, and remember
that have trusted you'll"
l bowed and sped away, the precious oblong
package safely buttoned into my breast
pocket, over a 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 op-
portunity like thisl How would Owlefieid
have rejoiced in such a chance!
Mr.. Metcalfe should see that his confidence
was not i'll placed.
In half a dozen breathless sentences l re-
lated my extraordinary luck TO Mollie, who
was waiting supper for me.
Pack the little black bag, Mollie," said /,
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
III just get a bite on the train. Don't tell
you I've got TO catch the night expressi"
Mollies admiring eyes followed me as |
hurried onward
''oh, Tom," said she, IL always knew you
would live 10 be a partner in Metcalfe &
Cor
sent home those boots yeti These CATERS
aren't fit to travel in"
IN just run down for them, Tom. know
ho Nah I nave smut up Vet.
mo, you stay and sew up this rip in my
gloves" said /, impatiently. I'm 60 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, a
little Scotch cap which had purchased Of the
train boy perched on the side Of my head, and
49, a l.
The car was not especially crowded. had
decided not TO take a sleeper, in spite Of Mol
he's 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 20 sleep"
''Oh, Tom, shall you stay awake all uightr'
Zone night wont hurt me, Monn
But, after | had read the evening paper
through, and eaten two sandwiches and a
piece Of Mollie's delicious home made cake, /
began 10 succumb TO the rocking motion Of
the train and feel n sensation Of most ailur-
ing drowsineSs.
Two stout men In the corner were snoring
a lady at the other end OF the car had made
up an impromptu bed for her bullet headed
boys with a travelling shawl and two bags
the train surging to and fro with the regular
"Rockaby-baby" effect
This won't do said TO myself I'm
bound 10 keep awake somehow III 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 / caught the raven
Gus glare Of pair Of eyes opposite.
Have somef said l, instinctively.
Thank you, sir!' said the pale young man
opposite, mufiled 70 his chin in a shabby tray-
cling shawl, and wearing boots the dead
match 10 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 famished
wolf / proffered my neat little wicker Gov
cred flask Of sherry. He drank eagerly.
you don't look well" said l.
II am just up from long siege Of infam-
matory rheumatism, said be. I'm going to
Afford 70 look for work. and I've had no sup
per"
What kind Of work.
"The only work I'm fit fora clerkship OF
some sort
He related a simple tale Of sickness, priva.
ton, fruitless search for employ ment.
remembered that hnd heard Mr.. Met
calfe tell Owenson, the bookkeeper, a few
days previously that il would soon be neces-
sary 10 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 sllnkeu eyes suarkled
1T would be salvation to me If you could, "
said he. I'm penniless and almost starv-
ing"
Il suppose you can bring referencesp
''Oh, yes, could do that"
well, III see what can be DONE" said l,
with pleasant sense Of patronage
His hollow cough interrupted US; it racked
him from head TO foot.
Look here" said /, "you're not fit to sit
up all night. Suppose we see il there isn't
accommodation in the sleepers. heard the
conductor say the train wasn't extra full"
M companion raised bis thin hand with a
depreoatory motion.
THE slsepers are dollar EXTRA said he
Didn't tell you | was pennilessf
"Oh, I'll treat, said ! laughing, land you
shall pay me out OF your first weeks salary. 4"
He acceded somewhat unwillingly, and to-
gether we made our way into the sleeping
car Deodora, where we found a section dis
engaged
lay down In the lower berth, not uncon-
scious OF certain citation, both in the char
hcter OF being OF service to a man still poorer
and more insignificant than myself, and In
this my first experience Of the unknown luz
ury Of a sleeping car.
IN only stretch myself out a little and
rest, thought l. 81 won't 20 to sleep"
As composed myself under the blanket,
beard the pale young man tell the porter to
call him at Hunsdon.
"HelloT said l. aren't you going back
on the return trip TO New York;
NO" said he. "As I've paid my fare,
may as well stop of and see my mother at
Hunsdop, and tell her what good luck there
is in store for me, thanks 10 you, sir. And
will call ON you at the address you gave me
In New York on Thursday, at O'Clock in the
morning.
Hunsdonl That was a good way of. II
would be nearly morning when we reached
Hunsdon, ] thought And while was think
ing
"Alfordl All cut for AlfordTn
Could it be possiblei Here was the bright
sun shining In at the curtained window, the
porter's jolly face close to mine
Make haste, sahi Afford, sahi Amt no
time 10 losei''
| made a dab nj my ulster caught INV hay