The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-31

time get the worst Of it, and fear" with
deep sigh) "that that's what he is getting
now. You know have some cousins In
town, and I have heard how hard it is for
them to get established in business. and
Jack knows no one there"
Where are all his fine college friendsa"
Mr. Hartford asked.
"Oh, they are young men themselves,
and each of them has his way to make
much the same as Jack. Mr.. Hartford, If
were you should write to Jack and help
to keep his spirits up"
~ shall, my dear, and all have to say
is that if Jack doesn't do something big to
be worthy of such a good girl as you are,
then am sure you won't get your deserts.
l am much obliged to you for coming with
me-"
"Good-by, Mr.. Hartford" the girl said as
the horse stopped at the top Of a hill, and
before she jumped out Of the buggy she
kissed the old man on his sunburned
cheek, thus giving to the father unasked
what she had denied to the son, though
much besought.
When Emma Rogers had finished her
simple little dinner she sat at her fathers
old desk and wrote this letter:
EE.RsTz, Sept. 81.
DEAR JAcK-I promised not to write to you, but
trust you will forgive uasfor thus esriy break
ing my word. l drove with your father after
church today as far as the hill top. He IS much
concerned about you, and think It Is your duty
to write to him ut least once O week 30 that
he may not feel uneasy about you. Don't fooltshly
wait until you have done something to be proud o..
Write to him ut once and write to him regularly.
10 n me
week, and win answer your letters now and
again, and / will also confess that miss you aw.
fully and often wish very much to see you and
continually wonder what you are doing.
r
P.S.-why don't you look up all your college
friends who are living In New York!
Jcck Harford's Sundays in town had
been particularly gloomy. He had been
accustomed for two years past to spend the
greater part Of each Sunday with Emma
Rogers, and the loss of this companion
ship was atthis period grievous one. The
Monday morning after the conversation
between his father and sweetheart at Near
bye he started out early to answer as many
of the advertisements printed in the Sun
day papers as seemed to him to be Of any
promise The day had been succession
of dreary disappointments, and he return
ed to his boarding place in the evening
tired and utterly blue. On the hat rack in
the hall he found Emma's letter. 1t bright
ened him up wonderfully. He at once
wrote to his father. He also wrote to EN-
ma and thanked her most sincerely for her
kindness to his father and to him.
In reading over her letter for the first
few times he missed the significance Of the
suggestion in Emma's postscript. There
were many old college friends in New York.
He had intended looking them up after he
had become established in business. That
seemed ff.r enough off now. Itcould do no
harm to see some Of them at once. The next
morning he dressed himself as carefully as
his limited wardrobe permitted, and went
for tour of visits. Tho first fellow he called
on was clerk and student in lawyers
office. From him he learned of the others
| and continued his calls. He told each Of
| them that he had come to town to seek en-
| ployment, and each Of them offered to let
him know if anything suitable was heard
! of. Late in the afternoon he called on
William Caldwell, who had for three years
been his room mate The last year at COL
lege something had happened which had
strained, if it had not severed, the friend
ship between Hartford and Caldwell.
These young fellows had not talked over
the difference between them. and had
parted still misunderstanding each other.
Each of the fellows who had seen Jack had
| asked if he had seen Caldwell, and at hast
Jack concluded to call. He got the ad
dress and found the place very easily. He
met Caldwell just at the entrance of his
fathers large establishments commits
sion house wh.;h did most extensive
| business.
"Hello, jack" said Caldwell, holding
out his hand as the two met. II am glad
to see you."
II am glad of that, for was just going
| to see you. You remember we were not
very good friends when we left college two
years ago."
"The bigger fools we,," responded Cald-
we'll cheerily. "Come in, old man, and tell
me about yourself"
The two young men walked back through
| the great ware house to the counting room
| in the rear, and Caldwell took the young
countryman into his private office. There
they talked over the college days, the diff
ference between them was explained, and
Caldwell learned Of Jacks object in COM
ing to town and of his lack of success.
"Well, you have come to the right shop
this time," Caldwell said, "for have just
been made partner, and I mean to have
you here-that is, If you would like it,
Nothing would please me better" Har-
ford said; "but you don't really need me,
do you?"
1--WE did not know it, but am sure we
shall know it in little while"
Jacks opportunity had now come, and ne
took advantage Of it. The firm for which
he worked found him most valuable as
sistant, and from time to time his salary
was raised till in two years after he came
to New York he was getting $4,000 year.
With young Caldwell he saw all that was
best and most novel Of metropolitan life,
but his heart yearned all the while for the
DEAR girl who was waiting for hisl at Near
bye, and whenever he could he'spent his
Sundays at the old place.
One bright December afternoon toward
the end Of Christmas week, he took the
train for the Jersey hills and was soon at
the old farm at Nearbye. There were
many journeys made in the next few days
| between the old homestead in the hills and
Emma Rogers neat little village cottage.
AT this time lack was never reproached