Connecticut western news., 1890-03-26
AQUEER JOURNEY.

A QUEER JOURNEY.
 Phil Harrison and I had always been friends. We shared every pleasure that cou d possibly be shared, whether it were a book, or top, or mince pie. Neither of us ever g into trouble without dragging the other in, too, and, as a consequence, our punish ments were as much common property as our other belongings.
 And punishments were not rare. Every; hing that went went wrong at any time, and anywhere, was laid at our doors. Ard often justly SO, l must confess. "It's them two little beggars, Phil Harrison and Jack Roby," said the public voice, when the established order of things had been interfered with. And Phil Har- rison and Jack Roby it generally was.
 As we grow oder, our chivalrous affection for each other was as great but less demonstra i've. and from two reckless scapegraces we had settled down into steady, reliable f flows. At least 90 thought Lawyer NJ Dntcalm, who had taken us both in.o his office at Belleville when we left school, and who was now giving us good salaries, and aving much of the responsible work of the office to us.
 But when Phil wastwenty-three and was twenty-two and half little eve. happened wh oh shook his good opinion of us some what. It was this: The chief had given me two e10O greenbacks one day. just as he was hurrying out of the office.
 "Herc, Roby," said he, "'ust look up that bill of Mir. Pearson's; he's written to say that he wants the money at once. You can post these to him, it'll save writing out a check"
 found the bill at once, and enclosed 1t to MT. Pearson with the money and our printed receipt form. Then put the note on the ledge of my desk, meaning to take it to the post-ofice myself as went homo. When I was ready to go, however, it was nowhere to be seen, and in great concern I in terrogated every one about it. No one recollected having seen it, not even Phil, and he had been at my desk for some sealing-wax and had stopped there to seal his paclot. He must have seen it had it been there, and yet he was sure that he had not. What could have become of it?
 "Are you quite sure, old fellow" I asked.
 Phil looked little troubled.
 "Seen it? No, not ]" he replied. " It has, perhaps, been posted with the other letters, and will turn up by-and- bye. Don't you worry about it, Jack. !" could not help worrying, however, and was SO silent myself as we walked home together that evening that did not notice until afterwards how silent Phil was too.
 "You sent on that am m-unt to MT. Pearson, Roby," my chief asked the next morning, and an wered Yes," promptly, having bx this time. per suaded myself that the letter had been posted with the others. especially as the clerk who put them into the bag said that he was almost certain that he had seen one with Mir. Pearson's name upon it.
 aThat's all right, then," said Mir. Nontcalm, "I know that he wanted the money specially to-day.
 Just as he finished speaking, in came MT. Pearson.
 sLook here, Montcalm," he said, button-holing the lawyer before he had time to escape, s'I do wish you would let nc have that &200 to-day. I've got three or four bi Is that must settle while Pm in town. Pn take il as great favor if you will"
 Mir Montcalm looked at mo in sur. pri e.
 ssI don't understand" he said, "The money went to you yesterday. You sent it, Roby2"
 said, "Yes, sir," again, feeling sure that the letter must have gone. But directly said it I caught Phips eyes fixed upon me with such curious expression that was on the point ot blurting out the whole story, wher MT. Pearson spoke again.
 "And I left home before tho carrier came," h. said. "How tirescme 1t Is to be sure."
 He and MT. Montcalm talked togeth or for some little time and then h. went off.
 sItll have to do tomorrow" h. said, as he left the office, "but didn' want to come to town again just yet.
 Nothing moro was said that da. about the matter, but could not get i of my mind, and Phil, too, seemed uneasy. The other fellows rallied .u on our .pre-occupied air all day, else shouldn't, perhaps, have noticed Phif' manner, but it began to strike even m as curious at last, and the thought dit occur to my mind that he might hay taken the letter just for joke. But wasn't quite like one of his jokes, so dismissed the idea almost iustantly v We walked home arm in arm, as usu al, and during the walk Phil blur;e' out:
 "I say, Jack, old fellow" an stopped.
 WWhat?' asked.
 ooh, nothing" he replied. "I onl wanted to say-I mean, goodnight"
 The pexA day an wss confusion [ n office. Phil and | Iwere little late oo1 uhaaswegol thers the ehisf n