Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1890-07-18
ONE IN A THOUSAND,
by MAY KENDALL.

by MAY KENDALL.
II was a lovely May morning, a
morning on which even the life of an
omnibus conductor seemed endurable.
Besides. the particular company for
which Archy Johnston worked had
Secome infected by socialistic princi-
pies, to the extent of only employing
their hands from a. IN. % 10 p. m,
and giving them, as a rule, the alter
nate Sundays. So that, as things
went, he might be considered well OIL.
Better of, at ali events, than the
pale young man who, as Andy COM
pleted his arrangements before start
ing, wa chcd him, with a melancholy
air, from the curbstone. For this
pale young man, whose name was
Warner, by special permission of the
company, to whom benevolent cler-
gyman had appealed on Warmers be-
half, came every morning at O'Clock
to see if there was a conductor of
work, and, if there was, to take his
place on the omnibus.
For the last month he had presented
himself regularly, and the men had
come to know and have kindly feel
ing toward him; but in that month he
had only been on duty seven days.
This fact inevitably raised the ques-
ton as to what Warner did with him
self when no vacancies occurred. lie
did not look as if he did anything very
remunerative.
Archy's omnibus started last, and he
had two or three minutes to spare; so,
being a sociable young fellow, he
crossed over to speak to Warner, who,
for his part, responded with an anx-
ious goodwill in which, il Archy had
known, there was certain undercur-
rent of penitence. The fact was,
Warner had just been thinking, as lie
saw the omnibus roll away, and real
ized with sigh that all men wcraS n
duty y--ssWhat if one If them were 70
die, and he were taken on as a per-
manent hand?"
He did not in any way appeal for
pity, and yet the few facts Archy drew
from him were an appeal to any one
conversant with the city. He lived a
mile away, "a Dix street, an address
that fingered curiously in Archy's
memory. He had been carpenter,
and comfortably off; but now he was
hopelessly out of work, and, with his
wife and their young child, had been
living how he could.
awe feel it most, you see," he said
in his patient way, "for the child
Then he checked himself, as if he had
said too much, and added quite hope
fully, "But it's long lane that has no
turning, isn't it?"
No more passed between them just
then, for the conductors time was up.
But the next morning, as his eyes
encountcred the depressed- LOOKING
ngl1ft. again, sudGen Impulse seized
m.
"Can you take my place today?" he
said, accosting Warner; ''Tm awfu.ly
anxious to have the day, but l can't
risk getting sacked"
Warmers face bcamed. sI told
Janet this morning." he said, as he
followed Archy, "Pd a feeling
should be in luck today"
"It's just here" said Archy, staring
straight before him. "l'm thinking OF
going down into the country for day
or two-or maybe more-I can't ex
actly tell, not being on the spot, how
long ] may require to stay. And il
would be load off my mind to know
my place wouldn't be snapped up"
"I'll keep it for you," said Warner
energetically, "and give it up to yor
when You come back; for it's a queel
thing, as | know, to be thrown out OF
work. And I'm sure | hope you'll
have a pleasant Journey. Beautiful
down in the country this time of year
amt it?"
"Ah!" said Archie. eyes, tn,
country's fine place, especially, a
you say, about this time of the year.
lie grasped Warmers hand, anc
turned away. After al, he had don,
nothing remarkable; and yet, sucl
was the serene bcnignity of his ton,
anu AAidtihNt tAletb Ipl a ulOultHL w ar
ner stood stock-still on the pavement
staring after him.
Archy went back to his lodgings
but he could not rest there. and 500,
he went out again. He found himsel
wondering what Warmers wife ant
child were like, and it struck him. tina
as he had nothing else to do, he woul,
go round by Dix street.
1t was small street Of tiny, Jerry
built houses, with their numbers in
scribed very legibly on the doors, S,
that Archy had no difficulty in recop
nizing "a. There was a brown bin,
over the lower half of the window
but Archy's tall head rose above it
and as he passed he glanced furtivelr
in, as if il were crime. 1t was
small bare room, with no furnitur