Los Angeles herald., 1891-04-19

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 far enough off now. Itcould do no
harm to see some of them at once The next
morning he dressed himself as carefully as
ais limited wardrobe permitted, and went
for tour of visits. The first fellow he called
on was a clerk and student in a 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 last
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 establishment commits
sion house which did a most extensive
business.
"Hello, jack" said Caldwell, holding
out his hand as the two met. 81 am glad
to see you"
81 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 I have just
been made partner, and / 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 your"
I'VE did not know it, but am sure we
shall know it in little while"
jack opportunity had now come, and he
took advantage of it. The firm for which
he worked found him a 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 a 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 him 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 Jack was never reproached
for being blue. There was evidently no
need for such reproofs, as there was an
alertness in his steps and brightness in
his eyes which showed very plainly that he
was contented with his lot. What was
said and done during these long, frequent
visits need not be chronicled here. Most
of us know how the old story is enacted,
and those who do not will, if they be
lucky, learn all its phases by heart, and be
better and happier for the knowledge. On
New Years morning, after breakfast, Jack
handed to his astonished father the salts
fed mortgage on the old place. The old
man was dumfounded, but at length found
words to say:
"Ah, this is New Years present in.
deed"
"Yes, father, we shall all be happy to-
day, and, if you will let me, shall bring
you home after church today another pres
ent."
Don't do anything more, my son." the
old man protested; ''this is enough for one
day."
''The other present is more for myself
than you, sir. Iwish to make you pres
ent of q daughter, for Emma Rogers has
promised to be my wife"