Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-08-23
CHAPTER II.

The incident to which have vaguely
alluded was the result of an arrange
ment between Mr.. Chelm and myself
that the door connecting our offices
should be left ajar during the visits of
his clients, except where privacy was
important. In the latter case he was
very careful, OF course, to close It; but
unless he did 50 l had his permission to
listen to what was said. This soon be-
came my favOrite diversion, and | even
came 10 the office for the purpose on
other days than my usual one.
a great many strange people came TO
consult Mr.. Chelm, and thus picked
up q stock OF miscellaneous information
about business matters as we'll as some
new ideas regarding human nature.
Sometimes, when the visitors seemed
particularly interesting, l would ven
ture to peep round the corner or through
the crack of the door, SO as TO catch u
glimpse OF them. Afterward Mr.. Chelm
often told me more about them, and in
instances where pecuniary aid could be
Of service allowed me 10 come TO the
rescue; for there were numerous per-
sons who reSOrted 10 him for relief,
knowing that he was charitable man
who had helped others. II he had the
leisure he always lent a sympathetic ear
to their stories, and If he could not aid
them he was uniformly kind and con-
Siderate.
was struck by the number OF apph-
cants for employment. "Give US some
thing TO do and we can get along. We
want work. not money" was the too
frequent petition, for it was just this
class Of persons whom Mr.. Chelm found
} il most difficult 10 assist. So many OF
them, too, were educated and intelli-
gent young men and women, unaccus-
toned TO hardshipS and to shift for
themselves, driven out Of work by the
continued hardness of the times. For
nearly five years business had been at
a StandStlll, Mr.. Chelm told me, and as
o consequence property had deprecated
sadly I'm value and an immense amour
Of distress been caused among the peo-
| pie Of moderate means. To many a
/ tale OF restitution thus listened with
tears in my eyes, and on more than one
occasion was able 70 procure at least
I temporary occupation for the sufferers.
One morning as was thus sitting,
/ hoping for some client 70 arrive, saw,
through the half open door, young
man dressed ia the height Of fashion,
| bien gante, bien chauSSe, and attended
\ by the very ugiieSt bull terrier 1t had
| ever been my lot TO gaze on, enter Mr..
! Chelm'S Office. / had by this time learn
\ ed TO divine usually the errands OF
clients before they began to speak, and
/ / made up my mind that this handsome
! Young dandy-fOr he was extremely
/ good looking 70 bOOt-must be the heir
! TO some large estate which he wished
TO intruSt 70 the care OF Mr.. Chelm, OF
that he had got entangled with an
actress and was in search OF
legal aid TO release him from the
meshes of the net. In either event ]
expected TO have the door closed in my
! face and the strangers secret to remaiu
/ sealed from me forever. placed my
\ chair, however, so that 1 could be
screened from observation and yet within
earShot, prepared TO see and listen a:
long as should be possible.
The visitor drew card from very
I DAINTY case huu AoAN IL vi III. SAOlu
\ desk.
my name Is Prime, sir Franci:
Prime. 1 have come to consult you on {
/ business matter"
pray sit down, Mr.. Prime. What Il
( II can do for yOu?"
"You knew my father, think?"
s'Ralf Prime, Of New York? Mos
assuredly. 1 had high regard fOl
/ him.
am his only son. He died, as you
may be aware, fiye years ago in reduced
circumstances, because he preferred Z
remain honest. An odd, erratic choice
was &c nOt?"
IT was sorry 10 hear he had been IN
fortunate" answered Mr.. Chelm quietly
ayes, sir, paradoxical as 1t may seem
nv father was an honest man. Ont
might have supposed his only sonwoulC
inherit that trait Il nothing else. Blu
Il must have skipped q generation.
An not what seem. am sham" HI