The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-09-02
SHlRLEY'S VACATION.

What amuscs you, Shirley !" asked
the head bookkeeper, ss he looked up
from his big ledger and saw smile on
the boys face opposite.
IL Just landed fve-pound bass,
sa;d Shirley, laughing and blushing .
little.
"Um-ah! Did it pull very hard p
Fearful y said Shirley.
All through the year Shirley Holmes
lad been saving the money for his trip.
He was assistan. bookkeeper for Brown
Bros. Il Bridses's Wholesale house, on
West Pearl street, where he had been
since graduating from the commercial
college, two years before.
shirley was an orphan. The small
means left him by his parents had been
exhausted before his education had been
completed, so that his frs. years saw
ings had been used to repay money ad-
vanced him by an uncle to complete his
course.
His savings this year he was investing
in building stock with the exception Of
81 weekly which he put aside for no
other purpose than trip to the bass
stresms of the AlleghAnies. He was
very fond of fishing, and had been reck-
oned an expert as boy. He had not
taken day of since he left school, snd
be felt that holiday WAS his due.
AL through the dark winter days, IS
he pondered over the long rows Of fig.
ures, he paused now and then to muse
for moment of green mountains, blue
skies, clear, rushing water, and TO fesl
in imagination the tug and swish Of the
trout line and the rapid click Of the run
ming reel. Then his eyes would sparkle
for moment and he was NO longer in
the dim and dusty little Office.
But only for moment, for the long
columns Of figures were waiting. and
shirley had a feeling Of friendlness for
them, knowing that it WAS through their
mute assistance that his dream would b
realized.
All through the Spring and early
Summer he pondered over the big books
and thought Of the cool mountains. He
had asked for his vacation in August,
and his request had been granted. He
had calculated that the $50 would pay
his expenses. he had figured it out
over and over, and he knew the items
BY heart.
There were excursion rates 10 the
mountains, and his round-trip ticket
would cost him So. Then there vas
his board at farmhouse, which he cal
culsted at $50. He could get . good
rod, reel and line for $40, and for gen.
ersl items he allowed as much mors
Il think that will cover everything "
be said to himself. Il shall begin to
;et my things together tomorrow, and
"a week will be on the way"
That night, IS they closed the books
he head bookkeeper said to him:
Shirley, have you been to see Ever
tt Harris lately
No" said Shirley, guiltily. But I
win 60 tonight How is hsy'
Not very well. poor fellow. he
doesatimprove very much, Tn afraid.
The city now is so hst, you know, and
the doctor sAys the dust and smoke are
bed for him he coughs . good deal.
and you know what that leads to"
Yes, said Shirley. feeling a. il q
pressure was on his lungs. Il should
think So.
Everett Harris hal been their ship
ping clerk he was tender hearted.
good nstured fellow, whom Shirley had
always liked for his outspoken, friendly
way. He was not very strong, however,
and one day during the winter had con
tracted severe cold, terminating in
pneumonia This attack he had over.
come, but it had left him very weak, and
with a disagreeable cough
His mother, 8 widow with . small
pension, had found it hard matter to
live without her sons assistance,
although Everett's employers had gen.
erously assumed his drug and docto,
bills, while employees, from time t1
time, sen. or carried such books and
deicacies as he could enjoy.
Shirley had visited Everett very reg,
ularly uLtil the last few weeks, during
which time the prospects and prepare
'ions for h.s outing had occupied his
.va2iags almost to the exclusion OF
everything elsa, and wha. with reading
rp oa the different streams and fishing
o1paratus, he had forgotten poor Ev
ers,t almost entirely. Yes, he would
Z see bin, tonight without fail.
Alter supper S,iriey went to the mar
- aIl llled basket with fresh, ripe
s.,; then he hurried off 10 atone fol
= Re Jest.
Poor Everett" he thought, "sicl
nd eooped up in the city, while / an
eng OF for a month in the mountains
a-d here forgot all about him. Hov
!ash people are, anyway