Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-02-06

''S0 things are not going easily, Mir. Joosren7 What is the matter? Mrs. Joosten' -
 ''She is not troublesome. but other things, they are all very troublesome" MT Joosten replied very slowly and somewhat ponderously. Richard Green drew closer to the two There was something about the man which inter ested him. MT Joosten's English was good. but Green thought he could de- tect peculiar foreign accent which was not unpleasant.
 ''Shan l send you to your rooIn?" the clerk asked
 "No; 1 have no time It would be troublesome. 1 must be about my busi- ness. There is need"
 Supplies again. sir?'
 No, a man l have had to dismiss. discharge my superintendent It is very troublesome, this plantation. very" he went on helplessly.
 Richard pricked up his ears Here might be the very opening he had been seeking.
 Oh" the clerk responded, apparently sympathizing deeply with Mir. Joosten. "l thought your superintendent was so good a one"
 "He was. he was." answered Mir Joosten almost with sigh. He was the best ever had. Oh, but he was A good man. a good man, veryl But he did steal Phewi do not know how much-a great deal, great deal He was very clever"
 Do you know where to find a man who will doY
 No, but 1 shall find him must seek him carefully, carefully. It is very troublesome, all of this, all"
 Pardon me, sir" Richard said to Mr Joosten; and then, turning quickly to the clerk, he added; wont you be good enough to introduce me to this gentle nan?"
 Certainly" the clerk replied. and he did.
 "Mr. Green" the clerk continued. ''is an American left here by accident"
 "So you are an American-yes?" MT. Joosten said musingly. and he looked Richard over carefully
 "l could not fail to overhear your con- versation," Richard answered. a little embarrassed by Mir Joosten's close scrutiny; 'perhaps-you-perhaps. can do the work you want done."
 "So? It may be, but it is not easy"
 And MT. Joosten walked slowly away. Then he turned again to Richard: We shall see-it may be. Good morning."
 Mir. Joosten walked slowly toward the the door. As he neared it he turned again and looked furtively but sharply at Green. Richard was depressed.
 "Do not be disappointed" the clerk Said to him. 'He has gone away to think only He may come back and want you to go with him today"
 Although Green hardly dared to hope that the clerk might be right, he did not go out as usual that morning, and q little before noon he was gratified to see the old gentleman return. Mir. Joosten sought him out.
 "So you are an American2 You are quickT"
 "Yes," Richard answered, q think so."
 "You can work-you can work very hardY'
 "I am well and strong l can cer- tainly work"
 "1 cannot pay much-no, not much"
 "That need make no difference" said Green. "You can wait until you see how much shall be worth to you"
 "1t will be very troublesome to talk it all over again"
 "I shall try to make it very easy for you," Richard replied calmly enough although he was not quite clear whether he ought to laugh or be angry.
 "When can you come if Tiff l think 1t best3 Soon. or shall have to waity
 (
 "At once? Goodl Let us go. then he said, apparently glad to have the matter 80 soon settled. and that very afternoon they were on board Joosten's heavy and slowgoing sailboat bound for the plantation on an island distant not many hours sail At about nightfal they made the landing. but it was so dark when they had traversed the little distance to the house that Richard could distinguish little of the surroundings MT. Joosten preceded him through the long, wide hall. and without ceremony ushered him into the family sitting room.
 "I have come back" he said simply His wife. who was the only occupant of the room. except a maid who sat quietly sewing, rose to greet him. She was a large. Inotherly woman. Richard had time to notice, with wavy gray hair and 8 face kind. it is true, but as strong as Joosten's seemed weak She was Eng fish, Richard thought.
 "I am very glad" she answered. Il did not expect you so soon. And this gentleman" she asked kindly.
 Twill he dor Tell me will he do2 do not know"
 But what is he to do. HansY' | Her reassuring smile saved Richard ! from any possible embarrassment.
 "Why, be our new superintendent, of course. It will be very troublesome if you say he will not do"
 She walked over to Green and took him by the hand. She looked keenly at his face.
 "DoS" she said. He will surely do You are very welcome, Mr."-