The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-05-24
sHIRLEY'S VACATION.
a Sacrifice THAT Brought Its Own
Reward.

What amuses you, Shirlcy7" asked
tho bead bookiSeeper, rs he looked up
from his big ledger and saw q amile on
tho boys face opposite.
II Just landed Ave-pound bass, :"
said Shirley. laughing and bluahing a
little.
..Um--ahI Did II pull very hard2v
'sFearfuii,' said Shirley.
All through the year Shirley Holmes
had been saving the money for his trip.
He was assistant boOlkecpcr for Brown
Broa q Bridges wholesale house on
West Pearl street, whore he Ind 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, 10 that his first years
savings had been used to repay money
advanced him by an uncle to complete
his course.
His savings, this year, he was invest
ing In building stock, with the excep-
tion Of one dollar weekly, which he put
aside for no other purpose than q trip
70 the base streams OF the Alleghanics
He was very fond Of fishing, and had
been reckoned nm expert as n boy. He
had not taken day of since he left
school, and he felt that Q holiday was
his duo.
All through the dark winte days, as
be pondered over the long rows Of fig
nres. he paused now and then TO muse
for . moment OF green mounts aims.
blue alrlea, clear, rushing " ater. and ID
feel IN Imagination the tug md swish
Of tho trout line and the rapid click
Of the running reel Then his eyes
would sparkle for moment and he
was no longer in the dim and dusty lit
tie Office.
hut only for moment, for the long
columns Of figures were waiting, and
Shirley had o feeling Of friendliness for
them, knowing that Il was through their
mute assistance that his dream would
be realized.
All through tho spring and early sum
mer he pondered over the big books
and thought Of the cool mountains He
had aAlred for his vacation In August,
and his request had been granted. He
had calculated that the Afty-two dol
lars would pay his expenses. He had
figured II out over and over, and he
knew the items by heart.
There were excursion rates to the
mountains, and his round,trip ticket
would cost him twelve dollars. Then
there was his board at farmhouse,
which he calculated at twenty dollars.
He could get good rod, reel and line
4 for ten dollars, and for general items he
allowed as much more.
II think that will cover everything,
he said to himself. II shall begin to get
my things together tomorrow, and In I
week viii be on the way"
That night, as they closed the books
the head b6okkeeper said to him:
Shirley, have you been to see Ever
EFT Harris lately7 r,
me-" said Shirley, guiltily. But
will 60 tonight How Is hep
Not very we'll. poor fellow HI
doesn't improve much, Pm afraid. Ths
city now Is so hot, you know; and tn,
doctor eays the dust and smoke are bnt
for him He coughs good deal. nnt
you know what that leads tor
Eyes," said Shirley, feeling as II
pressure were on his own lungs. 7.
should think so.
Everett Harris had been their ship
ping-clerk. He was tender-hearted
good-natured fellow, whom Shirley haa
always liked for his out-spolxen, friend
iy way. He was not very strong, how
ever, and one day during the winter ha,
contracted severe cold, terminating Il
pneumonia This attack he had over
come, but It had left him very veal
and with o disagreeable cough.
His mother, widow with SINAI
pension. had found It q hard matter +
live without her sons assistance, al
though Everett's employer had geneI
ously assumed his drug and doctor bills
while employees, from time to time
sent or carried such books and delics
cies as he could enjoy.
Shirley had Waited Everett very regr
larry until the last few weeks, durin
which time the prospects and prepare
tons for his outing had occupied hi
evenings almost to the exclusion q
everything else, and what with readin
mp on the different streams and Nfishin
apparatus, he had forgotten poor Ever
EFT almost entirely. Yes, he wou1
90 TO see him tonight without fail