The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-08-31
valuable accomplishments" suggest

| bu the Uncle.
IF so [ am not aware of them," re
piled the nephew.
"a good judge OF wines and cigars
might make a salesman"
My taste for such is acquired:
really like neither" He threw his
cigar into the CRATE.
Young men of fashion are now in
demand on the stage"
Il am wretched actor and further
more | know it.
"No talents as parlor entertainer q
"None." He frowned slightly. Il
have no liking for the clowns of pri-
vate life,' as Koke calls them. Have
you seen the 'Mikado?" It was then
the popular opera.
The old man ignored the question.
Il hear" said he, ''that there is
money in keeping book at the races" !"
Frank shook his head decidedly.
rs it possible you can do nothing
but spend money!" uncle Jacob de-
manded..
THAT is ALL" answered the young
man placidly- Then, as the old man
made an impatient gesture. "You
have cause to be Disguised, but re-
member that | have not asked your
advice or aid. Irealize that you would
help me, bat my dear, if somewhat
unknown uncle, there lives III New
York no young man so little capable
of being helped or less worthy of as
sistance ] have burned my ship and
| cannot swim q stroke"
But" persisted the old man, con
tinuing the allegory, that is no rea-
son that you should reject plank.
You cannot sit here and die like a
Sandwich islander, and l trust you do
not mean to kill youself?"
Suicide? l had not thought Of
such thing~
"What, then?"
Nothing. To morrow l will leave
this room Che furniture and belong
ings will pay the three months rent
owe), and at the first pawnbroker's
| will spout my watch and pin. They
! ought to net me 500, and with the
money thus obtained [ can live for
a month In some quiet street"
And then?"
Il don't know"
"Simpletonr' exclaimed Uncle Jacob,
shrilly "Why not live here and bor-
row from your friends, as I warrant
they have borrowed from you"
THAT would only postpone my
downfall. No, no." rising, and for the
first time speaking with some agita
ton, participation is worse than the
reality. l am pauper. | will not
| be a rogue"
You will be a fool" retorted the
other sharply, land you reason like a
| poet. Reality is worse than anticipa
ton; I have known both, you only
one Perhaps you fancy your friends
will give you credit for high-minded
motives. Disabuse yourself. If you
present bold front to fortune, the
| jade may turn her face towards you;
run away like coward, and you in
yite scorn as well as poverty"
L wish you had not come said
Frank, moodily. You terrify me with
out arousing my courage. l have no
| pluck. | perceive, and [ confess if l
had known that my recent life would
make me such a cur | would have
managed differently. But it is too
| late for either excuse or repining. |
see you are inclined to help me, bat it
is impossible
Do you mean that you will not ac-
| cept assistance from me?
No, not that, l have no delicacy
about accepting aid from a relative;
it seems natural, and [ would do the
same for you. But if you hope to
make man Of me, as the current
slang has it, L tell you plainly you
will be disappointed. Mind. / am
not averse to work, and am no fool
but | am an incapable; no one better
knows my limitations than myself. |
can copy letters, keep accounts (if not
too complicated), and | am honest
These are the extent of my accom-
plishments. What are they worth
Many man In this city mas them all
and twice as much more and counts
himself lucky to earn SO a week.
Many a better man may be driving
a street ear or waiting on tables, sup
plemented Uncle Jacob dryly; but
that Is not our present purpose. You
are my nephew, my only blood rela-
tive, and it happens that l have much
more money than | can spend ration
ally. Besides, l like you. These are
sufficient reasons for my actions, if l
felt called npon to give any. Viii
you come and live with me?.
La what capacity.
| Shall we say as friend?
Frank shook his head.
So. You thought you had no pride,
did you? Well, let Us say private sec
retary? Oh, you will have no sinecure.
My affairs are entangled with neglect.
and there will be many letters to write.
Frank laughed. Il suspect you of
benevolence," said he, "but / Will not
object. When do my labors begin?"
To-morroW-or, rather. to-day, since
it is long past midnight. Are you
sleepy?
Not very; / am used to owing.
am not, and [ am sleepy. L will
leave you and call again. VIII 10 be
too early?
Consult your own pleasure
Let us say TO- Good night.
! He IS mad or | am, commented
Frank as the footsteps died away in
the hall. However, it matters little
| will sleep.
The house in which Grosvenor pres
entity found himself installed was
what Is currently known as an old
mansion, by which one understands
large editice of shabby exterior, the
interior divided into spacious but
awkwardly arranged apartments, with
wide and draugkty halls and stairways
To the sentimental such houses art
melancholy reminders of the half
fledged grandeurs of a past genera
ton, to the practical they seem adapt
ed for middle class boarding houses