The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-06-19
A STRANGE REUNION.
7. O. ATKINSON. ~ THE STRAND MAeA-
rrNr

more than 26 or q, and the younger was
perhaps year behind.
One of them was plain Charlie Osborne.
the other reioiced in the more aristocratic
sobriquet of Eustace Margraf But il
mattered little by Nwhat different names
they were called, since fortune had for
gotten to call on both alike In short,
they were broke, almost STONY broke. -
There had been a lockout at the works at
which they were employed, and, although
neither of them Joined the combination,
they were none the less out of Job. and
the fact of their former employment at
the works that had locked them out told
heavily against their chance of procuring
other work in the town.
Neither was there much likelihood of
their going back to the works. for the
owners were rich men and could afford a
long struggle, and the men were obsti-
nate; and even If the strikers ever got
back, Osborne and Margraf were in the
awkward position of being blacklegs.
Thus it was that Fortune had forgotten
these two young men who sat by their
little fire doggedly silent, too low
hearted even to curse fortune.
II shall go to London, Charlie.' said
the elder, suddenly, without looking up
what shall we do there2" growled the
other. Osborne and Margraf had been
more inseparable than brothers since the
death of each of their parents ten years
ago Therefore, il was that, when the
latter announced his intentions of going
to London, the former instantly assumed
his own share in the venture, and asked
what shall we do in London2"
Don't know till get there, - answered
Margraf, who, be it observed, did not en-
courage the first person plural. First
person singular was good deal more in
his line. Yet he loved his chum, too, in
his own way; but it was not the best
way
whats the use of going, them"
whats the use of staying in this -
show? What's the use of tramping round
day and night after a job that never
comesR What's the use of anything? I'm
tired of mill work; it isn't what was
made for. Pm going to try my luck at
something better. You needn't come"
But because Charlie Osborne was &C
customed to be led by his comrade, he too
gave out his intention to try his fortunes
in London. This was not quite what Mar
graf wanted. He evidently had scheme
in contemplation in which he would pre-
fer 10 be alone
'I'u tell you what, Charlie, old fellow"
l.
want you to help carry out. want you
and me to separate for three years-only
three years-and try our luck alone. At
the end of the three years we will meet
again and see how each has got on, and
divide takings'
'1Iot see each other at all?'' asked
Charlie, ruefully. His love for his chum
was of the better kind-the second person
singular species.
M Mt oil a hz NJ
firmly, as though he were laying down
painful but apparent duty. mot have
any communication with each other ex-
cept in case of extreme necessity In that
case we can put an advertisement in the
Daily Telegraph. We will make a point
Of always seeing that paper"
After a longer demur than he was &C
customed to raise to any scheme of
Margraf's, however wild and chimerical,
Charlie at last let his usual submission
and vague suspicion that his compan-
ionship might be dragging Margraf back
from attaining position worthy of that
gentlemans talents get the better of him
He made hard fight for the privilege Of
exchanging letters during the three years,
but Eustace remained obdurate. There
was to be no communication except under
the circumstances and in the manner
named. Each was to take care to see the
Daily Telegraph every morningin case of
such communications and at the exact
expiration of the three years, that is, on
Nov Is, 1885,, they were to meet at 10
o'clock noon at Charing Cross station.
So these two men divided up their little
stock of belongings and smaller capital of
money, took third-class ticket each to
London, went down to Charing Cross to
verify the scene of their future reunion
and shook hands.
I'VE meet here in three years from to-
day"
1--WE do, all being well. Good-by, Char
lie'
"Good-by, old fellow"
Thus they parted each on his separate
quest for fortune.
The evening of Nov. ID, 18S-, Eustace
Margraf Esq. director and chairman of
the Anglican Debenture Corporation Qim-
ited), exc Of the General Stock and Share
holders Protective Union Qimited) and
various other like speculative companies,
sat at the luxurious dining room of his
well-appointed residence in Lewisham
park He had finished his sumptuous
but solitary meal, and reclining in a
spacious arm chair, slipped his rare old
wine. II was three years all but
a day since he had parted from Charlie
Osborne on Charing Cross station, and
set out with Is pence in his pocket to seek
his fortune. In that brief time he had
rapidly risen to wealth and distinction.
Three years ago he was a penniless me-
chanic, forsaken by fortune and discon-
tented with his life; to-day he was rich
man, smiled on and courted by fortune
and envied by all her minions, and still he
was disconnected with his life
II was strange that he should cherish
this discomfort, for Eustace Margraf,
mindful of the fact that he was made for
something better than mill work, had
matriculated and graduated at the worlds
university in the department of forgery
and theft. He had taken the highest di-
plomas in fraud he had passed with
honors the test of an accomplished
swindler, and in the intricacies of en-
bezzlement he was senior wrangler. Yet
he was not content; some men are never
satisfied.
This evening as he sat sampling his 10
Oporte, with the daily paper at his ell
bow, he actually felt some amount of re-
gret that he had entered the course for
such istinctions-which, by the way, his
modesty forbade him publishing to the
world at large. Only select few knew
the extent of his accomplishments.
In the paper at his side there was lit
tie paragraph which had given his mem
ory a rather unpleasant jog. 1t was in
the personal column, and ran as follows:
"E. M: Don't forget tomorrow, noon,
c. c. station. Charlie" He wanted to
see Charlie, for he still loved him after
his old fashion; but the memories which