The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-03-04
CHAPTER V.


farewell to except Grubb, but he wanted to
see his humble friend and avail himself of
Grubb's excellent common-sense about his
future plans. For the marine had seen
good deal of the world and knew something
Of it from workingman's point of view.
He happened to De of duty that day. and
early in the morning presented himself in
BrydelPs room. Brydell told him the glo-
rious news, and Grubb taking off bis cap
and waving it three tunes. said in half
whisper, "HoorayI hooray! hooray!'
And now" said Brydell, 'I've got to
go to work. have about S25 left. after
paying my hotel bill, and [ can't go very
far on that. Besides. I'd rather stay near
Annapolis. l can keep in touch with it
better in some ways. l have my books. you
know. and although l have only acquired
a smattering from them, yet they are ia
miliar enough to me to study by myself.
And I've got an idea about employment"
What is it, sir?" asked Grub.
well. you see, Eve been great on out
door life-riding and walking and swim
ming, and / believe [ could stand an
outdoor life better than | could being shut
up in a dingy Office. / hear that the
farmers about here find great difficulty in
getting hands, even at high wages and
particularly at this season of the year. If
could get work on a farm l could get nv
living, TOO, which l couldn't get IN a city"
Lord bless the boy" cried Grub, in
great disgust. tine leftenant's son a-talkin'
about bein' hired man! Did ever any
body hear the likes O. that for gent
man?"
Il know / am a gentleman. Grub, and
that's why It is Pm not afraid Of work"
answered Brydell. who cond not help
oil
had talked with him half an hour, though,
the marines ideas changed.
BTyd-ll. VINO had been thinking hard on
the subject all night, reminded him of how
Many young fellows walked the streets of
towns asking for employment, while IN
twice as many men as could be found.
And BESIDES" said Brydell, with a
slight blush. Tin the city might be ali the
riTue running up against peop / know,
ana if they were civil TO me I'd probably
lose the time l would have in the evenings
for study with them. aud II they didn't
notice me it would make ma feel pretty
bad, while in the country / wouldn't be
likely 10 meet soul [ ever knew. 1t al
ways seemed to me. too, as if a country
life was healthier for young fellow"
IT'S durn sight healthier in every
way" remarked Gru0b with energy.
And then, can get work right away
in the country, and heaven knows when |
could get il in town"
Mr. BrydeIl." said Grubb. "the admiral
alters SAID, when you were little shaver,
as you'd tu1n right side up. and do be-
lieve he know'd what be was talking
about"
THE admiraPs the best friend l have in
the world except you," cried Brydell: 81
believe if you were an admiral you'd do
just as much for me as Admiral Beau
mont"
Right you are. Mr.. Bryden l amt
hfr,g h,.r x,,2E
book learnin', but whenever | sees that
motto Of the corps, 'Semper hdelis, which
means Ever faithful think To myself,
Grub, my man, that means you amt
never goin' back on Another feller AID
come TO think, il do seem ridiculous that
the leftenanrs son should be a-workin'
like hired hand. But I've noticed, sir.
as how you'll put two bosses to haulin'
bricks. If one of 'em is a scrub and
tother one has strain o. good blood in
him, you'll find the scrub all petered out
by the time his work is done. But the
boss with the good blood II haul all dav
and be as frisky as kitten when you take it
out at night, for blood do tell, Mr.. Brydeil."
Grub said this with sign. and Brydell
thought the poor fellow had his own SON
in mind. Brydell did not care to say good-
by TO the lew people be knew at Annap0-
lis. so he star ed out on a round, leaving
his cards, marked Up. =. c." at each ac-
Qnalntance's house and not waiting TO see
If they were at home. He could not help
laughing as he did this. He Imagined he
saw himself at work in the fields in his
shIrtsleeves, and thought it would be
good while before be needed any more Wis
ting cards.
A natural tinge of boyish adventure
made him feel as if he would like to start
out on foot to seek his fortune, so next
morning, having packed up most of his be-
lodgings and left them in Grubbs care,
Brydell set out. with his stick and small
bundle and S25 In his pocket.
1t was a lovely day, cool for the season,
and as Brydell stepped out at lively
pace, the world did not by any means look
black to him. When he looked back six
months It seemed to him six years. In
that time he had had one Of those plnnges
into real life that turns boy into a man
in an inconceiyably short time. He had
had pretty complete experience Of what
life meant. and he had set himself to work
cut his own salvation In earnest
He thought he would walk about twelve
miles before stopping, wishing to be at
least that far from Annapolis. Bat the
beauty of the day, the greeDness and
freshness of the country led him on and
on until it was nearly fifteen miles. But
then the weather suddenly changed. The
SKY became overcast, the wind sprung up
and the first thing Brydell knew he was
caught In drenchlng rain. He lad
rain coat IN mis- bundle and he put il OH,
tected.
He was still following the main road
ana ne determined to stop and ask for
shelter at the FIST house he saw. And
how that spring shower changed his views
OF life. be realized he was wet and
hungry, that he was alone, and far from
all his friends, and all at once he began TO
feel very young. He pushed on RAPIDLY.
and in little while saw across the rolling
country a large and comfnrsabl farm
house. He made straight for it and in a
little while he knocked at the open door
A little girl in VIII tie dimity sun bonnet
came to the door. She was about 10 wears
old and remarkably pretty. she did not
show the least bit of shyness. and asked
Brydell in Hospitality. Before he had time
to.answer her father and mother appeared.
handsome country people, looking. as they
were. thoroughly prosperous.
Brydell. whose manners were naturally
graceful and polished. introduced himself
and asked the privilege of remaining until
the shower was over, and with secret de-
termination to ask for work later on. The